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IBS C HELP!

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 6/19/2007 5:36 AM (GMT 0)
I used to have IBS-D really bad for about 6 years, then I was good for about 3, and now I have had IBS-C really bad over 2 and a half years, is it normal to switch for that long? At this point I miss my IBS-D.  I have tried everything..diet, fiber supplements, muralax, amitiza, zelnorm (the only thing that seemed to work semi normal) and it works good at first and then it becomes irregular again.  Right now I take amitiza twice a day, muralax and metamucil at night, and I'll get mixed results a little diarrehea, or nothing at all.  I need serious advice on this. 

I've read alot of these forums and found two suggestions.  One is magnesium citrate 500-800 mgs a day, or Acetyl L-Carnitine.  If anyone has any info on these please let me know, I am desperate!  Is magnesium citrate a laxative?  Is it ok to take long term?  Any info..please!

Posted 6/19/2007 12:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi ny... Welcome to Healing Well :-)

I went for years and years with IBS-D and now I'm more IBS-A almost IBS-C. I know what you are saying about missing the D, when I was D I wanted C. I'm sorry that you haven't been able to find the right treatment for you. I tried Zelnorm and that gave me horrible side effects so my doctor switched me to Miralax a few years ago and I am doing very well with that. Of course, I had to do a 180 on my diet also. I took out the foods that caused me problems and now I'm on a very restricted diet. That and the Miralax and fiber I take work wonders for me.

Magnesium citrate is often used as a bowel cleanser before some procedures. Its not meant to be taken on a regular basis. It is a laxative however it is strong. I know the temptation to use laxatives when you feel bloated, gassy, and hurt from the constipation but you can get a dependance to laxatives and it may make you worse in the end. I'm not sure about the Acetyl L-Carnitine but someone might come along with information.

Take Care
Posted 6/19/2007 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
Is the magnesium citrate the same thing as a magnesium supplement? I have heard of people taking the supplements to help with constipation. It's what they put in calcium to keep it from constipating normal people.

You're not on calcium supplements, are you? Those will constipate you in a heartbeat. Have you tried aloe vera pills. They are a natural laxative, but you can also build up a dependence on them after a long time. If they work, you may try swtiching every few months between them and the magnesium to try and keep stuff changed up so that maybe you don't grow dependent.

One of the problems with the "you'll get dependent on it" school of thought, is that if you already can't poop without laxative aid, what's it matter if you get dependent on it? Sounds to me like you're already dependent on a laxative aid. Of course, it can get to where you grow immune to stuff, so that you have to take more and more and more, but I don't see how you can help that. I think the dependent problem is more a warning to people who are normal but who are trying to use laxatives to lose weight. If they use them too long that way, their normal colon will begin to get lazy and refuse to work without laxatives; in effect, they will give themselves IBS-C. But when you have that to start with, how can you make it worse? Just my opinion; you should ask your doctor the same question if you are worried about the situation.
Posted 6/19/2007 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
Keri,

Magnesium citrate is not the same thing as a magnesium supplement.

The problem with getting a dependence is that long term stimulant laxatives is simply not good. Electrolyte balances, fecal incontenance, colon paralysis, and manual fecal evacuation is just to name a few. Laxatives can be very dangerous, please be careful with the advice given.
Posted 6/19/2007 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi ny,
Welcome to HealingWell! :-)
Have you tried aloe vera juice or vitamin C crystals? Aloe is supposed to help with digestion and is a natural laxative, and vitamin C just makes you go. The good thing about vitamin C is that any excess comes out through your urine. Of course, taking an abundant amount is never recommended. Vitamin C would be best sporatically as opposed to regularly.
Also, as already mentioned Miralax is a great gentle laxative.
Posted 6/19/2007 5:55 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the advice, I've tryed aloe vera that you drink from the health food store, but it didnt work, are there aloe supplements? I also heard of Vitamin C, but I feel like if all the perscribed medicines don't work, why would something so simple?  I heard to use Vitamin C with the magnesium.  I was just at the drug store, Magnesium citrate is a laxative, but there are magnesium supplements.  What is the difference? Is this safer?  I know I need aids as of now, but I don't want to get dependent completely on laxatives I still have hopes my IBS-D may come back...that's why I've tryed to stay away from them, thats why even the Miralax worries me, not that it really worked anyway. 
Posted 6/19/2007 10:34 PM (GMT 0)
There are aloe pills. I know that there are two types of liquid aloe vera, only one of which comes from the part of the plant that is laxative. You might try the pills to see if they help; maybe you got the wrong kind of aloe vera juice before (and maybe you didn't). The laxative stuff is supposed to be of a snot-like consistency, if I remember Sarita talking about it correctly. So, definitely best to get the pill form on that one! Lol.
Posted 6/20/2007 3:16 AM (GMT 0)

ny0385 said...
I was just at the drug store, Magnesium citrate is a laxative, but there are magnesium supplements. What is the difference?

The difference really is the dosage. When most people speak of magnesium citrate they think of the liquid oral laxative that you drink. The citrate part means that citrus acid was added, that's all it means. Most supplements don't label as magnesium "citrate" although some do. Most magnesium supplements will be together with calcium because of absorbency reasons mainly for the absorbency of calcium in the bones.
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