Jiggered, if the BuTrans patch is causing constipation, try a regular daily dose of miralax. I have had problems with it all my life, (my earliest memories are of mom dosing me with Fletcher's Castoria) and resulting fissures, etc. but several years on miralax have done away with all my GI problems. I consider it a miracle. I am on low dose oxycodone along with my Gabapentin, but my problem far predates opiate usage.
So you find the Butrans effective? Does it have any other side effects? I am considering it for when my 325/5 once or twice a day are no longer effective for what I have to get done.

Interesting stuff. I don't recall hearing of it before. A little puzzling too. Are you taking it occasionally "as needed", or regularly?

Some information seems contradictory:
___vs.
Also of particular interest to us PNers....
Possible neurogenic properties?
Susanne, have you noticed any improvement in PN symptoms?

Doc

I suspect those treatments are topical. PEG is not well absorbed from the GI tract. In children there is a chance of
seizures or mental side effects with chronic use.

PEG used to be RX only, and labeling for it concerning OTC use
was determined by the FDA I would think.

Topical would be fine, if it worked. I wasn't thinking of running out and trying anything rash (I don't do rash. ) I was just reading about it, and the neurogenic mentions were intriguing.

Doc

When I mean topical I mean applied to the cut ends of the nerves. Not on the skin.

The newest study made a film scaffold with chitan (which comes from crab shells and is a fiber). The nerves (axons) were severed and the bond applied to facilitate regrowth.

For us PNers...damaged axons....one would have to have location in which to inject the product once it is approved safe.

Not going to be seen for us for a LONG TIME. May however help people with spinal cord trauma from accidents etc..

Hi Susanne,

I'm really liking the Butrans. The first couple of days I was pretty stoned, & I've had a couple of really bad headaches from it. I needed to take some Gravol as I was nauseated as well, but after that initial couple of days it's all been really good. There is a long list of possible side affects, as with any other med.
My pcp just prescribed Motilium & wants me drink some Mag Citrate & some Milk of magnesia. I'll do that tomorrow, so I guess I'll spend my day in the bathroom. I talked to my doc about drinking beer, she said it's okay to have a couple of beer, it will help with my bowel issues. I will cut down though, as when I'm on days off I drink 3 -5 beer a night. I think that's too much.
You should talk to your Dr. about Butrans to see if it's right for you. It's nice cause u just put in on once a week, less pills to remember to pop!!

Hope u feel better.

How can beer help the bowel issues?

If it enables you to pass your stools, I'd be very suspicious that you have gluten issues. Beer of all the alcoholic drinks is filled with gluten. And people who get loose on beer, are showing a potential sign of gluten intolerance.

Gluten intolerance can be a trigger for PN as well!
This excellent website explains:
http://sites.google.com/site/jccglutenfree/
and this is the PN part:

http://sites.google.com/site/jccglut...eralneuropathy

Don't you think there is a better way to get better bowels then the drinking? I have never heard of beer causing bm but even if so it does not sound like a healthy choice. Sorry if I am out of place but just like laxatives cause bowels one should not take them regularly. I know you stated your doctor said it was ok to drink but that is concerning especially since you are on meds and I am surprised he or she would not feel liable if something happened just from that stand point. That has been my fear of drinking which I don't that meds do mix and I don't want other issues. Plus the liver issue which not from alcohol but I did have issues around and it is not pleasant.
Anyhow sorry if I am out place. I hope you take care

Beer is made from grains such as wheat, barley and rye. Grains have fiber and that can help with B.M.'s. There is also gluten free beer for those who cannot tolerate it. A beer or two a day won't harm most people. It is when it's overdone that there may be trouble. Jiggered's doctor should know what can be tolerated.

Sounds like you've never been to a party college; there's even a somewhat vulgar term for it (BT).

Jiggered's doc said "a couple" (which as far as I know means 2), and s/he(?) acknowledges s/he was overdoing it. There's plenty of (arguable) evidence that 1-2/day may be beneficial for some, depending on many factors. I've had doctors say the same - I'm just not interested anymore. Some years ago when my bowel acted up, I quit both caffeine and alcohol, and found I missed the caffeine FAR more than the alcohol. I've since started drinking coffee at timnes (but much less than I used to) and just haven't wanted a drink, so I haven't in ~10 years.

Doc