can you take fiber and imodium?
#280761 - 09/03/06 07:20 PM
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julief42
Reged: 10/10/05
Posts: 14
Loc: Michigan
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I was just wondering if its safe to take both. I had started to take fiber pills but, then I felt like I was going a lot more. I was just wondering if I get this way from the fiber is it safe to take imodium? I asked the pharmacist and he said I couldnt but, I did not mention I had IBS so I thought maybe this would make the difference.I have IBS-A Julie
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If you are introducing a fiber supplement into your diet, you may experience the need to use the bathroom more often. It's because your body is not used to the fiber and is acclimating to it. Your best bet is to start with half-dose and gradual increase the dose as to avoid having to use the bathroom. You can take Imodium so long as your need to use the bathroom is food/fiber related as opposed to your body trying to rid itself of toxins (i.e. viral infection).
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I just started taking Fibercon this morning (just one pill..and then I'm going to take 1 pill tonight). I just read that I may need to use the bathroom more often for awhile until my body gets used to the fiber...does that mean generally regular bowel movements or urgent d? I can't afford to have d this week (or anytime for that matter) but I want to be prepared. And if I take Immodioum, then I won't really know what is really working...the Immodium, the EFI diet, or the SF. Incidentally, do some of you take Immodium regularly as a preventative measure and if so how much? Can't this be addicting? I only take it after a flare up but then it takes all day before my attacks subside. Thanks 
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Originally IBS-D for a million years!
Then IBS-A, Now a transformed slightly C
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I take Dimor (which has the same active ingredient as Imodium) and I take 4 mg in the morning and 4 mg in the evening daily. If you want to try to take it daily as a preventative you should start at a low dose and increase till you get the desired effect without getting too slow bowels.
/Ulrika, IBS-D
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I have to agree with Ulrika ... I usually take two Imodiums pills at morning ... it's my worst time, and two seems to be enough to slow my bowels along with Acacia fiber, and eating the proper foods.
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 Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, “I will try again tomorrow”. Mary Anne Radmacher
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Thanks to those of you who responded to all my previous questions. I would LOOOVE to take Immodium every day as a preventative but I thought I would become addicted to it or my body would eventually become immune to it. Then I'd really be in big trouble for those times when I have a bad attack and need something to stop it. What are your thoughts and does anyone know what a doctor would say about taking it every day? Thanks!!
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Originally IBS-D for a million years!
Then IBS-A, Now a transformed slightly C
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I have done a lot of research on this because like you I was worried about this. (I had a period last winter when my IBS seemed to get worse although I took quite a lot of loperamide. And that made me panic. But then it got better and I have actually had to decrease the dose a while here and there.) According to all the medical information I have found in general guidelines as well as research reports it has never been seen that the constipating effect of opioids has decreased with use over long time. And loperamide is a synthetic opioid. So I really don't think you have to worry about that. Personally I have found that it seems to work better if I try to keep the dose as constant as possible, than if I go up and down too often so I just stick with the dose I'm on and if the bowels get to slow I decrease the dose and stick with the lower dose until I notice I need to increase it again. But I don't think you have to worry about getting immune to the drug.
Hope this helps!
/Ulrika, IBS-D
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THanks Ulrika. How about stress factors? For the most part, the majority of my stress is about IBS and the fear of the attacks. I am thinking of trying the hypnosis for my anxiety but maybe if I had some more physical control, I'd have some more mental control. Do you find that if you have something stressful (not really major to the normal person...just taking my kids somewhere without a bathroom nearby) that no matter what you do medicine-wise, fiber-wise, or diet-wise, nothing works??? I had a very embarrassin moment yesterday taking my son to school on his first day (basically b/c I was just nervous that I'd have to go while waiting with him for his school door to open). I ate a banana upon waking, took a Librax the night before and one that morning, and also took two pepto bismol. This disease is the worst...I feel so trapped and paranoid to do anything! Thanks, Linda
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Originally IBS-D for a million years!
Then IBS-A, Now a transformed slightly C
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I know that feeling - believe me!!! For a long time last winter I felt like I couldn't do anything! It was a struggle for me to even just take the bus down town to see the psychologist I was seeing at the time to talk things through (this was before I even got the IBS diagnosis confirmed).
Yes, stress is a major factor for me. And even more so than food I think. Sleep is really important to me. If I'm nervous about something and can't sleep my IBS will 90% of the time be worse even with medicine but luckily with the usual dose of loperamide it doesn't get bad.
It does take a lot of time to get back mentally to feeling confident about doing stuff. I was completely stable from the beginning of March to some time in August and it was finally getting to the point where I didn't think much about my bowels at all. If it was ok before I went out somewhere I just felt confident it would stay that way. Then I had to lower the loperamide dose because my bowels were too slow and then I got a bit stressed out one night and couldn't sleep and my IBS got worse the morning after. But I increased the dose and it was fine. Although the last few days it's been a bit worse. Not at all bad but just close to. (I have to have slow bowels to feel confident since I have a damaged sphincter - I know - not fun!) And I notice that the last few days I have started thinking more about it again. It's like the old thought patterns from last winter are coming back a bit. (You know, you start thinking, ok it seems to be ok, but what if it suddenly isn't?) So it does take time. I hope it goes back to being the way I like it and that it will stay that way. Then I can slowly go back to having a close to normal life.
I'm actually thinking about going through cognitive behavior therapy to learn to deal with the worrying about what's going to happen in the future. Maybe that could be something for you too.
/Ulrika, IBS-D
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It so good (well not for either of us) but reassuring at least to know that someone else feels the same panic and I'm not just crazy. Stress seems to be sooo powerful...I can just think about something major in the future (like a vacation with flying) and send my stomach into panic mode. Incidentally, what do you eat in the morning...they are the worst for me too. Sorry to hear that you are having a bit of a relapse. Has your lifestyle changed? I usually think I'm having more problems when I have to go out a lot vs. when I am home and have the problems I guess they don't register as much b/c I just go to the bathroom and then continue my day.
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Originally IBS-D for a million years!
Then IBS-A, Now a transformed slightly C
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