Lotronex:

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

I have been on Lotronex for my IBS for almost a year now. I, too, was put on

this drug and that (which didn't work or only with limited success----at one

particular time, they had me on FIVE pills a day just for my IBS, to be taken 3

times a day...and NONE of them were working worth a hoot.) My family dr.

referred me to a gastroenterologist whose practice is about 37 miles from me,

but he does come here to my town a couple of times a month, so I can see him

here. I, too, had to read a great deal of information and sign a lot of forms

before being given Lotronex. I took one Lotronex per day for the first month

(to make sure I wasn't going to have problems with it), then one Lotronex both

morning and night ever since. Some pharmacies here don't regularly stock it,

but only order a quantity based on the number of people they have who are taking

it. FDA controls are still pretty tight, and my Lotronex Rx still has to have

not only my gastro's signature, etc., but also a little sticker on it. Never

any refills. I have to get a new Rx mailed to me each month, so I have to keep

careful track so I don't run out. Lotronex is no " miracle cure " for IBS, but it

is one of the only drugs approved by the FDA which actually treat the cause of

IBS, not just the symptoms...by decreasing the blood flow to the bowel. I still

have some occasional (and unpredictable) " breakthrough " diahhrea, and sometimes

even nausea/vomiting for no apparent reason and not based on what I did or

didn't eat. My appetite also waxes and wanes. My gastro gives me a Rx for

Librax to be taken as needed for the times when I'm having a lot of trouble with

breakthrough diahhrea. I do have to say that Lotronex has really changed my

life, . As you may remember, I had contracted food poisoning (ecoli, to be

exact...they are amazed that I lived!) in May of 2001. I was hospitalized no

less than 3 times before they got rid of the bacteria. That doesn't count the

times I had to go to ER for IV rehydration and was tube fed. My weight fell to

83 pounds, and my lifelong IBS spun out of control. Lotronex changed all of

that. It took about 9 months of taking it, but I can now eat just about

anything I want to and have happily gained back up to a normal weight for my

height and frame. Not everyone is a candidate for Lotronex, but it has worked

with tremendous success for me.

Love,

~LoneStarRose~

(~~)

Message: 21

Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2004 21:35:49 EST

From: Mdmssmile@...

Subject: Lotrenex FINALLY!!

Finally, after about two years without it, I got a prescription today for

Lotrenex for my IBS!!! YEAH!! WHen it finally came back on the market, doctors

had to jump through a lot of hoops to get to prescribe it again. My huge gi

doctor's group didn't want to bother! I was turned down for a study on it

because

of the gastroparesis but the doctor's office in charge of the study has now

prescribed it to. I had to drive an hour away to get it though and then read

through a bunch of info, sign all kinds of agreements and stuff. It is ony

written for a month at a time, the script has to have a special little blue

sticker

on and I have to call in to report how I am doing or if I have any problems at

all. They take this stuff very seriously.

Now I hope I will be able to each salads and veggies again and DESSERTS and

go out to eat too!!!

This doctor and his nurse practioner are both so nice. Too bad they are an

hour away!!