Using Imodium....

Hi Elaine

Sorry to hear about your new dx.  My hubby has UC/CD and for D he has used Immodium but never with the other med your asking about so I cannot give you much info.  I would certainly think your physician will be  your best source.

I am sure you may hear from a member here that has some info for you.
Take care and know this forum is here for you.

Sincerely
Kitt

Elaine, those of us who have UC need to be very cautious with the use of Imodium. If you take too much, it can contribute to a condition called toxic megacolon, which basically means that your colon stops it's rhythmic movement and just expands as more and more waste collects. This put us at risk for a rupture of the colon wall, and that required emergency surgery to remove the colon and try to save our lives. Some GI doctors will approve it in small doses - usually no more than two or three times daily and not regularly - when we're stable.

Be sure to talk to your GI before taking more than a couple of doses. If the Canasa isn't getting things under control, he may want you to try enemas, which can be more effective, or oral medication.

Welcome to the UC forum, although I'm really sorry you've been diagnosed with this DD. Let us know how you're doing!

My doctor told me to take up to 8 a day during my last flare and I thought it made me worse becuase I was "flaring" and I only took three total and I was still going alot. I asked him afterward and he told me I didn't take enough and there was no way it made me go more times. It does make my bowel movemets different for the next few days though.

My doctor told me only to use it in for special occasions like for instance I was going on a long flight and really did not want to use the loo! He said it would be ok once in a while.

Well, I did not hear from doctor and had to go out yesterday so I took one Imodium and then one 4 hours later.  Still had to find a bathroom after lunch quickly but only once and not bad at all.

I have taken Imodium with my primary care doctor's ok in small amounts for years before DX with UC.  It has never made me constipated - helped a great deal as someone said when "necessary" such as plane trips, etc.

I really would not mind trying the enemas BUT I am too obsese (and embarrassed to say) I cannot administer enemas.  Maybe if Canasa is still not doing much in another week I will ask doc about the pills.

Thanks for all your advice - I can see doctors definitely have differeing opinions and yes, I have been concerned after reading about megacolon.

ElaineNY

bigphule - that is a LOT of steroids.  I will never take steroid except as a LAST resort.  I have seen what they do with my husband and COPD.

As for the Imodium.  I took 2 spaced out yesterday and NO BM today at all and no cramps, no pain - feeling great.  Wondering what will come later !!  Elaine

Interesting topic for me because Immodium use to work like a dream for me before I was daignosed with UC. After the UC it wouldn't do a darn thing for me, but Pepto-Bismol did?

YES - I used to take Pepto for nausea for along time until I diagnosed with UC and bleeding - it is like taking aspirin which could cause more problems with bleeding.

As for Canasa alone - that is for one more week.  I am sure when I see the gastro doc next week he will add other medication - he is very conservative and was hoping Canasa would heal and stop the bleeding.  Talked to him on phone after 3 weeks and he said to give it a couple more weeks.  I am extremely sensitive to medication and he knows that.

Imodium always worked good for diarrhea.  The "D" has stopped - especially after taking probiotics now I believe. Now if the bleeding would stop.  Cramping is minimal and only early mornings. 

Elaine

If memory serves, during my initial flare the majority of bleeding came from hemorrhoids. when I do have occasional bleeding, it tends to come along with that urge to push, etc. So I'm not sure if everything down there is just irritated or what. The canasa does help with the urge to go. but once I am on the throne, the urge to push doesn't seem to go away.

Thanks for the info on the Pepto related to being like asprin. Interesting that I was using it for D and also using Advil for Gout pain before this flare.

My husband had been diagnosed w UC and suffering w the gas and bloating and frequent running to the bathroom. I gave him the immodium AD but the follwoing day he stumbled up the real problem. He loves chewing sugar free gum, about 6 pieces a day. Look up sorbitol. It causes the symptoms everyon is taking the immodium for! He went one day without the gum and so far he is free and clear!!! I hope this helps...my hear goes out to all who suffer w this.