Mema, are you taking the fiber late in the day? What dose are you taking? I take a dose before dinner, but no later. Also, there are plenty of fiber options that might work differently for you. In addition to psyllium there's Benefiber, Citrucel, and some others. Don't be afraid to experiment.

Hi Scott, I'm taking the fiber before breakfast and I'm assuming that's why I've been feeling so good during the day. I already took one today, so I'll try taking it tomorrow night instead. I'm taking 625 mg. It says on the bottle that it's Calcium polycarbophil. I could never tolerate psyllium so I made sure when getting the tablets that it didn't contain it. 

Although capsules are very convenient, they don't work well for all of us. I gave up on psyllium capsules, but the powder serves me well. I also find that two doses per day (breakfast and dinner) has a more even effect than once daily. 

I know that everything is trial and error, so I'll try them at night to see what happens and then possibly take one in the morning as well. Thanks for your ideas. I just can't imagine if I have the gas during the day....yikes! 

I tried the pill route as well.  The powder (specifically Metamucil Orange full sugar) made a huge difference.  For what it's worth, I have the best result if I take it after breakfast, instead of before.

Thanks, Mary, I don't think that I could handle the Metamucil, but I will try taking the pill after breakfast instead of before.

If you decide to try the powder, here is some advice that I picked up on this forum - add enough water to thicken it  so you can drink it but no where near the 8 oz it says on the container.  Just like my recommendation on taking it after breakfast instead of before, I have no idea why it works better but it does. 

Hmmmm, not sure that I could or would want to take the powder. I think that I would yuke....sorry! 

it's not bad.  really.

I'm going to use the pills for now to see what happens.

I've been extremely gassy and I'm hoping that it's from the fiber and not SIBO or pouchitis. Keeping my eye on things and hoping that I'm wrong. 

I like fiber gummies. https://www.phillipsdigestive....ducts/fiber-gummies/

Jan

Sounds good....I'll definitely try those, thanks!

FYI,

I was advised by medical professionals to take fiber as dessert after meals. Also I mix it with a little applesauce instead of water. They said to take imodium like products as the appitizer before meals. 

Sounds good., thanks.

Jan, thanks for the gummies recommendation, as I am unfamiliar with it.  How many do you take?  

I'm curious, what does the fiber do for you? I've been taking the tablets and find that there's no difference in my output than before. I'd hate to resort to the Metamucil, but I'm willing to try the gummies.  Jan, do the gummies change anything for you? When is the best time to take them, or, do you take them the way that TE Marie suggested. 

They should firm up your stool. We are to take fiber with as little water/applesauce as possible.  People with colons drink it with 8 ozs of water so if you are drinking a lot of water or fluids when you take them that might be a hinderance.

I thought it was supposed to be a bit firm, but it really isn't....maybe I'm drinking too much water....that's probably it. Thanks.

The capsules never bulked up my stool. That's why I tried to steer you toward something more likely to work.

I tried eating the Metamucil wafers soon after my surgery and they gave me horrible gas. I stopped and never tried anything else. Thanks for all of your suggestions. I'm going to wait to see what happens with the pills. I took one this evening after dinner and washed it down with just a sip of water. Let's see what happens. Thanks again for everyone's advice. 

how much water then with the powder? cut in half to 4 oz?. how many times per day? trying to firm mine up a bit since I have minimal leakage.

I put just enough water in it to make it drinkable - a couple of ounces maybe?  Play with it. I mix it in one of those shakers that has a mixing ball in it. A glass and spoon will certainly work too. 

When I take them, I eat 3-4 gummies at a time.

Jan

I'm having more loose "events " than ever before in my 9 years of having a pouch. Have been taking Optifiber from Costco when convenient and Benefiber packets for travel.  I have some good days and times but others are miserable.  Will try the gummies but do you think Metamucil us better than the other powders? I'm so frustrated that I'm thinking about reversing to an ileostomy although I abhor the idea.  I will sincerely appreciate any and all advice.  Thank you.

Benefiber never did a thing for me, though others here report good results. I’m very happy with psyllium (Metamucil and/or Konsyl), taken twice daily with the normal amount of water on the package instructions. It’s worked for me for about 15 years.

Thank you, Scott 😊

Thanks for the link Jan. Since the otc imodium isn't dissolving fast enough I ordered the gummies to try. I've been using the psylium in applesauce but think I 'd feel better eating a gummie or 2 instead.

I can't tolerate fiber supplements for the same reason and never found one that worked properly. Instead, I have three food sources that I use to get fiber and I usually have one mid-morning and one after dinner - nature valley cinnamon crisps (you can order a huge box online at Amazon), unsweetened applesauce, and bananas. If I disrupt my routine, I'm toast, but if I stick to it, it works great and sometimes I can actually make it through the night! Good luck! 

Thank you all for your great ideas. I'm still using the fiber pills, some days it works and other days nothing. I'm on a new med that gives me the runs (just what we all need, right), but at least I have a number of choices that I can use from your help. Thanks again.