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Anyone else dependent on Immodium (Lopermide HCL)

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/23/2012 9:24 PM (GMT 0)
A few years ago after my diagnosis I got along quite often on 1 immodium tablet per day. These day I take 4-6 per day. It helps me drive to and from work mostly, but also helps me get through the workday. At night I let things moving again (and boy do they).

Anyone else take immodium as regular as I do?
Posted 7/23/2012 10:10 PM (GMT 0)
I take it occasionally but many on here stay clear of it. Risk of toxic megacolon. I also have never taken that many in a day. What kind of meds are you on?
Posted 7/23/2012 10:58 PM (GMT 0)
I've never used it...
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Posted 7/24/2012 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
My GI only suggests it in case I am in an emergency situation (i.e. keep it in my carry-on when traveling internationally) I have actually never used it but it gives me peace of mind. Other than that it is not recommended for people with UC on a daily basis. Do you have a GI you can discuss this with?
Posted 7/24/2012 2:43 AM (GMT 0)
I was told it is not addictive. My GI did say it was OK to use it daily, when I was most very ill for many years.
It sounds like you have a regimen that works for you.
So I say dont worry.
Posted 7/24/2012 4:15 AM (GMT 0)
I never take it as I have never really needed it (thank God). I do keep a pack with me all the time though, just in case I need it. More of a security blanket I'd say.

I thought toxic mega colon was only a risk if you had c.diff colitis.
Posted 7/24/2012 5:30 AM (GMT 0)
MaxMilian, no, toxic megacolon can happen from over-use/abuse of meds like immodium, pepto bismal, etc.

I've never used immodium cuz I don't really have D issue, just urgency (but they're basically formed stools) and frequency so I'm too scared it'll constipate me if I use it.
Posted 7/24/2012 3:54 PM (GMT 0)

sherbear46 said...
I take it occasionally but many on here stay clear of it. Risk of toxic megacolon. I also have never taken that many in a day. What kind of meds are you on?

I was in a clinical study for a non FDA approved drug, but been off it for over a month. We're in the follow up phase and I can't have anything during that. I told the nurse I'm quitting the study so I can continue with some treatment.

I'm hoping to get on Humira soon. I was on remicade before the study and though it didn't put me into complete remission it made me pretty stable. I'm wanting humira this time due to cost. I can no longer afford remicade.

Even while on treatments I still continue to take immodium on a regular basis. I've reduced my dose to less than 4 a day now and still it seems to have an affect.

Some days I may not need it but take it anyway -- it's the anxiety of having to go.
Posted 7/24/2012 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
It's not addictive. My GI doctor knows I take it and he doesn't mind.
Posted 7/24/2012 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not sure that immodium is strictly for loose D.  Doesn't it slow down peristalsis, calm your bowels down and reduce urgency?

If it can do only one of the above then it should be a must for people who are invariably in flare situations.

The toxic megacolon risk would be a result of overdosing with severe constipation or even worse---a blockage in the bowel.

If that ever happened, I think you would be having seriously painful symptoms at an early enough stage to get to the hospital and get it dealt with.

Probably.

Posted 7/24/2012 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hmmm, now I'm intrigued based on your reply Mackster....but I'm still chicken-shtt to try it LOL...my assumption of it being used mainly for diarrhea is based on it saying so on the packaging "anti-diarrheal"...maybe I'll get brave and try some on the weekend when I don't have plans to go anywhere.
Posted 7/24/2012 8:16 PM (GMT 0)
pb4, I think it's a lot less risky than you have been led to believe.  There are a lot of scaremongers on these forums.  I know it's generally sold as an anti-D med.  I said it's not strictly for D.   As far as I know, it removes a lot of the water from the colon which would kinda 'dry-up' loose D.   If it were bad for IBD it would be writ large in neon all over the package, and GIs would be warning their patients against it instead of cautious endorsment.

I'm surprised the OP is popping 4-6 per day when the dosage is max 4.     I use it sparingly but tbh the jury is still out as to whether it 'slows' anything down.  Maybe I'll up the dose!

Posted 7/24/2012 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
I take in when I travel or going to be in the car for more than a couple hours - no more than 4 in one day. It relaxes the colon and probably more of a mental security thing. I keep a bottle of the capsules in the car. My GI said to use it as needed but not a daily thing.
Posted 7/24/2012 10:11 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Mackster,

My biggest fear is that it will cause me constipation...sometimes I have to push a lot to get small but formed BM's out so I just don't want it to backfire on me is all.

Has anyone had any issues with it causing them constipation when taking during somewhat formed stools?
Posted 7/24/2012 11:43 PM (GMT 0)

xeekk said...
A few years ago after my diagnosis I got along quite often on 1 immodium tablet per day. These day I take 4-6 per day. It helps me drive to and from work mostly, but also helps me get through the workday. At night I let things moving again (and boy do they).

Anyone else take immodium as regular as I do?

Last week I had to take Imodium before I left for work and before I left work to drive home. I have an hour ride both ways. Two times I just couldn't hold it and messed myself up just before I got to work and had to turn around and drive all the way home then drive all the way back to work and twice I messed myself going home. Taking Imodium just wasn't cutting it and  I had to get a script for Lomotil. For the past few days, things have calmed down. I have no idea what caused all of that explosive diarrhea. Maybe it was something I ate. I'm really not sure, but I'm glad it calmed down. I still take Imodium for the ride to work just incase.

Posted 7/24/2012 11:49 PM (GMT 0)
It is my understanding that immodium reduces the muscular action of the colon (I refer to it as calming the colon) and so the poo stays there longer, allowing the colon time to absorb more water out of it (which is what colons do).
So it does both, reduces urgency and reduces D.
Posted 7/25/2012 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
Talked to my GI today. He said don't be afraid to take it and ignore the directions that says don't take it longer than 3 days.

I have tried lomotil and have often found it less successful.
Posted 7/26/2012 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
My doctors said as long as we conducted stool sample analysis to show there is no c.diff e.coli etc pathogens then its just a UC flare and I am at liberty to use as much as I need.
Posted 7/26/2012 3:12 AM (GMT 0)
When i was still sick i took it like crazy, sometimes 8 a day, plus drinking pepto by the bottle! So i could be able to function. I never had a problem, except for a while i had these lines in my vision, which can apparently be a side effect, very strange. I talked to the dr and it went away. Now i still take it if want to be able to go a long time without emptying.
I think it's one of those things where the box has to say do not take this as a legal thing. Kind of like with Gas-x, it would be really hard to over dose on it, but they still have to put the warning on there.
Posted 7/26/2012 5:37 AM (GMT 0)
I've never taken it but last time I flared up, I came close to taking it. My GI said I could try using it to calm things down but I'd prefer not to take any mmore medication and I don't think it would solve the problem, only mask the symptoms. I do understand that sometiems masking the symptoms is the only option.
Posted 7/26/2012 1:31 PM (GMT 0)
I dont think its masks symptoms. If your stool analysis says 'none seen' and its UC it can be great to slow the transit time. For instance I would have a salad at lunch and empty it 4 hours later, thats way too fast and its only going to be corrosive to the colon as the stomach acids are not supposed to make it that far. Gives things a chance to slow down and let you make some other corrections.
Posted 7/26/2012 2:00 PM (GMT 0)
I just took a dose this AM, to get into work without any accidents! I usually start with a mini-dose, 3 T of the liquid. The normal adult does is 4 T- but all I really need is time to get me where I'm going, then I can run to the bathrooms to my hearts content. I find myself using it maybe 1x a week. Whenever I need it, really. My GI said it's fine to use also, I think the risks involved are so minute. The warning is a way for the manufacturer to be free of liability, that's about it.
Posted 7/26/2012 5:29 PM (GMT 0)
To those of you that use it regularly, do you have formed stools or D? I'm scared it will constipate me because I have formed stools and although my urges are severe, sometimes I have to work at getting all my stool out.

Also, will your system become immune to immodium and stop working or worse, end up working against your system making you worse off than before?

And lastly, about how many hours of relief do you get (not having to "go" to the toilet) when you use immodium?

Thanks!
Posted 7/26/2012 7:41 PM (GMT 0)
when my boyfriend who has perfect bm's and no IBD , got a stomach bug the dr's told him to take immodium for the cramps , i was scared because i thought if the body needs to get something out you shouldnt try and stop it but NOPE  totally fine it has more uses than what thought to be!
Posted 7/26/2012 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
ps- pb4 i have used it with formed stools because i still  had urgency.  NO constipation problems at all! if you are curious try a half a pill ( i like the advance with gas reducer too) at the start of the day
good luck
i have never had any problems with it
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