IBS and loperamide

[Dinkygirl]

I have IBS which is normally controllable with loperamide.Is it possible to become intolerant to the brand of loperamide that I am using?

On the last 2 occasions, my attacks became much worse after taking my usual brand. This has never happened before.

Has anyone else ever had this problem? Does anyone have any suggestions what else I can do to control the symptoms (diarrhoea)? I already know what my food triggers are, and believe these attacks are anxiety related. Removing the source of the anxiety is not an option, and fear of an attack has now become an anxiety in itself!

[BabsyWabsy]

Hi Dinkygirl, Sometimes loperamide doesn't seem to work for me either. It can be a bit hit and miss. Although it is a licenced medicine, there can be some variation between brands. Tesco's own label version works better for me than Lidl's version for example. I don't know why. I have not made a direct comparison. Maybe I should because some excipients may be different. I don't tend to buy branded medicines unless there is no alternative because of the price hike related to branded versions of the same licenced medicine. It is worth noting that Loperamide contains lactose. Could be an issue if you have lactose intolerance.

[Endersgame]

Hi, I've been taken loperamide for over 30 years. I have it on prescription from the doctor and I get whatever generic brand the pharmacy have.

30 years ago i needed a single 2mg tablet once every few days. over the years this increased to one per day and now 2 per day. Im not sure if thats due to tolerance or a worsening of my IBS. I do know that if I take 4 or even 6 mg in the morning that will stop a train but as this usually triggers a migraine I try to manage the dosage.

Take care.

[xjrs]

Have you tried any well studied probiotics like Alflorex or Symprove? There's also the Nerva gut directed hypnotherapy app. In fact any form of mindfulness or guided meditations might help. There's lots online.

[Dinkygirl in reply to xjrs]

I've looked at Nerva, but struggle to believe it could possibly work. I know nothing about Alflorex or Symprove, so I will look them up, thanks!

[xjrs in reply to Dinkygirl]

The mind and IBS are very closely linked. Also look up 'gut brain axis'. The brain communicates with the gut and the gut communicates with the brain via the vagus nerve. This can affect things like pain and motility (how fast your intestines work, too quick can lead to diarrhoea or how slow, leading to constipation). When you are stressed, your nervous system becomes stressed or hyperactive too, which can mess up this communication and things not working as they should. Similarly, a dominance of bad bugs in the gut can oversensitise nerves in the gut causing food intolerances. This sends extra signals to the brain and the brain can pick this up as pain. Additionally, the brain can misinterpret normal activity from the bowel as pain.

Things like hypnosis, meditation and mindfulness can help calm the nervous system down, aiding better regulation of that system. All of this is scientifically proven.

[Dinkygirl in reply to xjrs]

Thanks. I've decided to give Nerva a go. I'm just worried that my mind is too closed to benefit from it, but we shall see!

[Bettyboopster]

Hi DinkygirlI totally understand where your coming from.

I have been taking loperamide daily 2 tablets 2 -3 times a day for 16 years to assist to slow me down. I truly couldn't function without them. If I miss a dose I often find out about it later on. I truly believe they keep working for me and l get mine on prescription so it's whatever brand the pharmacy issues. Iike you anxiety can exacerbate things but unfortunately there's not much other than trying to reduce the anxiety that I can do. My IBS has definitely got worse over the years but I've been told there's no more they can do and I just have to keep taking the medications. It can be very frustrating and any one who doesn't suffer with IBS can truly understand.

I had a telephone consultation last year with gastro and I actually got upset on the phone as I felt they weren't understanding the way it affects my whole life and this debilitating syndrome which affects every day of my life. To which they offered me amitriptyline which assists with anxiety saying that it may be anxiety making things worse. I tried them for several months but they did nothing different for my IBSD and gave me an awful dry mouth. So I stopped taking them and again nothing different. So I exhausted that option. For me loperamide is my only option and fortunately has been affective for 16 years. Should mention I also take dicycloverine an antispasmodic and Cocodamol 30/500 x2 three times a day (these are taken to assist with both back pain and my IBS D) Most people who took all the medications im on three times a day would never have a bowel movement ever again! But it just slows me down and keeps things slightly more manageable. I still have flare ups and have to race to the bathroom every morning to get there on time. Like many of us we know our food triggers also, but there are times you really cannot work out what had caused a flare up which is very frustrating.

I do hope you find something to assist you.

[Flowerpottime]

try codeine phosphate. Prescription only

[ANB80]

Hi Dinkygirl,

Like Bettyboopster, I have been taking loperamide for many years, taking 1 to 2 a day, or more if needed. I have never found I have become tolerant to it, or anything like that. These are my saviour. I have them on prescription too, like others, so you get just whichever generic brand the pharmacy has in stock.

[Eastbourne11]

Hi Dinkygirl When doctors don't know what diarrhea is caused by they call it IBS. Doctors said I had IBS but on reading Healthunlocked I found I had MAB caused by removal of the gall-bladder. I take imodium and I have learn from a bowel doctor that you can take 1,2,3,4,5, or as many as is necessary because it is not dangerous and can be taken for years. I have not found any difference with brands, I get mine prescribed and it may be a different brand each time. I have taken Colestyramine powder but it does strip vitimins and minerals from you and will probably make you aneamic , It works wonderfully well - 1 sachet a day. Get your doctor to prescribe a packet. (I use it when I go on holiday just for a few days). It cannot do any harm but watch out and look it up on the internet. good luck.