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Posted 4/14/2015 2:17 AM (GMT 0)
Does anyone know the risks of using Imodium daily? It's basicly the only way I can go to work etc
Posted 4/14/2015 2:20 AM (GMT 0)
Does it really help a lot? I've never tried it and I always wonder if maybe it would have been my wonder drug. I am doing really well right now so there wouldn't be much point but next time I flare, I definitely giving it a try. My GI said I could. You could always contact yours and ask how much you can use and how often.
Posted 4/14/2015 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
There's the risk of toxic mega colon but I have no idea what the specifics/likelyhood would be. I'm sure many things factor into that risk.
Posted 4/14/2015 2:23 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the response lady :) yes it helps me a lot. It slows me down so it makes it bearable. Especially when I'm stressed and out and about I can have accidents it helps me not have them
Posted 4/14/2015 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
I asked my doctor about Imodium once and he said "one a day, if you must." Very sternly lol. Also don't know the likelihood of toxic mega colon, but I really don't want to add that to my list of illnesses. It didn't help me anyways.
Posted 4/14/2015 5:39 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah I'm not sure. I have told my dr I use it before and he hasn't said it is dangerous but I'm gonna ask again
Posted 4/14/2015 5:42 AM (GMT 0)
There's a story on ihaveuc.com, a guy named Ben that swears by it.
Posted 4/14/2015 12:10 PM (GMT 0)
Definitely consult with your doctor but if you Google imodium and toxic mega colon some info comes up.
Posted 4/14/2015 1:58 PM (GMT 0)
Yes I did look it up and saw some info on toxic megacolon but I wonder if that's if you take over the limit of pills for the day? I'm gonna read more I was too tired to read them last night

Dmc- yeah I have looked up some info on forums and there are a lot of ppl with ibs that use it every day. I'm not sure if the game
Changes if you have UC vs Ibs tho
Posted 4/14/2015 2:09 PM (GMT 0)
I live off of imodium. curious of the long term side effects as well.. yet apparently not curious enough to not take it.

I can't go out anywhere without taking a couple. even if I feel fine, my anxiety gives me the "what ifs" and I take some anyway.
Posted 4/14/2015 2:17 PM (GMT 0)
swaz- i do the same thing. i get the anxiety as well even if things are manageable that day
Posted 4/14/2015 4:01 PM (GMT 0)
I am pretty sure my GI told me I could take multiple a day when I was doing poorly but I was too scared. Although things were crazy and I was going a ton, it was somewhat predictable if I didn't eat a lot. I worried that imodium might make me have a major explosion. I am definitely trying it when my UC acts up. It sounds like it could be extremely helpful. My GI did say that imodium can cause what sounded to me like a pent up explosion. When I am flaring things are explosive regardless, can it really be that much worse? You guys should reach out to your GIs and ask. I wish i could remember what mine told me, but regardless, everyone is different and it may be different advice from your GI.
Posted 4/14/2015 8:18 PM (GMT 0)
I have been taking Imodium for years, have the same concerns. Now I take it on Monday, not on Tuesday, then Wednesday and so on. Noticed that it does carry over to the next day. If Tuesday starts going bad then I take it on Tuesday. All in all I could not live without it, when I do take it guarantees I am going to have a good day.
Posted 4/14/2015 10:20 PM (GMT 0)
Notsosickly- yes I haven't been told about the megatoxic colon from my Gi with imodium before but I'm gonna ask about it. I Prob worded that wrong haha. But it has slowed me down so I can work etc, hard not to want to use it

Fernando- yes I am in your boat
Posted 4/14/2015 11:59 PM (GMT 0)
My GI told me to use it if it works, but to use as little as possible to slow things down, even if that means a half tab. He also said I could use it even if I was having solid bm's (some days I go 6-8 times but formed, he said I could use it on those types of days too). He asked if I ever got constipation (I don't) and didn't seem concerned that it would put me at risk of mega colon. I don't use it daily, just when I need some assurance or can't be tied to a bathroom all day. My system moves REALLY fast ( notes on various tests like barium swallow and mri that things just rocket through me) so it does help slow things down and make life manageable. I googled long term side effects before and didn't find much, other than many state their body became dependant on it and or required more and more to have a useful effect. I've been using it regularly for 15+ years and it still works. The only time it was useless was in my horrible flare and it didn't slow things down at all, that was devistating, I thought it no longer worked for me, but once the inflammation was down it started working again, phew!

Check with your GI to be sure it's safe for you though, just in case!
Posted 4/15/2015 3:19 AM (GMT 0)
Toomuchpoopin- for sure I am gonna ask. I hope the answer is yes Cuz I've been using it a long time lol
Posted 4/15/2015 11:34 AM (GMT 0)
The toxic Megacolon risk is when you have CDiff or infection. Some people report nausea with heavy use. It's a pretty benign drug when used in moderation. Now that my daughter has a jpouch, they want her taking it daily, up to 8 per day is ok. When she needed to make it thru school with UC, she took it every other day, then upped it. Eventually that was not enough. Doc said now that if the Immodium did not work, it was a sign of infection(pouchitis). So, I guess you have to be tuned in to your poop always!
Posted 4/16/2015 1:07 AM (GMT 0)
I take three daily
Posted 4/18/2015 2:26 PM (GMT 0)
How does your body react to Imodium and how long does it take to kick in?

For example if I take a pill at 9am can I expect not to have bowel movements for X # of hours after 10am or so?
Posted 4/18/2015 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
My GI told me to take imodium as I need to "live." I take it 2-3 times a week if i know I'm going out for an extended period. I take 1 with usually 2-3 metamucils.

If I have a 9am appointment I usually get up around 6:30 and take one....then get all the usual pooping out. I don't eat until I know for sure it's working
Posted 4/18/2015 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
My GI told me to take imodium as I need to "live." I take it 2-3 times a week if i know I'm going out for an extended period. I take 1 with usually 2-3 metamucils.

If I have a 9am appointment I usually get up around 6:30 and take one....then get all the usual pooping out. I don't eat until I know for sure it's working
Posted 4/18/2015 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
My UC always caused diarrhea so even multiple pills taken at once did little to help me during a flare.
During remission I used several a day so help slow things though.
If you're easily constipated then just take 1 and see.
I agree about taking Metamucil (or similar) to add bulk and help keep things from stopping up.

10 years ago I recall being blasted in here when I said I took 7 at a time - as though I was suddenly at risk of toxic mega colon. I would have had to drink a cup of dry cement to slow me down, lol.

Know your body is key. My sister has UC and suffers from constipation and I didn't have constipation until last year (first time in my life) and it was only because I had to take extra pain pills for travel as I was finally healed enough that they stopped things up for 8 hours past my normal morning bm...it is a rather uncomfortable feeling.
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