BEV...are you out there? I have a question about Donnatal...
#239356 - 01/18/06 07:46 AM
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Sandyg
Reged: 09/13/04
Posts: 403
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I know that you said that was lifesaver for you in an attack. Did you ever take it as a preventive? Can it work that way? I had a prescription for Bentyl and it did NOTHING for me except make me dizzy. I just had a prescription filled for Donnatal or its generic name. It says to take every 6 hours for cramping. I don't have a lot of cramping, I have problems after I eat, it sometimes goes through me so fast. Even when I've been eating safely lately, I seem to be in an unstable phase so I have to really be careful. My question is...would this help to take before meals? Does it help your bowels by easing the contractions so food doesn't move so fast through you? I don't want to end up constipated either. Slower yes, but not constipated!
Just wondered if you had any side effects from it and any advice.
Thanks!
Sandy 
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Watch out! Donnatal contains phenobarbital! It's ADDICTIVE! Check this out: web page
I take Donnatal only AFTER an attack, never as a preventative, and that attack has to be very severe. I've gone through only 2 bottles of Donnatal in the past 5 years, and in fact, the second bottle I had to throw out because it had expired. I'm just now starting my third, but it's almost expired too.
Now, having said that, my doctor told me, "TAKE the medication; that's what it's for!" I'm just a very conservative person when it comes to drugs. However, I definitely do not believe in taking something that's addictive if you're taking it as a preventative. I think you'd just be asking for trouble.
You're getting attacks ALL the time after EACH meal? Are you eating large meals? I strongly recommend very TINY meals, in fact not really meals at all, more like little snacks, and not three times a day but more like every two hours.
"Does it help your bowels by easing the contractions so food doesn't move so fast through you?" Yes, it does ease the contractions completely, and it eases the "D" as well.
I think the bottom line is: if your doctor gave it to you to take every 6 hours, then I'd follow his advice. Just be careful with it. Phenobarbital is addictive, and many doctors refuse to prescribe Donnatal for that very reason.
I think the Donnatal can help you, Sandy, but as soon as you start feeling stable, I'd talk to your doc about getting off it.
Good luck -- and keep us posted.
Bevvy
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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I don't know why I'm so unstable lately. It started with Chinese take out the other night. I ordered what I thought was safe, ate white rice first. While I was eating it, it seemed that it was cooked with lots of oil. I was so hungry though and ate way too much. My stomach had been empty too, ( I know a bad thing!) So...needless-to-say, I had an attack that night. It went away, the next day fine and then the following day, I went a ton again. Since I had to function and go to work, I took a Lomotil. Normally I just try to make do with an immodium or two but it was pretty bad. Today, I started again with the D. Since I just the prescription filled, I decided to try one while I'm home and don't have to drive so I can see how it works. It seems to have quelled the attack and I'm feeling much calmer inside.
I tend to be conversative with meds too and haven't taken the Lexapro my doctor prescribed me because I don't want something messing with my head. I don't want to abuse anything or get dependent on something. The Bentyl said the same thing, every 6 hours and I only took it as needed. It lasted me over a year and a half as I didn't take it much and it didn't help either that much.
I tend to be a snacker, (I have two little ones who snack so I tend to snack when they do) but I do eat bigger meals at times. I will try and not do that or eat so much at one sitting. I'm a small person....5'7" but weigh only about 112. I have a hard time keeping weight on hence the snacking.
Sometimes I cop a bad attitude thinking everyting makes me unstable so I might as well eat this...(a bad thing for IBS). I really have to knock that off and eat right all the time at least until I get fairly stabilized. It stinks huh? I'm glad you're doing so well, but I know it didn't happen overnight. Thanks for your input! I'll be extremely careful with the Donnatal. That info scared me!
Sandy
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More For Sandy
#239441 - 01/18/06 10:04 AM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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"Chinese take-out"? Yikes! Full of MSG! I couldn't tolerate that even now that I'm stable!
". . . it was cooked with lots of oil." Fat is my biggest trigger, even now.
"I was so hungry though and ate way too much. My stomach had been empty too." Okay, Girlfriend, we gotta talk....
I may be stable, but I still have to be good. I don't wanna return to my pre-stable days! We know what we gotta do, so we just gotta DO it! Big meals are a HUGE trigger, certainly for me, and I can't let my tummy get so hungry that I pig out. Small tiny meals every few hours are much better. I keep a one-serving portion of rice cakes in my purse at all times, just in case I'm stuck somewhere for several hours. We gotta plan ahead.
I'm glad to say my prescription for Lomotil has also expired, and I can't remember the last time I had to take an Imodium. But I really do watch what I eat, when I eat, and how MUCH I eat.
The Donnatal takes me at least one and a half hours before it kicks in. So I have to take it at the first sign of a bad attack. Glad the Donnatal "quelled the attack and [you're] feeling much calmer inside." It's a very effective med for IBS.
Don't know nothin' 'bout Lexapro, sorry.
WOW! 5'7" and weigh only about 112?! OMG, I didn't weight that little when I was BORN! I'm only 5'6" and weigh..... well, a lot more than you.  It's interesting, 'cause that just proves IBS knows no weight.
Okay, I am just like you, Girlfriend! "Sometimes I cop a bad attitude thinking everything makes me unstable so I might as well eat this." Oh yeah! I get pissed off with my condition, rebelling against it, eat something I know I shouldn't have just to punish the condition, and end up punishing myself in the end (literally). We really do have to knock this off, you and I.
Get stable!
Bevvy
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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It helps when you can laugh! Did you ever watch Suzy Orman on CNBC, the financial advisor type...you "sound" like her in your email. Anyway...I smiled thinking of a 112 lb baby coming from your mama's loins! 
I know, I know...I really need to stop acting like I don't have IBS. Sometimes I just want to be like my hubby who can basically eat anything and be fine. I swear just looking at what he eats sometimes could give me an attack. I haven't been this way that long (a little more than 2 years) so acceptance hasn't kicked in yet I guess. Well guess what? I'm ready to accept the fact that my bowels are not normal like the average Joe's and have to plan/eat accordingly. The rice cakes are a good idea since I run around a lot with the kids, errands etc. I work at a hospital and we won't even talk about their "healthy" cafateria. You'd think being a hospital where doctors/nurses eat, you'd have some healthy choices. Once in a blue moon, they have a veggie burger and even those look like they are fried in grease! I usually bring lunch or pretzels to snack on. I normally tolerate a little milk in my tea or on cereal but I think I'm going to soy for that too as who knows, I thought it was ok. I'm not taking any chances as I'm trying to get stable.
No more empty stomachs, (which reminds me, I haven't eaten in awhile...time for a snack, maybe a bananna). Glad you said it takes awhile to kick in. I have a tendency to panic when something doesn't seem like it's working and take another. (I wouldn't do that with donnatal but have done it with immodium and then get nice and plugged up!)
And no more take-out for awhile...for me fat is the biggest one followed by too much dairy. I cannot eat a lot of cheese or forget icecream! haven't touched it in over a year. I'm going to try some soy ice cream fot those special occasions when everyone else is indulging. I used to love to eat out but now am so afraid to. Someday...someday....
Thanks for your enouragement and the smiles!
Sandy
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Just fyi some donnatol info
http://www.gicare.com/pated/belladonna_phenobarbital.htm
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My website on IBS is www.ibshealth.com
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Sandy
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Sandy
#239493 - 01/18/06 12:42 PM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Oh yeah, I know who Suzy Orman is. Thanks! But I picture myself more of a Jack Benny.
"I haven't been this way that long . . . so acceptance hasn't kicked in yet." Oh yeah. Been there. I had IBS for YEARS before I would accept it. It wasn't until I was doubled over with pain and totally housebound that I finally contacted Heather. And even then, even after I knew the truth, I refused all social invitations, fearing all food-related gatherings.
Soy milk is very good. I like Soy Dream Vanilla, but with Weight Watchers I have to go for the plain low-fat variety. And you really should try Soy Dream Vanilla frozen "ice cream." It's my fave! I used to go crazy over the Soy Dream Mocha Fudge because it has coffee in it, so I could get a little taste of the stuff (I am SOOOO addicted!), but now that I can have coffee with no problems, I prefer the Vanilla "ice cream." My friend, who does not have IBS, prefers it too, believe it or not, and in fact, has a SOY latte every morning from Starbuck's. She was spending so much on them, in fact, that her hubby bought her an espresso machine for Christmas. Now I want one!
Cheese? What's that? I used to be a HUGE cheese eater (damn that's good stuff!), but haven't had any in over 5 years. The soy "Veggie Slices" aren't bad on a burger or a grilled "cheese" samich, but plain? Ew.
Yes, you should definitely try the soy ice cream; you'll be blown away. Don't tell anyone, but I crush up my WW cookies and sprinkle the crumbs on top of the "ice cream." OMG! OMG! OMG!
That "someday" you're talking about will come sooner than you think if you stick with the program. Trust me.
Bevvy
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Is a soy latte from Starbucks safe? Does it still have coffee in it? I've had the soy chai there and its very good. I've never had a bad reaction to it. Sometimes you just got to splurge a little. I'm going to try the soy icecream. I'll probably try both, the vanilla and coffee. Coffee ice cream used to be one of my favorites but since IBS kicked in, the thought of eating ice cream is like the memory of putting a finger on a hot stove. OUCH! I guess that's how I have to get with other triggers huh?
Thanks again Jack!
Sandy
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