Good luck with new drug Amitiza

Hi, I just found this forum and signed up so that I can post. I'm a 57 year old female that has had IBS (C type) since i was 35. I have really struggled with it as I am sure you can all relate to the pain, inconvenience and embarrassment of having IBS. Over the years I have basically taken Elavil (an antidepressant) to control the pain and can really tell if I leave it off for even two days. I also have taken about 10 million Bentyl over the years. I recently went to see a  new gastroenterologist, had a colonoscopy (he did remove polyps) and on a followup visit I asked him if there was anything new to try.  He put me on Amitiza 24 mcg twice a day and I have had good results --actually almost like a regular person!! I sometimes cut down to only one pill in the evening and take it with dinner as it will make you slightly nauseous on an empty stomach. Mr.doctor told me that it acts on the digestive system in a certain way that I can't really explain here, but check it out online.

Anyway, if you have not seen a gastroenterologist lately, it might be worth a visit and asking your doctor about it.  IBS is a very tough illness to control on our own, as I am sure you will agree.

I will check back to see if anyone has any questions! Take care.

I took Amitiza too!

it does really work..but when i started going back to school it didnt seem like it was very wierd!
and my doctor took me off of it b/c i felt so nauseaus even when i wasnt taking it and i would take it before meals..but it did give good results for awhile

Well Im not on Amitiza anymore but if he ever puts me back on it a mental note was just taken

I am replying and asking Nikki2 or anyone else who's child or they themselves have had a Cecostomy for Severe constipation?

My 14 year old daughter has been struggling with severe constipation for a couple years. We've tried Sennakot, Miralax,Stool softeners,enemas,reglan.....the list goes on and on.

The only thing that works now is Go-Lightly (used for colon cleansing ) She has to drink an 8 oz. glass every 10 minutes until she's drank 1-2 liters!!!! This test is pre-ceeded by taking two Duclolax tablets 6 hours prior to drinking the Go-Lightly. Then we start ALL over again with the constipation.

We just returned from Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. We go back on Thursday, Sept. 27th for a pelvic ultra sound. The Pediatric G.I. Dr., mentioned a cecostomy at our intitial appt., before her test were completed.

All test last week were normal, except the Gastric,small & large bowel nuclear emptying study, which showed slow transit time.

The G.I. Dr. is consulting with an Adult G.I. motility Dr. as I right this, to see if he'll see my daughter.

The only diagnosis she has at this time, which may or may not be related are : Asperger's & Tourettes syndrome, Ehler's Danlos syndrome, anxiety & depression.

Hi SillyLilly,

I recall muscle weakness in the legs, a confused feeling, dizziness, stomach discomfort, and nausea when I first started taking it.  There might of been back pain but you can get that from almost anything.  All of those symptoms DID GO AWAY within a day or so.  I still have a little nausea but its gone with 30 min or so.  Try eating something small or even drinking something if you feel nauseated and that might help you.  It does me.  Even if I drink ice tea it helps.  I mean its no big deal anyways but it reduces the nausea.  To put up with 30 min of nausea but to be fine the rest of the day and to have regular or more regular bowel movements is a INCREDIBLE!!  I also noticed my gas significantly reduced along with bloating.  A huge difference. 

I think a lot of people do not take Amitiza correctly.  They either take it on an empty stomach or with virtually no food.  For most, you have to take it with food.  Fortunate for me, my doctor told me to be prepared to be nauseated for about 3 days and it should get better.  He was right.

Amitiza is a great drug. 

Let me know how your doing.