Zelnorm?

Good morning everyone, **Warning** poopy talk below! The went to the GI doctor yesturday b/c my poopy problem is getting out of control. The surgeon said when he was in me that my colon was full of poopy (the exact word he used) and he said it didnt feel hard nor do I have a obstruction there (Lord this man has seen more of me, numerous times mind you, than my own husband.) My problem does not seem to be the bulking aspect of pooping but the "coming out" aspect. Kind of like a IBS problem. I know my body has been through ALOT and probably just need to time, but in the mean time, I have such problems. Anyway, I have tried everything (benefiber, mutamucil, MOM, dulcax pills, suppositories, miralax, enema) to make me go. The enema worked but for that one time. I do not want to over do it b/c then I will have the opposite effect. I am fully aware of this and that is why i went to the GI doctor. The GI doctor said miralax isnt something your body get "used to" so he wanted me to do that for 2 weeks (dont miss a day) and see if that does anything and dont use anything else to make me go. If not doesnt do much, he says he wants to try zelnorm on me to see if that does anything and do a colonscopy on me to rule out anything else. He said he doesnt want to do that to me any time soon b/c I have been through enough and that I am a marvel. ha. Lord this problem stinks(no pun intended) so much and I would take the runs over this any day.(I might just have put my own foot in my mouth!) When I actually have to go, I need a bathroom ASAP and it is like giving birth but from the other end. He wants to talk to the surgeon before giving me this. So I am wondering if any of you guys have tried this drug and what was the outcome of it? Thanks so much! Tavia

Hi Tavia, I can't help you with the "poop" prob. --because I have just the opposite --"major runs" almost daily! --but I am kind of happy to see that you seem to be suffering from "Normal" problems. I don't think that you would be worried about constipation, if you were in still in major pain , like you were before this last operation --so, I am going to take this as a "GOOD" sign, that you are getting back to normal and that you are feeling alot better than before. If you end up with major gas and some runs and/or constipation--I think that you will be one happy camper. (In comparison to your previous problems) I , for one, am happy to see you with such an "ordinary" complaint--especially after such horrible suffering. Love and Hugs~ Be Blessed, Marian S.C.

Tavia, I know I have to use the Glycolax (miralax) every other day to stay normal, I stopped the benefiber to see if that was causing to much bulk So give the miralax some time, it is really great stuff and so mild. I have to agree with Marian, it is nice to hear you talk about some "normal" problems now. Keep us posted hun ~hugs~ Debra P

Hi Tavia, Personaly , I have not used Zelnorm, yet being a nurse I give it a lot. It is a wonderful drug. I work with a patients whom have gone days to weeks with constipation problems and since on Zelnorm, they have gone. Some take a mixture of other laxatives with Zelnorm, yet up to your doctor. Zelnorm seems to be the wonder " poopy" drug though..lol. It should work for you. You can cru**** also, if you need to. Hope all goes well. Have you tried mixing MOM with a bit of milk and molasses? What you do is add the 2 tsp of MOM and mix 1/2 cup of milk and a bit of molasses and warm it up. Might not taste the best , yet works for a lot of people. It is also used in enema form to. Doesn't sound the best, yet works great. Hope this helps you. Take care. Andrea

Tavia: I do not have personal experience with Zelnorm, I do with Miralax (works well but caused me a lot of gas/bloating) and I know they say Miralax can be used DAILY long term now w/o issues. I have seen many of my patients w/ Zelnorm and hear the positve benefits of the drug. I have read a lot of wlsers on say the grad board esp. (over 5,280 members now to pull info from! Vitalady leads it I beleive) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG/ Who have used it. May want to join and ask there? or this group: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/OSSG-gone_wrong/ 1,300 members all with various issues post wls. OF course can check out: http://www.zelnorm.com/ for info. Only contraindication I could see may be abdominal adhesions, it is listed in PDR as contraindication, something to talk with your Gastroenterologist about if you have these or had these (I can't remember what you had said after last surgery). Wishing you well. Take Care, Jamie Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"