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antispasmotic question

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 5/20/2006 6:28 AM (GMT -6)
Hi All,

Has your GI advised you take antispasmotics daily according to a schedule or for pain only?

Mine (Levbid form the GI Specialist and Donnatal from the Primary) were both ordered as needed for pain.

Maybe this is because I don't have a diagnosis yet.  Have had blood work, stool cultures for ova and paracites, ct scan with oral and iv contrast of the abdomen and pelvis, and a colonoscopy (had 2 polyps removed).  Have also had a course of Flagyl initially.

What I have learned from all of you to help control diarrhea is to add a calcium citrate with vitaminD daily.  I also take 1 dose of metamucil daily per the GI doc.  I have Lomotil on hand for emergencies and Gas-x for when I think I'd like to die.

Despite this I am still the "human smoothie machine" and have chronic RLQ pain.  Any advise?

Thanks.

Posted 5/20/2006 3:32 PM (GMT -6)
I was told to take them when needed but I don't have cramping. I have more like gas pockets that don't really hurt though. They have never done much for me. I was given Donnatal last time but have not taken it cause I know it will make me sleepy as it has phenobarbital in it. I sure don't think you should be taking both. Levsin is not as strong as Donnatal. As for the Gas-x I take one every time I finish eating to prevent gas buildup and pain. they are the safest of anything you are taking. The Caltrate with D should help.
Posted 5/20/2006 4:45 PM (GMT -6)
Most everyone I know that has an antispasmodic rx only takes it as needed (like Canyon mentioned).
Posted 5/20/2006 5:02 PM (GMT -6)
iMarzz,
I and two family members have been on scheduled antispasmodics for years (Levsin, Bentyl). We use meds like Donnatal as a rescue. I believe it just depends upon the individual needs of the person. If I were you, I would take the GasX routinely until you don't have the gas problem, then as needed.

Also, walking is great for gas pain. Sometimes I spend hours walking circles in my house because I can't go out in the sun. Put on some music and go for it!
Posted 5/20/2006 10:38 PM (GMT -6)
thank you for helping me with this question. I have been taking one levbid usually sometime mid morning. I only take the donnatal at bedtime. I have been taking them only when needed (really needed) and since they haven't really helped I thought maybe I was taking them wrong and should be using them more regularly, so thank you for clearing that up.

I thought I was doing better for a few days but then diarrhea again today.

I give up. Will wait to see what the GI doc says at my follow-up on June 1.

Hope you are all feeling well.
Posted 5/21/2006 4:36 PM (GMT -6)
Speaking of walking helping with the bloating and gas pain. When I lived in WA I lived close to dairys and my vet was involved with the dairy cows. Once my dog got really bloated from something but showed no other problem.and the vet told me that cows tend to bloat so they put them in a big truck and drive around which shuffles them around and that gets rid of the bloat. So excercise is good for us. I know it helps me get rid of gas riding around in the back of that truck. LOL
Posted 5/21/2006 6:56 PM (GMT -6)
I quess that its true - cows are the number one producers of greenhouse gasses. I think my daughter Rachel is the number 2 producer!!!
Posted 5/22/2006 8:40 AM (GMT -6)
I was watching Modern Marvels - Cattle Ranches on tv one night and it said that the cattle industry was the number one or number two user in the world of pepto bismol. See, cows are supposed to eat grass, but in the U.S. we feed them corn, a seed, because it makes them fatter faster. But that's not good on their digestive systems, so they give them bismuth to quell their gas and bloating.

Makes you want free-range beef, doesn't it? Of course it also makes a good point about eating things you shouldn't and causing your guts problems. I've been trying to eat less processed foods, less "fake" foods; I wonder if anyone has ever cleared up their IBS or at least made it better by going organic?
Posted 5/23/2006 12:35 AM (GMT -6)
I don't know about IbS begin cleared up but there are people that say they have cleared up their Crohn's by an organic diet of just fruits and vegetables.
Posted 5/23/2006 9:44 AM (GMT -6)
My mother was diagnosed with fibromyalgia (they're revising that right now and think maybe she has a type of arthritis instead), and one of their recommendations was organic everything because even a slight residue of chemicals seems to make the attacks worse and more frequent.
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