Pregabalin and IBSc

[John_70]

Hello everyone,

I've been prescribed pregablin 75mg 3 times per day by my doctor for pain and anxiety associated with IBSc.

I was prescribed it a few months back and I've only been taking it rarely and only when needed but have taken it for the last couple of nights with mixed results to help with pain in my left lower abdomen and anxiety particularly on a morning and surrounding having a bowel movement.

My doctor said at my latest appointment 2 days ago I should be taking the 3 X 75mg per day to get the desired result for both pain and anxiety but I'm worried about how effective it will be and if it will make things any worse or become habit forming.

I do admit that my anxiety about going to the toilet on a morning is in overdrive and I can't relax.

I spend hours in there some days struggling and panicking, pushing myself to go causing my tummy to get strained inside and out giving me more anxiety about my next movement.

My doctor is convinced that Pregablin alongside linaclotide will do the trick.

Does anybody else have any experience with Pregablin for IBSc?

I'm at my wits end, something needs to change but after lots of negative effects from various meds in the last year I'm reluctant to try anything for fear of making things worse.

As always any information or advice would be hugely appreciated,

Many thanks

John 🙏

[BabsyWabsy]

Hi John, I'm sorry you are suffering. Perhaps if you try and follow your doctor's advice you might find it works. My son in law takes pregabalin without any issues and it works for him. he is also a bit of a stress head. You won't know unless you try.

[Iggls in reply to BabsyWabsy]

I also suffer from chronic IBS C. Lina Clotilde and Prucalopride dont work for me, so I stick to large quantities of senna and milk of magnesia. My neurologist wants me to try amitryptiline for neck pain but my GP absolutely refuses to prescribe this or Pregabalin as I’ve tried them many years ago and both paralysed my guts within 3 days, even with this load of laxatives.

They are great if you have IBS D though !

[edwangy]

Hi John, I tried pregablin but it only made my constipation worse, and did nothing for pain. It may work if you take linoclotide as well. You'll only know if you try it

[John_70 in reply to edwangy]

Thanks edwangy I'd read as much but had also read about some positive effects for anxiety but I don't think it's worth the risk if its going to cause me any more problems than I already have.

[Health650]

Hi John , I am no expert but my neurologist wanted to prescribe me either gabapentin or pregabalin for neuropathic nerve pain, My GP wanted to prescribe me Duloxetine( for the same thing)....I have read carefully about all of them and one of the main side effects for each of them is constipation. So because as part of my neurology , I now have problems in the bowel department( which I never had throughout my entire life prior to this onset of the neurological problem ).....and I have said I do not want these medications...I do not want to exacerbate the constipation issues which I am struggling with...I would be even more stressed.

I use Laxido to keep things soft ( but it isnt enough by itself ) and something on Amazon , which you will see yourself but obviously we cant advertise on here, but this helps to move it through... and it does work .Its expensive though but more of a natural product ,and I was very dubious initially. I tried it out of desperation because it had such good reviews. Its about £31.00 for 60 BUT it has helped moved things through without cramps and it has actually kept things moving. I take 2 or 3 a day together with 3 laxido ( one with each meal ) and I can keep on top of things. Don't be put off because it says its a natural product... read the umpteen reviews of desperate people and in my case , I thought I would sceptically give it a try ...it is keeping me going even though I do have to really watch things eg not eat things with skins, not eat really big meals etc.For me, being able to go is better than the disabling anxiety it causes.

That feeling you describe of the anxiety of not been able to go is awful, I know it well and it has stressed me out as much as the neurological problems.

I wish you every good luck.

[John_70 in reply to Health650]

Thank you Health650 all great information but given my anxious state I'd probably think the worst by taking it and constipate myself with anxiety. This product on amazon, is it a product in a green and white tub and only available online? If so I have been using it, if not could you give me another clue as to what I'm looking for? Anything that may help I'll try, specially natural.

Thank you for the information it's very much appreciated and sorry for the slow reply I've had a terrible weekend with pain in my left and toilet troubles.

[Health650 in reply to John_70]

Its in a brown glass small jar, Digestic.

When I have read Health Authority websites, there is lots of advice for impaction, especially for children but the advice is the same for adults.If youre totally backed up, the disimpaction regime for Laxido is successive days of 8 sachets in a six hour window,For some people especially kids it can take quite some time ( more than a week or so )and you have to do it till it runs out like soup.

The trick then is to keep it moving.My problem is autonomic nerve damage which has affected my previously normal gut and bowel but I just stopped going and my whole world has changed.

Laxido softens but doesnt always move it through once on the maintenance dose.

At the moment I am getting a bowel movement on 4 Laxido and 2 / 3 Digestic a day, the latter of which I split the dose, with 2 at lunch and one with evening meal.

The Laxido is one with each meal and 1 at bed time....yes it is more than they say but I have to keep moving.

But whatever you decide, you will have to unblock first....I can unblock with Laxido disimpaction regime, which I havent done for some time.

I know how much you will be stressing and how debilitating that stress is.

Also dont eat big meals , spread it out and I dont eat skins on things anymore.

I know they can be very casual about things like this. Take care.

[John_70 in reply to Health650]

Thank you for the info, all of it and I may well give that product a go if it stimulates things. Just one more thing you mention take laxido with meals, do you take it before or after and and how long before or after do you find it most effective?

I've used laxido but it seems to cause more problems for me than it fixes if I take any more than a half sachet per day, 1 max at a push.

My doctor said it made no difference when I took it as its not absorbed by the body but I found if I took it a few hours before meals it would cause pain bloating and cramps.

Thanks again for all the great help and advice it's very much appreciated,

John 😊

[Sarplaninac]

Hi John, I take Pregabalin (Lyrica) x75mg twice every day but for entirely different reasons. I have three vertebrae in my lower back that have deteriorated as a direct result of a stupid habit I adopted when I was young and impressionable. Smoking. Pregabalin helps to reduce the neuropathic pain which can sometimes be crippling.

However, I have, by coincidence of taking the medication, discovered Pregabalin seems to have calmed a number of intestinal issues due to having celiac/ibs. I haven't had abdominal pains for some considerable time now and having to continually tweek my diet - good vs bad - seems to help with my toilet habits which I also stress about, particularly if I have to travel early. I have also found that eating Schar bread was the main cause of many stomach cramps/migrating pains and spending too much time in the loo early morning.

Long term use of Pregabalin does have some unwanted side effects but I'm sure your doctor has told you.

Best regards.

[John_70 in reply to Sarplaninac]

Hi Sarplaninac and thanks for the information, I'm dubious about taking it as it can worsen constipation and is habit forming, seems like I'd be shooting myself in the foot and if it constipated me it would probably cause more anxiety than it relieved. I'll maybe take it as and when necessary and stick to paracetamol.

Thanks for the feedback it's very much appreciated 🙏