just when I thought it was safe…

[Mollydav]

I have IBS-D and have three really good weeks however four days ago I made a GF chicken meal which included peanut butter. since then I have had severe diarrhoea, bloating and stomach cramps. I have put this down to the peanuts and mild spices but thought I would be getter better by now. I take mint capsules daily but otherwise I have not resorted to Imodium as I have not need to go out. Not sure what to eat and need to get this sorted out. Off to Portugal on Sunday as I refuse to let IBS control my life. Any ideas?

[BabblingBrooks]

Have you tried Aloe Vera tablets or juice ?

[Mollydav in reply to BabblingBrooks]

No but I will do some research. Thanks

[Letsfixit1]

I swear by Imodium, I see it as my lifesaver, rather than a last resort. I did some research, unless you exceed the max daily dose of 6 (I never take more than 2 daily, even in a bad flare up,) its considered to be safe for even long term use. My flare up last week lasted a full 6 days, and one of the worst ever. Without Imodium (loperamide) I would have been housebound the entire week. I haven't taken it for 3 days now, it finally settled my stomach down, but if it starts flaring up again (and it probably will) I will go back to 1 tablet a day until it calms down. And I have tried to travel without taking it, all I did was make myself anxious. Its the only thing I have tried which actually firms up the stool. But I must add that I take it on the advice of the hospital consultant and my doctor approves. The consultant also suggested to combine it with Fybrogel to get a balance, which I tried for several months, but the Fybrogel just makes me bloated without firming the stool.

[Mollydav in reply to Letsfixit1]

Thanks, it’s reassuring to know other people use Imodium with good results. I was advised by my gastroenterologist that I was one of the few people around that need to seriously reduce my fibre intake. He also said I should use Imodium as and when necessary.

[JanetJAM]

I was on holiday a few weeks ago and I took an immodium for the journey home I then didn’t go for a couple of days then my stool was firm when it’s normally loose and sticky I was like that for almost 3 weeks I was so happy but now it’s gone back to as before can immodium work for that long?

[BabsyWabsy in reply to JanetJAM]

Yes, I think it can. It has this effect on me sometimes, which, if you are expecting it, is quite useful. I had a loperamide on two consecutive days over two weeks ago, and I am still what might be considered normal.

[Mollydav in reply to JanetJAM]

I find Imodium can alter my bowel habits for two or three days but the it wears off.

[Letsfixit1 in reply to JanetJAM]

It works for me - Ive been using it almost daily for over 5 years. I try not to use it when I'm ok, but after about 4 days the stools become so loose that they are hard to control. Then I take 1 lepermide a day until it calms down, then I don't take them until the problem starts again. Nothing I eat or drink, more fibre etc, bulks the stool, only the loperamide

[xjrs]

Try white jasmine rice plus lean protein for a couple of days. They will be digested in your small intestine with no residue for the colon to give your bowels a rest. Then introduce easily tolerated veg e.g. cooked carrots. Gradually move to your normal diet. If an emergency, use Immodium.

[Letsfixit1 in reply to xjrs]

I could try this - are you talking about the ordinary white jasmine rice you cook for about 10 to 20 minutes, or the quick 2 min ready cooked stuff you heat in a packet? I struggle with rice, I just don't like it.

[xjrs in reply to Letsfixit1]

Cooked from scratch rather than re-heating (since re-heated rice might contain resistant starch) such as this one:

sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/pro...

Or a plain white rice pasta.

[Letsfixit1 in reply to xjrs]

I have a large Sainsbury's store nearby, I will get some. Thanks