Do Lyme literate physicians prescribe Amitiza (libiprostone) for Lyme induced constipation?
One tablet twice a day was prescribed. Also, one glass of Miralax (peg solution) a day was advised to relieve/prevent constipation.
...just checking to see if this is safe and effective
Posted by lymemommy (Member # 12495) on :
hshbmom,
I can't answer to the first medication that you mentioned, but as to miralax...
we were advised to give our son miralax one week prior to when he got the fevers/em rash, ect.
All it did was block him up big time. When we took him to the er for the initial fever of 105, the docs could care less about the fever, were much more interested in his constipation, took an x-ray, and even our untrained eyes could see that his intestines were jam packed.
So they broke out the enema kit, he bugged out, then mother nature said enough is enough, and out things came without medical intervention.
If constipation is an issue, you might want to see or contact a LLMD GI doc, I will pm you with the name of one. We have not had warm and furry experiences with non-llmd GI docs. Just a lot of enemas.
kp
Posted by lymemommy (Member # 12495) on :
Hshbmom, your mailbox is full!!
The doc that I have a name for is pediatric, so if you are seeking info for a child I can help. I don't know if he would consult for an adult.
Let me know if you want the contact info. kp
Posted by lymewarrior03 (Member # 3891) on :
GLYCOLAX is safe, the most gentle, greatest product.
Posted by hshbmom (Member # 9478) on :
Thanks for your experience kp and lymewarrior.
The LLMD's office called and said both of these medications are OK to use for Lyme-related consipation.
Posted by TS96 (Member # 14048) on :
Boy I thought they took amitzia off the market? There were so many side effects.
I took it and made me feel so nauseous and terrible h/a. Never again.
Mirilax has got it's problems too. I heard it may cause infertility problems but that's just what I heard. Too much chemicals IMO.
Posted by cordor (Member # 9449) on :
Have you tried a high dose Magnesium supplement? I went the "medication" route for constipation and either did not help at all, or made me WORSE. The magnesium supplementation has worked WONDERS. I use Source Naturals Ultra-Magnesium.
Posted by radfaraf (Member # 11909) on :
Amitiza works great for constipation for me, but causes my upper respiratory system be irritated and I start coughing about 2 hours after taking it. It also seems to make my Lyme flare up a bit. The negative side effects last for about 12 hours.
Posted by hurtingramma (Member # 7770) on :
Miralax was a disaster for me - caused only bloating and cramping.
I currently take Senna and Colace (cheap brands) as recommended by my LLMD. Does the trick.
Posted by lymewreck36 (Member # 4395) on :
This question is very interesting to me because, sadly enough, I am having this issue to a miserable degree.
It seems that the nerve damage I acquired from my antibiotics caused the constipation, as far as I can tell. We have examined every cause and effect, and this seems to be the only conclusion.
So the nerves in the intestine are not communicating that the intestines need to empty. AT least, that is part of the problem.
The GI doc I saw in December prescribed this Amitiza, and though I have taken maybe three pills since then, I try to stay away from any newer medication until the post marketing adverse events are fleshed out. Just had too many bad experiences.
Mirilax is pretty good, and used to solve the problem for me, but the problem has gotten so bad that it is not working either.
I have heard that high dose vitamin C is a natural laxative, and I am very interested in this magnesium suggestion, which I will now research.
Thanks guys. I hope these responses help the original question.
Mary
Posted by hshbmom (Member # 9478) on :
Hi Mary,
How do you differentiate between Lyme-induced neuropathy or paraparesis (partial paralysis) and drug-induced neuropathy?
Dr. VTS's article "Bells Palsy of the Gut" and Other GI Manifestations of Lyme and Associated Diseases is an extensive informative article that is a must-read for those affected by Lyme disease.
This article explains how a wide variety of symptoms, such as in constipation, are caused by Lyme's effects on the various nerves of the body. The nerves's sensory and/or motor functions may be damaged.
Have any of you seen a Lyme literate gastroenterologist for help with this problem? If so, please let us know what was advised or explained.
Posted by hshbmom (Member # 9478) on :
Hi Mary,
How do you differentiate between Lyme-induced neuropathy or paraparesis (partial paralysis) and drug-induced neuropathy?
Dr. VTS's article "Bells Palsy of the Gut" and Other GI Manifestations of Lyme and Associated Diseases is an extensive informative article that is a must-read for those affected by Lyme disease.
This article explains how a wide variety of symptoms, such as constipation, are caused by Lyme's effects on the various nerves of the body. The nerve's sensory and/or motor functions may be damaged. The nerve should have an effect on the target organ and is responsible for feedback to the brain.
Have any of you seen a Lyme literate gastroenterologist for help with this problem? If so, please let us know what was advised or explained.
Posted by lymewreck36 (Member # 4395) on :
HI hshbmom in Alabama. I just moved from Alabama to Switzerland. We're talking about a big difference here!
Well, I never had constipation with my lyme disease, until flagyl caused nerve damage and neuropathies.
Then, I went off flagyl and waited for healing. But my lyme was slipping rapidly, and last year I took one flagyl pill out of deperation.
It caused severe intenstinal bleeding, and a shut down of the digestive system.
It has been rough going since then. It is damage from medication to be sure.
That is what I mean about direct cause and effect.
Thank you for the information about this doctor. I will store it away with my "must have" lyme doc information.