HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Imodium and Pepto to combat UC flare

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 12/12/2011 10:08 PM (GMT 0)
What are peoples thoughts on daily long term Imodium use to treat UC diarrhea? I'm trying to break a flare without using prednisone and one of the problems is the constant diarrhea sometimes bloody and sometimes not, the Imodium does seem to help but I'm getting a little concerned about the daily use of this product now going on about 2 months. Can this product be used indefinitely without destroying my inerds? My flare is taking much longer to resolve than I had hoped so I keep taking the Imodium and all the other things trying to beat the flare, I'm just wondering about the Imodium use and sometimes Pepto.
Posted 12/12/2011 10:33 PM (GMT 0)
Be careful of the anti-diarrhea meds. It can slow the gut down which in turn can make it lazy or increase the chance of toxic mega colon. Are you on rectal meds? What meds are you on?
Posted 12/12/2011 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
Neither of those medications are for treating UC; they only treat the symptoms but do nothing to reduce inflammation which is what's causing your discomfort. When I had UC I was told by my GI to only use imodium sparingly, and for a short time e.g., a long car ride.

I agree that you shouldn't be using prednisone to treat flares. There are lots of other UC meds that reduce inflammation that you can try.

Sue
Posted 12/12/2011 10:39 PM (GMT 0)
4 Lialda a day
L-Glutamine
Fish Oil
Probiotic
SCD Diet
Quercetin
Imodium
Posted 12/12/2011 10:57 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think Immod. and Pepto s a solution except as very short-term. I don't believe you can break a flare with them, just mask it until things get worse.

You're going to have to look into other ways to eliminate the D.
For me diet modification fixed the D and mesalamine enemas help urgency and bleeding.
I have no idea what the meds are doing/not doing but keep taking them anyway lol.
Posted 12/13/2011 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
I only use immodium occasionally and Pepto has aspirin in it I think which is a no no for UC. You should definetely be on some rectal meds.
Posted 12/13/2011 12:34 PM (GMT 0)
Immodium and pepto will do nothing for the flare. Just help with the symptom of diarrhea. I have used immodium weekly for years now with no issues. With the possible side effects of the other drugs we take immodium is my least concern.
Posted 12/13/2011 1:17 PM (GMT 0)
I also follow the SCD and have found that cutting out all dairy (even the yogurt) greatly reduced the amount of diarrhea I had.
Posted 12/13/2011 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
I use Immodum 1-2x a week- only when I have to leave the house & am having a bad day. It won't do anything to combat a flare, but will let you go about your business without worrying about accidents!

Posted 12/13/2011 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
I cannot use Immodium - makes my stomach worse. Pepto never did anything for me, either. To my understanding you shouldn't use these products if you have UC because it increases your chances of Toxic Megacolon.

What helped me when I had bad diarrhea was peppermint oil pills. Pepogest, specifically. Maybe you could try something like that?
Posted 12/13/2011 7:44 PM (GMT 0)
I usually use anti-diarrheals (Bentyl) along with Pred to get BMs under control but usually thats only for 5-6 days till Pred starts showing its effect. You are not going to get away without Pred if its acute flare. If you are in remission, you won't have diarrhea. If you have diarrhea, most likely you are in flare and you need to take appropriate meds.

suebear said...

I agree that you shouldn't be using prednisone to treat flares. There are lots of other UC meds that reduce inflammation that you can try.

Sue

From my knowledge and experience, there is nothing other than Pred to get your acute flare under control. The other drugs that we take are maintenance drugs. They don't treat your flare.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply