Guest guest Posted June 11, 2010 Report Share Posted June 11, 2010 Elaine said that one should take medications if you need them. SCD is not meant to replace medicine. That said- there are medications that are necessary, and some that are not. If someone has diabetes, or strep throat-- then medication is necessary. However, if someone has a headache, Tylenol is an option, it will relieve the headache, but not cure it- so it is not necessary and you can decide the pros and cons of taking it. Amiitza helps treat the symptoms of IBS and/or constipation, but it is not a cure. I did look at the ingredients: Q: What are the ingredients in AMITIZA (24 mcg)? A: Active ingredient: lubiprostone. Inactive ingredients: medium-chain triglycerides, gelatin, sorbitol, FD & C Red #40, D & C Yellow #10, and purified water. Sorbitol is illegal, and D and bloating are side effects of Amitza. You will have to weigh the pros and cons here, but SCD does not require you to stop necessary medication. Weight loss in the beginning with SCD is common, but tends to stop or slow down. I would not use store bought ground turkey as it is full of added broth and flavorings. The stress of traveling usually makes me feel " off " for several days too. PJ > > I'm a couple months on SCD and realized I may be ingesting illegals. I've been taking Amitiza for constipation, is that illegal? Also, I've been using store bought ground turkey, and today I notice that it has rosemary extract in it. I haven't been feeling that much better, though I had a good couple days at some point But I've been noticing lots of mucus outside my stools, and lots of other symptoms (weakness, feverish) that indicate die-off. I wonder how much of my not improving symptoms have to do with potential illegals I'm ingesting, or its just the prolonged die-off. I'm only eating stage 1-2 foods, and cooking everything verrry well. Bloating and constipation are my main issues, but at the start of the diet, I had some bouts of diarrhea that I think was related to die-off. And recently I had some worsening constipation, but I was traveling, so I hope it'll level off. But my weakness, nausea, etc. also got worse the day after my trip...so again, I'm thinking, die-off?? Seems like the die-off just won't go away. I don't know, should I think about stopping the Amitiza?? > > --And on a side note, I've been losing weight since I started the diet, almost 5 lbs I may have to start seeing a new doc if I can't get it back up. Any friendly doctors in the north new jersey area? > > Thanks, > > Ellen > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 11, 2010 Report Share Posted June 11, 2010 I deal with chronic constipation as well, have poor digestive motility. I was on low-dose Zelnorm for a while, but when it was pulled from the market my doctor asked my to try Amitiza. Unfortunately my immune system eventually began reacting to Amitiza, so I stopped using it. I have been on Miralax since I was diagnosed, and it helps too. It is an osmotic laxative, so works in a similar fashion as Amitiza. I did do well on Zelnorm, but now that it isn't available here (and I haven't felt bad enough to go to overseas sources for it) and my body rejected Amitiza, I've found I do well with using Miralax daily and also supplementing magnesium nearly every day. Of course being on SCD for a long time also makes a difference. Certain SCD foods trigger worse constipation for me, so I have learned what I can and can't eat. If Amitiza is working for you, then you can continue to use it. I don't think my prescription form of Amitiza had so many non-active ingredients, but I wasn't on it long enough to do a lot of investigation and ask about getting it compounded. Miralax is now OTC, and is considered safe to use over the long-term. Some people don't tolerate it, of course. It is a synthetic, polyethylene glycol; but this is an ingredient found in most supplements where constipation is a known side-effect. I adjust my daily dosage depending on how well my digestive motility is functioning. If my stools become too loose, I cut back a bit on my dosage; if things get worse, I increase the dosage again. I have realized that my body works in cycles, so I can almost predict when I'll need to cut back on Miralax, and when I'll need to increase back to the normal dosage. When it comes to digestive motility, and you have known neuropathies and neuromuscular issues, some days are bad despite eating the usual foods. [sigh] Weakness and nausea are complicated in cause. Are you eating small meals frequently? Are you boosting your electrolytes occasionally? There are lots of other suggestions that relate, so if it continues for you, just ask again. Kim M. SCD 6 years > > I'm a couple months on SCD and realized I may be ingesting illegals. I've been taking Amitiza for constipation, is that illegal? Also, I've been using store bought ground turkey, and today I notice that it has rosemary extract in it. I haven't been feeling that much better, though I had a good couple days at some point But I've been noticing lots of mucus outside my stools, and lots of other symptoms (weakness, feverish) that indicate die-off. I wonder how much of my not improving symptoms have to do with potential illegals I'm ingesting, or its just the prolonged die-off. I'm only eating stage 1-2 foods, and cooking everything verrry well. Bloating and constipation are my main issues, but at the start of the diet, I had some bouts of diarrhea that I think was related to die-off. And recently I had some worsening constipation, but I was traveling, so I hope it'll level off. But my weakness, nausea, etc. also got worse the day after my trip...so again, I'm thinking, die-off?? Seems like the die-off just won't go away. I don't know, should I think about stopping the Amitiza?? > > --And on a side note, I've been losing weight since I started the diet, almost 5 lbs I may have to start seeing a new doc if I can't get it back up. Any friendly doctors in the north new jersey area? > > Thanks, > > Ellen > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 11, 2010 Report Share Posted June 11, 2010 PJ, Thank you for the legality info, that's too bad. Yeah, I mean its the only thing thats helped my constipation, so I guess I'll stick with it for a while....miralax I could never get the dosage right, it was always too much or not enough. I've had my share of side effects with amitiza, its hard to tell though if bloating is one of them because thats just always there. I found some turkey burgers today at a local farmers market that they make there and they assure nothing is added nice! Oh and I know that weight loss is common, but I think part of the problem with me is being afraid I'm eating too much because of making bloating worse, and also I've limited sugar on the diet because I crave it a little. It would probably be okay to have 2 bananas a day, I'm just kinda paranoid I try to tailor my diet to my symptoms, and high calorie foods - bananas, avocados - I can't have too much of. Avocados cause increased bloating. I haven't tried them cooked in anything (I know the worst is raw by themselves), in a smoothie I think is okay, but not that much avocado. So I'm gonna make some pancakes with avocado and an avocado meatloaf and see if they are better. The scary thing about it is that I was already really underweight when I started Thanks again for responding! Check it out below, I'm trying out an email signature... Ellen 2 months SCD IBS, by process of elimination Bloating, Constipation main symptoms A little reflux, made worse by antacid meds - could have low stomach acid Amitiza (for constipation) - once a day Freeda Multi; Freeda Calcium Acidophilus, 3billion CFUs (about 1/6 capsule daily, working my way up) HCl with Pepsin - 1 capsule with meals, 2-3 times a day > > > > I'm a couple months on SCD and realized I may be ingesting illegals. I've been taking Amitiza for constipation, is that illegal? Also, I've been using store bought ground turkey, and today I notice that it has rosemary extract in it. I haven't been feeling that much better, though I had a good couple days at some point But I've been noticing lots of mucus outside my stools, and lots of other symptoms (weakness, feverish) that indicate die-off. I wonder how much of my not improving symptoms have to do with potential illegals I'm ingesting, or its just the prolonged die-off. I'm only eating stage 1-2 foods, and cooking everything verrry well. Bloating and constipation are my main issues, but at the start of the diet, I had some bouts of diarrhea that I think was related to die-off. And recently I had some worsening constipation, but I was traveling, so I hope it'll level off. But my weakness, nausea, etc. also got worse the day after my trip...so again, I'm thinking, die-off?? Seems like the die-off just won't go away. I don't know, should I think about stopping the Amitiza?? > > > > --And on a side note, I've been losing weight since I started the diet, almost 5 lbs I may have to start seeing a new doc if I can't get it back up. Any friendly doctors in the north new jersey area? > > > > Thanks, > > > > Ellen > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 12, 2010 Report Share Posted June 12, 2010 Yes, I find things are cyclical with me as well. Right before my monthly period, my constipation gets worse and I need to up the dose. At other times, things might get a bit loose, so I skip a day or adjust the dosage downward. Otherwise, Miralax works great for me. -- I deal with chronic constipation as well, have poor digestive motility. I was on low-dose Zelnorm for a while, but when it was pulled from the market my doctor asked my to try Amitiza. Unfortunately my immune system eventually began reacting to Amitiza, so I stopped using it. I have been on Miralax since I was diagnosed, and it helps too. It is an osmotic laxative, so works in a similar fashion as Amitiza. I did do well on Zelnorm, but now that it isn't available here (and I haven't felt bad enough to go to overseas sources for it) and my body rejected Amitiza, I've found I do well with using Miralax daily and also supplementing magnesium nearly every day. Of course being on SCD for a long time also makes a difference. Certain SCD foods trigger worse constipation for me, so I have learned what I can and can't eat. If Amitiza is working for you, then you can continue to use it. I don't think my prescription form of Amitiza had so many non-active ingredients, but I wasn't on it long enough to do a lot of investigation and ask about getting it compounded. Miralax is now OTC, and is considered safe to use over the long-term. Some people don't tolerate it, of course. It is a synthetic, polyethylene glycol; but this is an ingredient found in most supplements where constipation is a known side-effect. I adjust my daily dosage depending on how well my digestive motility is functioning. If my stools become too loose, I cut back a bit on my dosage; if things get worse, I increase the dosage again. I have realized that my body works in cycles, so I can almost predict when I'll need to cut back on Miralax, and when I'll need to increase back to the normal dosage. When it comes to digestive motility, and you have known neuropathies and neuromuscular issues, some days are bad despite eating the usual foods. [sigh] Weakness and nausea are complicated in cause. Are you eating small meals frequently? Are you boosting your electrolytes occasionally? There are lots of other suggestions that relate, so if it continues for you, just ask again. Kim M. SCD 6 years > > I'm a couple months on SCD and realized I may be ingesting illegals. I've been taking Amitiza for constipation, is that illegal? Also, I've been using store bought ground turkey, and today I notice that it has rosemary extract in it. I haven't been feeling that much better, though I had a good couple days at some point But I've been noticing lots of mucus outside my stools, and lots of other symptoms (weakness, feverish) that indicate die-off. I wonder how much of my not improving symptoms have to do with potential illegals I'm ingesting, or its just the prolonged die-off. I'm only eating stage 1-2 foods, and cooking everything verrry well. Bloating and constipation are my main issues, but at the start of the diet, I had some bouts of diarrhea that I think was related to die-off. And recently I had some worsening constipation, but I was traveling, so I hope it'll level off. But my weakness, nausea, etc. also got worse the day after my trip...so again, I'm thinking, die-off?? Seems like the die-off just won't go away. I don't know, should I think about stopping the Amitiza?? > > --And on a side note, I've been losing weight since I started the diet, almost 5 lbs I may have to start seeing a new doc if I can't get it back up. Any friendly doctors in the north new jersey area? > > Thanks, > > Ellen > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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