Yup! This pretty well sums it up for me;.always watching what I eat and not too much at one time. I take Benefiber, which helps some, but not all the way.

Thank you for your information/experiences about IBS with constipation. My IBS has developed into this type in the last few years and I, like you, find I feel better and have less digestive issues if I "graze" my way through the day. I've been taking fiber supplements every day, but sometimes don't find them as effective as they use to be....so perhaps MiraLAX/ClearLAX might work better, and a possible replacement for the fiber pills. Thanks again for your post.

Im not sure whats in miralax? I would go for the 100%pure I tried the fiber thing made me worse, you dont want to damage intestinal lining especially small intestines thats where absorption of vitamins minerals proteins ect begin, I read extensively before I put anything in my body I was a medical student because I was concerned about my brother RIP and my health! You know if you have taken too much magnesium it will give you the runs ! Which is a great indicator being constipated is a misrable exsistance !! Just trying to help good luck to you!

I hear you fiber is no good for me either! I live in N.Y. can't help buthave a slice hear and there, I do not feel well with a high fat meal eitherI always eat fruit and vegetables fresh of course or frozen ,But hadproblems with bowl movements for years and was reading one day and cameacross magnesium I am 53 as a child my Sicilian grandmother use to give mea teaspoon of magnesium before I went to bed and found some labs ,bloodwork couple years old I was 1 numeral from being of the charts magnesiumlow! It works great for Many reasons I suggest you Google it first ,fiberdoes un repairable damage causing malnutrition aka malabsorption can'tbelieve the doctors are so far behind well I.actually can just because theyhave a PhD does not make everyone a good Dr! Be well Deena

I had for long time a hiatal hernia for a long time and didn't even know it. I saw a gastroenterologist because of my inability to eat without having the food stuck in my chest. When I went to a surgian to have the hernia fixed he put me on a diet of not eating just three meals a day but six meals a day but smaller portions. So far it seems to help with my IBS as well

Fiber can be good if used for the right reason ie diarrhea but first speak to your doctor before using even over the counter suppliments

safetyshield: i was told by my gastroenterologist that there are many people out there with hiatal herniea and never know it because they never cause the patient any problems. And then there are those who have issues. Grazing...multiple small meals throughout the day is good advice for both the hernia issue and IBS. In fact, I've read it's just a healthy way of eating...period. I grown to appreciate it and enjoy it more than 3 larger meals a day.

Fiber can be good for some and not great for others. Everyone is different. My doctors pushed it for a while and then realized it wasn't right for me and told me to stop using fiber supplements. I use MiraLAX/ClearLAX and usually eat one or two Fiber One brownies a day to satisfy my sweet tooth. The combination seems to be working well for me. My IBS with constipation is doing quite well. When I get a bad flair up I just start eating homemade chicken veggie soup that I simmer for two hours to really get everything soft and easily digestible. I also drink Ensure twice a day. With a really bad attack I'll stay on that regimen for a week or so and then things work themselves out again and I go back to my regular diet. Basically I try to get my two kinds of fiber from a natural diet.

You're welcome cherriann and good luck. Like I said I've read from several reputable sources that fiber supplements are not for everyone. Easy goes it with changes in diet. If you're having problems, of course see your doctor first but eat foods that are easy to digest and lay off raw fruits and veggies for a while. Cook fresh veggies until they are soft and easily digested. That's what my doctor said and it seems to work. I'm all for fresh veggies that are raw or gently cooked but when I'm dealing with an IBS attack...very easy does it. I even substitute a few mini meals a day with Ensure if I'm really having trouble with a painful stomach that's not digesting properly. .

I remember when I was young that my GP told me I had a hiatal hernia when I complained about heart burn. But nothing was recommended. Not until I had problems digesting the food that my gastroenterologist told me more about my hiatal hernia and still told me it was up to me when I wanted to get this repaired. When it so bad I decided to go to a general surgeon and he was the one who said to eat smaller portions throughout the day. So not to put to much of a strain on the stomach. I also heard that these operations have to be repeated every third year. The surgeon once again told me stick to eating smaller meals and you will not need another surgery. It's been since 2011 so so far so good.