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Anyone Take Immodium For Their Bowel Issues

willabec

By willabec
in Related Issues & Disorders

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willabec Contributor
willabec
Posted

Just wanted to know if anyone out there takes Immodium to help with their bowels? I was diagnosed with celiac 8 years ago and for the past 1-2 years (at least that's what i can remember) i have rarely had a normal bowel movement. Immodium really seems to help but i only take it once in a while. Dr. thinks maybe a pancreatic insufficiency, but the enzymes only helped for a little while. then we thought colitis, that med. helped for a little while but that's it. i know i will have to suck it up and have a colonoscopy, but in the meantime, i am trying to figure out why this is happening or at least to control it. One day the movement can be "ok" and then the next "foamy" and loose and that can happen all in one day or a week. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

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Roda Rising Star
Roda
Posted

I can sympathize with you. I've been gluten free now for 1 yr 8 months. Out of the blue starting this Jan. I started with the horrible heartburn. I originally was thinking I was getting gluten somewhere (my reactions usually are heartburn, burping and constipation) but then I started getting a pinching sensation in my RUQ and pain in the epigastric region. Then came the bloating and diarrhea. The heartburn is better and the epigastric pain is gone, but the diarrhea has progressively gotten worse. I was living on immodium. I got to one point that it did not matter what I ate. I had a gallbladder ultrasound (normal) a HIDA scan (suboptimal gallbladder function at 48%, GI told me they like it at least 50%) and a repeat upper scope that showed esophagitis, gastritis and a stomach ulcer. My small bowel biopsy was normal this time. I've been taking zantac for the reflux and to heal the ulcer (I was negative for H. pylori) and that has helped the heartburn and stomach/epigastric pain. However the bloating and diarrhea gotten worse that I had some stool testing. I had a colonoscopy in Dec. 2008 so GI did not think I needed another. I am trying a trial of welchol for the diarrhea. It has helped some, but not all. I still have to watch the "fat". I originally did a trial of dairy free thinking that was the problem. My symptoms actually got worse. I do think it has something to do with a dysfunctional gallbladder or pancreatic insufficiency and the doctor mentioned about doing stool testing for that next. I still take immodium occasionally but that's no way to live either. I am unable to take the welchol as prescribed because it will interact with my thyroid medications. I am supposed to take three pills with breakfast and three with supper. I've only been able to take the three with supper. What tests and enzymes did you take for the pancreas?

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

I think you should have a colonoscopy and have the doctor do stool testing for bacteria and possible parasites if that hasn't been done already.

You should also consider that you may have another intolerance. Are you eating soy and dairy? They are the most common other intolerances for us. You could try eliminating both completely for a bit and see if it helps. Also have you made sure any scripts and supplements are gluten free and are you avoiding CC issues in your home, restaurants and work environment?

As far as Immodium goes I virtually lived off it prediagnosis. I don't know if all of the forms are gluten free so do check. If memory serves me the caplets are safe but I could be wrong. I haven't taken it in a long time because when I get glutened I want that stuff out of my system asap. It may help stop the D but you really need to get to the root of what is causing the issue.

sunnybabi1986 Contributor
sunnybabi1986
Posted

I started taking Align (a probiotic) last year before I knew I had a gluten problem. It cleared up a LOT of my tummy/intestinal issues and when I went gluten free, I stopped taking it. Apparently a mistake, as my tummy issues came back.

It seems that my body needs probiotics to function properly?

In any case, probiotics were what sealed the deal for me, as far as fixing the rest of my tummy/intestinal issues.

Maybe they'd be worth a try?

modiddly16 Enthusiast
modiddly16
Posted

I take immodium for emergency purposes but not regularly. It can really cause more damage than good if you use it regularly...that's not to say I haven't had brutal weeks where I absolutely cannot miss work or have something scheduled and have taken immodium several days straight, which I don't recommend but sometimes life gets in the way and your celiac stomach doesn't want to cooperate!

willabec Contributor
willabec
Posted
  • Author

I can sympathize with you. I've been gluten free now for 1 yr 8 months. Out of the blue starting this Jan. I started with the horrible heartburn. I originally was thinking I was getting gluten somewhere (my reactions usually are heartburn, burping and constipation) but then I started getting a pinching sensation in my RUQ and pain in the epigastric region. Then came the bloating and diarrhea. The heartburn is better and the epigastric pain is gone, but the diarrhea has progressively gotten worse. I was living on immodium. I got to one point that it did not matter what I ate. I had a gallbladder ultrasound (normal) a HIDA scan (suboptimal gallbladder function at 48%, GI told me they like it at least 50%) and a repeat upper scope that showed esophagitis, gastritis and a stomach ulcer. My small bowel biopsy was normal this time. I've been taking zantac for the reflux and to heal the ulcer (I was negative for H. pylori) and that has helped the heartburn and stomach/epigastric pain. However the bloating and diarrhea gotten worse that I had some stool testing. I had a colonoscopy in Dec. 2008 so GI did not think I needed another. I am trying a trial of welchol for the diarrhea. It has helped some, but not all. I still have to watch the "fat". I originally did a trial of dairy free thinking that was the problem. My symptoms actually got worse. I do think it has something to do with a dysfunctional gallbladder or pancreatic insufficiency and the doctor mentioned about doing stool testing for that next. I still take immodium occasionally but that's no way to live either. I am unable to take the welchol as prescribed because it will interact with my thyroid medications. I am supposed to take three pills with breakfast and three with supper. I've only been able to take the three with supper. What tests and enzymes did you take for the pancreas?

the dr. only did a stool test which came back with a higher than normal fat content, but i don't know how much higher than normal it was. i am doing another stool test next week to see if it's any worse or better.the enzymes he prescribed is Creon 24. Like i said, it worked briefly plus it is very expensive! if it turns out that i need to take more than 1 pill per meal, i would be out of it in less than a month and it costs about $380 for a months worth!! Crazy! My symptoms seem to exhibit ones that describe pancreatic insufficiency, but so do other issues! it is very frustrating!

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