Loperamide (Imodium) doesn't work??

[pajohns]

Anyone else on or been on loperamide for ibs d and it make no difference? I'm also convinced it's making my nausea worse. Anyone else? What are others taking for diarrhoea?

[Haylesss]

Hi Pajohns.

I use Imodium for my IBS-D when I’m going out somewhere for a long day etc. If I’m at home, I don’t and let nature take its course.

After taking a good few since my D started 18 months ago, I have found it is less effective and I need to take more to stop the movements completely. Has it never worked for you? Perhaps something similar is happening..

Not to be a scaremonger, but I did read that if your D can’t be controlled by meds like Imodium, it might be worth getting checked for a bowel disease, like Crohn’s. Have you had a colonoscopy? (I haven’t, but will be asking my doc for one on Saturday when I visit).

I haven’t found Imodium causes nausea for myself personally, but everyone reacts differently. I would strongly suggest talking to your doctor, as it might be that a different medicine would suit you better.

I was put on Mebervine at the beginning of this year and that helped solidify things but almost too much tbh! I also follow the FODMAP diet, which has helped keep things more stable and I take a probiotic and Vit D tablets.

Good luck!

[Claire44]

Hi yes I am prescribed them and they don't work and just give me cramps. I started on acidophilus a week ago and the urgency has reduced as has the frequency. My doctor recommended them but would not prescribe them so I purchased them from Holland and Barret. They may be worth a try xx

[kavanagh1955 in reply to Claire44]

What is the name of the probiotics that you bought from H&B as I'm looking into that. I also find that Imodium give me cramps

[Claire44]

Hi it's acidophilus plus non dairy. I really think they are working for me, but the first few days gave me a little wind.

[golf99]

Cholestyramine powder two to three times daily. The evening dose is most important.

[Maureen1958 in reply to golf99]

Do you have bile acid malabsorption?

[pajohns in reply to Maureen1958]

No idea! It's something on my list to ask about the dr next week. It's possible.

[pajohns]

Thanks for your replies. I've had a colonoscopy etc to rule out all the serious stuff, it's taken 2 years to diagnose ibs. I'm seeing my gp next week so I'll ask about acidophilus I assume it's a probiotic tablet??

I was really excited yesterday as I had a normal bowel movement (at 4am but still) and no symptoms all day. I thought great my flare up has finished (been having a bad time if it for the last four weeks) but this morning I'm back on the loo 4 times since 4am, diarrhoea, weak and jittery and the nausea is back which is the symptom I struggle most with.

I'm just hoping the gp I see next week (who is a more experienced dr) might have some better advice.

Thanks again

[Stupid_poos in reply to pajohns]

I drink hot water (from the kettle after boiling) and eat crystalised ginger for nausea - I find both help a lot. Some people hate the strong taste of that ginger though x

[Lulububs]

Hey

I have ibs c and d it ranges between.

I have decided i am not taking any western medicine as i think it food related.

So i went to a nutriotionalist. I now take a good peppermint oil, probiotic, digestive enzyme.

Always half hour before i eat or drink. Never take with hot drink.

I also stay gluten and dairy free as i found gluten made me so sick and bloated whereas now i never get bloated.

I gave up brocoli, onions, garlicz.

I now can eat more or less what i want ( gluten dairy free obv) but i hardly ever get stomach ache anymore

Or upset stomach

[Rosiepie123]

Try Silicogel it's over the counter or on line a bit pricy. But it does work. You can also take other medicines with it should you need to

[Kentaro]

Try Activated Charcoal. It's better than Imodium. Imodium just slows down your bowel movements. That's not a good thing on the long run.

If your stool changes maybe you could do a food diary. So you could see how you react to different foods.

[pajohns in reply to Kentaro]

Thanks. Doing a diary nothing stands out yet except things get worse when my kids are ill or something. Very much stress related.