Zelnorm, IBS-C, Long colon - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Message Board

SRMom · 08-05-2006, 12:17 PM

I finally had a colonoscopy on Thursday after a year and a half of trying to diagnose my lower left abdominal pain. I actually had hysterectomy in January because they thought my pain was from endometriosis. I never had constipation before my surgery, just pain. The constipation started after my hysterectomy. The colonoscopy revealed that my colon is healthy, but it is extra long and has extra loops, which the doctor said could account for the pain I've been suffering. He diagnosed me with IBS-C. I had been taking Miralax, which helped a bit, but now he wants me to try Zelnorm.

I took my first dose yesterday. I still had diarrhea, I am assuming is leftover from my bowel prep for the scope, but last night I had the most terrible nightmares. I know Zelnorm works on serotonin in the intestines. In the past I have taken other serotonin meds for anxiety, the latest being Paxil, which I could not tolerate and caused me to have terrible nightmares, among other bad side effects.

My questions for those who have taken Zelnorm are what side effects have you had? Has anyone else experienced nightmares? What doses work for you? Any advice is welcome. By the way, I also take probiotics, digestive enzymes, calcium/magnesium/zinc, and fiber supplements. Are these all things that I should be doing? Thanks for your help.

elmhar · 08-05-2006, 02:55 PM

Hi SR Mom,

Is it possible that you still had a trace of the sedation meds from the colonoscopy, and that those interacted with the Zelnorm? People vary in their rate of med metabolism. Depending on how bad your Zelnorm experience was, you may want to give it another try after a few days.

You're doing all the right things. Some of us find that stress reduction helps the pain. There are subsets of IBS sufferers, some reporting success w/antibiotic treatment, some finding one particular probiotic more helpful than other brands, some like me who've had total success by tracking down food intolerances, and others who are still seeking.

There are other IBS-C meds besides Zelnorm -- maybe your doc will help you find something that works.

Best wishes.

bulletinboard25 · 08-05-2006, 04:07 PM

Hey, in my opinion, I would wait a few days to start on the Zelnorm to let your system normalize after the colonoscopy prep. My gastro recommended I wait 5 days before resuming IBS medications.

Zelnorm really works in the intestines, so it's doubtful that you'll react the same way to it as other antidepressants that work on different receptor sites at different places.

I'm sure you know zelnorm works on the 5ht4 receptor site in the intestines. Basically, it works as an accelerator, so to say. Lotronex works on the 5ht3 receptor site in the intestines, and acts as the "brakes" in the equation.

There is another new med that got approved called Amitza that you may inquire about if the Zelnorm doesn't work for you. I'd wait a few days (maybe even 1 week) before I started it, like I said, and then I'd give it 4 weeks, at least, to see if it worked before I stopped taking it.

dawn4323 · 08-16-2006, 06:36 PM

Be careful with Amitiza. It has a nausea side effect (40%) profile. If you are already experiencing stomach upset, it may exacerbate it.

lola003 · 08-21-2006, 05:41 AM

This message is in reply to ELMHARs email below.

You're doing all the right things. Some of us find that stress reduction helps the pain. There are subsets of IBS sufferers, some reporting success w/antibiotic treatment, some finding one particular probiotic more helpful than other brands, some like me who've had total success by tracking down food intolerances, and others who are still seeking

What foods agrivate constipation? I love salads and eat them almost everyday but find that it makes my stomach go crazy. Is it the lettuce or cucumbers? Any thoughts on this or do you have the opposite of IBS?

I have chronic constipation and have a call in to my doc to get Zelnorm. I haven't gone in 5 or 6 days now and have tried everything on the market to relieve it....and nothing has helped. I even did a fleet twice.