Sunday, May 6, 2012

All Plugged Up and Benefiber is Nowhere to be Found - Until TODAY!

NEWER UPDATE!!  Sept. 13, 2013... The actual brand of Benefiber is now back in the stores.  I did have someone make a comment that the ingredients in Benefiber in the US is different than the ingredients in the Canadian version.  Next time I'm in out shopping I will check it out.  Did they change the ingredients?  If so, use the Costco brand.  It's exactly the same as the old Benefiber only cheaper.

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UPDATE_UPDATE!!  I was in Costco today, August 24, 2012 and I found the exact same item.  Wouldn't you know, Costco would see the issue and run with it.  There is now a Costco brand of Wheat Dextrine.  200 servings for $15.  Same exact stuff as Benefiber.  Dissolves the same.  Just cheaper and more servings.  Stock up!

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ORIGINAL POST
Are you sure you are plugged up?  Not a problem just run to the store and buy some Benefiber.  It's good stuff.  It has no taste, it mixes with anything, and a teaspoon a day should keep things going well.  Except there isn't any Benefiber anywhere, unless you want to buy it on eBay for 5 times its regular price.  Why?  Because the main company, Novartis, recalled several of its products including Excedrin, Bufferin, Gas-X, and NoDoz because there may be some broken pills or some pills of one type may have gotten into the container of another.  Imagine needing Gas-X and you end up with a little piece of a NoDoz pill. They shut the entire production line down to retool.  Unfortunately for those who are a little plugged up, Benefiber is a victim of this shut down. 
The product can't be found at Costco, Sam's Club, or even your neighborhood store.  Novarits said the shortage isn't expected to last too long,however the recall was at the beginning of January.  It's now May and the shelves are still bare. 
Sure you can buy another brand but what if that's your favorite?  We do use Benefiber at our house.  I put one teaspoon into my coffee every morning.  I'm not worried.  I have three 190 serving bottles.  And a serving is two teaspoons.  So I've got over three years worth.  Let the shortage continue.  I'm sure as soon as it comes back on the shelves they will be lots of sales and coupons to get everyone to buy it rather than whatever brand people have been substituting. 
Now how about some other tips for constipation?  Constipation can be from many causes: lack of fiber in the diet, not drinking enough liquid, stress, and medications.  Even lack of exercise can affect your movement...in more than one way! 
Many people think they are constipated because they don't go daily. Some people just don't go daily while others may have more than one bowel movement every day.  Both are normal.
If you are constipated the first thing you should do is make sure your fluid intake is adequate.  Drink water.  Drink water, eat fiber, drink water, eat fiber.  Doesn't sound too hard.
You should eat 20-35 grams of fiber per day.  This wouldn't be too hard if you ate vegetables, dried beans, and whole grains.  If you aren't getting enough fiber start to eat more fiberous foods.  Just don't jump into it full fledged on day one or you will have terrible gas problems.  This could be a problem if TSHTF and not your toilet!  If you have whole wheat and dried beans in your storage program but you aren't used to eating them you could end up not feeling well at all!
Exercising can help get your system back into a regular pattern.  Some doctors believe that you should train yourself to go on a regular basis.  They suggest that you pick a time of the day, say right after breakfast, and you sit on the toilet for 10 minutes each and every day trying to train your body to go at that time.  Eventually it should work to put you on a set schedule. 
Back to the Benefiber.  Chemical laxatives are not really good for you.  They can actually do more harm than good because they teach your bowels to be lazy and only want to go if you use the chemical.  On the other hand, laxatives such as Benefiber are natural laxatives with ingredients such as psyllium seed.  It isn't addictive and is safe even if you take it for long periods of time.  I don't know the price but it may be cheaper to buy psyllium seed and grind it up yourself. 
Or you can be like us not having to worry about shortages because we have plenty.

56 comments:

  1. I use a teaspoon of psyllium husks in my smoothie everyday - much cheaper than Benefiber. Just be sure to drink plenty of liquid with it.

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    1. Do as I do.....EAT PRUNES...an old family doctor once told me, "Any fruit that begins with the letter "P" will make you poop. Such as prunes, peaches, plums, pears, pineapple and papaya. And I can vouch that this absolutely works!!!

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    2. I was just about to write eat prunes and beans, then I saw your note..Totally agree!Brocoli is good too,eat all three,daily would do the trick!!And drink plenty of water...

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    3. Psyllium husks make a lot of people sick. In fact - most people can't take it. My nutrtionist told me to eat almonds. It seems to be working.

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  2. I messed up and deleted the following from GI Jim. Sorry Jim, don't know what got into me other than hysterical laughter!

    Jim has left a new comment on your post "All Plugged Up and Benefiber is Nowhere to be Foun...":

    "I just keep a picture of our Commander and Chief around...It always makes me have to go !!"

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    1. Thanks for that!!! Still giggling...

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    2. spoken from a true ahole...pun intended. Keep your political views out of health issues.

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    3. Anonymous - keeping political views out of health issues? Health and politics have been intertwined for years. FDA, Medicare, it's all a political football. Besides, it's my blog, and if you haven't noticed, I let political views from both sides comment on my page. Why not? Ahole & Benefiber. Good pun.

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  3. The problem now is, because Benefiber isn't available, they have raised the price on all the generic ones! I've gone to 6 stores looking for Benefiber - before I knew about the recall - and trying to find the not-as-good tasting generic at a price I'm willing to pay!

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  4. I bought Pure-le Natural's "FIBERrific" today. Seems to be exactly the same ingredient - 100% Inulin (from chicory root) with nothing added. There is no psyllium in these products.

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    1. BF uses wheat dextrin, not inulin

      everything I see says to stay away from inulin

      still no BF at my local stores. Am using Metamucil and hating it. Am back to psyllum husk capsules, which are better than nothing

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  5. Hello, sorry to hear you are having trouble locating the Benefiber. Try an alternative product called "Nutrisource Fiber" from Nestle Healthcare Nutriton. Check out website at Nestlenutritionstore.com

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    Replies
    1. Not much information about the product.

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  6. I have been substituting the CVS brand "Benefiber" for my daughter who has been taking it everyday since she was 2 (now 9). The CVS brand works just as well and is almost 1/2 the price. I will probably continue using CVS brand even once Benefiber is available again, as it also disolves more rapidly. I've also been using store brand "exedrin"...that on the other hand is not comparable and I can't wait for Exedrin to reappear!

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    1. GAH - The CVS brand is horrible!

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    2. I had been using Benefiber for 2 years when the shelves went bare. I bought the CVS brand (on sale) and didn't like it at all. It doesn't fully desolve in my coffee, so when I would drink my last sip of coffee it was sludgy and awful. Threw the CVS brand away and bought Equate from Wal-mart which is EXACTLY like Benefiber (Dextrin) and much less expensive!

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  7. What a bummer, no Benefiber. I've been using Benefiber for a couple years to relieve constipation, works great. I normally buy the 190 serving size at Costco. If I'd known about the looming recall, I'd have bought a bunch!

    I've ben using the generic fiber stuff from Walmart..."Equate". It seems to disolve in water better (no occasional 'lumps'), and it's cheap.

    BUT....after using the Walmart stuff for a couple months now, my constipation seems to have returned somewhat. I suspect the Walmart stuff isn't as good as the real-deal Benefiber.

    Just looked on Amazon, one of their sellers has a 90-serving Benefiber for $90. What a gouge. Hurry back Benefiber!

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  8. For people who use Benefiber caplets, there don't seem to be any generic versions. All the stores I checked only have generics of other products' caplets that use different ingredients. FYI:

    Benefiber uses Wheat Dextrin.
    Citrucel uses Methylcellulose.
    Fibercon and Equalactin use Calcium Polycarbophyl.
    Metamucil uses Psyllium Husk.
    FiberChoice and Fibersure use Inulin (made from chicory root).

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    Replies
    1. COOL! Thanks for doing the work to list them. There are SO MANY out there!! Nnow, I'll know which ones to avoid.

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  9. I now get Walmart's sugar free version of benefiber and I have no complaints but sometimes CVS is cheaper so I will compare the prices. I also use it in baked goods.

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  10. Well thank you for stocking up 3 years worth. Two people in my family have divirticulitis which is life threatening - intestines can rupture and you can die - or you can suffer with the infected pockets and wish you would die - it is horrible. We can't find Benefiber which is the only thing that we found to prevent these attacks But we will sleep better tonight knowing that you have your 3 years supply.

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    1. I too have diverticulosis which can turn to diverticulitis without warning and very fast and has happened now three times. It's awful lower belly pain and makes you think you are truly dying. Dr. says Benefiber is crucial to possibly avoiding a re-occurance but it's no where to be found. Price gouging Amazon has lost me as a customer for good and those bragging about how much of it they are hoarding are not very nice.

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    2. I have people in my family who are going through problems due to not having Benefiber around; so I know what you are talking about. I will not however, slander another individual who happens to have a 3 year or 30 year supply of something that I could have acquired myself.

      Though some may think the OP could have used more tact in his statement of abundance, have you looked closely at the title of this blog and what it is about? It is about being a survivalist and being prepared, thus having the resources in bulk. He is not "bragging" about hoarding, he is making a point that he does not have to endure the same situation as us because he is prepared.

      I, probably like yourself, stumbled across this blog in search of the keyword benefiber and even though my family is in need; the blog's point was taken and I shall step off of my soapbox now, thank you for your time.

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    3. I agree with July 18 3:10 pm post; thank you for being the voice of reason! I am just now learning about this recall. First cruise through Costco I just assumed the shelf needed to be restocked. Next visit I was told about a recall. Why did it take so long to find out you might ask? Because not unlike "all blocked up" I too kept a supply on hand and only after getting to the last of my last container did I seek to replenish my supply. May I just add a 'duh' to the critics above ..do you think 'all blocked up' had an inside tip and hoarded all he could before the recall went public?? If that's the case then he's a dope for not stocking up a warehouse and make a killing! Anyway, good luck to me, I just.bought the Walgreen's brand...

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    4. Wish I knew about it, then I would have sold it for a reasonable price to those who read this blog. But I didn't. Instead, I go by the creed one is none and two is one. I'm trying to build up a several year supply of everything I need other than milk (although we do have powdered on hand), bananas, and pineapples. Everything else I have in our "home store". I still shop once a month, I just rotate it so it goes in the back. Good luck with the Walgreen's brand. Some people found it works, others didn't.

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    5. Walmart, walgreens and cvs all have their own brand of benefibe. Some ppl complain about cvs brand, but the above comments ppl are saying walmart brand is good and my wife has been using walgreens brand woth no complaints. All the anger is silly.

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    6. I had the surgery and it was well worth it. I use the store brands of benefiber to prevent backups and they work just fine

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  11. Discovered this: exactly the same as Benefiber.

    http://www.amazon.com/Best-Benefiber-Alternative-Wheat-Dextrin/dp/B008EWZ84E/ref=sr_1_78?ie=UTF8&qid=1341237214&sr=8-78&keywords=benefiber

    Nice to find a Benefiber alternative & this one's 100% wheat dextrin, made in US.

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    1. I bought the generic wheat dextrin at Target but the results are not the same. I have one container of benefiber left for emergency (which point I have now reached. I don't know if my experience with generic is just a coincidence but I am at the desperate point now.

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    2. I just ordered the Amazon Best Benefiber Alternative. Let's hope it works as well as Benefiber. There is only one vendor selling it and they charge over $10 shipping which is a ripoff but if it works, then it'll be worth it as the price of the product is less expensive than Benefiber used to be. It's made from Wheat Dextrin. I'll post results once I've taken it for a week of so.

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  12. What's wrong with Citrocel?

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    1. Didn't work - just made me bloated and painful gas. Any other suggestions?

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  13. I have been taking Benefiber for a while and it works great. I was concerned when I could not find it. But fortunately I have found the Equate brand at Walmart to
    be just as good...at least until Benefiber comes back.

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  14. Metamucil is now making a "natural and clear" made from inulin. Seems to work fine for me but don't know if it will work for diverticulitis or heavy constipation.

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  15. I love this article. But Benefiber doesn't just help people who are clogged up. It also is vital for people who can't clog like me and my whole family. I just ran out. Bought some through Amazon before but I am suffering now. Nice to know I am not alone on this. Going to check Walgreens tonight when I go. Crossing my fingers.

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    1. Forget Walgreens. Benefiber is not available at any local stores anywhere. Recall means recall and all the stores have removed Benefiber from their shelves.

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    2. Its available at every store i shop in Canada. I've also seen it all over ebay and amazon though its priced higher

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  16. Has anyone tried Miracle Fiber from vitamin shoppe?

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  17. I just saw a post on another site. Benefiber is available in Canada. I just ordered from canadadrugpharmacy.com

    Hope this helps you all.

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  18. Sorry, I just called canadadrugpharmacy.com. They are out and so is e everyone else In Canada.
    I got some bad Info. Maybe you will just want to delete my post. About Canada

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  19. August 10 and still no Benefiber.....oh, I hate this feeling......come back to shelves soon PLEASE

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  20. Canadadrugs.com. Benefiber from uk pharmacy. Pricy.

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  21. I take psyllium husk capsules. It really isn't just a laxative because it works for diarrhea as well. I have always had that problem, for years, so I take four capsules a day, and along with fruits, veggies and meat, I'm fine. No more diarrhea.

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  22. Ok. I am sooo sorry to read about the folks having such a hard time. My 88 year old Mother-in-Law does too, and used to take one chewable Benefiber every day. She does not like the powder and will not take it. We have tried all the other brands and have a lot of $ tied up in almost full bottles.... sigh... We DID however, find an acceptable alternative! It is THE best tasting whole grain pancake mix I've found and SHE LIKES IT!!! =D It's made with low gluten spelt and/or gluten free whole grains that are gut friendly stone ground (for those of you who what hammer milled grains do for a sore gut). Oh.. it is farmboyflapjacks pancake and waffle mix. He has a website of the same name, just google it. I make it in a small 1/2cup batch every morning with 1 egg and 1/2cup buttermilk and use maple syrup because of the minerals in it. Sometime I put in applesauce, or whatever fruit that needs to be used. We all are smiling, regularly! ; )

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  23. I don't know you, and just typed in "what is a good substitute for benefiber" and your blog came up.
    Fantastic news! I have had two bouts with diverticulitis and my husband has just had one, and the Benefiber has been a daily ritual for me in my two cups of coffee each morning.
    He's about to start onto a high fiber diet, and I've got about 1/3 left in the giant "190 servings" size of Benefiber I stocked up on when they last had it. (Probably bought a 1/2 dozen at that time.
    I was dreading something gritty and bad tasting when I saw your blog. Bless you!
    We're heading to Costco tomorrow, by coincidence, so I'll stock up on Wheat Dextrine.
    Thank you, so much.

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  24. ** Update to what I just posted. **
    Just called my local Costco, they have nothing called Wheat Dextrin or Kirkland substitute for Benefiber....my quest continues.

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  25. UPDATE: Just got off the phone with a "Customer Care" representative at Novartis - she couldn't give me even an approximate time-frame for the re-release of Benefiber, only that "Novartis will be starting up the manufacture of products, line-by-line in the second half of the year". Here we are in the first week of November and no word, product, or approximate time-frame so I'm guessing we aren't going to see anything from them until late Spring 2013 at the earliest!

    Like many of the other people commenting here, I have tried other substitutes for Benefiber in the form of wheat dextrin, and in every case I end up suffering from EXTREME bloating and gassiness. Novartis can't release Benefiber fast enough!

    As for the people on this site like me with Diverticulosis, I suggest getting on an industrial-strength probiotic like VSL #3. It is live bacteria that needs to be kept in the fridge. The only bad thing about it is that you need to have a prescription to get it, and it is fairly expensive: about $90 for a 30-day supply. Because of the prescription, however, some insurance companies may cover it and you should be able to claim it on your medical flex spending account (FSA) through work. It can be found at:

    http://www.vsl3.com/

    or

    http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&q=vsl+3+packets&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1269&bih=606&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=8983387099925873860&sa=X&ei=icfMT7SKD8fi2QWE4YjkCw&ved=0CGEQ8wIwAQ

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  26. BENEFIBER... I have taken 1tsp of granular benefiber for (guessing) 10 yrs plus. Even got chewables for traveling, all at my doctors advise. A good year ago it's nowhere. I tried metamucile in tea and it's horrible. I dumped it out. Whoever, wherever, please get this product back on the shelf. Did not know it was recalled. All Costco said was we don't carry it anymore. HELP.

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  27. I may have overlooked it but is there another product like the kiwi strawberry benifiber drink mix packets?

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  28. FYI...

    Costco Kirkland Brand is available both online and in-store. It's called "Optifiber" and webpage states "compare to Benefiber."

    Ingredients: Wheat Dextrin
    200 servings @ $16.99

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  29. Regular usage of Psyllium husk once in a month also helps weight loss by keeping your metabolism rate since it acts on the digestive organs. Also, it is very important that when you take psyllium husk, you drink extra water to ensure that the psyllium can move through the colon with ease. Psyllium fibers absorb waste in the stomach and removes it out from the colon. Psyllium should always be taken on an empty stomach – that is 1 hour to 30 minutes before breakfast and/or lunch and/or supper. Regular intake of Psyllium Husk promotes in losing extra pounds from stuck body toxins. Regular exercise and healthy diet while taking Psyllium Husk will greatly help to speed up losing unwanted body fats.

    Psyllium Husk Exporters

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  30. bring back the damn benefiber now

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  31. IT'S BACK AT MY TARGET STORE

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  32. And it's back at my Costco too.

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  33. I am confused because on the US Benefiber website the active ingredient is wheat dextrin, but on the Canadian website it is inulin. Did they change their formula just for Canada? I am trying to avoid inulin for my 9-year-old daughter as she as recurrent UTIs and there is a question that inulin, being a prebiotic, may feed e coli. We used Benefiber a few years ago and want to make sure it's still the same formula, as it looks like they have changed it several times (ie. guar gum to wheat dextrin and now inulin).

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  34. There is a better fiber product line widely available called Fiberrific. It has no taste, doesn't thicken and is higher in fiber than any other supplement (97% fiber!). They have it plain, with added probiotics (better immunity), with added digestive enzymes (better digestion), added vitamin D (prevent disease) and added B vitamins (for heart health). The products are all vegan, kosher and government approved. They are available at most health stores in Canada, Loblaws stores (natural section), Wal-Mart (diabetes section) and online from Well.ca, Bestbuy.ca and Aviva.ca For more info you can visit their site Fiberrific.com

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