I have similar issues due to lyme disease, actually. I have to stay away from all insoluble fiber, pretty much, unless I'm having something with lots of soluble fiber with it, and even then I have to be careful. (Ie: I can have salad with pizza.)

I didn't make the comment to the OP in jest, btw. 2-4 imodium on those days where he has to get up early and has the problems described wouldn't be harmful or dangerous for him. It would probably solve his issue entirely, and the pills would have worn off by the next day.

Imodium is pretty much all that allows me to function normally in the world. I'm highly habituated and have to take A LOT. (So, of course, the kids have found a way to get high off of it, so they're starting to make it more difficult to get the supply I need.) All the prescription drug that are supposed to have the same effect turned out to, paradoxically, make things much, much worse for me. (Paradoxical responses to medications is very common in chronic lyme.) I even keep a supply of imodium in my top tube bag for those long rides.

Have you tried probiotics for your issues, rpenman? Did it have any positive effect at all? I recommend the PB8 as mentioned above just as a matter of intestinal health, not unlike a multivitamin. Have you tried taking enzymes with food? I have found both of those to be quite helpful in moderating my problems. (If I don't take the enzymes, especially with oily foods, the results can be ugly, and I have to take lactaid with the above-mentioned pizza.)