Metamucil and Pepto Bismol

[Todd Hart]

I was recently diagnosed with colitis. Before the test results came back,
the doctor told me to take Metamucil 3 times a day and stay away from dairy
products. After the biopsy came back, he told me to take Pepto Bismol
tablets 4 times a day. Should I still be taking the metamucil three times a
day. Any other suggestions on diet will be helpful. I was under the
impression that I should stick with a low fiber diet. Thanks in advance for
your suggestions.
Todd

[Mr. Mike]

I would ask him. WHen my doc thought I had IBS he told me to take fiber
(Metamucil or FiberCon). After we found out it was CD he told me to
stop the fiber and avoid hi fiber foods. I would double check with your
doc to be safe. IF you have colitis in your small bowel the fiber can
really irritate it, which is why you want to stay away from "harsh"
foods like lettuce, fresh fruits & vegatables (not cooked), fried
chicken, etc.

--
Mike / mike...@hotmail.com

[Wayne Marsh]

In article <75eepg$j...@journal.concentric.net>, "Todd Hart"
<Tah...@concentric.net> wrote:

>I was recently diagnosed with colitis. Before the test results came back,
>the doctor told me to take Metamucil 3 times a day and stay away from dairy
>products. After the biopsy came back, he told me to take Pepto Bismol
>tablets 4 times a day. Should I still be taking the metamucil three times a

>day?

I think you should give the Metamucil a fair trial, maybe a week. Then if
it's making you feel better, keep taking it. Otherwise, no.

That is, unfortunately, the rule for much in IBD: if it works for you now,
then use it. If it doesn't work for you now, then leave it alone. However,
what doesn't work for you now MAY work for you sometime in the future. And
conversely. A well-adjusted IBD patient learns to tolerate a lot of
uncertainty and ambiguity.

--
Wayne Marsh - Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
wayne....@gd-is.com

[MMccorm100]

Wayne-

I would suggest slowly introducing Metamucil into your diet. 1 time for 3-4
days, 2 times for 3-4 days and then the full 3 times.
Otherwise, you might not tolerate it and quit prematurely.

If Metamucil does work for you, the generic equivelant can be bought at better
than half price. I get a 39 oz jar for $12.25.

Good Luck

Mike

[Hey Genie]

>IF you have colitis in your small bowel the fiber can
>really irritate it,

Hmm... how do you get colitis in your small bowel? 8-]
Jan...

[Mr. Mike]

You are correct, if it's in the small bowel it's called enteritis or
ileitis.

--
Mike / mike...@hotmail.com

[Todd Hart]

Thanks for all the comments! I am going to give the doc another call also.
After three weeks, I am still having lots of pain in my lower abdomen. Will
this ever go away?

[Mr. Mike]

What meds are you on?

--
Mike / mike...@hotmail.com

[Todd Hart]

>What meds are you on?

I am on Pepto Bismol Tablets four times a day and Metamucil three times a
day. That's it. I wasn't advised on diet or anything else. I am getting
very frustrated with doctors lately. It was a doctor that caused this
problem by giving me antibiotics for two weeks that I didn't need. What I
needed was to space my allergy shots out to every three to four weeks
instead of once a week which I was doing during the summer(El Nino). You
would think that an allergist would figure this out, since this was his
field of expertise. Especialy since it was September and the allergy counts
weren't nearly as bad as they were during the summer. The only reason I
found out that I had colitis, was from an ER visit. I had to have seven
stitches in my finger, and the Dr. there wanted to put me on an antibiotic.
I told him no and the reason why and what symptoms I was having. He seemed
very concerned and told me to go see a gastroenterologist. He said that I
probably had an antibiotic related colitis. The gastroenterologist did a
sigmoid and a week later I was told that I have colitis. That is when I
was told to take the Pepto four times a day. Nothing else.

I apologize for rambling on about this, but I am very angry that a Dr.
caused me this problem and now that my stomach hurts so much, I am not able
to go to the health club and do aerobics. I have gained weight and that
makes me even more depressed. I just want to feel good again.

Thanks

[Mr. Mike]

I find it weird that you're not on any prescription medications, I would
ask your doctor about this. Obviously the OTC stuff isn't doing it for
you. There are lots of meds out there that are effective for colitis
(both UC AND CD). No need to suffer when there's meds that can help.
I'd ask your GI about it and possibly look at getting a second opinion.

--
Mike / mike...@hotmail.com

[nans...@gmail.com]

My Dr has put me on metamucil three times a day to control diarehha.
Obviously, it has not worked, but I am going to continue to take my metaMetamucil until I can see a specialist.
My question, can I take pepto bismol
while taking metamucil.
There is no point in calling my Drs. Office. No one is listening.
Thank you.

[zumon...@protonmail.com]

Hi,

I am not a doctor but even if I were I’d hesitate to tell you what to do without more information on your health and what is causing your diarrhea.

In a healthy person with diarrhea, I don’t think there’d be a problem taking both products, they work in different ways.

Have you tried loperamide (e.g. Imodium)?

Can you switch to a doctor who does listen?
–
Luke