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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 8/9/2006 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,

I'll be seeing my GI on Monday and I'm wondering if I should ask him about some new meds. I was diagnosed with UC but got that into remission for about two years. I even started tapering down on my asacol meds to 3 pills once a day and was feeling great. I went to see my GI and he told me 3 pills was a little low and reccomended I go back up to at least 6 pills a day. Needless to say once I increased the dosage I started having problems -- gurgling stomach and mucus. Thought it was the UC flaring again and had a colonoscopy done and the GI said everything looks great as far as UC goes, but said I could have IBS. Just my luck I hit the ass lottery! 

I'm on asacol 3 pills 3 times a day and a rowasa enema at night. That was to keep the UC under control. But if it is IBS and not UC should I be on a different drug regime? Is there something that you all take and find works well that I should ask about? IBS and a Rowasa enema doesn't seem like they would go well together but what do I know....

I'm definitely going to ask about an anti-anxiety pill (low dosage) because it definitely seems to worsen when I'm stressed but a lot of my stress comes from this darn disease.

Any input would be greatly appreciated and I hope this finds you all in good health....

Posted 8/9/2006 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi cash,
Sorry to hear about your struggle with UC, IBS and your meds. Funny how your doc didn't even take into consideration that you were feeling fine with just the 3 asacols a day. Why prescribe more... Why fix something that is not broken? Anyway....
I'm sorry to break it to you but there really aren't any IBS meds out there. You can take anti-spasmodics for the pain and cramping, you can take anti-anxiety (or anti-depressants) to reduce your attacks, and you can take motility drugs (Zelnorm) to make you regular, but there isn't anything specifically for IBS. There are OTC meds that really help IBS that your docs hardly ever talk about or recommend.... Digestive Advantage for IBS, Digesterol (sp?), Fiber, Calcium, Imodium, Pepto Bismol, Probiotics, etc. I'm sure there are others that I just can't remember. Other members will be on the board soon to give their input.
Good luck and let us know how it goes!
Posted 8/9/2006 5:27 PM (GMT 0)
I think my docs biggest concern at that time was the UC. He was afraid that by dropping the dosage down like I did could allow the UC to start flaring again. At that time we were under the assumption that I just had UC and that was all we were treating.

I was afraid of that -- about the meds -- well, we'll see what happens. Hopefully, he can do something for me. It seems like if I could just get the gurgling under control everything would fall in line. That seems to be what starts the problems.

Thanks for your help and look forward to hearing from others... 

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