What’s the best medicine to take to lessen the amount of loose stools

[MellowYel]

I suffer daily with loose stools and or diarrhoea. I find it difficult to get out of the house for fear of urgently needing a bathroom.

[Jazzybean1]

Hi, I am similar to you & have diarrhoea almost on a daily basis with a very bad urgency on many occasions. I use loperamide, you can take upto 8 a day, but I usually find just a couple do the trick. If I know I'm going to be out & feel anxious about the toilet situation i always take a couple just over an hour before leaving the house. They help slow the bowel movements & really help me massively. I also purchased a radar key from amazon which has been a life saver allowing me access to disabled toilets if I'm desperate. Hope this helps in some way & you can manage the situation. I always plan where I'm going & know where the toilets are should a situation occur, which does happen with no notice whatsoever! This helps my anxiety & stress levels. All the best

[MellowYel in reply to Jazzybean1]

Thanks for that. I've started to use loperamide but worried that I'll become too dependant on it, like a drug! Only use occasionally but always have them with me. Hate that I can't just jump into my car and go out. Feel like I'm missing out on things. I too plan ahead but living in Ireland not many, if any public toilets! I go into a bar instead but can be difficult to find the actual toilet. Hope you're situation improves.

[golf99]

I am the same for many years. They have now added the term unspecified colitis to my diagnosis. I took so much immodium that it no longer helped and now all that helps is lomotil, class 3 drug. I only use it in desperation. It doesnt always help . So frustrating.

[MellowYel in reply to golf99]

Thanks. I've googled lomotil. I'll speak to the pharmacist and then a doctor. Previously doctors have told me that there's no magic medicine and I have to live with it! I take precision probiotics every day which has helped enormously but I worry that won't get to the toilet in time. I do go out but have to plan, no sudden trips out. I think IBS isn't talked about enough via media. We're overlooked and misunderstood. I'll go back to my consultant but due to the Covid-19 situation I've been putting it off. I don't think hitting early menopause has helped my IBS. Take care and good luck.