Thin stools

January 26, 2024 1:32 PM

Just had a colonoscopy got thinner stools It was normal No masses, no strictures Was told to start on psyllium Has anyone else taking that? What is your experience? Does it bulk up your stool? How long to see some results How many capsules do you take?
posted by barexamfreak to Health & Fitness (8 answers total)

I take between 5 and 10 a day. The key is to take them with food. If you take too many on an empty stomach, you can get a blockage in your intestines/colon. Then it becomes painful. Trust me on that. Since I have been taking fiber pills, my stools slide right out. So smooth I almost don't need TP. Almost.

I would talk to a doctor before starting on them without a plan.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 1:57 PM on January 26, 2024 [1 favorite]

I remember your previous question, congratulations on the clean colonoscopy!

Going by your AskMe history and how you wrote this question I think it would be a good idea for you to focus some of your resources on building up some in-person support for your anxiety. Internet strangers are notoriously bad for this kind of thing, and even though Mefites are cream of the crop (I, a long-time mefite, say) it can still be really easy to exacerbate your medical anxiety this way.

Do you have a counselor or therapist? Do you have a trusted family doctor or nurse practitioner? Have you got peers or elders who have gone through similar medical experiences? Everyone’s bodies are different, and an anonymous online forum is a great way to cast a wide net, but when it comes to medical things specifics are really important. Someone who knows you, your history, your lifestyle and your concerns, that’s who you should be asking these kinds of questions, and also that’s who can help you control your anxiety.

To answer your actual question, psyllium is a super common fiber supplement. Most people who eat a western diet don’t get enough of the different kinds of fiber and psyllium is a way to help that. But in my experience, starting a fiber supplement without a clear plan or end goals is unwise. Start very very small and work up from there, allowing your body to acclimate. Drink a lot of water. Psyllium expands. There are other kinds of fiber supplements that can bulk up your stool as well, if psyllium is not friendly to your specific gut. You have a lot of options and different ways to monitor changes, from bathroom logs to bloodwork.
posted by Mizu at 2:05 PM on January 26, 2024 [11 favorites]

I strongly recommend Konsyl. It is a powder mixed into water or juice or gatorade or whatever works for you and then drunk quickly (if you leave it around it sets like jello). I used to take 8 or 10 psyllium husk caps daily and then a doctor told me to switch to Konsyl and I am so grateful!

Konsyl has both soluble and insoluble fiber. The soluble fiber sucks up water so that you have formed stool and don't have diarrhea. The insoluble fiber bulks up your stool to prevent constipation and to keep things moving at an appropriate speed through your digestive system.

Konsyl is not cheap, but let me tell you it is worth its weight in gold.
posted by janey47 at 2:24 PM on January 26, 2024

Start with 1 pill taken with a meal with plenty of water. Let your body adjust and slowly build up as needed. No more than what’s needed.
posted by Mr. Papagiorgio at 2:26 PM on January 26, 2024 [4 favorites]

Good news!!

I prefer powdered as well. First, it is easier for me to stir powder into a glass of water and drink that than to swallow a bunch of pills. Second, you absolutely need to drink a full glass of water at the same time so I'd rather drink the water flavored with the power ( I use Metamucil which has given a distinct orange flavor that is not everyone's cup of tea.) When I used to do a protein shake for breakfast, I just added it to the shake - it gave it a thicker more milk-shake like texture that I liked.

Nothing wrong with pills if you prefer although I think the powder is cheaper on a per use basis.

My stools come out larger and softer but still well formed. I usually see the results the next time I have bowel movement.
posted by metahawk at 4:38 PM on January 26, 2024 [2 favorites]

I don't like the caplets because it's too easy not to drink enough water with them. I like Orange Metamucil powder. It tastes ok, gives you divinely smooth poops, and it fills you up in terms of appetite, so I like to time when I drink it - my preference is a couple hours after dinner, to help curb my appetite and stop me from evening snacking or drinking alcohol. Very adult!

I do one tablespoon, stirred well into a big glass of water, and drink it fairly quickly, as it turns a bit too thick in about 10 minutes.

Pro tip- When you're done, fill the glass with water and leave it to soak in the sink, because if Metamucil dries on a cup, it's a bit annoying to wash.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 7:08 PM on January 26, 2024 [2 favorites]

Another vote from me for the powder. I also like the orange Metamucil.

Another thing to watch with the timing - if you are taking any medications you want to take them a couple hours before or after you take psyllium. There is a risk that when taking medication and psyllium too close together that the medication becomes less effective (because it’s moving faster through your gut). So just make sure to consider that in your routine.
posted by eekernohan at 6:52 AM on January 27, 2024 [1 favorite]

I take 6 a psyllium capsules a day with a glass of water. If necessary, I use some miralax as well. It's easy, esp. in winter, to eat foods with less fiber, and to eat fewer vegetables and fruits. Psyllium works best if you take it with plenty of fluid. You can and should eat oatmeal, dried apricots and other fruit, whole grains, broccoli and other vegetables. You can and should drink water, make sure you get some dietary fat, and get exercise.

I had not thought of nouvelle-personne's idea that psyllium is filling, so I think I'll start taking it between meals.

I'm so glad you had a good result!
posted by theora55 at 7:36 AM on January 27, 2024 [1 favorite]