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What Are Your Thoughts On Anti-Diarrhea Meds?


carecare

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carecare Enthusiast

Are they safe to use? I have been miserable lately...and have to wait until Dec. 12 for my endoscopy before I can go gluten free again. This past week has been particularly bad. I was telling my husband I feel like my intestines are dry heaving...well, not dry but you know when you have that involuntary stomach movement when dry heaving or vomiting...but it's my intestines. It's so uncomfortable. I am guessing my intestines are spasming pretty severely when this is happening. I used to take anti diarrhea meds when traveling if I had any stomach issues and they helped a ton. I'm wondering if it's safe to take them on a regular basis to relieve the cramping. My visits to the bathroom this week have been horrible...and I don't feel like moving or having anyone near me or touch me for hours after. Gosh, I can't wait until I can eat healthy again...and never have gluten again.


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ravenwoodglass Mentor

Have you called the doctor and told them how severe your reaction is? If not do so. Ask to speak to a nurse if your doctor doesn't do call backs. This is especially the case if your D is waking you up at night as that is a typical Celiac symptoms and not a symptom of IBS. Some will call off the challenge or they may put you on a cancelation list to get you in sooner. They may also be able to prescribe an antispasmodic or anticholeragenic to help you get through it. Your body is telling you what you needed to know and I am sorry you are having to go through this.

As to taking Immodium, well I lived off multiple doses a day for about 15 years. If you have to leave your home then go ahead and take it. If you can be at home then I would let the offending substance leave your body as much as possible.

Do keep in mind that you can still have negative biopsy results even after going through the challenge so do go back to the diet if it helped as soon as the biopsy is done.

kendon0015 Rookie

If you have any chance of having a bacterial overgrowth causing the diarrhea, DO NOT take anti-D meds. It keeps the bacteria in your intestines, which is counter productive.

mushroom Proficient

Sometimes necessary, but a long-term no-no. I have a neice who travels often around the Pacific islands and one of her suitcase staples is "starters" and "stoppers" :D Plus I think she is probably also one of the great undiagnosed (her mother is an unbeliever).

Skylark Collaborator

I agree that you need to talk to your Dr. There are prescription anti-spasmodics that can relieve cramping and your Dr. can probably find you something safe to use daily until your scope.

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    • trents
      You might consider asking for a referral to a RD (Registered Dietician) to help with food choices and planning a diet. Even apart from any gluten issues, you will likely find there are some foods you need to avoid because of the shorter bowel but you may also find that your system may make adjustments over time and that symptoms may improve.
    • Ello
      I wish Dr’s would have these discussions with their patients. So frustrating but will continue to do research. Absolutely love this website. I will post any updates on my testing and results.  Thank you
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      Losing 12" of your small bowel is going to present challenges for you in nutritional uptake because you are losing a significant amount of nutritional absorption surface area. You will need to focus on consuming foods that are nutritionally dense and also probably look at some good supplements. If indeed you are having issues with gluten you will need to educate yourself as to how gluten is hidden in the food supply. There's more to it than just avoiding the major sources of gluten like bread and pasta. It is hidden in so many things you would never expect to find it in like canned tomato soup and soy sauce just to name a few. It can be in pills and medications.  Also, your "yellow diarrhea, constipation and bloating" though these are classic signs of a gluten disorder, could also be related to the post surgical shorter length of your small bowel causing incomplete processing/digestion of food.
    • Ello
      Yes this information helps. I will continue to be pro active with this issues I am having. More testing to be done. Thank you so much for your response. 
    • trents
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