Mirilax vs. Zelnorm

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-18-2004
Mirilax vs. Zelnorm
4
Wed, 12-08-2004 - 3:42pm

Hi! I've posted a couple of times in the past few months. I am in the middle of a pretty servere bout of IBS. I am having so many problems getting it under control and as a result, I constantly have lower abdomen pain as well as bowel issues. I have a few questions that someone may know the answers to:

1 - I'm on Mirilax every day. My doc says that I can take this for the rest of my life - that it's so mild that there's no physical side effects to worry about. One of my friends says that I can get "addicted" or become dependent on it therefore, if I keep using it, I may in fact have to take it for the rest of my life. Is that true?

2 - The Mirilax is only working a little bit (this on top of high fiber). My doc says that she could try me on Zelnorm. Has anyone out there used this? Do you happen to know how it compares to Mirilax?

3 - I'm sure this is kind of a gross topic, but I'm having a lot of pain in my anal area. I presume this is from having such difficulty with moving my bowels, but I don't know if I should be worried about it. It was so painful yesterday that I could not even "flex" the muscle without jumping. I don't know what to do about it.

Thanks for any insight on these issues.

Best,
CiCi

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2003
Wed, 12-08-2004 - 8:29pm

Hey Cici!


I think until you get things under control the Miralax will help and maybe the Zelnorm will work too.

 
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Wed, 12-08-2004 - 8:31pm

CiCi, this is not a bad topic

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-18-2004
Thu, 12-09-2004 - 8:11am

Thanks Wren and Lynn -

Wren - I'll call my doctor to see when I could get in for a check on the rectum. I am overdue for my annual (naughty me), but will schedule one quickly.

Also.....does anyone know the answer to my question about becoming dependent on Mirilax?

I think that one of the issues could be my water intake. Typically, I'm active, but I've been feeling so depressed lately that I'm not working out very much. When I work out, I tend to take in more water....but, as I've been more sedentary lately, so I don't drink much during the day. It's a vicious cycle, isn't it?

I do, however, eat a relatively good diet. I LOVE veggies, so I eat a lot of them. I ate brussle sprouts for dinner last night and I typically eat a very high fiber cereal for breakfast. I also try to eat a salad at lunch (with black beans) from the healthy restaurant near where I work. The thing is, even with taking in a fair amount of fiber, and taking the Mirilax (which is supposed to make things "easier"), I'm still straining and in pain. It's the pain that I can't tolorate! I am just not good living with pain.

I've had IBS for most of my adult life, and I'm sure I had indications of it when I was younger (I'm 37 now). Typically, I experience "flair-up's" and they don't last too terribly long....but this one has been going on 3 months now! I haven't noticed food making a difference, I haven't noticed the medicines making a difference (I take Levison for the cramping, but it doesn't work too well), I just cannot seem to get it under control. This makes me sooooo sad.

I know this is a puzzle with many pieces, and I've read a lot of articles on IBS, constipation, etc. I just don't know how I'll be able to corralle all these pieces to make my puzzle whole! For example, does the menstrual cycle may be affecting everying? Does anyone know??? How about sleep - does that factor in?

I think I'm whining.....sorry! Thanks for listening and thanks for responding.

Hugs to you both!
CiCi

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Thu, 12-09-2004 - 10:50am

Hello CiCi,

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B