Anyone tried Bentyl?

[Issy]

Hello Everyone,
My name is Isabelle and I was diagnosed with LC in July 2007. I had been experiencing diarrhea for about 4 months and was tested for various things, but after having a colonoscopy and an endoscopy, I was found to have LC, but not Celaic disease. The GI doctor who performed both the above tests prescribed Entocort for my LC at the time of my diganosis.

Because I have a mild case of LC (I was told), and was able to keep it under control with Pepto Bismol and/or Immodium AD, I decided against taking the Entocort. However, after about 6 months of using these medicines everyday, I decided to switch to another GI doctor and see what he suggested.

My current GI doctor told me that there is a lot unkown about the cause and treatment/cure for LC. Because of this, he treats patients with mild symptoms (such as mine) the same as he does with patients who suffer with IBS. He prescribed Bentyl (dicyclomine hydrochloride).

I have found dicyclomine hydrochloride to be very helpful in treating my diarrhea, as long as I take it regularly. If I stop taking it, I again experience problems with diarrhea.

The only side effect I have experienced is that it sometimes (not always) tends to make me a bit drowsy. Therefore, I try to only use it two or three times a day, rather than the suggested 4 times a day.
I usually skip the dosage before lunch.

For anyone unfamiliar with Bentyl, it is a pill that is taken an hour before each meal and then at bedtime.
I have read many posts on this website and it appears that many people suffer with diarrhea during the night. Even though this was something I rarely had a problem with, since taking Bentyl at bedtime I seldom have a problem with diarrhea during the night.

I have written a lot, but before I close I would like to mention that I am a female (post-menopausal) in my upper fifties. I was on the statin drug "Vitorin" for almost a year before I began to experience diarrhea. The entire time I was on Vitorin, I suffered with flatulence, but not diarrhea.

I decided to go off the Vitorin in April 2007 and within a few days of discontinuing it, I began to experience diarrhea. At first I was not too concerned, because all my life I have never had a problem with diarrhea.

When my dirrahea continued over a two week period I began to seek medical help. As I mentioned above, after 4 months of numerous tests and everything coming back negative, I was finally diagnosed with LC through a colonoscopy in July 2007.

I now feel there is a strong connection to taking Vitorin and the development of LC, but not one doctor will concur with me.

I had hoped (and prayed) that this problem would eventually resolve itself, however it now appears that I may be on some sort of medication the rest of my life because I have now been suffering with LC for about a year and half.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all the people on this site who post regularly about this condition and especially to "Tex" who has taught me a great deal about LC.

Thank you,
Issy

[tex]

Hi Issy,

It's good to see you posting. Yes, Bentyl is often prescribed for IBS. I believe at least a couple of other members have tried it for treating MC, (in fact, I believe that Wayne, (wkm62), may be taking it now).

Your doctors may not be keeping up with the statistics on drug-induced colitis, because the statins, (if not Vytorin specifically), have been connected with MC. Here's a reference on statistics for various drugs connected with MC:

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/jour ... 1&SRETRY=0

Here's an article that appeared in the Medwirenews on Feburary 9th, 2007, concerning the research report that appeared in the American Journal of Gastroenterology on the same date:

http://www.medwire-news.md/41/64348/Gas ... litis.html

Here's a description of an isolated case, where apparently ulcerative colitis was triggered, but went into remission, five months after the statin was discontinued. A steroid treatment was used, but since all evidence of the disease disappeared, (IOW, the case was actually "cured"), it is highly likely that discontinuation of the statin is what brought about the complete resolution of symptoms:

http://www.eurojgh.com/pt/re/ejgh/abstr ... 28!8091!-1

Thank you for the kind works, and I hope that the Bentyl continues to give good control of your symptoms.

Tex

[JLH]

Issy, we're glad you found us.

[Andi]

Hi Issy,
I found your post very interesting. I am sorry you have MC like the rest of us, but this was the first time I have heard of Bentyl. My GI never mentioned it (but then again he never mentioned Asacol until my primary care doctor mentioned it, he has been pushing Entocort since day one). Is it a prescription? Are there other potential side effects besides drowsiness?
Issy, I would be interested to hear updates on how it is working for you. Thank you for your post and for bringing this to my attention.
I hope you continue to feel better.

[barbaranoela]

Hi Issy-----when I was at my very worse----it was ALL DAY LONG----by the time I got off the throne---walked back to relax---sat and then within minutes it was a mad dash again--

Of course---not to repeat the whole issue---I was --at that point being treated by an *nincompoop*--
It was the change over to a noted GI---that made things better for me and then total remission--
Again the old phrase *what works for one might not work for another*
So tis trial and error-----until one finds the meds or change of eating that gives U back a life--and that does happen--

And as U read--many also have changed their way of eating ----cus ingrediants in processing foods effect the workings of the *inners*--

U will get to the right place----

luve Barbara

[Issy]

Tex, Joan, Andi and Barbara,
Thank you all for taking your time to reply to my post.

Tex, thanks for all the links. I was unable to link to the article at Interscience, but will try again later.

At this time I plan to continue with the Bentyl for a few more months. However, Bentyl, I believe, is only an anti spasmodic medication. I am afraid it will not treat the inflammation in my colon.

I return to my GI doctor in December, because he will not refill my prescription for Bentyl without an appointment. The GI doctor I now see (as opposed to my first GI doc) does not think I need to be on Entocort at this time.

However, I do wonder if it would be better to take Entocort if it will possibly help reduce the inflammation.

My greatest concern is that my LC will get continue to worsen without taking any anti- inflammatory medication.

When I first started having diarrhea in 2007, I didn't have any stomach pains. Now I am having more abdominal pain when I have an attack of diarrhea and even without diarrhea.

Even though Entocort is suppose to work in the intestinal track, I worry that it could possibly enter into my bloodstream if I should have a "leaky gut".

I have finally decided to go on a gluten free diet, even though neither of the two GI docs I have seen feel that it is necessary to do so, nor would help with my LC.

I have never had any problem with food sensitivities and hate to go on such a restrictive diet if it is not necessary, but I am willing to do almost anything to try to return my life to normalcy.

My hesistancy with taking Entocort is that it may somehow end up in my bloodstream.
I am told that it only breaks down in the intestinal track and is confined to this area.

However, if one should have a "leaky gut" then isn't it possible to enter the bloodstream? As a person with diabetes (controlled by diet and exercise) I do everything I can to maintain normal blood glucose and steroids can upset that.

I would like to hear from anyone who may know about or have personally experienced "leaky gut syndrome."

Thank you,
Issy

[tex]

Hi Issy,

The Interscience site must be having server problems, because when I try to access it now, I get a message that my computer will not accept cookies, but that is obviously incorrect, because I would not be able to post here if my computer were not accepting cookies, since all navigation on this site is controlled by cookies.

Since you posted an identical post in the "Treatments" forum, my response to all your questions is posted there.

Tex