Has anyone tried Amitiza yet?

Hi all,
It's been a while since I've been on the discussion board here. I went off Zelnorm when the FDA pulled it off the market and figured I could handle being med-free. I was soooo wrong. I had a vicious attack over the past few weeks and couldn't handle it and just started Amitiza yesterday. I have the shortness of breath, nausea, headache that comes and goes (nausea seems to be ever-present) and the bloating/gas is always there. I can sacrifice having a flat tummy if I can have a bowel movement. I seem to pee more though. I wonder if I was retaining fluid when I was so constipated??
Has anyone gained weight on this drug? I ask because I seem to recall losing weight while on Zelnorm. I've gained weight on other drugs totally unrelated to IBS medications.

Well, Here is my story...... I'm 36 and have had severe/chronnic constipation since 2001. Dont know why, before I was everyday or every other day. Have had SEVERAL colonoscopies and EVERYONE says nothing is wrong..... Well, SOMETHING IS WRONG!

Anyway, tried everything - and ended up taking dulcolax for six years , three at a time. there is a spot just left of my navel that seems to back up. well after several docs, this last one said that he found a "Floppy" section in my colon... what the hell does that mean? LOL. anyway he prescribed me with Amitiza and I have been taking it for two days now, No Results yet - this includes No Side Effects yet. He also suggested to supplement with Mirlax, took some about five hours ago - Nothing Yet........... I'm trying to refrain from taking Dulcolax anymore......

I may have to take a couple of doses of Miralax to get results, as I havent had a movement in two days.. So, I'm going to be the good little patient and do what he says, until I get depressed and discouraged again. I'll tell you what does not help my condition is that I've been on a 12hr/swing shift job for over ten years. So normalization of the body is a moot point....

Once i can flush out, I'm going to try the Fiber recommendations, along with the lettuce/olive oil/ warm water thing too. I'm ready to have my colong cut-up if need be. it sucks being like this. Always feel like junk, no energy, mood swings, cant go out to eat with the family (wife and four daughters) or for an outing with them without knowing what time it is, when i took the pills and where the clean bathtrooms might be / as well as how close they are - in case of an emergency (LOL).

so I'm looking forward to seeing if Amitiza works for me. Had the colonscopy on Thursday, started Amitiza on Thursday afternoon (with a mushroom swiss burger from burger king) and its now Saturday night..... Still Waiting... Hopefully something will give way , LOL.

Hello All.  I’ve been searching for advice on amitiza.  I was sincerely touched when I found this panel.  You are all in my prayers.  My doctor gave me some samples of amitiza 24 mcg.  I've been taken them 2 per day for the last 4 days - One at night and another in the A.M.  With the 1st tablet I had a BM.  I have not had another BM since.  It doesn't seem that I'm having any normal digestive sounds or movements.  I don't even have the urge to have a BM.  This has only been happening to me for the last couple of weeks.  I've had several pressing problems to occur at the same time, causing tremendous stress.  Sometimes it's so bad that I realize I'm actually feeling panic.  In any case I'm not sure if I should continue on the amitiza.  I'm not experiencing any serious side effects.  Nor am I experiencing any pain.  I’m praying that my system will somehow get jump started and begin to work again.  I’m not sure where to go from here.  Please help. 

 

Thank you for taking the time to consider my problem.  I realize you all have many issues that you are dealing with.  I promise to keep you in my prayers.

   

I've been readng the reactions to Amitiza and it seems most are negative.  That's scary. I started on it 5 days ago after several days of severe bloat and downing 2 full bottles of Mag Citrate...I have IBS-C and possibly some adhesions wrapped around my intestines from prior abdominal surgeries (jury's still out on that one).  I've had a colonoscopy, endoscope, abdominal xrays...and been on MiraLax and stool softeners daily for over a year.  Besides the constipation, I swell up like I'm 7 months pregnant with twins - and THAT is the most uncomfortable part of it all.  I was wearing a size 6-8 jeans when this became serious, but when I blew up like a helium balloon I was in a 12 overnight...WOW!   I don't care about the number - I care about the reason...

 

The first day I took Amitiza I developed a headache (I rarely have headaches, so this was notable) and a significant increase in fibromyalgia pain (have had this condition over 20 years, before they knew what to call it).  I felt little hope for this drug after that start and after reading the comments here, but things improved by the next morning.  I do have a bowel movement now that is normal - but, no multiple movements at all, just one per day after breakfast.  The swelling/bloat has decreased, but not gone. The fibro pain is definitely elevated.  I DO appreciate NOT waiting 7-11 days for a bowel movement (that just CAN'T be good!), but I suspect the one movement a day I am having is insufficient (bc I am still swollen and not feeling 'empty' at all).

 

Before I make a final assessment I'll give this drug a month. My side-effects are not so awful as so many I've read here (no shortness of breath, for example - THAT would definitely scare me!).  I exercise, drink green tea and  take supplements every day - sometimes it's a struggle to do it, but doing nothing is not an option.  Physical exercise is critcal for my fibro pain - and it should help with the constipation (but doesn't)...I am not comfortable, my clothes aren't fitting - and this condition is altering my life in a negative way...not ok.

My husband has been taking Amitiza for a while now and he has been experiencing excessively try mouth.  Has anyone else had this problem?

I just started with Amitiza last week and was in for an endoscopy last friday -- because I have been having difficulty digesting foods - especially heavy foods and usually end up throwing it all up. I also have been unable to go to the bathroom for 6 days prior to the GI Dr putting me on Amitiza. It worked well - I took it once per day instead of twice (I have a hard time remembering to take medication) and was able to go to the bathroom by the next morning. The difference for me though is that my Dr also put me on Kapidex for the stomach acid and vomiting. I think this maybe protecting me from the nausea side effects. I also take both medications at the same time and with food. So far it is working well and I go in for a colonoscopy next week to find out what is wrong. I am anxiously awaiting the results from the biopsy they took of my stomach. Hopefully they will find out what is wrong and be able to fix it. THis has been going on for 3 years (started while pregnant with my last child - had vomiting for 6 months so bad I couldnt eat or drink anything - including water). What concerned me was the inability to eat food and digest it - then to not be able to go to the bathroom was horrible.

I cant imagine going through the symptoms and durations of what all of you have gone through. Going once per month must have been extremely painful! I hope all of you are able to find something that works for you. For now Amitiza works well for me. Of course - I am only on week 2.

to babykatibug:  I'm happy Amitiza is working for you and hope it continues to do so.  It worked for me for a few days in the beginning and I thought my side-effects were much more tolerable than the others I'd read about on here.  to jt80:  My dose is low (8mcg 2X daily), but increasing the dose for me resulted in such violent headaches and body pain that I was unable to move away from the initial dose.  Then I knew what others were talking about.  No, it isn't working.

 

I have made 2-3 posts since February, 2009 re my experience w/irritable bowel and Amitiza.  Truly, I am ready for surgery...anything that will finally end this.  The abdominal swelling causes my abdomen to feel tender and sore, my clothes absolutely do not fit bc I am a very odd shape rt now (no waist).   I was in Canada when this all started and was tested from one end to the other before coming back home: colonoscopy (that the dr was unable to complete), an endoscope, a ct scan, several abdominal xrays and a barium enema.  Dr. in Canada put me on a med called Dicetel (not available in the US) that was helping.  Dr. here tried a couple of things, the last one being Amitiza.  For me it hasn't worked very well (even w/Miralax 1-2 times daily) since the first few days I was on it.   Seeing my doc on Friday...he said he can get Dicetel for me from Canada - if my insurance will cover it, I definitely want it.

 

Drank a bottle of MagCitrate today out of desperation, was vomiting 10 mins later.  It did get things moving, though.

 

I'm wondering what on earth is wrong with ALL of us?  This is a terrible way to live.  Until I was confronted w/it, I didn't know people were living with this problem at ALL.  Good luck to US!!

Post Edited (lupetta) : 3/18/2009 11:37:58 PM (GMT-6)

I had considered this same thing!  Now I'm going to give it a shot. Thanks for the update.

   I quit the Amitiza as of last thursday night.  Starting Friday night I started the Dual Action Cleanse.  I have been taking 2 of the colon clear twice per day and 1 of the total body purifier twice per day.  It has been working well.  There are times when I feel the need to go but it will take until the second dose to finally work - BUT I am going everyday now.  No more pain, cramping, fatigue, not fitting my clothes, etc.  I feel energetic and normal again.  I hope all of you are doing well or have found something that works well for you.

 

to lululingsue:
You mention an eating disorder. Can you tell me how you deal with this?

Part of my problem is that the vomiting helps trigger my bowels to get moving.
So the vomiting has become very desirable! I know this sounds insane.
I am so desperate for relief that I do what I have to do.
Is there anyone on this forum who can relate?

katiebug:  No, I haven't started the Colon Cleanse YET - I am starting on the Dual Action Colon Cleanse tomorrow and hope I am as successful as as you have been!  My dr said I could do it once a month, if so; but, I just remembered you had said to take one month off - curious to see how your month 'off' goes bc you're rt ahead of me in this and I'm watching how you're doing....fingers crossed.

thistuesday: Wow...I can relate to the vomiting, too.  When the belly swells to a certain level the nausea sets in...makes sense bc there is no more rm, rt??  I become nauseated, so I end up throwing up.  Unfortunately, it hasn't resulted in me having a bm.  I wish!!  I can't stand the feelng of fullness bc it actually leads to nausea and an overall feeling of 'not' ok.

 

I am having sharp, stabbing pains happening along w/the bloat as of Friday, March 27th.  Prior to last wk I was 'uncomfortable', but the sharp pains weren't a part of the mix.  I downed the MagCitrate, but had a strange burning reaction in my arms and hands immediately after drinking it (thinking I am developing a sensitivity to that nasty-tasting stuff).

 

It's hard to believe people actually live with this condition somehow.  It's negatively impacting my entire life.   I'm not the best patient when it comes to 'patience' anyway...I'll do anything, but this just can't go on forever.  I'm not 'grace under fire' here...I personally can't take this much longer. 

Post Edited (lupetta) : 3/29/2009 10:10:51 PM (GMT-6)

thistuesday:  I didn't have the shortness of breath on Amitiza (though knowing others have had that reaction scares me) and it was a month before chest pains started...it didn't work at all after 3 days, so...I did eventually drop it altogether (gee, the headaches disappeared along w/the Aimitiza, too).  Amitiza has too many frightening side-effects and no benefit for me.  I'm convinced there's a better way.  I can relate to the 'airhose' description...I have had the same problem for the last yr.  Makes me feel awful and has taken away any sign of a natural waistline.

 

ALL:  I started the Dual Action Colon Cleanse 2 days ago.  It started to move things 24 hours later, though it helped with the pain and bloat before 24 hours.  I am not nearly as miserable as I was ~ and it is so far doing what is was designed to do.  I am hoping this regimine will clean me out and get me back on my feet.  So far it is working better than any presciption I have been given thusfar for IBS-C.  Also, I have more energy.

 

BTW:  Walgreens has a $10 off coupon for Dual Action Colon Cleanse for the month of April!  Without it the cost here in MS is $40.32 + tax.  My friend is a manager at a Walgreen's, so she added her discount besides ~ meaning,  I got a great deal!  No matter the cost, if this cleans me out like I'm expecting it to - I'll pay just about anything for it.

 

babykatiebug:  is the Colon Cleanse still working for you??? I've just gotten started w/it and it is working.  Not quite as dramatically as it did for you, but it IS working!  So glad you mentioned trying it. Thanks.

 

I need ALL the suggestions available out there bc I know I can't live forever with this problem.  Sad, but true... Please keep sharing.  I'm glad this group is here.

ALL:  Today is my BEST day in over a year!  The Dual Action Colon Cleanse is working sooo well - I have just completed day 3 and I feel like I'm on my way to a full recovery (provided things continue as they are).

 

babykatiebug:  I am encouraged that this product is still working well for you.  I wore a size 6-8 jeans ~ but have been so bloated and miserable that I have had to wear a size 12 the last few weeks. Hoping I'll be back in my 6-8 jeans before long!  Who can afford a whole new wardrobe???  Fingers are crossed.  Honestly, I was looking like twins were due to deliver any minute...

ALL:  I really did not expect such positive results from this product.  My thought was: all these prescriptions and miserable tactics (i.e., the Mag Citro that I finally developed an allergy to...and all the Miralax and, finally, enemas) can't do it, so this herbal product certainly won't work!  I was dead wrong, thankfully.  It really is worth a try.

 

To finally not feel like a helium balloon about to burst is the most amazing gift.  I feel like I'm beginning to crawl out of a medical hell. It hasn't been fun.  I want to get ALL the way out and never ever return.