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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 3/23/2007 3:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hello, this is my first post.

I have been suffering from IBS for a number of years. Recently it has given me horrible constipation.

I am a male, but nonetheless my GI doc prescribed Zelnorm...which has only been approved for females. It loosens my bowels but I see little blurry spots in my vision.

This is not the first drug I have been on and I have experienced side effects on almost every drug.

I am interested in finding alternative remedies and I was hoping that some of you would have good advice for me.

Thank you,
Posted 3/23/2007 5:21 AM (GMT 0)

Zelnorm is approved for men and women, actually.  It's Lotronex (which is a last-resort treatment for the opposite problem of chronic, severe diarrhea) that is generally used only in females.  Did the blurriness just start when you tried Zelnorm? 

A lot of members who suffer from constipation on this site take fiber supplements, increase their fiber intake, natural stool softeners, etc. but you may have already tried many of these.  Do you exercise regularly?  Sometimes a good jog or workout will get the bowels moving, in addition to a lot of soluble fiber (raw veggies and fruits, etc.)

Posted 3/23/2007 7:44 AM (GMT 0)

Hit guts,
Welcome to HealingWell!  :-)
In addition to what Sarita mentioned, probiotics seem to help many of us with regularity.  Also, have you heard of Dannon Activia yogurt?  Dannon challenges people to try their yogurt everyday for 2 weeks... If it doesn't improve your transit time they will refund you up to $12.
I take a couple types of probiotics and I eat Activia, and I'm pretty regular because of it.
I hope you find something that works.

about Activia

Activia Challenge

Posted 3/23/2007 11:02 AM (GMT 0)
The insert in the zelnorm box tells me it's only approved for women. i.e. there was no significant effect on the male group that they tested.

I take citrucel and make sure that I eat dry cereal and salad every day along with 3 pieces of fruit.

I have a hard time with dairy products, they cause a number of other symptoms as well. So no yogurt for me. I do however take probiotic supplements by nature's way. I get them from the local health food store.

I do exercise as well. I went to the doctor after these things failed. :( please help
Posted 3/23/2007 12:57 PM (GMT 0)
Zelnorm hasn't been established in the effectiveness in men with IBS HOWEVER it is prescribed to both men and women for chronic constipation. Zelnorm actually communicates with the nerves and muscles in your intestines and works like serotonin.

I personally had an awful effect when I took Zelnorm many many years ago however many people get relief from it, I just wasn't one of those. I am on a fiber/Miralax regimen that is actually working great for me and I hope it lasts a long long time. I don't particularly care for Citrucel being a synthetic fiber supplement however I do prefer the psyllium that I get from Metamucil.

I also drink plenty of water and I notice that makes a huge difference for me. If I don't, my BM tend to be dry and takes longer transit time.
Posted 3/23/2007 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
thanks for the info, I hope others will share...
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