So this is my first post so I don't really know what im doing. Anyways, I have just been diagnosed with IBS as I have trouble with eating and diarrhea. When I eat in the evening, I get pains and sometimes the pains turn into diarrhea (lucky not that frequently, probably every 1-2 months-ish)
Anyways, I have a family holiday booked in two weeks to Orlando Florida. Now that I know I have IBS i'm pretty anxious about it, so I wondered;
Should I take Imodium in the morning of my 9 hour flight? I use Imodium when I have diarrhea, however I have never used it in the hope that it will prevent it from happening. But I wondered if this would be beneficial to me on a flight? Im guessing it would put me at ease? But would this cause constipation?
Do people take Imodium before diarrhea if they have the symptoms or if they have an important day?
Thank you so much, sorry for all the questions but I really need help on this!
Written by
MollyMouse
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I often take it before I go out, I only get D a couple of times a week and have had a couple of "close calls" when out. Have never found it has constipated me and I would personally recommend you take it before you travel as it will put your mind at rest and eat sensibly. Please note I am not medically qualified. Enjoy your holiday.
Well from my personal experience - When i have taken it, it might get me though that day but man the next 2-3 days are brutal. I have come to accept the fact that any meds that are temp meds to patch and not try to long term cure cause disruption in my digestion that usually leads to more side effects than just dealing with the problem at hand...
Yes sorry.. The brutal refers to (at least for me) bad constipation that can be very painful to pass. Imodium is basically a cork and while it helps me get through a day the fallout from using it makes it not worth it. For some they do not see those symptoms.
I always find a long flight has a dehydrating effect regardless of how much water I consume on the flight so to take Imodium as well would be asking for a few very uncomfortable days at the destination!
I would have thought just to eat carefully for a few days before flying avoiding anything you think might trigger an attack.
I always take it before a flight as i have always been anxious about flying and i have IBS. I have also taken it as a preventative on several day trips. It may mean you might not go for a day but who cares as it means there is no worry. I would take it for sure
I have been using Imodium as a safety net before travelling for many years,there was a time when if I took two,my Bowles would be sluggish for days afterwards.But now I guess my body has got used to them and now I find am back to normal the following day. By the way I hope you have a wonderful holiday.
I travel to Asia on business, so fly a lot. I always travel with imodium instants (in fact they live in my purse) and senokot, but I try to use food to regulate things instead. For instance boiled eggs bind and lentils do the opposite for me personally. Learn what goods do what to you personally. Don't be afraid of the long flight. Just treat it like any other day. You should always take a toothbrush and knickers in your carry on anyway, so just go extra prepared. If it makes you feel more confident you can always wear a sanitary towel too for peace of mind.
I have had IBS and colitis all my adult life (I’m now 73) and owned a home in Florida for the past 13yrs. I always took meds. and Imodium before travelling. If I seemed sluggish next day or so I just drank plenty and ate fruit which I would normally avoid. Far better to be safe than sorry. Anxiety would also make you more prone to D so peace of mind would be a good thing. I am not medically qualified but am still around to prove my point.
Have you tried Symprove? It really has worked for me, probably not a cure as the diarrhoea tends to start up again when I stop but it has been a real life saver. I actually feel normal most of the time now, lol.
I have taken imodium first thing in the morning as I suffer worse then.I just take one as not to block myself up or you end up getting the total opposite of diahorrhea! Try to relax tho,its a holiday,try to focus your mind away from worry 😊.
Hi there. Have taken Imodium for over 30 years now, under the doctor, after being diagnosed ibs through hospital tests. I was told that Imodium does not enter the bloodstream so is safe for long term use. It was also suggested to take it regularly. I did try this but found it was less effective when I 'really' needed it. I do find that taking one before traveling helps immensely. Don't let it get you down and have a great holiday.
I often take Imodium as a preventative measure for situations I find stressful for ibs such as flying. I find Imodium plus comfort by far the best of the different types. It does help and I am back to normal the next day (probably a bit better than usual too). My doctor said it is fine to use long term for ibs but as someone says above I try these days to keep it to stressful situations only as I think you do get used to them and are less effective with very regular use.
My doctor told me that it was perfectly OK to take Imodium as a precaution, rather than after getting diarrhoea - and my daughter has taken it daily at times because her job as a teacher means that she just can't dash out of the classroom (imagine that for a moment!).
However, I wasn't happy to keep taking Imodium like that, because it's not really sorting out the problem, just masking the symptoms. After all sorts of approaches, including trying to identify 'trigger foods', I find that taking Acidophilus first thing every morning with a glass of water is the most effective course of action for me - doesn't mean you'll never get diarrhoea, but for me, it's much less frequent - and less explosive! Hope that helps.
I was wondering if your daughter avoids certain things or does certain things which helps as I am alsova teacher and can sometimes struggle due to the worry of having to dash to the loo. Sometimes i have a flare up and literally dont always know for sure if it is a flare up or a bug! Certainly not easy thats for sure
As far as I know she doesn't avoid any particular foods and has a varied diet. Since she met her now fiancé , she does do a lot more cycling and running, and the extra exercise seems to help.
Yes, I always take it as a precaution when on days out, travelling, going for a meal out. Usually does the trick, never really blocks me up, if it does its only for one day. Really helps put my mind at ease.
Try something called enterosgel in boots or most pharmacist it balances all ur gut bacteria and stops ibs symtoms for awhile. What u want to do is test ur body before u do the flight ie do imodium see if that get u through 9 hours and how ur body is after and then try enterosgel,as it more natural it mayb kinder to u.
I know Imodium can leave u constipated which believe me as a ibs c person u do not want.
I think trying things out before is a great idea, I don't really want to be testing it out on my actual holiday. I'll have a look at enterosgel, thank you so much for the suggestion!
When I had gut problems due to colon trouble and also due to lactose intolerance I took immodium if I was going out and it worked. Took 2 in the morning and that was enough. Made me constipated but who wants an accident I public! Also consider adult pads for long periods if you're not confident enough. They sell them at boots or online about £5 for 10.
Hi mollymouse. I've had one for years. I always take Imodium before going out for day. It does give you more confidence. Shouldn't worry about constipation. It's better to be safe then sorry! Perhaps don't eat a heavy meal night before flight. Take wet wipes and change of pants/leggings with you in cabin. Just knowing you hv prepared will ease your anxiety! I take anxiety tabs from doctor. Good luck x
Hi when I have something big planned and I want to avoid the toilet I take 2 the night before then 2 again in the morning this will depend on your flight timings though. Nothing wrong with being prepared and will put your mind at ease before your travel. Good luck and enjoy your holiday x
Thank you, I think that's what I'll do. I'm one of those people who feel so much better when I take something - even if it doesn't work. My mind just tells me I'll be fine now and I don't worry! Thank you so much for your help x
You can take it a couple of hours before the flight (take two) one does nothing.
Start cutting down all gluten and lactose, or if you do have low fat lactose like yoghurt take a lactose tab before. No fried or greasy food, no red meat and alcohol. You should improve.
Start making smoothies for yourself and low protein powder, (black berries) have a soothing effect on the digestive system. Get gluten free cereal and use low calorie
almond milk, never ordinary milk.
I have many issues and cronh's this low fiber diet has helped a lot.
If you're usually only affected in the evenings, it might be a bit "belt and braces" to take Imodium in the morning on the flight out, but for a "one-off" it might help. Alternatively make sure you have some in your carry-on baggage and take them before the main/evening meal. My biggest worry on long-haul flights is take-offs and landings, as the toilets are locked and passengers are confined to seats. During the flight - no problems. [In the past when I've thought there might be a problem (say on landing) I've had a quiet word with a member of cabin staff who have been helpful.]
Another task you need to do in the longer term is keep a log of the foods you're eating and see if there are any "trigger" foods (and sauces) which make the problem worse. The internet can supply lists of foods - ie if "dairy foods" are a problem there is a list of other foods which come under this banner, if "wheat foods" are your trigger, then there's a list of other foods connected to this. So turn detective to find out your problem foods.
You are a star thank you! I am currently making a food diary every day to find out and do a little bit of investigation! I am totally fine with wheat as I eat pasta almost every day - it is something that I can rely on. Dairy, I have found, is a no go. So i'm staying clear of that. Thank you so much for your advise and I shall take it on! X
I take Imodium if I am going out or am worried I might 'get taken short' somewhere. It gives you peace of mind. My doctor said Imodium does no long term health damage to your body.
I take the max dose every day most days. My doc says its such a safe gentle medication there's no great problem in long term doses. I certainly couldn't go out without it, even knowing where the loos are, they're closed often enough to remove my confidence. It only takes once. I'd be pretty well housebound without it.
I'm not a medic either, but hope my experience of this medication helps.
i take imodiem find it very good mine is severe along with diverticolosis i find both very painful but it does help but if i m going out i take a diorehaa tab that also helps really good
I have done exactly the same thing that you are suggesting, and will do so again when we go on holiday in May.
Last year, I went on a weekend trip, by coach, a journey of about 5 hours. I was pretty paranoid about the coach having a toilet, despite assurances that 'most' of the coaches used did. Well, most isn't all, and if I by poor chance got on one that didn't......
Anyway, what I did was use a glycerin suppository the night before, which cleared out anything lurking around to come out early next day. I took one immodium (or loperamide the generic version, which is cheaper), before I went to bed. Then I took another the next morning before I left home. I didn't feel the need to have a BM that day, and the following day, which was the length of the trip. There was a toilet on the bus, so didn't worry about it after the first day.
I can't say that taking these didn't make me a little bit constipated, but I increased the fruit and veg for a day or so, and after a few days everything went back to normal. Normal being having pretty loose stools most of the time!!
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Imodium and diverticula 
Imodium the night before
Imodium
Traveling with Imodium
