Bevrs can you help?
#79367 - 06/15/04 10:35 AM
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Wookie
Reged: 04/01/04
Posts: 247
Loc: n/a
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I am IBS-C and was diagnosed last December. At that time, my GI put me on Zelnorm and 4 colace per day. By March my BM were once a day with a substantial amount. Matter of fact, I don't remember me ever having BMs this normal. I used to only go every 3 days with not substantial amounts before I started having IBS attacks. One month ago I started a new job and haven't gotten health insurance yet. As a result, I quit zelnorm and gradually introduced my system to acacia. I am still going once per day but not a substantial amount so my tummy is even more bloated than usual. I am currently taking a total of 9 teaspoons of acadia a day (broken up into small amounts of course), 4 colace, omega 3 (flax seed oil, fish oil and borage), 2 calcium/magnesium and a women's day vitamin. Is there something else I could take to make my BM more effective or possibly take more acadia? Any advice would be appreciated very much!!!
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~Wookie 
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Hi Doe!
#79437 - 06/15/04 12:19 PM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Well, I'm a D, so I don't know how much I can help you with that C. But I'll give it a try.
How are you doing off the Zelnorm? I was so jealous when they came out with that stuff; I wanted something for us D-ers! But you didn't like it, eh?
I don't know what Colace is.
I also take omega-3 and omega-6 capsules (flax seed oil capsules), Sentrum Silver, and 2 calcium/magnesium a day.
I was on Acacia too, but had problems with it. I was at the maximum dosage (as I believe you are too) but didn't realize it and was increasing it even more. I had extreme gas and bloating, then I'd have urgent D at the worst times (while being waited on at the cutting counter in the fabric store, standing at the service window in the Post Office -- you get the picture). Anyway, all my symptoms went away when I cut WAAAAY back on the dosage.
How's that high dosage working for you?
The only suggestion I would have for you is to try a probiotic. Several people on the Boards here have had success with it. You might do a search, especially for "Jarro" or "Jarrow." Several of us take that kind. Here's the website: web page But if you order it, be sure to get the "Dophilus EPS" kind.
I started out taking one every midnite (you have to take it on an empty stomach), then increased it to two. I noticed an improvement in my poops; instead of being loose, they were nice and firm and fully-packed, very satisfying.  Sorry.
A probiotic contains essential bacteria that aids with good gut flora. I stopped taking them when I got real busy with the new house and was sleeping through the night, instead of getting up at midnight like I always do. Then I got a UTI, and one of the gals here asked me if I had stopped taking my probiotic! So it's good stuff to take -- and now I make a point of waking up at midnite every night to take it.
Hope this helps.
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Thanks so much Bevrs!! The colace is a stool softener.. And the Zelnorm I loved..I just started a new job and don't have insurance. Zelnorm is $125 per month without insurance..OUCH! That is the only reason I went off of it. Zelnorm is amazing for people it works for! It helped reset my clock within months of taking it. My GI doesn't even know I quit taking it. I figure I will call when I have a problem arises. My GI wanted to keep me on Zelnorm for 2 years before going off and that kind of concerned me but when you can't go, you begin to think whatever works! Zelnorm also helped the pain..it was like I could forget I had IBS-C for a while and eat whatever I wanted.  Thanks again! 
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~Wookie
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Hey,
I'm just butting-in here. Just wanted to let you know that you might contact the manufacturer of Zelnorm and see if they have a patient assistance program. If you are low income sometimes you can get your meds free. Or ask your doc about free samples. I got Prozac for my sister using the patient asst. program for Lilly. You can go on-line and look up the manufacturer and go from there.
Barbie
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Im butting in too!
Doe - my insurance doesnt cover Zelnorm at all - and I have insurance!? I dont know anything about insurance lol I just leave that stuff to my parents, but does it differ from company to company, country to country? 
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For IBSGirl
#79539 - 06/15/04 03:01 PM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Oh yeah, BIG time. You bet. We pay through the NOSE for our medical insurance, then it turns out that nothing is covered and we have to pay for it out of our pockets -- in addition to the medical insurance payments.
It's a BIGGGG rip-off. Your socialized medicine in Canada is the only way to go.
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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With my experience in the U.S. and health insurance I have found prices differ with each health company and plan. When I was diagnosed, my insurance paid most of the zelnorm price..my cost was only $25. Then I got laid off and started a new job that didn't cover it. So it just depends. It is very frustrating! 
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~Wookie
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I don't understand what you mean by socialized medicine in Canada. Does that mean ordering off the internet without a perscription?
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~Wookie
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Thanks for the info! Actually a girlfriend of mine told me about contacting the manufacturer over the weekend and I went online and checked yesterday and it appeared you had to have a medicade #. I was confused because I thought it was for anyone. Do you know anything about that? My dr. was giving me samples and then I started this new job and can't take off to go and get them right now. See I am temp to hire and I am trying to give the best impression right now.
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~Wookie
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