Question for Imodium Users

I have started using Imodium. No matter how GOOD I eat I still have pudding to runny poo. It is frustrating and if I do not stay on top of it, painful. I had IBS before my surgery but I only went every other day so it was not an inflammatory issue. Going twice a day has caused me to have serious hemorrhoids and inflammation. I have had to resort to enema's every morning to clean the acidic poop off/out and creams, gels and prednisone daily to keep the swelling down. It works somewhat so that I am not screaming in pain all day. It is just about an hour to two hours of my life spent doctoring and in the bathroom. That is tolerable. 

I am taking four Imodium a day. Mornin, noon, eve and bedtime. Just one. It does not seem to do much. My question for the vets that take Imodium is... How much do you take in a day? The bottle says no more than four a day. I know we do not absorb normally so am I able to take more than four a day? Four does not seem to do very much. 

Also, for those about to ask, I do take Calcium four times a day as well as extra iron. I have done the food deduction test to see if anything is doing this to me. So I have used all the advice I can think of. I had a round of Flagyl. I am using Probiotics and Keefer. I spent 200.00 on probiotics this month. I think my flora is fine. I do not smell that bad. I just have acidic poo. I do take a PPI every day too. My poo is not always acidic though just usually first thing in the morning. It is pudding consistency usually. Any advice is welcome of course. I really am appreciative for it. 

I would eat/take fiber to bulk up the stool. And reduce the fat in my diet to see if that may help. Also changing your probiotic may help. 

Good Luck

Looks like majority suggests fiber. I will try it. Thanks!

The pudding consistency is normal for me but I don't have the acidic problems you describe..  I was told we could double or triple the normal dose but long term it would probably be better to try fiber perhaps or a week of lower fat.  Also as time goes on and your body continues to adapt to the surgery this issue may disappear.

Four and a half years out, and I still have acidic poo, although it's not as bad as when my DS was new.

My wonder drug was extra Calcium, and my body let me know when I missed a dose.

I used liquid Immodium from the beginning, and it worked very well for me...and a lot faster!

Liquid meds are not a bad thing for us...sometimes they work better, sometimes not. The thing about

liquids that sets us apart from other surgeries, is that they are not a *requiirement* for us - but most

definitely an option if you find one that works better than the dry counterpart.

If you are drinking juice, try to go with low-acid varieties.

Okay, Thanks ladies and gents. I am going to try some liquid Imodium, double the dose. I will increase my fiber as well. I think I am pretty maxed out on calcium. I take 1200mg twice a day. maybe I will try taking another dose of calcium during the day. I will work with all three suggestions and see where it gets me. 

I'm not sure this will help but maybe you could break out the calcium into more doses through the day instead of the 2 1200mg doses?

I just wonder if that would give you more "firming" up from the calcium.

Pete

I was kinda considering this myself, Pete. I will try that today and see if it helps. Thanks!

I've heard that we can only absorb about 600 mg of calcium every 2 hours. I break up my 2,520 mg daily calcium into 4 doses throughout the day at least 2 hours apart and 4 hours away from iron.

First of all - congratulations on your weight loss! That's awesome.

I'm so sorry you're having digestive problems.  They have plagued me for many years - and while this may not work for everyone - I just wanted to share what worked for me. I went gluten-free, and sugar-free (altho the gluten free was more important) - and I use Benefiber twice a day.  That stuff has changed my life.  You can't taste it, see it, or feel any grit.  I could put it in plain ice water if I wanted, and never know its there.  I just happen to put it in plain spiced chai tea.  SEVERE bowel issues are gone.  After a decade and a half of issues. Good luck!