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Dicyclomine - I am scared to take this medication, but scared to take any medication is there crazy?
Question posted by ng0911 on 12 April 2016
Last updated on 29 April 2016 by Anonymous
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3 Answers
Inactive
29 April 2016
Hi ng. I can certainly relate to how you feel about trying a new medication.
I had never heard of dicyclomine till last week! My GI doc gave me a prescription for it last week after I had a CT scan and was diagnosed with diverticulitis. I thought, what the heck is this prescription supposed to do?
So I called the doctor's office to find out why I was supposed to take it, lol. It has been a lifesaver! i was in a lot of pain with my infection, so it helped me by stopping the cramping in my tummy every time I ate something. I have since found out that it is a common drug taken by so many people with IBS problems. I feel very safe taking it. Believe me, I am thankful to have it. Now that I am getting better, I am only going to take it as needed instead of on a regular schedule. I hope this helps you to not be so afraid of this medication. Hope you feel better! "G"
Oliviad123
29 April 2016
No, you are not crazy! (I am assuming that is what you are asking). I am the same way. I don't like things that make me feel 'funny in the head'...
You asked this 16 days so this may not be helpful, but for whatever it is worth. :), I'll give you my experience. Of course as you know, everyone is different. Hopefully you have been using your dicyclomine and long getting relief!
Dicyclomine makes me high as a kite (and not in a good way :) ). Spacey, but not sleepy, hard to concentrate.. just yucky. And, maybe when my pain is severe it might take the edge off. I was given 20 mg pills to take 3x/day if I want. I cut those in 1/2, so take 10 mgs when my pain is severe, because it is all I have. This dose is more tolerable. Still I could not drive safely on it or function normally, so I only take it at night, or if I am not going out.
I also have very atypical IBS, severe pain is my major symptom, and it does not come and go as seems to be the case with most people, it has been constant for 8 years.
Because I don't like the way it makes me feel, I sometimes get very anxious, so now usually take it with an anti anxiety drug.
I would suggest trying it on a day or two when you don't have to go anywhere, just to see, and if you don't like it, it will wear off!
I have a bottle of 90 (which is 180 doses for me), and I have had it several years. That is how often I use it. Simply because the relief is so minimal, it is not worth being non functional unless I'm desperate. I have never taken more than 10 mg/day.
Hope you have better luck with it!
Lisa01
13 April 2016
You can look up the side effects of any medication by hitting the search key at the top of the page and typing in the medication name. That way you can read the side effects for yourself. Just remember, any side effect listed is simply a possibility, NOT a sure thing. Often if you take a medication and do experience a side effect, the side effect will likely disappear (or lessen quite a bit) after your body becomes accustomed to it. This normally takes a week or two. I have IBS and have taken dicyclomine for over 20 years with no problems at all. It has been like a miracle for relieving and allowing me to live with my IBS. I sincerely hope you'll give it a chance. I hope this helps!
ng0911
13 April 2016
Thank you for your comment I am sure you are right my husband tells me to just take it because the positive out weight the negative. I am scared to take any medication is have been this way ever since I was given phenogine and had a allergic reaction to it and almost died. I over think everything especially since I am suffering from panic attacks and anxiety disorder
Lisa01
13 April 2016
I don't blame you in the slightest. You need to do whatever makes you feel the most comfortable. I don't know if you've been prescribed the dicyclomine for IBS or not, but if you have, look at it this way. IBS is aggravated by stress and if you have IBS, well that's stressful. Just the thought of being out someplace and having to urgently use the bathroom, but not knowing where it is (or even if there is one) kept me home on more than one occasion. Eventually it became difficult for me to even leave the house. After starting on the dicyclomine I was able to come and go without that constant stress and worry. Therefore I became a much more relaxed and happy person. I won't lie and tell you I never have bad days with my IBS or that if I eat Mexican it won't upset my stomach, but it's nothing like it used to be. I normally carry a couple of anti-diarrhea pills with me for peace of mind and I'm set. This med really made an enormous difference in my life, as I hope it will with you.
ng0911
13 April 2016
Yes, I have IBS+Constipation it will all build up and then the next day I got to the bathroom 6times, every time I think I am done in have to turn right back around and go more... I have 3 boys ages 5,10 and 3 months old. The other day my stomach hurt so bad. I had to put my son on the bus, I had to go to the bathroom so bad but I couldn't because the bus was coming. So soon as I put him on it ran back in the house to the bathroom. My 3 month old was crying in his swing and I had no choice but get up and come out get his bouncer and put outside the bathroom door to see him so I could go again. I have been diagnosed with IBS since 2005.. but never once was given medication for it. Every since yesterday after the 6 times in the bathroom at once my stomach has been hurting. So I called my doctor she gave me this medication is made a doctor appointment for GI but that's not until MAY 10th... so I don't know when best time for me to take the medication because if it makes u dizzy, blurred vision how can I drive, take care of the baby
Lisa01
13 April 2016
Bless your heart, you do have your hands full! I'm not sure how many you're prescribed a day, but if it's twice then I'd take it in the morning and at night, 3 times - morning, noon and night, 4 times - when you get up, noon, before supper and bed. I never had any of those side effects. The worst I can remember is a headache when I was taking them as needed and took them too close together on a bad day. Remember, side effects are listed when at least one person had that side effect and reported it. That doesn't mean you will have any of them. If it makes you feel easier about it, take your first dose at a time your husband will be home. This med isn't any kind of narcotic or anything like that. It's simply an anti -spasmodic. It helps control the spasms in your colon and bowels. Just try and relax and don't look for trouble where it doesn't exist.
I know that at times it's difficult, if not impossible, but try and use the bathroom whenever you need to. It's less stressful on your bowels. Practice some deep breathing exercises to calm and relax yourself. As you grow used to doing them, you'll be able to call on them easily during times of stress. I use them quite often when I'm in a stressful situation. I have 3 grandchildren, ages 5,3 and 18 months. Like your boys, they're my heart and soul, but they can be a handful-and deep breathing is a lot safer than alcohol!
Related topics
irritable bowel syndrome, dicyclomine, medication, stomach
Further information
- Dicyclomine uses and safety info
- Dicyclomine prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Dicyclomine (detailed)
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