Amitiza anyone

Maria · #1 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 07:42 PM

Put on new drug for constipation and it's driving me mad as *things* are even less predictable then before...

I'm so very sick of the drugs used to combat constipation that I'm ready to detox/withdraw but the thought of recurrent awful pain that limits me is really scary not to mention counterproductive to life/traveling to see my father and so forth.

Is anyone else on this drug and have any suggestions? The GI and PCP have some suggestions but I think patient community ones are usually more helpful.

thanks. constipation is a condition as far as I'm concerned. Getting scoped in Oct.. whoooppeee

dshobbies · #2 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 11:42 PM

Maria,

Just posted mineral oil, 2 tbls morning and night. Nothing artificial - works for most. Greases the pipes. Do not estimate measure!

Maria · #3 (**permalink**) 09-09-2009, 01:59 AM

Dale,
Are you still taking narcotic or opioid medication? This stuff is like cement!

Jim M2 · #4 (**permalink**) 09-09-2009, 06:41 AM

I've recently tried psyllium husk. It's the active ingredient in metamucil. Equate brand (is Walmart?) has a product called "Fiber Therapy." I've had excellent results getting regular in the morning. Before eating or coffee mix a heaping teaspoon in a glass of water, stir, gulp it down. Repeat. Then do your usual breakfast and coffee. Works for me.

dshobbies · #5 (**permalink**) 09-09-2009, 06:26 PM

Maria,

All you can do is try it to see if it works. If it doesn't, nothing lost. If it does, well that's self explanatory

.

I was on Dilaudid for 6 months - after my ADR surgery. It was the only think completely reliable, along with a daily box of prunes

This is a pain in the ars, pun intended but something most of us suffered through. I tried everything recommended to wake up my intestines. Then my meds added another element.

Try it, that's all you can do. BTW, Metamucil adds bulk, a difficult side effect for some.

Dale

Maria · #6 (**permalink**) 09-09-2009, 06:39 PM

thanx Jim~ I cannot take Metamucil like substances as the bulk doesn't move, need an abortive type of laxative hence the new med. I had hyperdilitation of the transverse colon at the upper right junction and it was hugely pressed up into my upper right quadrant.. I was literally bubbling but unable to pass gas or burp! It was soooo weird. I was then taken off the Miralax because of it's ability to create gas and put on this new drug Amitiza but it is very unpredictable and I'm more captive to home~

What gets me is that I really have little to no back pain most days!!!!! DANG!

I'm scheduled for endoscopy/colonscopy on October 9. Advised to drink prep of 4 liters of trilitely or some such thing (think I lost the script already) as well as drink only clear liquids for one and a half to two days prior to exam to clear out gut re Methadone use..

Will have general anesthesia.

For those of you using Senakot S ~ my new GI doc said to stop because there is a condition (don't remember the name) in which using the S-S helps to darken the colon wall thereby making it more difficult to see polyps.

Hmmm, the stuff works for me tho~ advised by GI doc to try dulcolax instead.

Will see. Going to CostCo to see if they still have Jack LaLaine Juicer am try more greens/veggies/fruits again. That worked well before ... would like to try as natural of things as possible.

Castor Oil ~ teaspoon every morning back in the old days re Mom's remedy for *movements*.

Katie · #7 (**permalink**) 09-10-2009, 04:56 AM

I haven't tried the mineral oil that Dale recommends, but know it works with horses, if that's any help

I'm on large amounts of narcotics and they have a way of sealing me up tight if I don't stay on a regular dose of dried apricots. I have gotten large bags at Costco, but like the ones from the Health Food store better as they are fresher and taste better.

I can't use any of the psyllium as I am wheat intolerant, actually every grain including rice, so I have to try other methods as well. I've been backed up for a week at a time without my apricots, and the gastro specialist gave me all sorts of horror stories about not letting it get that bad again.

Hope you are able to find something that works soon.

ermahampton · #8 (**permalink**) 12-19-2012, 09:01 AM

I've been taking this Amitiza medicine for about 6 months, and it has made a world of a difference. I've had constipation for over 8 years, I'm in my late 20s, healthy, female, & moderately active. Things that normally would give others runny diarrhea, like prune juice, I would barely see any effect. My doctor put me on this twice a day, & it works great. I had few side effects, and only for about a week.