fibercon

ScottS · 06-10-2004, 01:46 PM

i just started taking fibercon 1 week ago to try to regulate my bowel program. after about 5 days, i was extremely constipated and had to deal w/ a day of terrible spasms while my gut was unhappy w/ me. i'm only taking 1 pill per day b/c i wasn't extremely irregular (the directions say anywhere from 2-8 per day). so my question is: b/c fiber is a 'bulking' agent, could that have stopped me up? nothing else really changed through this time period as far as my eating habits go and i'm trying to figure out what to do so i don't deal w/ this anymore.

thanks!

by the way, there was a post a few days back about a vinegar/water solution to clean out the s/p cath. this is to be used as an irrigation, right?

"Today I will do what others won't, so that tomorrow I can do what others can't."

MikeC · 06-10-2004, 02:07 PM

I've got the same question as Scott - but actually just the opposite. Lately I've been having a lot of accidents - at least 2 per week. I take a tablespoon of metamucil at breakfast and dinner. If I want to make my stool firmer should I take more or less? I didn't know if the 'bulking' agent increases the flow through the system or decreases it. Thanks also!

T12 Incomplete - Walking with Walker, Oct 2003

Lewis · 06-10-2004, 08:27 PM

To both of you, I suggest trying to regulate your fiber intake through the use of foods. Many cereals (Fiber One, Go-lean) have 10-14 g of fiber per serving. I usually have two servings of Fiber One in the morning, which isn't many calories, to obtain a healthy amount of fiber.

Metamucil is a fiber laxative... very little fiber at that.

It is suggested that you have somewhere in the neighborhood of 28-30 g of fiber per day.

-Lewis

greta · 06-10-2004, 09:25 PM

Have you tried Citricel? It is a fiber that does not ferment in the bowel and thus cause excess gas. Other fibers ferment and cause gas until you acclimate to them. I think for some people excess gas can effect bowel motility.

Also, try the food route for firming stool: bananas, rice, applesause, marshmallows, etc.

SCI-Nurse · 06-10-2004, 11:22 PM

If I want to soften stools I will use a high fiber diet or Metamucil (psyllium) or Citricel.

If I want to make stool firmer, I use Fibercon (calcium polycarbophil). I don't find these types of products interchangable....they each perform differently.

Try changing to a high fiber diet and change the Fibercon to Metamucil or Citricel.

(KLD)

MikeC · 06-11-2004, 07:52 AM

SCI Nurse - Sorry for stealing your thread Scott. But, I wanted to make sure I understood SCI Nurse's post. Are you saying that someone like me who has lower motor neuron problems and has accidents a few times a week should use Fibercon instead of Metamucil? If so, what dose do you start your patients on? I know that everyone is different and I will have to fine tune my dosage but wondering what to start with. Thanks.

T12 Incomplete - Walking with Walker, Oct 2003

ScottS · 06-11-2004, 12:33 PM

so my best bet would be to stop w/ the fibercon & maybe try citrucel?

what about my other question...the water/vinegar solution for bladder irrigation? is this a good idea since i have a lot of sediment in my urine and a lot of buildup in my catheter?

"Today I will do what others won't, so that tomorrow I can do what others can't."

SCI-Nurse · 06-11-2004, 03:11 PM

Scott S, I believe the previous post on water and vinegar was for drinking, not irrigating. If you have frequent clogging of your catheter (and are already drinking at least 3 1/2 quarts of fluid daily) then you may want to ask your phyician about Renecidin instillations (not irrigation) once daily.

Mike C, your situation is just exactly where I like to use Fibercon (lower motor neuron bowel). You need to keep your stool VERY firm to help avoid accidents due to the flaccid anal sphincter. Start off with 2 tablets daily and you can go as high as 6. Follow the directions on the package for taking with water. Try to get the generic (calcium polycarbophyl) as it is cheaper than the brand name Fibercon.

(KLD)

MikeC · 06-11-2004, 05:40 PM

Thanks SCI-Nurse - I'll give it a try. Once again sorry for stealing your thread Scott.

T12 Incomplete - Walking with Walker, Oct 2003

metronycguy · 06-11-2004, 06:36 PM

does fibercon have laxative properties?
i see on the bottle that it is called a laxative , thats usually the last thing i need.
i think?

i also have a lower motor neuron.. cauda equina syndrome .
my problem now is i am always in search of a bathroom, i go 5 times a day at least. sometimes every 2 hours. on neurontin its worse for me like 8 to 10 times a day. i was trying fibercon and saw the laxative info and was wondering? i also have citricel
i have accidents if the stool is not firm.
i guess i am constipated most of the time.
lately i have been trying the grab the ankles technique

must look pretty weird in the public restrooms with the stall that don't come to the floor.

06-10-2004, 01:46 PM	#1
ScottS Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: CA Posts: 376	fibercon i just started taking fibercon 1 week ago to try to regulate my bowel program. after about 5 days, i was extremely constipated and had to deal w/ a day of terrible spasms while my gut was unhappy w/ me. i'm only taking 1 pill per day b/c i wasn't extremely irregular (the directions say anywhere from 2-8 per day). so my question is: b/c fiber is a 'bulking' agent, could that have stopped me up? nothing else really changed through this time period as far as my eating habits go and i'm trying to figure out what to do so i don't deal w/ this anymore. thanks! by the way, there was a post a few days back about a vinegar/water solution to clean out the s/p cath. this is to be used as an irrigation, right? "Today I will do what others won't, so that tomorrow I can do what others can't."

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06-10-2004, 02:07 PM	#2
MikeC Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 1,190	I've got the same question as Scott - but actually just the opposite. Lately I've been having a lot of accidents - at least 2 per week. I take a tablespoon of metamucil at breakfast and dinner. If I want to make my stool firmer should I take more or less? I didn't know if the 'bulking' agent increases the flow through the system or decreases it. Thanks also! T12 Incomplete - Walking with Walker, Oct 2003

06-10-2004, 08:27 PM	#3
Lewis Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Boston, Ma Posts: 1,322	To both of you, I suggest trying to regulate your fiber intake through the use of foods. Many cereals (Fiber One, Go-lean) have 10-14 g of fiber per serving. I usually have two servings of Fiber One in the morning, which isn't many calories, to obtain a healthy amount of fiber. Metamucil is a fiber laxative... very little fiber at that. It is suggested that you have somewhere in the neighborhood of 28-30 g of fiber per day. -Lewis

06-10-2004, 09:25 PM	#4
greta Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Utah Posts: 226	Have you tried Citricel? It is a fiber that does not ferment in the bowel and thus cause excess gas. Other fibers ferment and cause gas until you acclimate to them. I think for some people excess gas can effect bowel motility. Also, try the food route for firming stool: bananas, rice, applesause, marshmallows, etc.

06-10-2004, 11:22 PM	#5
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,301	If I want to soften stools I will use a high fiber diet or Metamucil (psyllium) or Citricel. If I want to make stool firmer, I use Fibercon (calcium polycarbophil). I don't find these types of products interchangable....they each perform differently. Try changing to a high fiber diet and change the Fibercon to Metamucil or Citricel. (KLD)

06-11-2004, 07:52 AM	#6
MikeC Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 1,190	SCI Nurse - Sorry for stealing your thread Scott. But, I wanted to make sure I understood SCI Nurse's post. Are you saying that someone like me who has lower motor neuron problems and has accidents a few times a week should use Fibercon instead of Metamucil? If so, what dose do you start your patients on? I know that everyone is different and I will have to fine tune my dosage but wondering what to start with. Thanks. T12 Incomplete - Walking with Walker, Oct 2003

06-11-2004, 12:33 PM	#7
ScottS Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: CA Posts: 376	so my best bet would be to stop w/ the fibercon & maybe try citrucel? what about my other question...the water/vinegar solution for bladder irrigation? is this a good idea since i have a lot of sediment in my urine and a lot of buildup in my catheter? "Today I will do what others won't, so that tomorrow I can do what others can't."

06-11-2004, 03:11 PM	#8
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,301	Scott S, I believe the previous post on water and vinegar was for drinking, not irrigating. If you have frequent clogging of your catheter (and are already drinking at least 3 1/2 quarts of fluid daily) then you may want to ask your phyician about Renecidin instillations (not irrigation) once daily. Mike C, your situation is just exactly where I like to use Fibercon (lower motor neuron bowel). You need to keep your stool VERY firm to help avoid accidents due to the flaccid anal sphincter. Start off with 2 tablets daily and you can go as high as 6. Follow the directions on the package for taking with water. Try to get the generic (calcium polycarbophyl) as it is cheaper than the brand name Fibercon. (KLD)

06-11-2004, 05:40 PM	#9
MikeC Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 1,190	Thanks SCI-Nurse - I'll give it a try. Once again sorry for stealing your thread Scott. T12 Incomplete - Walking with Walker, Oct 2003

06-11-2004, 06:36 PM	#10
metronycguy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: ny Posts: 5,674	does fibercon have laxative properties? i see on the bottle that it is called a laxative , thats usually the last thing i need. i think? i also have a lower motor neuron.. cauda equina syndrome . my problem now is i am always in search of a bathroom, i go 5 times a day at least. sometimes every 2 hours. on neurontin its worse for me like 8 to 10 times a day. i was trying fibercon and saw the laxative info and was wondering? i also have citricel i have accidents if the stool is not firm. i guess i am constipated most of the time. lately i have been trying the grab the ankles technique must look pretty weird in the public restrooms with the stall that don't come to the floor.