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@smart1

I apologize for the late reply. Thank you for the information above. One thing I got out of your reply was the use of senna laxatives. I recently started having a different type abdominal pain then what I experienced previously. I have diverticulosis and upon reading your experience I stopped taking the senna laxative. The pain went away! I am now back to taking Miralax but making it a nightly regimen rather then earlier in the day. That seems to help with not having as many "emergency" issues that is inconvenient when out and about. So thank you. One thing solved! One thing I'm confused on though, is the use of both Metamucil and Miralax. Isn't Metamucil for when having issues with diarrhea and Miralax is for constipation? Using both together is confusing to me. I seem to have issues with constipation, but when I take too much Miralax than comes diarrhea. So I've been trying to take a "scheduled" dose each day so that I don't get to that point. Do you have any suggestions regarding my confusion? Maybe your help might make a difference that I'm not aware of.

My diet is not great. I don't feel like I'm getting enough to eat and probably not enough of what a daily intake should be of veggies and fruits. I usually don't eat breakfast since I feel limited to egg whites w/spinach or a not-too-ripe banana. Lunch usually consists of a baked potato and small salad or half of a sandwich with fruit. Dinner is usually chicken and vegetables. Veggies like zucchini, squash, or carrots. All of which are not my favorite. I was eating a lot of green beans since the Fodmap diet said it was a good choice but I've recently been told by my GI office that they can cause a lot of bloating. Snacks are usually almonds, strawberries, and recently I've been eating Crispbread with peanut butter and sometimes jelly. Dessert - is a problem. I try to stay away from chocolate but I do partake in frozen yogurt, ice cream, caramels, or maybe some gumdrops. Not good choices, I know.

I was used to eating a large variety of foods and it just seems my diet is so limited that it makes it difficult and much less enjoyable.

Again, I realize a small price to pay compared to so many other people going through much more difficult issues. It's hard to not feel quilty.

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Replies to "I apologize for the late reply. Thank you for the information above. One thing I got..."

@smart1

You made my day when you said that stopping the Senna helped. I'm glad that you have eliminated some pain. Getting rid of one source of pain is a great thing!

You are right that Metamucil can be used for diarrhea but also for constipation. Yes, I do take Metamucil to help get adequate fiber. Like you, I can't eat a lot at one time and the Metamucil helps make up for fiber that is missing from my diet. As Metamucil is also taken with a full glass of water, it also helps with hydration. The MiraLax works as a stool softener. If you have other questions or concerns about using both of these products, contact your doctor's office and see what they suggest.

None of us probably have a perfect eating plan but being aware of what we need is important.

Did you have any other thoughts or questions?