At the recommendation of my lyme dr. I've been taking flax seed daily for several months now.
Two tbsp. at once caused me to be extremely gassy.
I backed down and took 1 tbsp. with breakfast and a bit less w/ my lunch.
I have a history of diverticulosis.
For the past month I've suffered w/ incredible colon/ovarian/pelvic pain.
I don't know where the pain was coming from, but often times it felt the sigmoid colon though it would also occur right and left sides ovary level.
Sometimes higher, sometimes lower.
I thought it could be hormonal/ovulation related so I went to the gyn who said ovaries felt fine.
I had a transvaginal ultrasound done on Tuesday-no results yet.
Clean colonoscopy two years ago.
I have not taken any ground flax seed for three days now and the pain is almost gone.
When the pain was at its worst by the end of the day it hurt so bad I could only go home and lie down to relieve it.
I read something on a Mayo Clinic site about flax seed both whole and ground affecting womens hormones and also not good for people w/ colon problems. Flax seed oil was okay.
So, I am curious to know if anyone else out there has issues w/ ground flax seed.
It could be a coincidence that w/o my taking the flax the symptoms are almost gone. It could be some sort of cyclic pain issue.
If my ultrasound is okay, I may still go to the gastro and get a colonscopy.
Fortunately my insurance considers it a routine screen and I am due every 3 years anyhow.
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
There are other sources of fiber that may not cause pain. Other nuts ground up, legumes (beans & peas), fruits and veggies, etc., are all excellant sources of fiber. Apples are high in pectin as well, which can bind toxins and help with elimination.
It is also possible the ground flax is rancid if you buy it already ground...it is better to get whole flax seeds and a coffee grinder and grind your own. And all flax products (seeds, oil) should be kept in the refrigerator (wish more stores did this!).
Colon hydrotherapy may also help improve the tone of your colon to help treat & prevent the progression of the diverticulosis.
A colonoscopy may or may not reveal what the cause of the pain is, but if there is inflammation then that may be the cause of the pain (i.e., when the flaxseed scratches along the inflammed colon, it causes pain).
Mucilagenous herbs may also help, such as marshmallow root or slippery elm bark.
Posted by philly78 (Member # 31069) on :
I have been diagnosed with diverticulitis and was hospitalized for 6 days for it. This was about a year ago. Prior to that I had never had anything wrong me. Anyway, I eat 2 tbspns ground flax in my oatmeal every day and don't have any problems with it, but I have heard from other people that did have some problems such as pain, bloating and excess gas.
Do you eat a lot of fiber? Maybe you're taking in too much and need to slowly increase it. That is what I had to do.
Posted by one4islands (Member # 28187) on :
Pelvic ultrasound results normal.
I kept the Spectrum ground flax in the fridge.
I wasn't really using the flax for fiber, but it's other benefits and fiber was a plus.
I think for now I'll just skip it.
I read a brief article from the Mayo Clinic about it affecting women's hormones and causing intestinal issues/pain.
Article said flaxseed oil was the good choice.
Posted by philly78 (Member # 31069) on :
I mentioned the fiber because the extra fiber can be causing pain.
Posted by one4islands (Member # 28187) on :