imodium

Hi Sue...are you at least on any meds? Where in the colon is your UC?

One of the side effects of taking imodium on a continual basis is that it can encourage/cause megacolon because it really, really slows down the peristalsis of the the colon.
In saying that, you must check with your doctor to see if one pill a day is OK.

Are you having IBS symptoms or are you having UC symptoms?

I don't think it will actually hurt you too much taking only one a day....but if you're not on any meds to deal with the inflammation, that would be a problem. Does imodium come in different dosages? If so, maybe a lower dosage one is better to take than a higher one.

Have you considered to take a fibre supplement instead to help bulk up the stool and to help keep the colon "exercised" to a more natural rhythm rather than too quickly?
There are different kinds to take...just a suggestion.

Another suggestion would be to take probiotics...sometimes diarrhea can be because of imbalance of the flora.

Do you take calcium? It's apparently a colon muscle calmer...no other way to describe it....that could be something to add to your supplementation.

What do you happen to eat in the morning? Sometimes a change in diet can help lessen diarrhea.

Just to add about the megacolon...when the colon is in a hyperstate of constantly spasming and eliminating at a high rate...it loses its rhythm and tone. When imodium is taken with that kind of colon...it stop the rhythm completely...then once the med has worn off, it goes back to a hyper state again. A meds that calms the smooth muscle such as dicyclomine (Bentyl/Bentylol) will slow down the peristalsis/spasming and encourage it into a more rhythmic movement rather than NO movement.

Has your doc given you any meds such as antispasmodics to try?

Well, enough questions....to answer yours...it can for some, but not necessarily for all. It's an option for use for occasions, but I don't think always. But, you must check with your doc and do some research to know whether it's good for you to take or if you have other choices.

quincy

Thanx! I have crohns colitis and am on azasan, colazal and iron. I've tried probiotics

and fiber. My problem is that I usually need the bathroom on the way to work. It takes me almost an hour to get to work.

what is megacolon


kittie