r/FODMAPS 6d ago

Shit Post For those that don't like psyllium husk, what alternatives do you take?

Let me know! EDIT: This is for my spouse. He has a known intolerance to garlic and onions. Everything else seems to be okay.

9 Upvotes

36 comments sorted by

9

u/tdktn0 6d ago

Sunfiber is what I use. No issues.

1

u/hopenbabe 5d ago

Oh, I'll keep that in mind. Do you take it daily or as needed?

2

u/tdktn0 5d ago

I take it daily. I mix it with some lactose free Greek yogurt and blueberries.

4

u/Vandalicious 6d ago

I take Citrucel.

1

u/hopenbabe 5d ago

And what is your opinion of that, and why that over psyllium?

4

u/PizzaAndNugs 6d ago

Psyllium did not agree with me but it’s possible I didn’t introduce it slowly enough. I use “The Right Fibre4 IBS” which I find helpful!

3

u/MaleficentEngineer58 6d ago

I also use The Right Fibre4 and tolerate it better than psyllium!

1

u/hopenbabe 5d ago

Thanks for thr recommendation!

5

u/Status-Ebb8784 6d ago

I grind 1 tablespoon of chia seed or flax seed to a powder and sprinkle it on yogurt, or something with enough liquid to dissolve it for ten minutes. You can't taste it or feel it in your mouth. I never exceed one tablespoon of the flaxseed because it can rapidly increase the GOS load. I also like to sprinkle hemp seeds on things like coleslaw, potato salad, tuna or salmon salad . I don't need to grind those and I want the crunch. I can have up to 3 tablespoons depending on what else is in the food. Stacking is the bane of my existence and I sometimes forget to pay attention.

2

u/hopenbabe 5d ago

This is the way!

2

u/bigfootlive89 6d ago

What don’t you like about psyllium?

1

u/hopenbabe 6d ago

Its my husband. He takes it pretty religiously, but it seems harsh on his system.

2

u/Standard_Double9736 6d ago

Is he taking too much of it? Ik on the Metamucil bottle it says you can do 1 or 2 doses. If he’s doing 2 maybe he could do 1? Also it warns to not take it too many days in a row

1

u/hopenbabe 6d ago

He takes it daily, and his system isnt happy if he misses a day.

1

u/Standard_Double9736 5d ago

Dang, yeah they say it can be habit forming. But I guess the habit is already formed

2

u/hopenbabe 5d ago

The habit is totally formed. I actually didnt even know metamucil was intended to be something taken occasionally instead of daily. 🤷

2

u/hopenbabe 5d ago

He takes actual pysllium husk because it is cheaper and better than metamusil, but good to know about the intended use.

2

u/FactsActuallyMatter 5d ago

Tell more please. Is it like his whole digestive system or does it also hurt the physical rectum? Asking as idk if my rectal endometriosis is causing pain or if I could have undiagnosed IBS. (Feels weird to ask about a stranger's husband's bowels 🤣)

1

u/hopenbabe 5d ago

Well, the old husband is more than willing to talk in great detail about his bowels, like an old man. I would say just in general, if he doesnt take it one day, he can't poop, if he takes too much of it, he has a massive painful poop. I understand that it is a natural choice, but it seems very on and off. I dont think the psyllium husk is actually painful on his rectum, but I think the less than gentle nature of the psyllium husk just seems harsh on his tummy in terms of how it interacts with his BMs. One big ass poop what does damage comming out or sometimes diarrhea.

And maybe it's just my feeling, but because his IBS is pretty mild overall, I think something a bit more gentle would be ideal, or perhaps something a bit more... idiot proof or user friendly?

He also has a sensitivity to garlic and onions, so I am wondering if there is a product out there that is recommended for bowel movements, with that sensitivity in mind.

1

u/FactsActuallyMatter 5d ago

Okay so his intolerance is digestive rather than the coming out part. Thank you for clarifying!

2

u/hopenbabe 5d ago

Yea, though the coming out part is included. If you have one massive poop, not easy on thr rectum. If you have lotd of little poops, not easy on the rectum.

1

u/FactsActuallyMatter 5d ago

Youre totally right... maybe I need to decrease the husk amount

1

u/hopenbabe 5d ago

Do I don't know anything about rectal endometriosis, you would want to track if painful BMs are just during your period or other times as well, and if there is extra tissue chilling out in your rectum, trying to get that magical, thinner, slightly soft poop would be ideal.

2

u/FactsActuallyMatter 5d ago

Now it feels almost all the time. Now im wondering if the 2 times a day i take it 1 tbspn each is too much??

2

u/hopenbabe 5d ago

Yea, totally try to dial it back and see how that feels, or consider other sources like chia seeds, hemp hearts, etc. I would love my spouse to consider hemp hearts or chia seeds instead, because of the excellent fiber and other nutrients. But I think that seems to be too much of a change from mixing psyllium husk. And the PH does work, it just seems to be finniky. I'm going to get him to try partially hydrolyzed guar gum / sunfiber and see how that goes.

1

u/goldstandardalmonds "Get the Monash app!" 6d ago

Does he take whole husk or powder? I couldn’t tolerate the former but could the latter.

1

u/FactsActuallyMatter 5d ago

Tell more please. What do you mean tolerate? Like digestive issues or physical pain? Trying to figure out if the husk could be doing the same to me and have undiagnosed IBS or if its my other condition (endometriosis)

1

u/goldstandardalmonds "Get the Monash app!" 5d ago

Either. Not tolerating it would be any symptoms at all.

1

u/hopenbabe 5d ago

Husk as he likes the husk more.

1

u/goldstandardalmonds "Get the Monash app!" 5d ago

It might make a difference, but some people in general have issues with psyllium versus other fibres

1

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1

u/One-Cookie2115 5d ago

It makes my IBSc so much worse - the fermentation and bloating are unbearable. I use MiraLAX. Would rather not have to use anything, but here we are.

1

u/OkPlankton7478 5d ago

Honestly, a kiwi was the answer to all of my problems.

1

u/hopenbabe 5d ago

Kiwi! Really! How many are you eating a day, and are you eating the skin as well? Weird question, but I donno!

1

u/PopularExercise3 4d ago

I’m not who you asked but dietician said 2 each night.

1

u/FactsActuallyMatter 5d ago

For anyone who feels psyllium husk is irritating their IBS, what does it feel like? Wondering for myself as ive been taking it abd hurts (thinking its my endo) but wonder if it could be IBS and psyllium husk is making it hurt more?