Depending on Imodiums

I have IBS-D for so many years now and for so long I would take so many Imodiums per day sometimes it would up to 10 tabs/day. I realize that it slows things down which it makes me feel better and I don't have as many BM. Now I reduced it to 2 tabs per day. When I get nervous and that my bowel are working I pop Imodiums right away...also I can't seem to go anywhere without taking at least one tab. Am I really addicted to it or do I depend on it? What can I do about it. I don't know what to do to stop stressing about it and finally relax and not depend on the tabs.
Please Help

[crumy]

You sound like me when it comes to feeling anxious about depending on something, but its hard when it makes your life a little easier.  I have had ibs-d for 16 years now and it has taken its toll on me physically and mentally, but what i want to tell you is for the first 3 years after my gallbladder was taken out and this whole bathroom situation started, i couldn't go from my house to the store 5 minutes away, i think it has alot to do with my head, but when i found a gastro doctor that could help me he put me on questron lite powder (generic cholestrymine) i take it twice a day mixed in water in the morning and before i go to bed, it has made a world of difference for me, i got my life back.  I still have to be careful what i eat because i have bad stomach problems, but for the  most part i can live a normal life.  I still have problems with my nerves and having to go, but the powder has been a life saver and it is not addicting, and it empty's out of your system.  For me if i were to take the imodium (immodium) i would get such severe back pain like i had before my gallbladder was removed.  I would talk with your doctor and start taking the questron lite.

let me know how you make out
crumy

[deni55]

Hi crumy(where'd you get that nickname??lol)

I could have wrote your post word for word almost. IBS-D or post GB surgery bile salt diarrhea .  On cholestryamine for several years now...a life saver.  Still have break-throughs if 'bad' food or 'bad' stress get to me.

Hi Joalbert

I've been using Immodium since practically the beginning of my symptoms 25 years ago.  I never used as many as you have per day, and that does concern me that you've had to up the doseage that much.  It's good that you're trying to tweak the dosage down considerably.

I think you're probably psychologically dependent on the Immodiums more than physically dependent.  It's hard to have IBS-D and not feel more secure when it helps control severe symptoms.

I know if I take Immodium more out of psychological needs (what if's), I end up getting a real bad case of 'rebound effect' , and that's no picnic either!!  Not being able to go for almost 3 days is NOT what you want to happen.  

I take cholestryamine to help firm up the bms, and a slight dosage of antidepressant (Elavil) to slow down the urgency and frequency.  And when I work, I pop a 1/2 tablet of Immodium each day.  This seems to keep me as close to normal as I 've ever been able to get.

If you haven't talked to your GI lately about trying different regimens, it might be worth your time and effort..and money.  I don't believe Immodium is physically addictive, but having to have such a high dosage seems to point that your symptoms aren't being controlled too well with just using it.

[Joalbert]

Thanks for the reply....it's been three days now that I haven't taken Imodiums, I do have a couple more BMs, but they seem to be okay at the moment as long as I eat the right foods. I am on Elavil as well...i think it's helping me a little to not stress to much. But when I get stressed...it does get to me.

I know I can get addicted to Imodium (immodium) but mentally I depend on it so that's why I'm trying not to take it at all and see how I am.

[raquel414]

hi, im new to the community,and came across your story..i too am a vegetarian, and have been for about 12yrs now. i usually dont have a huge appetite,(especially right now after having had a horrible dental experiance), but when i do eat, it's usually very healthy. i haven't been diagnosed w/ ibs, but i beleive i have this condition. the thing is, i suffer from, severe anxiety, and my therapist said it's anxiety related when i get upset, and have to run to the bathroom, just nerves they say...does your stomach  just get upset when you are stressed , or does this happen no matter what?

[Joalbert]

Yeah it does actually...thats what IBS do, stress does make you go.It's hard to control, theres not much I can do about it. Have you seen a Gastroenterologist? DO you have any allergies to food, I mean thats what IBS do, theres a lot of food that I can't eat.

[aliwitsend]

Well, I know someone most likely with IBS-DDDDDD,  especially the DDDD.  So after
a lifetime of living like this, some doctor (not the GI doctor) recommended 50mg nortriptyline at bedtime.  And do go to bed, you might be a little wobbly if you have
to get up  in the middle of  the night.  But it does slow the gut down some.  It is an
off-label use, but does help some people.  Ask about the side effects before you decide if you want to try it.  And seems preferable to  the other problem.  Immodium is pretty
heavy duty.