Need Advice: Bentyl vs. No Bentyl
#48013 - 03/04/04 02:59 PM
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mickz
Reged: 09/07/03
Posts: 151
Loc: Jacksonville, FL
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I am IBS-C. I have been taking Bentyl 4 times a day to help control spasms (Bentyl is an anti-spasmodic). My Gastroenterologist said I should stop taking it because it can cause constipation. If I stop it, how due I control the spasms? I'm prone to a lot of spasms!
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IBS-C, pain predominant
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Hi - constipation is a possible side effect of all the prescription anti-spasmodics. But, if you're not having this side effect, then there's no need to stop the drug if it's helping you. You could try taking a lower dose - these drugs work when taken just as needed, so you don't have to take them several times a day or even every day.
You might also try enteric coated peppermint oil capsules instead. I've found them more effective than Donnatol (the anti-spasmodic I used to use - worked better for me than Bentyl or Levsin), to such an extent that I don't even bother refilling my prescription any more. And there is no risk of constipation from peppermint. What I really like is that there is also no dry eyes or mouth or sleepiness, which were the side effects from the prescription anti-spasmodics that I hated the most.
Check here for Peppermint Caps info
- H
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Heather is the Administrator of the IBS Message Boards. She is the author of Eating for IBS and The First Year: IBS, and the CEO of Heather's Tummy Care. Join her IBS Newsletter. Meet Heather on Facebook!
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Heather....
#48023 - 03/04/04 03:23 PM
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mickz
Reged: 09/07/03
Posts: 151
Loc: Jacksonville, FL
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I thought that I should take Bentyl daily, on a regular bais. Are you saying that I should only take it if I have a spasm or pain?
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IBS-C, pain predominant
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Years ago I tried Bentyl and Donnatal. Same problem. One of them, think it was Bentyl that I took daily left me so drowsy and after taking it a few mos I became "severely" and I mean "severely" depressed so watch out. I stopped taking them and the depression went away immediately.
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Hi - yep, you can take it just as needed. It's not a drug that you have to take daily no matter what (like an anti-depressant). It works when you take it, for several hours at a time, and that's that. So you can take it just when you have spasms, or as a preventative measure when you anticipate problems (when traveling, eating at a restaurant, feeling stressed out, etc.) The Peppermint Caps work the same way - take every day or just as needed.
- Heather
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Heather is the Administrator of the IBS Message Boards. She is the author of Eating for IBS and The First Year: IBS, and the CEO of Heather's Tummy Care. Join her IBS Newsletter. Meet Heather on Facebook!
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Quote:
I thought that I should take Bentyl daily, on a regular bais. Are you saying that I should only take it if I have a spasm or pain?
Yep, that's what Heather means. It's not something that has to be built up in your system, it just works each time you take it. I started off taking it 3-4 times a day too, but slowly weaned myself off it. Now I only take it before I go out to dinner or when I'm feeling iffy, which usually ends up being about once a month! Then again it was never that effective for me either, so it wasn't any great loss. 
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"Anyone can exercise, but this kind of lethargy takes real discipline." -Garfield
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Heather, you said, " . . . enteric coated peppermint oil capsules . . . I've found them more effective than Donnatol (the anti-spasmodic I used to use . . . to such an extent that I don't even bother refilling my prescription any more." Is that right?!? The peppermint caps work BETTER THAN DONNATAL? WOW! Donnatal is my "emergency med" that I turn to when my cramps are at their worst! But peppermint caps work BETTER?
I'm amazed. Next cramp, I'm trying the caps, Girlfriend!
BTW, could the caps cause heartburn or indigestion? I recall something about this being discussed before, but I'm not sure it was the caps that was blamed. I stopped taking the caps just recently because I had developed indigestion -- which went away when I quit the stuff. Any advice?
Thanks,
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Hi Bev, Yes I think there is some discussion on people having problelms with the caps even though hey are not supposed to dissolve in your stomach. I have noticed occasionaly I will burp up a minty burp and can sometimes taste a mint flavor in my mouth after taking the caps. But I've never had any heartburn or pain so I continue to take them. Maybe the acid in our stomach can eat away at the enteric coating even though it's not supposed to? Hmmm I'm just guessing here 
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Bev, I'm not sure why, but it seems like the caps cause problems for people who are already prone to acid reflux. I never realized that I was, but the caps definitely gave me heartburn. But I guess for most people that isn't a problem!
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"Anyone can exercise, but this kind of lethargy takes real discipline." -Garfield
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Thanks, Kree
#48116 - 03/04/04 09:52 PM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Guess I'm one of them also. Rats. 
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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