Experiences with Citrucel and Magnesium Glycinate for Ileostomy?

I have an ileostomy, and a nurse practitioner recommended Citrucel and Magnesium Glycinate to keep things moving through the small bowel. Citrucel, as I understand it, is a water-soluble fiber supplement. Has anyone tried either? I was also reading about Metamucil, which apparently coats the interior of the small bowel, thus helping things move along. I'm leery about taking anything without talking to others who have tried whatever was recommended. Does anybody have any experience with any of these or similar products they can share with me? Thank you.

I take magnesium glycinate, but it's not to move things along; it's because I have chronically low magnesium levels. I don't know if it moves things along or not. I take psyllium fiber. It comes in a capsule, easy to swallow, and digests with no problems. I would suppose it probably helps move things along. I've never tried Citrucel.

My NP recommended psyllium to slow down my bowel, hoping to keep food there longer to allow for absorption of nutrients. Definitely cuts down the number of times I have to empty.

Milford, whatever you do, do not end up taking any type of laxative with an ileostomy. I know the fiber isn't a laxative; I drank soluble and insoluble fiber before the ostomy. Just making sure you know ileostomies don't take laxatives, and if you want to make sure things keep moving along, make sure you stay hydrated. Ileostomies always move; if you're not moving, then check the foods you eat and how much liquid you are consuming.

Hi Milford, I also take magnesium glycinate for chronic low magnesium. It also happens to have a laxative effect, which someone with an ileostomy really doesn't need. I take Imodium to counteract the laxative effect of the magnesium. I can't imagine why you would need to take something to 'move things along.' I already have a very high-fiber diet, so I don't take extra supplements for that. I am not familiar with Citrucel.

Terry

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With an ileo..." to keep things moving"...is the wrong idea in my opinion.

Ileo output should be slowed down to absorb nutrients, as a member above mentioned.

You are correct in coming here to ask about stuff like this.

You see the differences and reasons and logic behind the story.

No, you don't need to keep things moving; you need to slow them down a bit. Ileo equates to liquid output. Too much liquid output, and you become dehydrated.

Pandora's box, anyone?

The medical profession follows textbook logic.

We are stoma street smart. The real thing. They don't own a stoma. We do. Experience here is priceless.

I take Metamucil and have for 20 or more years. I have a urostoma, so it is not the same thing as you. However, I have had IBS since I was a wee child. I'm now just turning 83. A few weeks back, I thought I would try to live without Metamucil and stopped taking it. BAD MOVE! Within three days, I was suffering irregular stool (either constipated or runny, no happy medium) and the same old pain I remembered from years ago. After three or four days back on it, things settled down again…stools were of a good consistency. I would recommend anyone who wants regular stools to try it.

jim7

Thanks very much for your reply. I'm going to have to do some additional research because I'm not sure the information the nurse practitioner provided to me was accurate about moving things along. Many thanks.

I don't know if it slows down or thickens up my output, but I take it all the same. I know it is supposed to be good for me. Maybe it does slow things down? Maybe without it, I'd be emptying like crazy instead of five times a day.

Metamucil, doesn't that have to be mixed with water? Does it taste awful?

I am not sure moving things along is necessarily what you want to do. If you have an ileostomy, things tend to move along quickly on their own and in liquid form. If you want to thicken things up and slow them down, that is a job for Imodium. And maybe fiber.

Thank you, Beth22, and everyone who has replied. Your collective input is greatly appreciated and is consistent with what I have learned and practiced over the 50+ years I have had my ileostomy. The concept of "slowing things down" never made sense to me, either. I have increased my hydration and plan to leave well enough alone unless or until problems arise. I was originally speaking with the nurse practitioner because of what felt like an irritable small bowel -- not really painful, just a discomfort. That seems to have resolved, so with increased hydration, I'm hopeful it will be smooth sailing from here. Many thanks to you all. -Milford

Early on my journey (almost 5 years ago), my surgeon suggested taking Metamucil. Early on, I admit I was mentally traumatized, so many comments by the medical folks went in one ear and out the other. What I do remember was thinking - isn't that a laxative? My output was only liquid. Eventually, I came across the suggestion (probably on this site) of taking Metamucil. Game changer indeed. Typically, I use it almost daily in my morning banana, almond milk, protein powder smoothie. It is not Metamucil but an equivalent that I purchase at Costco.

I don't know about “moving things along” as that was not my issue…it was more about “this water can't possibly be poop”…the only resemblance was color…you get the picture…anyway, as you will often read on this site, we are all different, so one man's cure can be another man's shizz…but perhaps give it a try…if I had not tried showering totally nude, as was suggested on this site, I would be stone broke by now purchasing Saran Wrap for the past 4-1/2 years.

Bottoms up (oh sorry, probably a poor choice of words). 🥴jb

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Thank you -- and thank you all -- very much. I will definitely give it a try. I was going to Costco today, anyway, so I will purchase that. I'm happy it's working for you!

Why not change to Mag Oxide? No laxative effect.