Metamucil for LAR syndrome

[chrisca]

After reading some reports here, I decided to try Metamucil again for LAR syndrome. It's not a miracle, but it did provide some help. My primary complaint is long BM times and it didn't do much for that. But it seems to have reduced the number of times per day from three down to two. It also increased the caliber of the stools and usually reduces the fragmentation by a small amount, maybe ten percent. It also improved the stool consistency, so that I hardly have any more rectal bleeding. Hemorrhoid irritation is also reduced significantly. I can also eat foods that I used to have enough of a sensitivity to that I avoided them in the past. I can eat strawberries now! Also beans and I can tolerate more spices.

I take about 1 level tablespoon after breakfast and dinner. It can be mixed with fruit juice or a little Tang to improve flavor. Metamucil has a "smooth" version that's finely ground and it works the best for me. Nutrition centers at Kroger and other major market chains also have a powdered psyllium seed product in the bulk section that costs less and is the same thing. The whole seed didn't work for me; it was too scratchy. Stick with the powder.

The dosing is a bit of an art. I mix the powder with about six ounces of water at the end of the meal. I found that drinking a large amount of fluid during the meal would intensify the effect and make it more of a laxative, almost emptying the colon in the middle of the night if I had a lot of liquids at dinner. If I need a lot of fluid due to hot weather or exercise, I reduce the dose about half and it helps. If I'm eating out, I take a small container to the restaurant and mix it up in the water glass.

When first starting it, I had some gas and the effect was less predictable. There was some minor pain at BM time and I think it was partly from stretching of the neorectum area as the stool caliber increased. That's gone away now. But after finding the right dose and sticking with it, the results are worth it and I've been using it about three months now. So if you're starting it and it's not working right, keep it up and try reducing the dose until it's tolerated and producing some benefit. From there, tinker with the dose, water amount, and timing to see what works best.

[AbbyDoo]

Congratulations on the 5 year Ned....
Thanks for the tip on Metamucil. Your only going 2 or 3 times a day that's great I wish I could say that.
I'm about 7 week out from my reversal and it's been a hard road so far. Some days I think it would be easier to have the bag back but then I remember how much I hated it. I think I jumped off the bland food to fast and have been paying for it.butt things are getting better. Instead of 20 to 30 times a day I'm down to 10 or 12 on a bad day.
I think our doctors are dropping the ball after our reversal surgeries. I was told no diet restrictions eat whatever. Ya right try that a see what happens it's a pretty shitty experience. For me I'm going back to bland food and will speak to Dr. About adding Metamucil

[Dave Hudson]

I agree with you AbbyDo, I was discharged from the hospital without any real information about LAR syndrome or any of the potential difficulties and was told,like you were, that I could "eat anything" which we know is not so. Luckily I had some good information from this site and knew what to expect.

[Buckeye]

I have been using Metamucil for 5 months now. I take it one time a day, after I finish my dinner. It has worked great for me. I will caution anyone trying Metamucil to buy the SUGAR FREE option. I was told by my colorectal surgeon that the combination of sugar and fiber creates gas. I know this to be true, because I didn't believe him and had some with the sugar at home. Big mistake.. I didn't know if I had to poop or pass gas . Very uncomfortable .

[Ehut]

FYI, psyllium fiber is also available in capsule form. That resolves the issue of the "grittiness" or high sugar content. I take 5 capsules before bed every night.