Hello I'm new to the MC Forum!

[Jassy 2020]

Hi, I was diagnosed with MC about a year and half ago, and have had Psoriatic Arthritis for over 30 years. I've managed to cope with my Psoriatic Arthritis mostly by diet and supplements after initially taking some pretty major drugs back in the early 1990s. I wanted to get pregnant then, and so quit the drugs and decided to see a naturopath. The changes I made to diet and lifestyle had a good impact and I decided to keep off major drugs as much as possible going forward. Budesonide was suggested by my surgeon after biopsies from my Colonoscopy showed MC. I was almost desperate enough to try it, but then found this website online and decided to follow the diet suggestions here instead. I am happy to report that over a period of about 6 months I am mostly feeling much better. I've lost weight and am figuring out my triggers. I am using Imodium (Lopermide) dissolving tablets a once or twice/week to control diarrhea. I take 3 dissolving tablets initially, followed by another one or two depending on my symptoms. Do you think it is safe to take Imodium this often? I'm concerned that my colon may get used to having this drug and not work without it. Do you think this is a valid concern? I have ventured out on a few trips this summer, (finally after the COVID restrictions) and found it necessary to use the Imodium to manage away from home. Any thoughts on this approach appreciated. I recently received my first email newsletter and found the information there most helpful too. Great to find this supportive group and feel less alone and discouraged with this problem most of my friends have never heard of. Thank you!

[tex]

Hello,

Welcome to the group. As far as I can determine, Imodium is one of the safest medications available, and it's not likely to cause any major problems. That said, many of us have found that if we use certain medications as part of an everyday routine, our bodies eventually learn to adjust to that routine, and the medications begin to lose effectiveness. Some medications, such as diamine oxidase enzyme (DAO) supplements, and antihistamines, often tend to not only lose effectiveness, but they can actually cause the very symptoms they're being used to prevent. We all respond to medications differently, so the elapsed time before this happens can vary greatly. I have no idea whether Imodium is in that group, or not.

I can't take Imodium because it tends to make me dizzy, so I can't speak from personal experience, but that's not a common side effect. Probably the biggest risk is taking too much, and developing constipation, but that's a matter of simply adjusting the dose.

Again, welcome aboard.

Tex

[Jassy 2020]

Thank you Tex, I appreciate your comments! I found your book most helpful too. Kind regards, J.