Metamucil Use with J Pouch

I’m glad you discovered it AND it’s been working for you. I take the powder before breakfast and dinner. Usually 1 scoop (2 tablespoons-ish). I works great for me as well!

It may be worth trying to take an Imodium before bed to see if that will help with the accidents.

I hope it gets better!

I take a dose of psyllium (per the package directions) before breakfast and dinner. I find the powder works better for me than the capsules. Psyllium alone probable won’t stop nighttime accidents, but (as dlewicki suggested) a bowel slower at bedtime might help. A small, fatty meal at bedtime, like a spoonful of peanut butter, can also sometimes help.

Thank you for sharing.  Which powder works best for you, regular course or smooth?

@Frustrated posted:

Thank you for sharing.  Which powder works best for you, regular course or smooth?

I actually mix smooth, sugar-sweetened Metamucil with original Konsyl, one-half dose each. This lets me avoid artificial sweetener, limit calories, and keep the taste reasonable. I had to measure carefully just once, and that let me gauge how to do this with my usual kitchen spoons. I think original Konsyl is “coarse.” Psyllium mixes much better when shaken rather than stirred (“Bond…James Bond”). I use wide-mouth 16 oz. Mason jars with reusable plastic lids to mix up the stuff.

I use 1 scoop of metamucil a day. I take it right before I eat my big meal. I usually only eat 2 to 3 times a day and of those meals only 1 of them is a big meal. That's when I take it. I did 2 scoops at first because that's the serving size on the container but I find 2 be scoops really binds me up. 1 scoop works well for me

Just curious what the reasoning is in taking Metamucil before rather than after meals. The Metamucil website suggests that it should only be taken before meals if you are trying to stifle hunger and eat less and completely de-appetize your meals. So I am assuming you guys are trying to lose lots of weight. Let me know how effective that has been.

This is what the website says:

Our usage is different than coloned folks trying to relieve constipation or IBS, so I think any time that mixes with the food we eat is likely to do the job *we* need. I take it before meals chiefly because I do it as a combined activity with my yogurt + VSL #3, and if I do *that* after a full meal I end up eating too much. The appetite suppression is a side benefit for me, and I would switch the order if I were trying to gain weight.

@Scott F posted:

I would switch the order if I were trying to gain weight.

Interesting! I simply took it prior to eating because I wanted it to get to my stomach before everything else. I have no medical backing for that assumption - just seemed right.

I'm not trying to lose weight. I'm happy with were I am now that I put most of what I had on pre surgery #1.

@CTBarrister posted:

Just curious what the reasoning is in taking Metamucil before rather than after meals. The Metamucil website suggests that it should only be taken before meals if you are trying to stifle hunger and eat less and completely de-appetize your meals. So I am assuming you guys are trying to lose lots of weight. Let me know how effective that has been.

This is what the website says:

"Q: When should I take Metamucil fiber? Should I take it before or after meals?

A: Any time of day is appropriate to take Metamucil fiber as long as an adequate intake of fluids (at least 8 ounces of water or liquid per serving) is consumed. We recommend taking Metamucil between one and three times per day at mealtimes as a convenient way to get the benefits of Metamucil. However, if you're taking it to help you feel less hungry between meals,* the best time to take Metamucil powder is before eating.

Bulk-forming fibers like psyllium husk, may affect how well medicines work. Take this product at least 2 hours before or after medicines. Our powdered product must be mixed with liquids, not taken in its dry form. Capsules should be taken one at a time; we do not recommend dissolving them in water. For Metamucil Fiber Capsules and Capsules Plus Calcium, we recommend taking them four times per day with at least 8 ounces of liquid, as indicated.

^*THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE, OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE."

https://www.metamucil.com/en-u...PEAAYASAAEgLA0PD_BwE

I don't remember why I started taking it before as opposed to after food. It might say it on the directions. All I know for sure is it works for me. Maybe experiment and see what works best for you.

I was finding that it wasnt alwayd mixing with the food, it was more of a plug between my small intestine and stomach.   I tried right after hoping the metamucil would bind to the food instead of becomming a plug.  It didnt do what i thought, so im back to taking it before i eat.

I take it before the food because it slows down the food that comes after

@Andreita posted:

I take it before the food because it slows down the food that comes after

Just be careful that it does not cause a blockage

@Frustrated posted:

I have had my J pouch for 17 years.   I discovered metamucil caps a year ago, and it has been a life saver.  I take 1 to 2 caps with every meal, plus anytime i drink alcohol, coffee etc.  I base it on what im eating too, or i get backed up, and that is really uncomfortable.

For those taking the powder, How much and how often do you take metamucil regular coarse?  Do you take it before or during a meal?

I still have accidents when asleep, and i would like to fix that If I can.

Thanks for any info or suggestions you can share about your experience.

Smooth.

Right before eating main meals or high-fibre snacks (i.e. seconds before).

Heaped teaspoon mixed with minimal amount of water.

Chug it down quickly before it turns to gel.

Taking it just before meals means it forms a gel with the food you have at the meal. This cushions things so that you get a semi-formed output rather than an “acidy liquid with bits of vegies in it” output. For me it reduced frequency, eliminated leakage, reduced butt burn, and allowed me to eat a wider range of foods. It made the difference between the j-pouch being livable and not!

Of course, everyone is different, but it’s worth giving a try.

I’ve never heard of any danger of blockages from Metamucil in j-pouchers. It was recommended to me by the stoma/pouch nurse at the hospital where I lost my colon and mentioned in the literature they gave me. I haven’t had any blockages or problems using it twice/thrice a day for 20 years.

(Of course, this is with sensible use. If you swallowed a large amount, like 10 teaspoons, who knows. But swallowing a large amount of anything is a bad idea for j-pouchers and everyone else.)

And as with any new medication, intervention, diet change, etc., start slow and go carefully!

@Kushami posted:

Heaping teaspoon mixed with minimal amount of water. Chug it down quickly before it turns to gel.

This is exactly what I do. It will coagulate into a gel if you dawdle and do not chug right away. It reminds me of watching a heated sauce thicken when you add a teaspoon of cornstarch.

@CTBarrister posted:

This is exactly what I do. It will coagulate into a gel if you dawdle and do not chug right away. It reminds me of watching a heated sauce thicken when you add a teaspoon of cornstarch.

Yes indeed! There have been a few times when I have been distracted between the “mixing” and the “chugging”, and have had to throw away a cup-shaped lump of jelly.

@Lauren Of Emerald City posted:

Just be careful that it does not cause a blockage

When my jpouch was twisted and I took Metamucil, it made me incontinent. I'm not worried.

@Andreita posted:

When my jpouch was twisted and I took Metamucil, it made me incontinent. I'm not worried.

Glad to hear it! It would clog me up

Thankyou all for replying.  I have tried 1 tsp smooth, mixed with 1 tsp course, and about 4 oz of water.  I take with every meal.  It tastes pretty good and seems to be making things more formed.  Not enough to prevent leakage when I sleep, but much less than before.  I think i might increase it a little at a time as Im not sure how much will do the trick.

@Frustrated posted:

Thankyou all for replying.  I have tried 1 tsp smooth, mixed with 1 tsp course, and about 4 oz of water.  I take with every meal.  It tastes pretty good and seems to be making things more formed.  Not enough to prevent leakage when I sleep, but much less than before.  I think i might increase it a little at a time as Im not sure how much will do the trick.

Okay just do not go overboard okay? Be careful with it. I have no proof whatsoever but I am a firm believer in going a lot to keep things clean in the pouch. I never had pouchitis in 7 years so it could be right? If you watch everything pretty good, I am sure you will be fine

I have Metamucil powder for use at home but I decided to buy a bottle of the capsules for use at my office when I have lunch.  The instructions say 2 to 5 capsules per dose.  I was wondering how many capsules are used per dose by those J Pouchers who have the capsules?  I figured that as it's a mid day dose I would go with 2 to start.

https://www.walgreens.com/stor...W1fYzPxoCCY8QAvD_BwE

I use a heaping teaspoon of plain organic psyllium husk powder mixed with water before meals to help slow things down but not plug things up.  I experimented with taking more that, but it made me feel a bit bloated.  I'm also a small person with small parts, so more may be required for someone larger.  I weigh about 110.  I find that the finer ground the powder, the better. I'm also interested in hearing about people's experience with capsules.  Powders are generally better absorbed by this guy, but capsules are much more convenient. 

While I have not tried the powder, I found that the cookies and capsules were ineffective.

my surgeon warned me as such and told me only the powder had enough bulk to effect a difference.

so for now I rely on Imodium, but would be open to experimenting with the powder in the future.  I need to figure out how make the transition without causing a problem.

The capsules didn’t work well for me - they didn’t mix properly into the stool with only a small intestine’s worth of transit. I could actually see the sort-of exploded capsules in the toilet. I’ve been happy with the powder or (previously) wafers every day for over 20 years.

@Frustrated posted:

Thankyou all for replying.  I have tried 1 tsp smooth, mixed with 1 tsp course, and about 4 oz of water.  I take with every meal.  It tastes pretty good and seems to be making things more formed.  Not enough to prevent leakage when I sleep, but much less than before.  I think i might increase it a little at a time as Im not sure how much will do the trick.

I take 2 generic gas-x before going to bed. It has almost completely stopped the leakage at night. You might want to try it.

@Scott F posted:

The capsules didn’t work well for me - they didn’t mix properly into the stool with only a small intestine’s worth of transit. I could actually see the sort-of exploded capsules in the toilet. I’ve been happy with the powder or (previously) wafers every day for over 20 years.

Scott-

The capsules I purchased are clear and one can see the powder within the capsules. They also are not time released capsules. I assume that the coating of these capsules is gelatinous and it will quickly dissolve once swallowed. Please confirm these are the same capsules you took (see my post below with photo).

I will take 2 for lunch today and see what happens.

Below is a photo of the Metamucil capsules, note the powder visible within:

Yes, those are the same capsules as I used with poor results. The gelatin dissolved just fine, but I think in the narrow tube of the small intestine the contents just sometimes couldn’t mix adequately with a full meal. Perhaps a fatty meal that sits in the stomach longer would mix with the capsules better.

Scott- Thanks. If the capsules do not work, it seems like the best course of action would be to empty the powder out of the capsules. Based on the posts here, I drank a lot of liquid with my lunch to promote the adequate mixing of the powder once the gelcap dissolves. I should know within a couple of hours. I didn't have a fatty lunch- it was a salad with beef jerky as my protein.

You could also use plain powder, fill it into a small old pill container (for use in office), together with a small (plastic) spoon stuck inside for picking a dose of the powder.

During a meal I used to put a portion of the powder into my mouth and add some water, then mix it inside my mouth and swallow it.

If you drink a lot of liquid together with the powder the desired thickening effect may not work.

I’ve always used psyllium twice daily, with breakfast and dinner. Skipping it with lunch seems to be fine for me, for whatever reason, so I never worked out a process for “in the office.” For travel I use Metamucil single dose packets. Although shaking works *much* better than stirring, I haven’t found a good shaker for travel/portability, so I just stir when on the road. Metamucil smooth texture mixes adequately with stirring, but Konsyl original really seems to need shaking.

I always mix it with about 8 ounces of water, as the package directs (heck, at home I measure it). Although the “less water is better” claim gets repeated a lot, in my body 8 ounces of water works just fine.

I'm with Scott on the water intake. 

Report back: I have had pretty good success using the capsules. I use Metamucil powder breakfast and dinner and capsules with lunch. With lunch 3 or 4 capsules seem to be the sweet spot for me. As mentioned above taking 8 ounces plus liquid for wash down is key.

Have any of you tried the Metamucil gummies? They are sugar free and I just bought these today- dosage is 3 gummies:

👏🏽 What a wealth of info here! Thanks all!
I’ve  had my j pouch for a few years  after surviving colorectal cancer, then lost my gallbladder.  Loose stools are bad enough but that combined with  increased butt burn from all that bIke releasing w/o the gallbladder is very uncomfortable . Thanks to this topic ( and my gastro doc)  I started taking  Metamucil fiber  a few days ago  and hope it will help mitigate all the bile acids and slow down my active j pouch. So far I don’t notice much improvement but I’m thinking it may take up to a week to see results. ❤️

@Nancita posted:

👏🏽 What a wealth of info here! Thanks all!
I’ve  had my j pouch for a few years  after surviving colorectal cancer, then lost my gallbladder.  Loose stools are bad enough but that combined with  increased butt burn from all that bIke releasing w/o the gallbladder is very uncomfortable . Thanks to this topic ( and my gastro doc)  I started taking  Metamucil fiber  a few days ago  and hope it will help mitigate all the bile acids and slow down my active j pouch. So far I don’t notice much improvement but I’m thinking it may take up to a week to see results. ❤️

In my experience, psyllium works right away, not over time.  If you're not seeing any difference, you may need to take a larger amount.  I take a heaping teaspoon with water before my breakfast (oats) and that is sufficient, however, before meals that move quickly through (veggies, meat, etc.), I need 2 t with water before eating.  You may need even more because of the missing gallbladder?  And I might require less because I'm kinda on the small side (5'2", 110lb).