Psyllium husk usage and malabsorption problems

Were you on prednisone for a long time? That's pretty hard on bones. I don't think psyllium husk is a very likely culprit, and I don't think malabsorption is a common cause of osteoporosis. 

Yes, long term use of steroids can be a culprit, but so is genetics. I was on high dose, long term steroids, but my DEXA scan was fine. My sister-in-law, who had no chronic illnesses, wound up with osteopenia in her late 30s. No gut problems, big on exercise and healthy eating.

Jan

I have been using psyllium husk for almost a year now, 1heaping tsp before each meal with the appropriate amount of water. I read that psyllium can cause absorption problems in items ingested 2-4 hours after taking psyllium.  Over the past few months I have noticed my body seems nutrient deficient, which was causing muscle tightness along my left side.  This is a common problem for me but it got a lot worse.  Lately, I stopped using psyllium for my evening meal and made sure it was nutrient-rich, and also took all my supplements after that meal.  I also started putting magnesium oil on my tight spots so that the magnesium could be taken in through the skin instead of the gut.  I noticed a marked difference within a couple days.  So my question is, does anyone have a psyllium schedule where you take it not before, but in between meals?  If so, does it still help slow down the gut?  I'd like to figure out how to get around the absorption problem, but still have the gut slowing effect. 

I take Metamucil after meals. The meals then beat the Metamucil down the intestinal tract.

@CTBarrister posted:

I take Metamucil after meals. The meals then beat the Metamucil down the intestinal tract.

And this still slows down the digestion?  If yes, do you think it would work if you waited an hour before having the metamucil?

I noticed no palpable impact by Metamucil powder or caps on the speed with which I digest my food. What Metamucil does for me is it creates formed stool. I also feel like I more completely evacuate the pouch with Metamucil vs. without. The bowel movements simply are more efficient and productive. Crapping efficiently is just like working efficiently- it holds value.

What does slow down my digestion big time are marijuana gummies.

@CTBarrister posted:

I noticed no palpable impact by Metamucil powder or caps on the speed with which I digest my food. What Metamucil does for me is it creates formed stool. I also feel like I more completely evacuate the pouch with Metamucil vs. without. The bowel movements simply are more efficient and productive. Crapping efficiently is just like working efficiently- it holds value.

What does slow down my digestion big time are marijuana gummies.

Let me reframe my question: do you notice much difference in the consistency of the stool when/if you have the metamucil 30 minutes or an hour after eating instead of directly following a meal?

@Sara Marie posted:

Let me reframe my question: do you notice much difference in the consistency of the stool when/if you have the metamucil 30 minutes or an hour after eating instead of directly following a meal?

I have not noticed a difference. I usually take Metamucil around 15-30 minutes after eating but sometimes right after. The stool is consistently formed either way.

@CTBarrister posted:

I have not noticed a difference. I usually take Metamucil around 15-30 minutes after eating but sometimes right after. The stool is consistently formed either way.

Super helpful.  Thanks for sharing your experience!  I appreciate this.

I tried the psyllium 30 minutes after meals yesterday and...it was a total shitfest!  I had a million small poops.  I think something about it irritated my guts.  The stool was not watery at least.  I will try again on after I resume my routine for a while (psyllium before the meal) because there is always the caveat that it could be something else on any given day.  Maybe the gut bacteria was off.  Who knows?  I'll probably have the psyllium right after the meal on the next trial.

How much Metamucil are you taking? More than a teaspoon? You might also want to adjust dosage.

A heaping teaspoon is my usual dosage.  How much do you take?

@Sara Marie posted:

A heaping teaspoon is my usual dosage.  How much do you take?

The same

I think our systems may work differently, but I will try again to do the psyllium after meals on another day.  I will not abandon the experiment altogether just because of one bad trial.