I have a bowel disorder which the Dr. couldn't even come up with a name for. However, for several years I was able to get some relief from my symptoms by using the Perdiem granules in the yellow bottle...which had Senna in it. Now they've quit making the granules and switched to a pill...which is not the same exact ingredients. What I am wondering is this...have any of you used the Perdiem granules, and what have you switched to now that they no longer make it? I am really upset about this, and don't know what to do. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif Thanks for your help!

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~ Rita ~

Perdiem comes in two formula's and the overnight formula has the senna in it. Senna is a laxative and the ingredient in Senekot. You might be better off to try fiber therapy with Metamucil 3 times a day and use colace aka docusate if the stools are hard and if no decent BM by the third day use a glycerin suppository. Perhaps Harry has more input on this one.

Rita,

I think Metamucil will give the same results. I think you just need a good fiber supplement that works as a bowel regulator and is safe to take daily. Just make sure you drink enough water daily and with Metamucil.

God Bless--- Harry

Thank you both for trying to help, but the Metamucil doesn't work for me. The Dr. has me using Citrucel and the Perdiem with Senna. I have to use it every day. She didn't know the exact name of my problem, but she said it is a "mechanical" problem, and it is like my bowels try to expel themselves. All I know is that it is worse than awful. The Citrucel and Perdiem have helped more than anything I've every tried. And now that they quit making the Perdiem granules I don't know what I'm going to do. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif

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~ Rita ~

You need to go back to the doc as there are tons of medications out there to try besides perdiem. Also if you give me a list of what is in the perdiem granules and I can look up a comparable product on the web for you. Senna is available in many forms so that would be one of the first things to try is a different form or senna but I would also consider a different routine since senna is a laxative and long term laxative use is not a good idea. I really think that trying some other form of bowel products with your doctors help is the best way to go since there are so many new products on the market.

Hi Rita, I used Perdiem too on the advice of my gastroenterologist and yes, they quit distributing it here in the States. However, it is still available in Canada under the name of Prodiem. I've been buying it there. Metamucil does nothing for me either. I've never tried Citrucel, but did try the Metamucil with lots of water and it did not work. I have redundant colon and IBS. Between the two conditions it makes having a BM very difficult.

sapphira

Sapphira ~ I am so appreciative.I'd love to "talk" with you. Thanks a bunch!
Please tell me how I can get it???


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~ Rita ~


Please read board guidelines ----posting personal email addresses on the board is not allowed.
moderator4

[This message has been edited by moderator4 (edited 04-23-2003).]

Hi Rita, just do a 'net search for Prodiem. It will take you to websites that have it.

sapphira

P.S. Rita, you may have to do your search with the words 'buy Prodiem' or look for over the counter meds in Canada. There are drug stores online.

sapphira

Thanks for the info Sapphira. Oops...I guess I did a booboo with the email address thing. Bummer though, as I really wish I could email you. I have lots to ask you. I am going to do a search right now. Thanks again. ~ Rita

Another question for you Sapphira. How much does it cost to have it shipped from Canada?

Rita, I think I pay 12$ flat rate. I order two cans at a time. I know we can not post web addresses here or I would tell you where I buy from. Have you found any places yet? Good luck

sapphira

I found a couple sites, and sent emails to their "contact us" addresses....asking about shipping, etc. Truthfully, I think it's ridiculous that they quit making the product to sell in the US, but they still sell it in Canada. I wrote to them telling them my situation, and that I was very disappointed they quit making it. Anyway...thanks again. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif ~ Rita

Sapphira ~ I just wanted to let you know that I really appreciate your help in this matter. I want so much to be able to contact you privately. I have lots of questions, and things to say, that I don't feel all that comfortable posting for all to read. Thanks for the help you have given me. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif ~ Rita

Rita,
This is a sharing & peer support board feel free to share and ask whatever you want here. Maybe it will help someone with the same problems you have. Who knows???

moderator4

Rita, did you find out anything from your inquiries regarding Perdiem/Prodiem? I forgot to tell you that I take Bentyl too for my IBS. My gastroenterologist prescribed it and it does help. If I do not take it, I notice a big difference.

sapphira

edited for spelling ;-)

[This message has been edited by sapphira (edited 04-25-2003).]

Sapphira ~ I did find a Canadian site where I can get the Prodiem, and that is what I figure I'll have to do. I am just flabbergasted that they're continuing to sell it there, but not in the US. The shipping is gonna be a bugger, but a gal's gotta do what a gal's gotta do, right? ~ Rita

Since the moderator encouraged me to share my story, I am going to do so. I figure since this a bowel disorder board I shouldn't be embarrassed. I have posted my situation on other boards, but nobody has ever had the same problem. Just my luck. Anyway...here goes. In 1989 I started having the most horrendous bowel movements. Even though the stool was loose, I went through so much pain. Seemed my bowel was spasming constantly...and it was like it was shutting off the "flow" of stool, instead of helping it along. I would go through this pretty much all day long. Sometimes by afternoon the spasming would let up, but not always. It was so bad that I had to pretty much stay home all day. Having a bowel movement was more like giving birth with the pain and bearing down I had to do. And I repeat, the stool itself was loose. I didn't have any troubles with diarrhea either.

I went to several doctors. The one was a gastroenterologist, and he did a colonoscopy on me and told me there was nothing he could do for me. The one was a surgeon, and after telling him all of my symptoms, none of which were the diarrhea, he said it was "just IBS" and to take Metamucil. I tried to tell these doctors that I did *not* have diarrhea, that Metamucil didn't help, etc. The other Dr. was a general practitioner and he said to just take Metamucil. For six years I went through these horrific bowel movements. I would literally scream, cry, beg for help while having a bowel movement. Finally I decided to try one more Dr. I had no idea who, so I picked a name out of the yellow pages! I went to her figuring that she would have no desire to help me either, and pretty much told her that was what I was expecting. She told me that she would do whatever she could to help me with this thing. She looked at the records from the surgeon, and she said "it says here that you have problems with diarrhea, and that you have IBS". Grrrrr!!! So I explained to her my symptoms, and she said it sure didn't sound like IBS to her, but she didn't know what it was. She looked through her books some, and told me it sounded like a mechanical problem to her...like my bowels were trying to expel themselves. She recommended I try Citrucel and Perdiem with Senna. She said the Senna that was in it just might be what I needed to help "push things through" a bit easier. I was to go back to her in three weeks, and she said if those things didn't help, she'd try to figure out what would. Well, it did help. It certainly hasn't made my life a piece of cake, but most of the times I don't feel like I'm giving birth instead of having a bowel movement. I still have to stick close to home...especially in the mornings...but at least it is better than it used to be. Anyway, when I went back to her three weeks later, she said she was glad it helped as she didn't know what else to do for me. That didn't impress me, because initially she said she'd help me figure this thing out. That was in 1995, and I've been using the Citrucel and Perdiem with Senna ever since. I was devastated when they quit making the product. I tried their new pills, but those things just do not work for me. Thus my search for some help and suggestions.

~ Rita ~

Rita, I'm sorry for all of your problems. It sounds like you have some sort of muscle spasm/contraction when you are having a BM. Has your Dr. ever tried you with medication for spasms? Regarding the Perdiem granules, I think that maybe the FDA took it off the market here (for some unknown reason). One of my friends who is a nurse practitioner/midwife in the UK who spent several years here in the States told me our gov't is the worst when it comes to "regulating" what pharmaceuticals are on the market. I know the shipping is expensive, but if you stock up then it makes it worth it. BTW, do you have problems with hemorrhoids? I do and at times they are worse than at other times.

sapphira

Have the two of you tried taking Metamucil or citrucel along with senekot? Perdiem is nothing more than psyllium with senna added so technically it is nothing more than metamucil with senekot in it. I know Rita has said that Metamucil doesn't work for her but citrucel does. I would consider buying some senekot and take one or two tablets 1-2 times daily along with the citurcel 1-3 times daily to see if that does the trick while waiting for the perdiem to arrive. You might also consider asking the doc about trying a different stimulent laxative since you can't get the perdiem here any more. There are many other laxative the doc can try that would replace the senekot that is found in perdium. These are merely suggestions or idea's I am throwing out for you.

I'm glad that I found this site. I have had problems with my bowels for years due to adhesions.
The only thing that worked for me was perdium.
The pills that they came out do not work, they are terrible. I have tried metamucil and citrucel and fibercon, they do not work. My doctor put me on the new prescription drug Zelnorm and it does not work.
Thanks to Sapphira!
I found a canada site and ordered some perdium.

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Cinmik ~ I, too, was very glad to find this board, and find out that I can buy the Perdiem in Canada! Otherwise
I'd have never known. I placed an order recently. I ordered it on a Sunday, and received it 8 days later. Now
that is service! The shipping isn't as bad as I thought it would be either. Well worth it so we can at least live a
"normal" life...at least whatever normal is for us! We just got back from a 2 day vacation. Generally I don't go
many places at all because of my bowel problems. But dh and I decided to go on a little getaway. I had my
usual problems, but thankfully was able to find a bathroom whenever I needed one...and I needed one a lot, as
usual. Anyhoo...I am soooo thankful to be able to get Perdiem again. Here's hoping that they continue to sell it
in Canada. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Mlgable ~ Thanks for your input/suggestions, and yes I do take Citrucel as well as the Perdiem with Senna. I
use both of these every day.

Sapphira ~ Thank you once again for tuning me in to the fact that I can buy Perdiem from Canada. I was just
telling dh recently that I don't know what I'd do without this Internet. If it weren't for this board and you I'd be
clueless that I can get the stuff at Canada. Thanks a bunch!

~ Rita ~