What do you take for pain dominant IBS ?
#98689 - 08/16/04 01:17 PM
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I have tried Dicetel (3 months) and Modulon (2.5 weeks) for my cramping and pain and neither of them have done a thing yet. they haven't helped with 'd' either. can you guys tell me what you're taking (and works) as I am seeing a specialist next week (finally) and want to have some suggestions.
Also, is it possible that I don't have IBS since these spasmotics don't work? That has been on my mind a lot lately.
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I've been on a low dose of amitriptylene (elavil) for the past 3 weeks. It took awhile to get the dosage right (anything over 5mg makes me loopy!) but I can honestly say it seems to be working... i've been 99% pain free for 3 days in a row!
It's not an anti-spasmodic, its an anti-depressant, and somehow alters the brain-gut function that causes spasms. Also heard it can be constipating, so maybe would help with the D?
In any case, keep trying! There's a ton of stuff out there...maybe a call to your MD to get something else... and to make sure you've had all the tests that would rule out everything but IBS.
From what I'm learning about it, there's no "one' treatment or definite set of symptoms...
good luck! :-> kk
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kk
#98708 - 08/16/04 02:12 PM
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Hi there. I was thinking that maybe an anti-depressant might be needed. I am getting so upset by all this that I might even be depressed by now! I mentionned it to my doc last visit but he said that "it hasn't come to that yet". I guess I might not be expressing how awful it is to him and he thinks it's manageable. Not so. 
I know that different drugs work for different people and not ohers but it's SO frustrating. Thanks for telling me what works for you. I'll make a note of that.
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My GI has me on 10 mg of Lexapro (an antidepressant) and Heather's fiber supplement also helps.
Speak with your doc and let him know that what has been prescribed is simply not working for you.
Good Luck.
--------------------
God never promised life would be easy, but he did promise to provide a way out!
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I will speak with the GI specialist and hope he has a "magic" pill for me.
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Re: kk
#98746 - 08/16/04 04:34 PM
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karmakatt
Reged: 07/27/04
Posts: 45
Loc: Massachusetts
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hey - when you get those 'magic pills' could you get a few extras?
ps: what more would it have to 'come to' in order to be depressed about all this?! yikes! don't hold back with your MD if you think depression is a problem for you...
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Re: kk
#98751 - 08/16/04 04:54 PM
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Ya no kidding. If he had to deal with this he'd be on anti-depressants I bet.
Thanks for your humour. 
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It sucks that you haven't had any results from the Modulon yet but give it another couple of weeks.....
I didn't see results for about 3-4 weeks....after that if it doesn't work then it probably won't (at least that's what my doc said)
But try to hang in there for another couple weeks....
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!!
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Thanks Kimm. I will stay on it. I see a specialist next week so maybe he'll be able to help me.
When you say you saw results, what exactly happened? No more cramps, d, or what exactly?
Thanks.
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Ooo the pain is the worst part for me.
In the 21 years I have sought treatment, I have tried all the anti-depressants and they don't work for me. I develop a rash on my arms and legs. I take Tylenol-3 (acetaminophen/paracetamol with codiene) as needed for pain. It works wonderfully and is less habit forming than other narcotics.
A side affect of the codiene is that is helps stabilize D. I get routine liver tests because the acetaminophen/paracetamol can be toxic, but no problems yet after 8 years of this therapy.
It's not the preferred option by physicians, but more of a last chance for those who can't handle anti-depressants. I'm not complaining, and it works well when taken with sol fiber and imodium!
~nel~
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Sara-Sage
For almost 45 years I suffered from excruciatingly painful IBS attacks. Now I rarely, if ever, get the pain anymore and, if I do, it's very mild. My secret? A total change in diet (based on Heather's diet) and change in lifestyle (based on Heather's recommendations of fitness, etc.). However, there's a caveat to this! This new approach takes a lot of discipline and effort. You have to really want to be well and you have to really want to control your pain/IBS.
As far as I'm concerned, drugs don't work for IBS pain unless you were to go to the hospital and get hooked up to a morphine drip. In fact, some drugs probably make the pain worse. In my opinion, the key to overcoming the pain is to prevent the pain in the first place. Most of that can be achieved through diet and lifestyle ... assuming what you have is IBS.
If you want to know more, e-mail me. I'll be glad to fill you in. Personally, I find most people on this message board are looking for easy solutions for controlling their IBS. Unfortunately, the IBS "solutions" are not easy and involve a firm commitment to a new approach in diet and lifestyle.
IBS cannot be 100 per cent controlled, but it is possible to greatly reduce the symptoms and virtually eliminate the pain -- if you are willing to make changes.
Please take care.
Belinda
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Belinda,
I agree with you that drugs are an easy answer and don't cure anything they just cover it up like a bandage.
The thing is I do eat very well. I've been a vegetarian for 13 years and have cut out all dairy in the last couple of months. I don't have alcohol, caffeine or anything terrible. Yet my IBS is worse than ever. I take the acacia twice a day and try to avoid my triggers. I meditate and do yoga once a week, or more.
I feel like I've made a huge commitement to getting better and it hasn't helped AT ALL. I am on Modulon and it hasn't helped. I tried Dicetel and it didn't work either. Something has got to give???
Yes, any suggestions at all would be fabulous as I'm very open-minded.
Tina
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Re: To Belinda
#99368 - 08/19/04 07:17 AM
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belinda
Reged: 10/09/03
Posts: 474
Loc: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Hi Tina!
Please e-mail me and we will brainstorm so you can get better! My e-mail address is on my profile if you click on my name. I've had IBS for 46 years (I'm a severe case) and so I have 46 years of experience in dealing with it! Perhaps there is something you're doing that is continuing to aggravate your IBS, or perhaps there is something you aren't doing. It has taken me 46 years to figure out all the tricks of how to "control" my IBS (rather than my IBS controlling me!), and I'm still learning!
I rarely get pain anymore (just occasional mild pain) although I still get D sometimes. I'm able to lead a very normal life, I'm very healthy, I never miss any work due to IBS and I travel a lot!
Belinda
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I looked through the other posts, and am pretty sure nobody else said this, but if they have then I apologise for repeating it.
Anywho, I've read that Heather says they work a lot better for her than prescription meds, and so maybe give them a shot?
At least they aren't like real medication, so if you are worried about bouncing from med to med (like I was for a while!) it's a more natural way to go.
If you have reflux, they aren't a good idea 'cause they are so strong in the anti-spasmodic department but if not, give it a go.
Good luck!
--Steph
--------------------
~~I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell-I know right now you can't tell~~Matchbox 20
IBS-D,pain.
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I'm IBS-A  and pain is a predominant symptom for me. I just started taking the peppermint caps and I think they are helping. Also, I have issues with heartburn - I take a Zantac75 everyday - and I haven't had any issues with the caps (yet, anyway). I also haven't had any problems with the peppermint tea and that also seems to help me alot. I would definitely recommend Heather's Peppermint Tummy Tea - it's the best I've had 
Another thing that helps me with the pain is heat. I know it's summertime and the last thing you want to do is apply heat  BUT, it helps me so much. So if you can relax in the AC for awhile - or it's not too hot where you are - I would definitely recommend heat therapy.
Hope this helps a little and good luck 
By the way, I've been taking the peppermint caps on an empty stomach/between meals and with lots of water. Maybe that's helping me avoid heartburn/reflux/burping issues?? (Hope it stays that way too!!)
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Peppermint tea is helpful but for some reason I can't take the caps. They were giving me pain! Weird, huh. I tried 3 seperate times and it was definitely them.
I have a heating pad almost constantly on my tummy as it helps better than anything. I also take a lot of hot bubble baths even though it's summer (we have air conditionnng though).
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Belinda,
Ok thanks. I just sent you an email. Loking forward to anything you can suggest. 
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Belinda,
You are SO right that controlling IBS is not easy and takes a major effort! During the 6 months before I recommitted to Heather's diet seriously, I was having D attacks an average of every 6 days and losing the next day of work or fun from being so sick.
Since I got serious again, I haven't had D once in over 7 months, and only some occasional mild pain and very slight bloating. You are so right that it takes a lot of discipline and effort and keeping a food diary and everything else. You're also right on target when you say you have to really want to be well. If not, the person will just keep cheating until it gets so bad they'll do anything to get better.
Hear, hear!! You rock, Belinda!!
--------------------
Laura
Keep it simple!
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