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Hi,
I have been told to take Metamucil every day for my D, by my PCP plus my GI doctor, and I've been doing that for months and months now.
How does that affect the C?. I know Metamucil is supposed to help D and C, but my D is still the same as before. Is that a contributor to the D?
I have lowered my fiber intake, and my last cholesterol test showed my HDL's decreased and my LDL's and Trig. went up. Usually, I have high HDL's and low bad cholesterol. I know Metamucil is a fiber intake, and I feel it is one of the few fibers I take now which is supposed to help heart health, but not sure if I should stop taking it.
Any advice appreciated.
garina
Metamucil per my doctor
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Fiber is not good for D.
I have taken much needed cholesterol meds but lately have not needed them. My doctor and I did not know why. I found an article about magnesium helping with cholesterol. I have been using spray magnesium (pill form has a laxative effect), so maybe that is the reason.
I'll find the link and repost it.
I have taken much needed cholesterol meds but lately have not needed them. My doctor and I did not know why. I found an article about magnesium helping with cholesterol. I have been using spray magnesium (pill form has a laxative effect), so maybe that is the reason.
I'll find the link and repost it.
DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor and don't play one on TV.
LDN July 18, 2014
Joan
LDN July 18, 2014
Joan
Garina,
Your insides are super-irritated by MC - think of the fiber like scrubbing a sunburn. OUCH. You may be able to tolerate more fiber when you are healed - but right now, you're far better off without it.
I believe your heart health will improve when the horrible inflammation is calmed down, and you remove foods from your diet that provoke your system. For now, the fiber is likely to be making things worse - and for sure it hasn't helped you.
This cholesterol mania drives me nuts, as it leads doctors to make these "one size fits all" recommendations.
I hope dropping the Metamucil helps - keep us posted!
Sara
p.s. I am also using topical magnesium (I mixed my own spray from a form of magnesium chloride that's used to make tofu). It has helped me with leg cramps, which I only started having after I got sick. I skipped it for a couple of days, and actually had slight cramping again yesterday... so I think it works, and it's cheap and safe.
Your insides are super-irritated by MC - think of the fiber like scrubbing a sunburn. OUCH. You may be able to tolerate more fiber when you are healed - but right now, you're far better off without it.
I believe your heart health will improve when the horrible inflammation is calmed down, and you remove foods from your diet that provoke your system. For now, the fiber is likely to be making things worse - and for sure it hasn't helped you.
This cholesterol mania drives me nuts, as it leads doctors to make these "one size fits all" recommendations.
I hope dropping the Metamucil helps - keep us posted!
Sara
p.s. I am also using topical magnesium (I mixed my own spray from a form of magnesium chloride that's used to make tofu). It has helped me with leg cramps, which I only started having after I got sick. I skipped it for a couple of days, and actually had slight cramping again yesterday... so I think it works, and it's cheap and safe.
Hi Garina,
Joan and Sara are quite correct. I'm afraid that you are the victim of 2 doctors who are confused. Fiber works to promote regularity by actually physically tearing the cells of the mucosa in the intestines. When the mucosal cells are damaged in that way, they secrete more mucus, in order to try to protect themselves from whatever is causing the damage, (the fiber), and the additional mucus helps to improve motility. Improved motility means more frequent bowel movements. Most individuals who have MC don't need any additional motility - their motility is too high to begin with. I'm afraid that your doctors don't understand MC at all.
Not only that, but Metamucil probably contains gluten. Here's a quote from their website:
I agree with Joan and Sara about the cholesterol treatments, also. Doctors also don't understand the role that cholesterol plays in our health, and their misguided campaign to prescribe statins to lower cholesterol, has caused major health problems for countless individuals, over the years. Lowering the total cholesterol level has no benefit for overall risk of death. In fact, research shows that as we get older, people with higher cholesterol levels live longer than those with average, or below average levels. If you want to see some research references on that, I can list them for you. But this is another story - the point of concern at the moment is Metamucil, and it is definitely contraindicated for MC. Your doctors apparently believe that they are treating a patient with "IBS".
Of course, there is no such disease as "IBS", either - it's what a doctor claims the patient has, when they are unable to figure out what is causing the symptoms. In doctorspeak, it stands for "I Be Stymied", "so I'll just diagnose you with IBS, so that you won't realize that I don't know what I'm doing".
But that's another story, too.
Tex
Joan and Sara are quite correct. I'm afraid that you are the victim of 2 doctors who are confused. Fiber works to promote regularity by actually physically tearing the cells of the mucosa in the intestines. When the mucosal cells are damaged in that way, they secrete more mucus, in order to try to protect themselves from whatever is causing the damage, (the fiber), and the additional mucus helps to improve motility. Improved motility means more frequent bowel movements. Most individuals who have MC don't need any additional motility - their motility is too high to begin with. I'm afraid that your doctors don't understand MC at all.
Not only that, but Metamucil probably contains gluten. Here's a quote from their website:
http://www.metamucil.com/May contain trace amounts of gluten. If you have specific dietary needs, you should consult your doctor before consuming this product.
I agree with Joan and Sara about the cholesterol treatments, also. Doctors also don't understand the role that cholesterol plays in our health, and their misguided campaign to prescribe statins to lower cholesterol, has caused major health problems for countless individuals, over the years. Lowering the total cholesterol level has no benefit for overall risk of death. In fact, research shows that as we get older, people with higher cholesterol levels live longer than those with average, or below average levels. If you want to see some research references on that, I can list them for you. But this is another story - the point of concern at the moment is Metamucil, and it is definitely contraindicated for MC. Your doctors apparently believe that they are treating a patient with "IBS".
Of course, there is no such disease as "IBS", either - it's what a doctor claims the patient has, when they are unable to figure out what is causing the symptoms. In doctorspeak, it stands for "I Be Stymied", "so I'll just diagnose you with IBS, so that you won't realize that I don't know what I'm doing".
But that's another story, too.Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
It seems I've been doing so many things wrong. I have taken the Metamucil ever since this started, except for today. Today is a new day.
I hadn't heard about the magnesium helping cholesterol, but I did know it helps movement, which we don't need. So, I'll get the spray. Thanks for the tip, Joan.
Tex and Sara, as usual, I am overwhelmed by your knowledge. I discarded the Metamucil.
garina
I hadn't heard about the magnesium helping cholesterol, but I did know it helps movement, which we don't need. So, I'll get the spray. Thanks for the tip, Joan.
Tex and Sara, as usual, I am overwhelmed by your knowledge. I discarded the Metamucil.
garina
Garina,
In a few months, you'll be an expert - maybe only expert at managing your own MC, but that's the most important thing!
Don't feel bad about doing things wrong. I find it kind of baffling that potato chips are a 'healthy snack' for me these days. The "conventional wisdom" definitely turns out not to be the most reliable guide! (Kind of makes you wonder what else they're wrong about, doesn't it?)
I got magnesium chloride in a form called nigari flakes - this is much less expensive than some other sources: http://naturalimport.com/shop_for_nigari?b=1
The pre-mixed products are convenient, but more expensive. I hope to find nigari flakes in a local Asian market area when I next need some. I borrowed the book 'Magnesium Miracle' from our library, and sort of skimmed it... Here's an article about how to mix up the liquid:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5918363_make-ma ... -pain.html Although it says you have to wait a few days to use the liquid, that's not true, of course - it may dissolve more thoroughly over time, but it's perfectly usable right away. The link also says you should get your magnesium levels checked... but blood tests are not a good way to determine magnesium deficiency (that is one of the few things I remember from my rapid read of that book!).
Hope this helps, and I hope chucking the fiber helps you on your way to real relief!
--Sara
In a few months, you'll be an expert - maybe only expert at managing your own MC, but that's the most important thing!
Don't feel bad about doing things wrong. I find it kind of baffling that potato chips are a 'healthy snack' for me these days. The "conventional wisdom" definitely turns out not to be the most reliable guide! (Kind of makes you wonder what else they're wrong about, doesn't it?)
I got magnesium chloride in a form called nigari flakes - this is much less expensive than some other sources: http://naturalimport.com/shop_for_nigari?b=1
The pre-mixed products are convenient, but more expensive. I hope to find nigari flakes in a local Asian market area when I next need some. I borrowed the book 'Magnesium Miracle' from our library, and sort of skimmed it... Here's an article about how to mix up the liquid:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5918363_make-ma ... -pain.html Although it says you have to wait a few days to use the liquid, that's not true, of course - it may dissolve more thoroughly over time, but it's perfectly usable right away. The link also says you should get your magnesium levels checked... but blood tests are not a good way to determine magnesium deficiency (that is one of the few things I remember from my rapid read of that book!).
Hope this helps, and I hope chucking the fiber helps you on your way to real relief!
--Sara
I hope that means that you're feeling better already.Garina wrote:Today is a new day.
I may have already mentioned this to you, (if I have, I apologize for not remembering), or you may already be aware of this, but in case you aren't, magnesium also helps to prevent leg and/or foot cramps, and restless leg syndrome, which many of us with MC have problems with. Also, it helps to lower blood pressure, and I find that it slows down my average heart rate, as well.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.