Immodium

Is it okay to take immodium in a flare of proctitis

The one time I took it, i didn't use the restroom for 4 days, then all hell broke loose. Be very careful.

I use it daily! I live on it. My doctor approves and told me to never be afraid to use it.

Start with the recommended dose and work your way up. Actually I started with 1 and gradually go to where I know I can take 3 at one time. It keeps me safe from the bathroom for a couple of hours at most. I take it in the morning to start my day and in the late afternoon for the drive home. On weekends and holidays I take a break from it unless I need to be out on the weekend.

I go through a bottle a month, and I'm not talking about small bottles. Ask your doctor about it first, but it's usually safer than what you're led to believe online.

Post Edited (xeekk) : 12/17/2012 11:04:58 AM (GMT-7)

I disagree that it's dangerous to take if you don't have D. If you have an issue with frequency or urgency, it can- especially for those of us with mild IBD that is combined with IBS. It can Essentially normalize both frequency and urgency if taken regularly. I usually take 2 after breakfast, and havng doen my business (maybe one, maybe 2-3 times) before and/or just after breakfast, this lets me be done for the day, and if I need to go again in the late evening, as is occasionally ghe case, it is not an issue- it has more or less worn off by then. No blockage effect,just a great sense of security during the day for me. It could be dangerous if in a bad flare or with sevely ctuve disease, I'll grant- so i would tend to say that wi severe and frequent D it would be more dangerous than with formed or semi formed stool but frequency and urgency issues.

I personally don't think it's a great idea to rely on it, because it's not addressing the cause of the diarrhea, which is inflammation. So to use it day in and day out for years might cause more problems in the long run -- not because of the Immodium itself, but because of the uncontrolled inflammation. I do, however, think it's ok to use occasionally when you're flaring and really need to have some level of control for a bit.

I take it if I really have too...maybe 1-2x month..only if I will be in a place I know won't have bathrooms or a long car ride. It's safe if used sparingly. One tablet does it for me. Of course, you should ask your doctor, but my doctor said it was fine.

I'm in the camp of fruitgirl...I've never taken imodium, but i would think that if there was somewhere I had to be, i might consider it.

But if I needed it, I'd definitely be flaring...and my meds would be upped for sure.

I would always caution someone with having a false sense of everything's OK if diarrhea is controlled.

Regarding j-pouchers...they have no colon to slow things down or absorb water..different reason for using it.

q

immodium made my life somewhat manageable -

i don't think anyone claims it's a cure - it's a tool -

and at least if you drop this tool on your foot, it doesn't hurt - unless you throw your back out bending over to pick it up -