High doses of Imodium

Lucy_B · Post by **Lucy_B** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 10:00 pm

Hi, all! Does anyone out there use high doses of Imodium on a daily basis? I've taken 4 pills/day for months now, which definitely lessens the frequency/urgency but does not produce formed BM's. It in NO way constipates me, like I've seen others here report. Haha, I wish that were the case! That's pretty much what I'm going for. :) Would it help to add two more pills a day, do you think? I'm also taking Lialda, but I doubt it's had enough time to work yet. Haven't noticed any real differences after a week on 4.8 g. Anyway, it sounds like a lot of you get bound up by even small amounts of Imodium, but I'm wondering if there are any others like me who derive benefit from higher doses? It's a little concerning that 4 pills/day isn't stopping the trains from running, lol...guess my gut must be in dire straits. :) It's weird, I have absolutely no pain and very little cramping/gas. I just poop a lot. And I can't seem to gain any weight. Putting on some pounds is honestly my #1 priority right now (aside from gut healing, of course). Any chance more Imodium might help slow things down enough to assist with the healing process while I'm trying other stuff? My doc says it's safe long term at high doses, but I'm interested in hearing others' experiences. Thanks!!

Lucy

Tor · Post by **Tor** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 12:19 am

I went 20 years prior to diagnosis, and used a lot of Imodium. In the latter years 6 tablets a day reduced my BM's from 8-10 to 5-6 (still watery). On some days I'd even take 8 tablets. I think it's quite safe, but it doesn't do anything for the inflammation. IMHO diet changes, cholestyramine and Entocort (in that order) are much better tools dealing with MC.

-- Tor

Lilja · Post by **Lilja** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 3:42 am

Hi,

I agree with Tor. Imodium doesn't reduce inflammation, it's just (a good) bandaid. My doctors told me I could take up to 12 tablets a day, but I never did.

I've never tried cholestyramine, only Entocort, but if D comes back, I'll definitely ask for cholestyramine. All posts from you guys, especially Polly, Tex and Tor, have convinced me that we might also be dealing with a bile acid problem.

In the meantime I continue my strict diet

Lilia

JFR · Post by **JFR** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 4:07 am

When things were at their worst I would take up to 6 immodium at one time to stop the WD, only to have it return the next time I ate anything. Diet change is the key to getting better. I can't remember the last time I had to use immodium but I am very strict with my diet, over 3 years after removing gluten (all grains really), dairy, soy, eggs, chicken and beef, the only one I have added back, and then just occasionally, is beef plus I can eat raw vegetables again. I do not eat fruit either.

Jean

Lucy_B · Post by **Lucy_B** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 7:01 am

Thanks, everyone! Yes, I'm definitely working on the inflammation via diet changes, Lialda, stress reduction, supplements, etc. I was just wondering if the Imodium might help those other things to work a bit better. Slowing down motility (in my mind) seems to make sense in terms of reducing gut irritation from WD. Glad others have used high doses with no problems. Not familiar with cholestyramine...definitely gonna look into that.

Lucy

crervin · Post by **crervin** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 11:37 am

Jean,

Do you recall how long it took after your strict diet changes that you experienced normal BMs?

Thank you

JFR · Post by **JFR** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 2:21 pm

Martha,

I don't remember. I wasn't as focused on normal as I was on stopping the nearly constant wd, day and night, that made it impossible to leave the house and often impossible to leave the bathroom. At first all I wanted to do was slow things down and if I remember correctly that happened pretty quickly once I removed gluten, dairy, soy, eggs, beef, rice and chicken from my diet. In fact there were about 2 weeks when all I ate was ground lamb. While waiting for my Enterolab results all I ate was ground beef and that slowed things down. Then beef came back as a moderate sensitivity on the Enterolab test so I switched from ground beef to ground lamb. Normal was a much longer time coming and progress wasn't always linear but for me I just wanted to be able to leave the house, eat without always rushing to the bathroom and sleep without worrying about having to change the sheets in the middle of the night.

Jean

crervin · Post by **crervin** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 3:48 pm

Thank you Jean! That really helps. Just when I think I've got it calmed down, another issue shows up. So glad you are on track now! Can't wait until I'm posting my recovery!

RKrumland · Post by **RKrumland** » Thu Oct 22, 2015 12:03 am

Pre MC/LC DX I took Imodium for years for sometimes infrequent, sometimes seemingly near chronic diarrhea which was sometimes bothersome but not terrible. Last few years always took 2 tabs per day, often 4, and occasionally 6-8 if things got really bad. It always worked -- slowed things down within a day or so. I never felt like I was having any ill effects or bad side effects.

Told my FP docs about this at regular checkups. They said I shouldn't take so much Imodium, but when pressed they never had a good reason for that advice IMO. And they didn't have any good alternatives to suggest.

Lately, however, I've learned about possible anticholinergic effects of Imodium as well as many other drugs, including many antihistamines, I've taken in the past. Anticholinergic side effects include memory problems, mental confusion, "brain fog", disorientation, drowsiness, balance and walking problems, etc. I certainly have developed some of those, but I always attributed it to my advancing years -- turned 70 last June. But maybe the drugs had some effect? Don't know. Remember, I said "possible".

BTW elsewhere on this site -- I don't remember where -- folks were talking about the latest formulations of both branded Imodium and the generic, loperamide, which contain "anhydrous lactose". Why they would put anything with lactose in it in an anti-diarrheal remedy is a good question. Following someone's suggestions there I checked at my local Walgreen's this evening, and their Walgreen's branded Anti-Diarrheal Loperamide product does not contain any lactose. Maybe it's old stock they're just selling off -- don't know. I bought a large bottle and may well go back and get some more. (Usually get generic at Costco or Sam's where it's a lot cheaper, but has lactose in it now.) Just FYI.

-- Rand