Hi. I've had IBS for years and haven't been posting on this board; I've gotten used to it now.

I have gas, constipation (very occasionally diarrhea or loose), mucus occasionally, pain various places... I take fiber, that's it. I haven't been keeping up with the latest in IBS treatment, but I just saw an ad for Zelnorm and got excited. Does this stuff work?

oh boy! I just saw a commercial for it too! If you do find yourself trying it, please relay the results http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

My doctor put me on Zelnorm and I would have to say that it has helped a lot. I don't get really bad stomach aches anymore. You have to take it on an empty stomach in the morning and at night. But sometimes it makes me have diarrhea, but that is probably because I don't really follow the directions and take it whenever I want and I only take it once a day and I don't take it everyday. It has helped. I have been able to go to the bathroom without using it, but it's easier when I take Zelnorm. I hope I have helped!

I think I also have IBS and do have constipation. I went to the doc today and he gave me Zelnorm. I have taken it two times and am already going to the bathroom. It is diarhea (cant spell) but at least my constipation is ending.

I was on Zelnorm for 1 1/2 months and have been fine ever since (still a bit constipated when I don't eat my veggies).

Janik - I understand it is only a short term thing, i.e. you can't be on it for an extended period of time. Do you mean that you feel better now that you're taking it, or that you are now off it and continue to feel good?

Yes, for some reason it is only for short term use and if you are off of it..your symptoms may return in 1-2 weeks. It even says that one of the reasons you take it is for short term help of IBS, constipation, cramping and bloating.

I have been on Zelnorm for 3 weeks now. Had problems with diarrhea for 2 weeks, took immodium as suggested by my Dr. and now in this 3rd week I have not had to use the immodium. I am feeling better than I have in a very long time. My Dr. says he has had people on Zelnorm for 5 yrs and they are doing well. The reason it says short term use is because the efficacy of the drug has not been tested for long term use. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/angel.gif

Originally posted by Wilslau:
Janik - I understand it is only a short term thing, i.e. you can't be on it for an extended period of time. Do you mean that you feel better now that you're taking it, or that you are now off it and continue to feel good?

I continue to feel good, but consider that in addition to the treatment I also followed doctor's advice regarding diet changes.

After trying every other drug on the market, I was given Zelnorm, and it made my IBS 10 times worse. I was forced to stay on it for a month, and it was the worst month of my IBS. It definately didn't work for me, so it sorta surprises me that it works for so many others.

My Zelnorm isnt working and i havent gone to the bathroom for almost 5 days. I have also gained my 5lbs back of bloat and don't know what to do. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif

Hi all!!

I started taking zelnorm last week, and already I feel better. I go every day now, and I feel 10 times better. Give it a shot if you can get to the dr and get a script for it.

Good luck!

I have seen these commericals and they state only women can take these Zelnorm? Does anyone know why?

I have IBS-C and have been relying on suppositories for at least 2yrs to go.
I am taking this very serious now.I saw the commercial for zelnorm, but my doctor is trying other things first. I am going for my 2nd colonoscopy soon. He put me on Asacol and Belladonn/phenobarb tablet. He wants to come down my stomach and the inflammation. Not sure about the zelnorm b/c he wouldn't give it to me. sorry.

i inquired about zelnorm for males at my pharmacy and
they said it has not been proven safe for men yet. but
i see ads from canada and was wondering if any guys
have tried it and if it helped or not.

I was startng to have good results with zelnorm but then my husband lost his job and our insurance.The drug can be pretty expensive.My husband got his old job back and our insurance.So im going to ask the doc to put me back on it.I mostly have ibs-c and never go to the bathroom when i get up in the morning.My ibs is triggered by anxiety not by any particular food.Wish the trigger was food ,then i could find out what foods triggered it and stay away from them .

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http://dominoext.novartis.com/NC/NCPRRE01.nsf/0/1a2f783efbd16f94c1256d2c001dc5b1/$FILE/Zelmac%20DDWCC-E.pdf

You might want to check out the link that I posted above. Zelnorm/Zelmac is mostly targeted at the female population, but from what you will see in the link, it says that it was well tolerated by both male and females.

I just came from my gastro today and he's putting me on Zelmac to try. He says it is mostly targeted at the female population because their constipation if often due to hormonal fluctuations........I can attest to that!!!! I can remember years ago......the only time that I had no problem with constipation was when my period would arrive. Janetto