Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis Support Group

I figured it wasn't such a good thing, but it's almost like a friggin' miracle for a day! What was their alternative?

asacol on top of the lialda for now till thursdays appointment with the GI

Imodium is the "anit-diarhea" stuff right? Well, I know when I had a stomache bug in the past (which I catch every time) and I took that stuff, I was constipated to the point of ending up in the ER. I would not think taking that would be good, especially know what it did to me, and so I will never take it again. I mean, it helped that day, but the next day I was sick. BAD Which I have an unusual case. I experience constipation not diarhea. I guess because of the strictures, really don't know. But I take stool softners and laxitive 2 times a day.

luvcats,

My GI for the past 9 years advised me if I wanted to have more 'regular' bowel movements, that I could take Immodium (tablets). One of the last times I saw him, I was trying to explain that I was taking fiber capsules and that seemed to help me slow the frequency of having to use the toilet. So his advice was, if I'm not having any issues with the fiber... or a common symptom it causes (aka GAS), then continue that. I later tried taking the Immodium, but it got expensive. I would wait til it would go on sale at local drug stores, and stock up... seriously! If they were out, I would get a raincheck for another time. Then go to another store and make sure I had a back-up supply.

So yeah, this got expensive... I later called my doctor, as he advised of something that would help in place of Immodium. Turns out, it's cheaper too. Instead of getting a week supply of Immodium... I can get a 3-4 month supply (400 pills) for roughly the same price (through my healthcare provider).

LOMOTIL is the name of the drug. Search it up on www.webmd.com it's a narcotic also, with some side effects, but lately... it's been a lifesaver. With my job, a restroom is not always conveniently located nearby, so sometimes I will take 2 pills (2.5mg each), and that calms my stomach/gut, and it actually DOES give me 'formed' BM's.

Good Luck!

Even though it is frustrating, it isn't the best drug for UC or CD. Some GIs will allow a person to use it sparingly but the problem is if you slow the bowel function down too much you stand a chance of causing more severe problems. With your colon already compromised from the disease it is easier cause a tear (perforation) or toxic megacolon. Hopefully your GI will find a way to get you into remission.

John

I have been using imodium several times a week to slow things down. I had read that it is OK for UC on the Crohns and Colitis Foudation website in a disease information brochure for UC. I had to call my MD this moring to check in and I asked him about it. We'll see what he says. I have to go out of town for work next week and had planned to take lots of imodium to help me manage the trip. I have a 7 hour car ride with two co-workers a part of which is through a national forest so I am concerned about something very embarassing happening. I'm glad you shared your doctors warning with us. Its been on my mind too. I'll reply again when I hear what my GI doc thinks...

I have not been told this. I use it and the dr. said it was ok.

It could be a individual basis also or a drs opinion... i am now on lots of asacol, lialda,, entocort .. i hope it works soon

I have been told that imodium is bad for crohn's disease by some dr's, but I have to take about 4 pills of it a day along with azathioprine to be able to leave the house.

I actually have the opposite problem (constipation). If you want something cheaper, you may want to try iron supplements. I had to take those because I was border line anemic and I can tell you they slowed me down big time. It also may make stool difficult to pass because the iron not adsorbed makes the stool harder.

Fiber will also work LongieWithCrohns said, but you may have gas problems.

As an aside, don't use stimulant laxatives as a Crohn's patient (Ex-Lax, Dulcolax).

Good luck.