Re: Here's Thea

November 22, 2005

A lot of medications can cause constipation and gas, and antidepressants and

tranquilizers are both well known to do that. Some cause fewer problems

than others, and it is a matter of trying each one out until you get the

right one or ones for you, if that is possible.

Re: Here's Thea

> But, Dave, are you on a tricyclic antidepressant? That's what's fouling

> me up. Other than that, I don't have constipation, only since I started

> the tricyclic antidepressants. The SSRI's made me gain weight, feel

> nausea, and have diarrhea--the nausea and diarrhea came after I became

> diabetic.

> I appreciate all the health articles about laxatives, and I'd rather not

> use them. It just seems that folks aren't getting what I'm saying: I've

> tried all the natural alternatives, and they don't work. I have tried

> various fruit, lots of water, walking, Metamucil, stool softeners, and

> have experienced variously, water retension (another side effect of

> tricyclics), stomach cramps bc the fiber wasn't going through my system,

> sluggishness, flatulence, and general intestinal discomfort.

> My psychiatrist consulted with a gastroenterologist who said there were

> fewer gastro side effects on Desipramine than on Nortriptyline or any of

> the other tricyclics, so he put me on that. I'm also on Klonopin, which

> appears to cause the same side effects, according to what I read on the

> net.

> Guys, it's my psych meds that are causing the intractable constipation.

> Either I have to quit my psych meds or take laxatives while being

> treated, for as long as the treatment lasts. That, according to my MD.

> Thea

>

November 22, 2005

In fact that is how I eat those pork rinds. They go good with beer.

Re: Here's Thea

>>

>> Woops, Pat, forgot to wish you happy birthday.

>> How do you handle the birthday cake thing?

>> Thea

>>

November 22, 2005

Are we talking about glucose tablets here? And for the life of me what is

meant by this word inside the quotes, " dhspe " ?

Re: Here's Thea

>

> Harry, our diabetic educator, herself a type 1, recommended RelyOn

> tablets. We use those, though I've been known to forget to bring them

> with me.

> Thea

>

November 22, 2005

We get RelyOn GLucose Tabs at WalMart. Our educator recommended taking

two. They have a fruit flavor.

Thea

November 22, 2005

We get RelyOn GLucose Tabs at WalMart. Our educator recommended taking

two. They have a fruit flavor.

Thea

November 22, 2005

We get RelyOn GLucose Tabs at WalMart. Our educator recommended taking

two. They have a fruit flavor.

Thea

November 22, 2005

Hi, . Neither my MD nor my psychiatrist has any answers about

the constipation.

Thea

November 22, 2005

In that case, I'm stuck with it, and have to use laxatives, bc I've

tried most of the SSRI's, and two tricyclics. As I have several

disorders, not just depression, I can't be on just any antidepressant.

Bc some antidepressants can cause anxiety, and I already have anxiety

and panic disorder, I'm really boxed into a corner here, as to what I

can take. I have to take an antidepressant that won't make me panicky or

anxious, and a tranquilizer like Klonopin, bc it also helps with

seizures, and the antidepressant I take lowers seizure threshold.

So I'm really screwed here, folks, really in a corner I don't know how

to get out of. I'm afraid to go walking bc I have panic attacks when out

alone, but I know when I do go walking with my husband, it doesn't have

an effect on my constipation.

I'm really stuck.

Thea

November 22, 2005

Yes, I see your dilemma. When one is treating more than one disorder at a

time, it makes things a lot more complicated.

Re: Here's Thea

> In that case, I'm stuck with it, and have to use laxatives, bc I've

> tried most of the SSRI's, and two tricyclics. As I have several

> disorders, not just depression, I can't be on just any antidepressant.

> Bc some antidepressants can cause anxiety, and I already have anxiety

> and panic disorder, I'm really boxed into a corner here, as to what I

> can take. I have to take an antidepressant that won't make me panicky or

> anxious, and a tranquilizer like Klonopin, bc it also helps with

> seizures, and the antidepressant I take lowers seizure threshold.

> So I'm really screwed here, folks, really in a corner I don't know how

> to get out of. I'm afraid to go walking bc I have panic attacks when out

> alone, but I know when I do go walking with my husband, it doesn't have

> an effect on my constipation.

> I'm really stuck.

> Thea

>

November 22, 2005

Thanks. I just wish I could get out of the dilemma. But do I get off all

the psych meds and deal with mental illness, or stay on the psych meds

and take laxatives for the rest of my life?

Thea

November 22, 2005

Dear Thea,

I'm a little tardy, but I want to add my warm welcome to this list. It's

wonderful how quickly you felt free to confide your successes and frustrations

to us. I've already gained inspiration from your story of losing weight and

lowering your Ay See one. I also have noted your difficulty and, unfortunately

don't have an answer. It probably sounds trite, and you've probably already

tried most things, but have you tried a hefty serving of cabbage?

One of the many valuable resources of the people on this list is that they are

very willing to undertake to understand and support not only the primary

condition of diabetes, but the complications of co-existing conditions. I was

extremely unsure about discussing a health problem which I'm very worried about

with this group since I didn't and still don't know if it was related to

Diabetes in any way. The listers have been my main source of comfort and ideas

of what to try with this rather unique condition. You're in the right place.

Before I forget, thanks for the doctor humor. I think we all agree humor is good

medicine for all of us and your joke just made my humor folder.

Back to your health. By laxatives, do you mean things like ex lax, or those

supplements like meta musel? If whatever laxatives you use regulate your system

and aren't harming you with adverse side effects, then it seems that taking them

indefinitely isn't a bad thing as long as your body is responding properly. Is

it possible you don't have to choose between the risks of mental imbalance and

seizures and digestive regularity?

I don't dispense much advice here because I have far to go to manage my blood

sugar just for starters. These are just thoughts. If nothing else, they may

communicate to you that I care and hope you find the answers you need. You have

already conquered conditions many never manage. If I were a gambler, my money

would be on you solving your regularity problem, too.

Always With Love,

Lissi

Re: Here's Thea

Thanks. I just wish I could get out of the dilemma. But do I get off all

the psych meds and deal with mental illness, or stay on the psych meds

and take laxatives for the rest of my life?

Thea

November 22, 2005

Yup,

Now, make up some nice salsa to dip them in and you will be in Tall

Cotton...

Salsa Recipe

Ingredients:

1 medium onion peeled and diced

1 head garlic peeled and diced.

1 Habanera pepper finely chopped.

2 Jalapeno peppers finely chopped.

1/2 cup stalks of celery diced about 1/2 inch in size. Garlic salt,

probably about 1 tblsp.

1 small pinch chopped Basil.

2 cup water.

Bring water to boil in covered sauce pan and then add the seasoning and

chopped items except for the celery.

Add the celery after about 10 or so minutes of cooking otherwise it may

well just turn to nothing and it does make for some chunky things in the

salsa.

Boil until onion starts to disappear.

**Warning** Keep pan covered or peppers will intoxicate you.

Now, when pepper odor begins to calm down remove lid and continue

boiling until there is about 1/2 cup or so liquid left in pan.

Now, this is the basic salsa recipe. You may now try one of the

following:

Add 1 6 oz can tomato paste while liquid is still warm. Stir in

completely and test for thickness.

If it is too thick you can add about 8 oz of tomato sauce, again

checking for thickness.

Do not continue to cook after adding the tomato as this will destroy the

tomato taste.

---or---

Melt a good 2 cups of Velveeta or generic cheese spread in very small

crock pot or fondue pot.

Stir 1 8 oz can of tomato sauce into the cooked salsa and then add this

to the melted or softened cheese spread.

Sure does do well with pork skins and Mick...

Probably does well with pork skins without Mick as well.

If you have cooked the peppers until a great part of the liquid has

vanished the heat from the peppers will be greatly diminished. The

longer you cook a Jalapeno the less heat it has. The same is true of the

Habanera. This salsa should have a nice warm taste and a after heat

which should just cause your mouth to become comfortably warm after you

take a bite.

Cy, the Ancient Okie...

Re: Here's Thea

In fact that is how I eat those pork rinds. They go good with beer.

Re: Here's Thea

>>

>> Woops, Pat, forgot to wish you happy birthday.

>> How do you handle the birthday cake thing?

>> Thea

>>

November 22, 2005

Natural fiber is your best source of laxative. If you can get Psyllium

capsules it will do wonders and they are very cheap. I believe you can get

them on line for $2.99 for a bottle of 100 capsules.

Victor

HL± ã

Re: Here's Thea

>

> Thanks. I just wish I could get out of the dilemma. But do I get off all

> the psych meds and deal with mental illness, or stay on the psych meds

> and take laxatives for the rest of my life?

> Thea

>

November 22, 2005

That is a hard one to answer. Dealing with the ravages of depression is not

something I would recommend doing. Also the seriousness of a panic disorder

is not something I would want to have to encounter every day either. These

two disorders together are more than enough to constitute a dilemma, not to

mention diabetes, obesity and a seizures disorder. I would recommend you

continue what you are doing, licking each problem one at a time. You appear

to already managed to get some of them under control. With continued

treatment and therapy, I believe you will be able toconquer some of those

other triggers, too. I am proud of the progress you have already made, and

I encourage you to remain optimistic.

Re: Here's Thea

> Thanks. I just wish I could get out of the dilemma. But do I get off all

> the psych meds and deal with mental illness, or stay on the psych meds

> and take laxatives for the rest of my life?

> Thea

>

November 22, 2005