IBS ok with daily loperamide

[Kestrel66]

Male, for the Last 4 years have suffered from IBS -D ( mainly diarrhoea )diagnosis after colonoscopy & associated blood tests

I was advised by a specialist to take Imodium (loperamide) daily after first poo, I follow the FODMAP diet & LOW insoluble fibre. And try to eat Prebiotic foods e.g Oats, also Probiotic foods with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species e.g Camembert cheese .

As a snack I have sourdough bread toasted with peanut butter. So I now very rarely suffer an attack of Diarrhoea thankfully.

[yakodik]

Lucky you mate! Glad to hear that someone found somethignthat works for them. For the past 3 months I've bee strugling with rectal tenesmus (urgency to poop) 24/7. GI says it's probably associated to my IBS-D(or M still undecided). Waiting for a batch of rifaximin to come by mail as the pharmacies here don't sell it (no license for the bloody medication). Let's see how it goes.

Sorry for the rant, but again happy to see someone on the mend.

[Mollydav]

Interesting post as I’m currently finding the only way to Live a relatively normal life is to use Imodium or loperamide.

I’m on a much waited for cruise at the moment and due to a complete change in water and food everyday is a challenge. Loperamide is a lifesaver. I am also coeliac but have been able to follow a GF diet. It’s so frustrating to not be sure you can go out sightseeing without anxiety.

Just knowing that I’m not alone with IBS-D helps. Just have to take one day at a time.

[TedsMum247 in reply to Mollydav]

I can completely empathise with your situation. I have stress/anxiety related IBS, it's got worse over the last few years. I can be normal for weeks if I'm just pottering around at home, but the minute I know we're going away for a few days I'm in overdrive back and forth to the loo. I take Loperamides to put a stop to the problem, they're a lifesaver. My son has offered to take me and my hubby out to Florida, but I know I won't be able to cope with that. The very thought of having the problem every morning when out there and also in the run-up to the long flight is too much. I'm bad enough knowing I have to leave the house to travel to with my granddaughters. It's a nightmare, but Loperamides are my lifesaver. But I don't want to have to take them every day I would be in Florida. So I'm going to have to decline the once in a lifetime trip because of this. You have done really well getting away on a cruise👏👏My GP wanted to put me on amitriptyline for anxiety and it gave me the shakes. Then she prescribed Sertraline, that gave me acute diarrhea, so didn't continue with that. Sounds like we have exactly the same problem, but you've managed to get further afield than me😊. Sorry for the lengthy post, keep me posted.

[Mollydav in reply to TedsMum247]

Thanks for your reply.

My GP also prescribed Amitriptyline but it gave me horrible nightmares, turned me into a zombie and I gained nearly a stone in weight. Needless to say I stopped them. Only offered peppermint capsules which work sometimes but not an answer for me. I will go back to my GP next month for a review if I can get an appointment!!

[Letsfixit1 in reply to TedsMum247]

I love travel, and my son is in Canada. The most important thing to me is to be able to go and see him. I was advised to take loperamide daily, and I use it whenever its necessary, cutting down during peaceful days if nothing important is happening. I know I will have to increase the dose when I go out to see him this year. The flight I hate, but I try and have the best diet possible the few days prior, and very careful what I eat on the plane, sometimes taking my own snacks etc. I try and cope as well as I can on a daily basis with my IBSD, it is so easy to become terrified of going anywhere, like everyone else I have had "accidents" and narrow escapes. I carry panty liners, spare knickers etc in my handbag, I have radon toilet keys, and I know exactly where the nearest toilet is at all times. Dark clothing, no white trousers! During my visit to my son we have booked a 7 days cruise to Alaska. I've found that being at sea on a ship is ideal because obviously there's plenty of toilets nearby, and I book shore excursions based on how far away from the nearest loo too! No mountain walks or long coach journeys. So I'm restricted, but I'm 68 now and I refuse to let this IBS cheat me out of seeing my son and enjoying my retirement years. I wouldn't worry about taking loperamide every day, I mentioned my unease to my consultant and he didn't seem to think it was a problem. I totally understand your worries, but I do hope it won't stop you enjoying that once in a lifetime trip.

[Janhow in reply to Mollydav]

Oh I know the feeling! Love cruises and going out on excursions too early in the day are the worst! I up my loperamide if I’m anxious. I only take half a tablet at night it doesn’t really sort my many times of using the loo in the morning but I don’t have a problem the rest of the day.

[Mollydav in reply to Janhow]

Cruises and holidays have become nightmares especially in the mornings which are my worst times. Managed to get home using 3 Imodium after endless trips to the loo. Life never used to be like this!!

[Ilovegolf]

After tests for every possible cause known to man my consultant basically diagnosed that urgency 4 or 5 times in a morning is just ‘normal function’ for me. Tests showed I am not lactose intolerant, not coeliac, had blood tests, stool tests, special diet, even did the breath test for SIBO, and finally had a colonoscopy, All normal. He advised that without pain or discomfort it is not possible to have IBS-D despite having believed that was what I had for many years. So now I very happily survive well on just one loperamide every evening before bed and occasionally another in the morning if I sense the need or am going out where bathrooms might be difficult. Initially I was taking 3 or 4 a day but over time the need has reduced which might partly be due to less stressing about it. Doc said loperamide is not at all harmful and can be taken very long term. I have them on prescription. Hope that helps!

[Kestrel66 in reply to Ilovegolf]

Thanks I now have loperamide on prescription .

[Sparrow58]

I find Lopermide gives me constipation, I would not be able to take everyday. But I will take it if I am going out and feel I need it. I like the melt on the tongue ones as you can break them in half if you only want a small dose.

[Letsfixit1]

That sounds almost identical to my regime, food choices, immodium advice etc., but I don't seem to be getting as good results. My son has just been over from Canada for 3 weeks, so my diet hasn't been as strict as usual, and my stomach has reacted so badly. It is so difficult socialising and eating out. Gluten free meals are quite easy, but if individual foods like cheese and eggs for example are a problem, then it really becomes difficult. And I find it so boring I'm losing all pleasure in eating.