Posted 3/7/2010 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
All:
I have had an extreme case of IBS-C for over a year now. During this past year, I have been to the emergency room three times because I didn't have a bowel movement for three weeks+. I was taking the maximum dose of Amitiza (24mcg twice daily) as well as stool softeners but nothing seemed to keep me regular. The Amitiza along with my symptoms of nausea, constipation, swelling, and lack of energy left me a completely different person. IBS-C was taking over my life! Although the Amitiza caused terrible side effects, not taking it left me even more constipated and at risk for perforation so I HAD to take it. My abdomen would become so distended people often asked how far along I was and If I was expecting a boy or girl. No joke! My family has been very concerned and friends and family all had suggestions and doctor recommendations but there seemed to be no hope.
After seeking help from several doctors, I finally found a doctor last week that was concerned with treating the problem and not the condition. He prescribed 2 oz of Bio-K once a day and 1000mg of L-glutamine. I want you all to know that I have stopped the Amitiza after day 6 of the Bio-K and have not felt this well in over a year. Before I was so scared that I would never be able to become pregnant because of the risks of Amitiza to the fetus but probiotics are food not harmful medication. Turns out that all I was missing was the good bacteria in my digestive system. When I tried probiotics at the beginning of the problem, I wasn't taking enough probiotics. Make sure you have tried Bio-K and the amino acid L-glutamine. There are no bad side effects from it like there are Amitiza. I only wonder why this never occurred to any of the other doctors.