fybogel
What is Fybogel?
Fybogel is a fiber supplement made from Ispaghula husk, a plant fiber. There is also a version of Fybogel which contains added mebeverine, which is an anti-spasmodic designed to relax muscles and reduce pain.
What symptoms can it treat?
Fybogel is generally used to treat symptoms of constipation, although it may be useful for diarrhoea sufferers as well as it can add bulk to the stool.
How is it taken?
Fybogel comes in powder form in individual sachets. The powder is mixed with water and then drunk. There are orange and lemon-flavoured versions available.
REVIEWS OF FYBOGEL
Review by Sophie 
I'm 22 and I have been diagnosed with IBS. I tried Spasmonal but that didn't work. My GP has not given me any other treatment or medicines other than Imodium.
I had a really bad month of loose stools and severe stomach pains. I went back to my GP and he didn't give me anything, not even for the pain, he just referred me to the gastroenterologist. After a month of loose stools I then had bad, painful constipation. I work at a hospital so I went to see a general surgeon who recommended Fybogel. I went into a Boots store and asked the pharmacist his advice. He said it would help with the constipation and also help with the loose bowels. I was amazed that such a product existed. My mum suffers from constipation weekly so we both tried it and that next day we were both over the moon.
Also I love this product because in the past I have been unable to enjoy certain junk and comfort foods that I used to be able to eat all the time. Now I have the confidence to eat these foods in moderation and not worry about where the nearest toilet is or the pain I will be in. I have lost many days of work due to IBS and now I've found this product I feel a lot better.
Review by Deepak 
I am 24 years old, and I was diagnosed with IBS in November 2007. Since then I have been having treatment. My doctor who is a gastroenterologist suggested Fybogel and folic acid tablets for my constipation and bloating. I take Fybogel every day after supper. My motions have improved a lot and the bloating too. Until June 2008 I was OK but then I started having liquid motions too ie: diarrhea so I am still going undergoing treatment.
Review by Mark
I was diagnosed with IBS in March 2007. My symptoms were mainly constipation and severe gas and bloating. I also had mucous in the stools which was very embarrassing when caught at work etc. After trying to add fiber to my diet I found the gas and pain would double up and just make me feel worse.
After giving up on the fiber I went to my doctor explaining that I could not add much fiber to my diet due to the symptoms I described above. He suggested I try Fybogel, and I thought I had nothing to lose. After just two days using the product I found that my IBS almost faded away. The gas and bloating subsided to almost minimal, and I don't have any more episodes of mucous. Plus I can now pass regular stools without any real urgency.
Although I still have to make sure I eat sensibly and not go over the top with rich or fried foods my symptoms have been under control ever since and I feel 95% IBS-free. Thanks for reading everyone and all the best in battling your IBS symptoms.
Review by Julie
I have a long history of intermittent IBS spanning some five years, and I have been back and forth to my doctor because of this. I have the diarrhea-type IBS with associated stomach cramps, and my doctor recently suggested trying Fybogel during acute phases. Because I don't want to get dependent on it, I decided to take just one sachet a day, after supper. For the first time in years, I started to pass formed stools! I still get the odd bout of urgency but nothing compared to how it used to be. I stopped the Fybogel a week ago as I was relatively free of symptoms and I am now back to passing mushy stools again.
Review by Deborah 
I was diagnosed with IBS five years ago when I literally thought I was dying. I suffered from severe abdominal pain and the most horrendous constipation. The bloating is the worst symptom. I have had days where I couldn't even get dressed because none of my trousers would fit me! I still get extremely tired and nothing in the world can move me to do anything. Those are the really bad days, but Fybogel helps with the constipation and Spasmonal eases the pain and bloating a little bit.
Review by Elena 
I have suffered from constipation since 1996. I have used Dulcolax every two or three days to help me. Today I registered with a GP in the UK and she suggested Fybogel. I have used it for two weeks and there were no results. After two weeks of headaches and pain I had to take Dulcolax to help me find relief.
Review by Lynne
I suffer from chronic diarrhea. After IBS was diagnosed by my GP she prescribed Fybogel and recommended only one sachet a day, which did solve the problem after two to three weeks. However, the diarrhea reoccurs frequently (sweetcorn and peas have turned out to be major culprits). I have over the years tried some herbal and other remedies, and changes in diet, as Fybogel has not worked every time. However, recently I have come back to Fybogel and found it efective and I think maybe I will try it first when the next bout of diarrhea occurs.
Review by Laura
I have suffered with intermittent and ongoing stomach cramps and diarrhea and my doctor diagnosed IBS. During acute phases I would feel lethargic, depressed and anxious. I was fortunate enough to belong to a GP's surgery that has a dedicated practice nurse seeing IBS sufferers, and she suggested I take a combination of Fybogel and Colpermin.
I have been taking one sachet of Fybogel after breakfast and one after dinner, and two Colpermin before breakfast and two before dinner for three weeks now, and the improvement is incredible. The practice nurse has been incredibly supportive and reassuring; the most helpful part was when she told me that it was a case of finding the right combination of treatments for me and then sticking with it for three to six months. I really feel like my life could be normal again.
Do you suffer from IBS? Have you tried Fybogel? Please send in your review.