posted
I managed to get prescriptions for each for constipation. I didn't realize that there are pills available to help with this issue until I saw the Linzess commercial.
Linzess worked once for me. Tried it for 6 more days and then switched to Amitiza which hasn't helped at all.
Has anyone had any success with either of these drugs? Do I have to keep taking it for a while before it kicks in?
Posts: 832 | From Somewhere | Registered: Nov 2010
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posted
I have no info on those drugs, but just wanted to say I drink mangosteen juice and that keeps my intestines regular, like a baby's for me. We're all different when it comes to what works for us.
The juice is anti-inflam. You can find it in healthfood stores and online. I like the Mango-Xan version as it's the most tart.
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
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posted
linzess was terrible for me. gave me severe abdominal cramps and diahrrea. I threw it away after one pill.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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surprise
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posted
Nope, didn't want to add another prescription, I manage mine daily with miralax, smooth move tea every couple of days,
exercise, enough pure water drunk daily, magnesium, vitamin C, Turmeric,
special diet of no grains, cooked veggies, and ongoing Yeast and Parasite treatments (natural supplements now.)
-------------------- Lyme positive PCR blood, and positive Bartonella henselae Igenex, 2011. low positive Fry biofilm test, 2012. Update 7/16- After extensive treatments, doing okay! Posts: 2518 | From USA | Registered: Nov 2011
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posted
I have taken miralax daily for years it seems. I am also on all the supplements you mention.
LLMD mentioned the cooked veggie thing. If I try that how long will it take until I know that solves my problem? Days, weeks? With vegetable season upon me giving up raw veggies is going to be an issue.
I have never tried mangosteen juice. Looked it up and see it also has a bunch of anti-cancer stuff which is good since I am being treated for breast cancer.
I have no abdominal pains or gas. All I have is an ever-increasing girth.
Currently I take miralax and fiber daily. When that doesnt work (and it never does), I start taking senna and dulcolax. Start with the lowest dose and then I increase it daily until max dose which I continue until everything moves. I never get the "predicitable overnight relief" promised on the bottle. it can take days of the max dose of dulcolax and senna to get everything to move. Once it moves I back off and just use miralax and fiber. Then I am back to dulcolax and senna.
Maybe I shouldn't be stopping the dulcolax and senna?
I was so excited when that first dose of linzess worked. I had no discomfort and it was the first time I had felt like a person with normal bowels in years.
Posts: 832 | From Somewhere | Registered: Nov 2010
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surprise
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I hear what you are saying- I would roll my eyes when well meaning folks would list off constipation remedies because I've tried them all-
now a parent calls me asking what to do- I say there is no magic pill, it's individual trial and error- so maybe these scripts will work for you.
All I know for me is my intestinal tract is high maintenance, but as I keep trying to heal it and peel away the layers, I hope it can resume to more normal. We'll see.
-------------------- Lyme positive PCR blood, and positive Bartonella henselae Igenex, 2011. low positive Fry biofilm test, 2012. Update 7/16- After extensive treatments, doing okay! Posts: 2518 | From USA | Registered: Nov 2011
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posted
How I wish that magic pill would exist for me! It does give me some hope that some of you have found something that works consistently for you. There has to be something for me...
So far from these posts, I am going to try the cooked veggies - as much as I hate to give up my raw ones. I figure it should only take a small amount of time to see if I see any improvement.
I am also going to look into that mangosteen juice.
Someone on an IBS site suggested milk of magnesia and digestive enzymes. I have never tried those.
I guess I will stop the amitiza. It has been a week and it was less successful than linzess. As was pointed out, why add more meds, especially if they aren't doing anything for me.
Posts: 832 | From Somewhere | Registered: Nov 2010
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
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they told me to take miralax but after reading what's in it, I said no way.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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I know you use ReMag. Does that help or do you take other oral magnesium?
I have taken a bottle of that prepared liquid magnesium citrate with no results.
I wish I could find something that could predictably and consistently clean me out - no matter the pain.
Posts: 832 | From Somewhere | Registered: Nov 2010
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surprise
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I also had 2 different Dr.s tell me I wasn't getting enough seratonin to my gut-
they explained how the brain signals the intestines to move the food through- I quit an antidepressant after Bart treatment a few years back,
but then last year hit such a wall with constipation, and had endo and colonoscopy to rule out serious medical matters, and gallbladder checks,
that I agreed to go back on a low dose antidepressant. Also, I did a 2 day fast while preparing for the scopes- that helped too, I think-
while I am still high maintenance, I am doing better (not ruling my life.)
-------------------- Lyme positive PCR blood, and positive Bartonella henselae Igenex, 2011. low positive Fry biofilm test, 2012. Update 7/16- After extensive treatments, doing okay! Posts: 2518 | From USA | Registered: Nov 2011
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posted
I do need to get the endo and colonoscopy but just can't bring myself to go through another round of medical tests.
The serotonin/constipation connection is really interesting. I assume the anti-depressant you take increases serotonin? Would you mind sharing which one it is?
I used to be on a low dose of elavil for insomnia but my lyme doctor and endocrinologist wanted me off of it for some reason even though it was great for my insomnia. They did say that elavil slowed the colon.
Posts: 832 | From Somewhere | Registered: Nov 2010
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surprise
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I put off endo and colonoscopy for a long, long time- under 50 yrs. old, and severe medical Dr. anxiety
which may be why they recommended more serotonin while in their office, I'm amped up there ;-) But it's a fact, the neurotransmitter communicates with the intestine to move and 2 separate docs telling me clicked/ made sense personally.
I'm on low dose Lexapro now- but finally getting the endo and colonoscopy done relieves the fear underneath, and rules out H Pylori or infections, etc.
Are you gluten free? Yeast? Possible parasites? I think that can cause constipation, too. But endo and colonoscopy, if you are suffering and severe, should be done. I know, I know, but you know, too. Good thoughts-
-------------------- Lyme positive PCR blood, and positive Bartonella henselae Igenex, 2011. low positive Fry biofilm test, 2012. Update 7/16- After extensive treatments, doing okay! Posts: 2518 | From USA | Registered: Nov 2011
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beaches
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posted
Have you tried chlorella or wobenzyme? I don't think they're necessarily indicated for constipation but wow, they can sure knock stuff out of your system!
And also, have you tried colace? You can take a few capsules daily. What about the old standbys--prune juice and castor oil?
Daily Miralax has been very helpful. Randi, doc told us it's not absorbed. And more importantly if it one of the only things to get the job done...well, you know.
This is a VERY difficult problem! I hope you get relief soon.
Posts: 1885 | From here | Registered: Jul 2012
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springshowers
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Till you figure it out. I had tried it all too
Ozonated magnesium is amazing and became what I relied on and only thing that worked for years and I agree mirilax ingredients are toxic.
I learned of ozonated magnesium in a clinic I where I also learned of the soy lecithin EDTA and those two have been great supplants and in my list of supplements I actually feel have worked or helped in a real measurable way my list is very short. Do not let your gut be slow and stagnant. Toxic back up and its detremental to us.
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beaches
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What is ozonated mag? Is it a supp we can purchase or is it some sort of IV? And the soy lecithin...is that the same as phosphadityl(sp?) choline?
The main ingredient in Miralax is toxic, I agree. But docs told us it isn't absorbed. When that's one of the only things that works for your kid (after trying every, and I mean pretty much everything out there) what are you supposed to do to help the constipation?
This issue is one of the most complicated I've come across in dealing with Lyme/cos. I feel for anyone with GI issues, most of all those with intractable pain. Been there, done that. It's god-awful. Do you guys know that Lyme can actually be present in your gut and wreak havoc?
More importantly, the vast majority of GI docs have NO clue about this. I could go on and on, but I'll spare you Posts: 1885 | From here | Registered: Jul 2012
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I really should have been tackling this issue years ago. It didn't occur to me that having all these toxins isn't good.
I probably have yeast. I manage it now with pulsing diflucan. I am gluten free and have a pretty clean diet. I am not sure about parasites. I have this issue for years so if it is either of those, it would probably be parasites.
I can't tell if Miralax is helpful or not. It definitely doesn't make me produce anything. I dont know if it is Miralax or the other stuff I take that keeps the stool soft.
I haven't tried most of the stuff mentioned. The only stuff I have tried is Miralax, senna, bisacodyl, mag citrate, fiber, Linzess and Amitiza.
I just read a post on the IBS forum that said an empty colon is not a normal state and it isn't good to completely empty it. I suspect that is what happens to me when all the laxatives I take finally work. If so i am in a bad cycle.
I can get the stool soft. It is getting it to come out that is the issue. I end up in a "constipated with diarrhea" state. Then the laxatives work and everything comes out.
I do need the endo/colonoscopy. I did have an endo many years ago and it didnt show anything. Maybe at the end of the summer I will be more inclined to look for that clueless doctor to do it and try to help me with the constipation.
Thanks everyone for your suggestions.
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