HealingWell
Search Close Search

Maintenance drugs for IBS?

Chronic Illness Forums
>
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
>
Maintenance drugs for IBS?  
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 10/13/2005 5:28 PM (GMT -6)
Maintenance drugs for IBS?

I need the names / recomendations / experiences with maintenance drugs for IBS.   Meaning - drugs I can take on a daily basis to prevent me running for the toilet at the drop of a hat or cramping up while I am trying to work.

I used to take Bentyl every morning - it worked GREAT!!!  Until I took it for 4 years and my body became immune to it mad

Got any ideas?  I go to the GI monday.  I have been off Bentyl about 1 year....? Should I start it again?

Posted 10/13/2005 5:42 PM (GMT -6)
Have you tried Digestive Advantage or any probiotics? Again, calcium does wonders for D.
Co-Moderator for the IBS Forum

Please donate to help HealingWell continue to help us..... www.healingwell.com/donate

Posted 10/13/2005 5:46 PM (GMT -6)
I actually take Probiotics and Fiber/calcium Metamucil pills. This is what I started after the GI work-up.
Posted 10/13/2005 5:50 PM (GMT -6)
You take all that and you still have D and urgency? Maybe you should up your calcium intake (if you're not already taking 1500 mg - then you can't up it).
Co-Moderator for the IBS Forum

Please donate to help HealingWell continue to help us..... www.healingwell.com/donate

Posted 10/13/2005 5:56 PM (GMT -6)
Yep - between my TUMS and Metamucil with calcium pills I get at least 1500 a day.
Posted 10/13/2005 6:00 PM (GMT -6)
Yikes! Sorry, Gawz. I guess the next step is an antispasmodic that works for you.
Have you tried Digestive Advantage yet? It's not a miracle OTC but it has helped many. If you haven't tried it then you might as well - you haven't got anything to lose (except for $10 if it doesn't work).
Co-Moderator for the IBS Forum

Please donate to help HealingWell continue to help us..... www.healingwell.com/donate

Posted 10/13/2005 6:06 PM (GMT -6)
Thanks for all the help 7Lil - in all my posts!! =)
Posted 10/14/2005 6:34 AM (GMT -6)
Hi GAWZ,
I have IBS-C so as far as recommendations for your symptoms, I can't help you too much there. I used to have D all the time and I abused Imodium which I would not recommend to anyone (Imodium is good, but I only suggest to use sparingly).

For D sufferers, I am curious about the new med Nulev that I think may be the newer version of Levsin. Its an oral disentegrating tab which is supposed to give fast relief. I haven't read up to much on it but some people that I have talked to that are on it have had some success (and they say it tastes pretty good too, minty). You may want to ask your doc :=)

Hugs, Des

Co-Moderator ~ IBS Forum

"If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it" - Mary Engelbreit

 

Please help Healing Well continue to help others by donating  https://www.healingwell.com/donate

 

 

Posted 10/14/2005 10:27 AM (GMT -6)
If you have bile in your diarrhea (burns, yellow in color)--which is espcially common in post-gall bladder people--get your G.I. to give you Welchol. It's a cholesterol medicine, but it binds up bile and keeps the bile from causing your dirrahrea. If bile's not causing your problem, though, it won't help a bit. I take it and calcium to keep myself almost normal.

Also, there's an expert on calcium running around here who has made previous posts. The type of calcium you take is important. If it has a lot of magnesium in it, it won't help. The recommended type is Caltrate 600 w/ vitamin D. It doesn't have too much magnesium in it (magnesium couteracts the calcium-induced consipation in normal people).

Oh, and I just read on MSN the other day that calcium can't be absorbed all at one time by the body; people who take it for bone health need to space out their doses over the course of the day. So you may play around with when you take your calcium. If you take it all at once, try a pill in the morning and one at night. OF course, it's the calcium that doesn't get absorbed that helps us, so you may want to try and take all of it at once right before that time of the day that you're sickest. Me, I take one before bed and one first thing in the morning because I'm sickest in the mornings. I keep some in my desk at work and take a third at lunch if I've been a bit "off" during the morning.
Posted 10/14/2005 10:38 AM (GMT -6)
Inape is our calcium "expert." :)
Co-Moderator for the IBS Forum

Please donate to help HealingWell continue to help us..... www.healingwell.com/donate

Posted 10/14/2005 12:04 PM (GMT -6)
i use buscopan and that helps, anyone ever used that before?

Posted 10/14/2005 3:03 PM (GMT -6)
I just read on MSN today (can you tell I'm bored at work) that Vitamin D may help inflammation. They were studying it in regards to gingivitis, but that may be one of the reasons why the Caltrate 600 w/ Vitamin D helps us--the Vitamin D may help de-inflame the intestines.
Posted 10/14/2005 3:12 PM (GMT -6)
Thanks for all the help guys. I was going to ask for Nulev for my flare ups. I think I need something as a "daily" helper - but I guess I will live with a "as needed" RX. I just used to be hooked on (I am serious - addicted) to Donatol. But I am off of it now.
Posted 10/14/2005 10:26 PM (GMT -6)
Hello--I am new to IBS chat and really need some help.  I've had IBS for YEARS and doctors have always said there's nothing they can do.  My very worst symptom is gas.  I fight it all the time!  It is so embarrassing.  I take two Imodium every morning and have a purse full of Maalox, etc.  Can anyone help me?
Posted 10/14/2005 11:26 PM (GMT -6)
Hi Butterfly, welcome to the board! I'm sure you will find this place as helpful and friendly as I have.
I would suggest trying Beano before your first bite of food and/or Gas-X after your meal. Those 2 anti-gas OTC meds do wonders. Also, try staying away from gassy foods like leafy greens, cauliflower, bell peppers, onions, apples, and there are plenty more.... but I can't list them all.
Keep posting! :)
Co-Moderator for the IBS Forum

Please donate to help HealingWell continue to help us..... www.healingwell.com/donate

Post Edited (7Lil) : 10/14/2005 11:43:20 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/15/2005 8:32 AM (GMT -6)
Hi Butterfly,
Welcome to Healing Well!!
I am gas queen here... lol (ok, I know everyone here is :) I am a Beano user and for me it seems like the only thing that helps me however a lot of people, including Lil, have success with Gas-X. The only thing that I can tell you is eliminate the gas when you can if that means going outside and taking a walk. The worst thing that you can do is try to hold it because it will make you miserable. When you get a chance, post a new thread introducing yourself, I'm sure a lot of people will relate to your situation.

Take Care :)

Hugs, Des

Co-Moderator ~ IBS Forum

"If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it" - Mary Engelbreit

 

Please help Healing Well continue to help others by donating  https://www.healingwell.com/donate

 

 

Posted 10/16/2005 7:57 PM (GMT -6)
Hi i just put on the new drug zelnorm for ibc i have been on it for 2 weeks it works wonders
Posted 10/17/2005 10:03 AM (GMT -6)
hello~ I have my zelnorm scrip but I have been afraid to start it...wanted to wait until the weekend just in case I have a problem with it but I have been sick the past two weekends. So, I hope to start on Fri...any side effects to watch for initially? It really works wonders? I am so miserable and desperate with this...I feel like I am going to lose my mind sometimes! Thanks!

Shel
Posted 10/17/2005 10:12 AM (GMT -6)
Shel, I'm sorry you haven't been well enough to start Zelnorm. Hopefully you will start feeling better soon. Try and relax and eat healthy.
I think that is smart to wait until the weekend because it is possible to get D. I didn't get D, I got a headache instead. If you do get any of the side effects try to push through it, unless it is too terrible, then go off and consult your doctor. Zelnorm worked great for me. I have been on it for 8 months and I plan on staying on as long as my doc will let.
Co-Moderator for the IBS Forum

Please donate to help HealingWell continue to help us..... www.healingwell.com/donate

Posted 10/17/2005 11:32 AM (GMT -6)

Hey Lil~

Thanks for the Zelnorm info. I  am glad to hear that it works! Do you mind telling me exactly what it has done for you? Should I expect a cure?!! how has it helped you? thanks so much!!

Shel

Posted 10/17/2005 11:42 AM (GMT -6)

No, not a cure... unfortunately.  sad   It should make you more regular though.  I assume you were prescribed it because you have IBS-C (or you go back and forth from C to D)?  The first couple months on it, it worked like a gem.  I was "going" everyday and wasn't having any bad D episodes anymore.  It seemed to fix my constant C and my occasional D.  After a couple months it seemed as though I built up a tolerance and I would start to skip days again (only poop every other, or every couple days).  No worries though, I stayed on it because I knew it was still helping.  My doctor told me that new studies have shown that long term use is not harmful; that I can stay on as long as I want (or until she thinks I'm ready to try nothing and manage my IBS on my own).

So, if you get D from Zelnorm that is normal for up to a week.  However, if you get dizzy or bloody stool or extreme D, then stop and call a doc ASAP.  If you get only a headache like me, pop some headache med and hang in there.  :-)

I really hope it works for you.  I am much saner now that I'm on Zelnorm (and Digestive Advantage & probiotics - the combo is great for me).  Feel better this weekend and tell us how it goes.  yeah

Co-Moderator for the IBS Forum

Please donate to help HealingWell continue to help us..... www.healingwell.com/donate

Posted 10/17/2005 6:37 PM (GMT -6)
My doctor just got free samples of it the day i was in there it was 3 weeks a go he gave me 60 i take one in morning and 1 at night before i eat and i feel so much better i go regular every day and man what a miracle i would go ever 2 weeks if that i haven't had any side effects with it let us know how it works DEB
Posted 10/18/2005 7:08 PM (GMT -6)
Butterfly,

If you are taking maalox you will be giving yourself more diarrhea because it has magnesium in it. If you want the calcium info to help with diarrhea just email me and I will send it to you and that is for anyone else also who may want to try the calcium to control diarrhea.

Linda

lnapents@netscape.net

Posted 10/20/2005 8:15 PM (GMT -6)
I take Zelnorm too and its really helped.  I am constipated and nausaeted.  The combination of Zelnorm, citrucel and more fiber via food has helped tremendously.  I still have problems but I was VERY ill for months until I started doing that.

 

In addition, I take glucosaime which helps sooth the stomach and take flax seed oil which does the same.

 

I am taking MSM which is an anti inflammatory as well.

 

I just started taking Primal Defense and it seems to help

Posted 10/24/2005 4:00 PM (GMT -6)
Hi Shel, did you try the Zelnorm this past weekend? How'd it go?
Co-Moderator for the IBS Forum

Please donate to help HealingWell continue to help us..... www.healingwell.com/donate

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply

Forum Information

Currently it is Friday, March 22, 2019 4:27 PM (GMT -6)
There are a total of 3,049,442 posts in 333,106 threads.
View Active Topics

Who's Online

This forum has 163533 registered members. Please welcome our newest member, Azalea18.
171 Guest(s), 10 Registered Member(s) are currently online.  Details
mattam, Mbressi02, Dahlias, mibella, steve55777, Bohemond, sierraDon, ks1905, UC Medic, Natasha1976