Anyone here take "lomotil" for IBS D? (m)
#68744 - 05/08/04 03:47 PM
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My gastro doctor gave me a presciption for it and I must say it works great. He told me to take it before I'm going somewhere and don't want to have a problem or think I'm going to be in a stressful situation. The only problem is I don't want to get too dependent on it. I'm going to try some relaxing techniques and look into the hypnosis here on the boards. I know a lot of it is in my mind. I've posted before about this. Just wondered if anyone has used this or thinks another anti-spasmodic drug might be better? Sandy
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Hello,
I use lomotil for my D and it's been one of the few things that has worked for me. It's not exactly an anti-spasmodic, more of an anti-diarrheal agent, but it certainly does the trick in my opinion!
You just have to be careful not to overuse it, I've read in a few different places about the possibility of dependency and abuse because it has a mild opiate like agent in it which can produce "good feelings" So make sure you're following your docs instructions for how to take it
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YEP
#68754 - 05/08/04 04:48 PM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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I'm a D. This is what I take:
If I have diarrhea only, I take Lomotil. Only AS NEEDED.
If I have light cramps but no diarrhea, I take Hyoscyamine which I dissolve under my tongue. Nu-Lev is supposed to do the same for cramps (you dissolve it under your tongue) but it does nothing for me.
If I have diarrhea and my cramps are SEVERE, then I pull out the big guns -- Donnatal -- and it works every time. However, it takes awhile to kick in (about an hour to an hour and a half), so I also take Equalactin, which works immediately.
Now, about Donnatal: watch out!
(Quote):
"Donnatal is actually a combination of Atropine, Hyoscyamine, Scopolamine, and -- are you ready -- Phenobarbital."
"Warning: special mental and physical adverse effects. Older adults are especially sensitive to the harmful anticholinergic effects of a family of drugs called belladonna alkaloids. Atropine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine are all in this family. Drugs in this family should not be used unless absolutely necessary. Mental effects: confusion, delirium, short-term memory problems, disorientation, and impaired attention. Physical effects: dry mouth, constipation, difficulty urinating (especially for a man with an enlarged prostate), blurred vision, decreased sweating with increased body temperature, sexual dysfunction, and worsening of glaucoma."
You might consider Heather's peppermint caps as an anti-spasmodic. Does peppermint bother you? Any indigestion from it? If not, then goferit! Heather says it gives her more relief as an anti-spasmodic than Donnatal!
Bev
P.S.: I don't take anything on a daily basis except for my soluble fiber supplement -- acacia. If I feel "rumblings," or I'm anticipating a stressful event, I reach for the Equalactin. Thankfully, I haven't had to pull out the "big guns" in months now.....
-------------------- <img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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