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Hi Beth! I don't know what to advise...as I am in the same boat if you exchange the D for the C!
Aw, that's okay. I feel like I should be the one doing all the advising after this much time, but it's not working out that way right now! I know you are having a really rough go of it, too. How is the Acacia going? I wanted to say that when I first went out Acacia years ago, I did feel that at first I was going more often (the long thin ones) but it did get better.

How much Immodium and Calcium are you taking? Maybe you need more. Back when I was D the following worked best for me: Culturelle GG probiotic, slippery elm tea, Carob powder in heated Rice. I got the idea from Dr. Weil's website.
Well, what seems to happen for me is that I can take 1 immodium and it helps. Then the next time, I take 1 and it does nothing. So I take two. It helps. The next time I take two, and it's like I haven't even taken it. I think my body is just used to it by now. Like I was taking half a tablet before bed, and then the other half as soon as I woke up and that worked great for a couple of days.. Now if I do that, it's like nothing. I was taking two calcium chews a day, but then found that I was so sick so I read that it is supposed to help constipation and thought, "Uh oh". I was taking a probiotic, but didn't notice any change so stopped. I will start again and see what happens.
Have you tried antispasmodics? How about Lotronex? Do they offer that in Canada?
Yeah, I have been on about 5 different anti-spasmodics in the past year or so. I haven't found relief from any of them, and some have given some pretty nasty side effects. I haven't tried Lotronex, though. Maybe I will ask my doc about it. Most recently I was on Asacol, which is a Colitis med, which I thought was helping but then I got really sick again on the exact same dose so I went off of it, and no change, so I guess not!
It is just so confusing! You'd think after this many years, I'd have more of this stuff figured out more conclusively but nope! Grr.
Thanks for the help, though!
--Steph

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Hiya! Yup. Been there. Um, well, actually, I'm STILL there. Aw, I know. I have read some of your past posts, and I'm sorry you are suffering too. Especially with your colonoscopy prep, I had mine in july and i remember it well! Gas-X has never done anything for me. Gas is not one of my symptoms unless I am literally on the verge of a D attack. Well, I don't actually take Gas-X for gas as that isn't a huge problem, it's more gas PAINS that get me. I was told it could help relieve some of the pain, but it doesn't so I am thinking they may not be gas pains afterall and some other kind of pains. I keep meaning to try the calcium but am still hesitating.
At the moment I'm surviving mainly, I think, because I am eating so little. I make a big batch of homemade bread every couple days and eat that. I eat several pieces plain throughout the day so my stomach doesn't get empty, and at dinner I treat myself with a little bit of Soy Garden. On occasion I'll eat something else at dinner if I'm not feeling totally miserable.
Yikes, that is an insanely small amount to eat in the day! I definitely eat more than that, but I am sticking to what I know doesn't make me sick. I have slipped up, though, as I have been eating at places where I can't check the ingredients while I am at work. Starting tomorrow, I'll have a fridge to put a homemade lunch in so I expect that to help some.

What SFS are you using? All of them actually made my D worse. I have taken pretty much all of them (well, a lot anyway) but right now I WAS taking Prodiem powder until my cramps got too bad and I thought it might help if I stopped. Instead, I am taking Celevac tablets (which I got in the UK) which are chewable, and a loser dose.
I take a lot of Imodium. The other day I had taken 8 before 10:30 a.m. I take Levsin and I take it like clockwork every 4 hours. It's not a cure, but it helps. I didn't think it helped that much since I was so sick anyway, but I've run out a couple times, and boy, do I ever feel it. I think that you have to be proactive with the antispasmodic for them to do any good. If you aren't on one, I would definitely go back to your doctor and get on one. Without mine I wouldn't be able to go to work.
I find that if I take too much immodium, I run into other problems like major stomach cramps, stabbing pains and severe nausea. Otherwise, I'd probably just keep popping them like candy. Plus, as soon as they are out of my system, I get wicked attacks. I will look into Levsin and see how I go on that one, maybe. I am really broke, so right now I am not taking any prescription meds but once I have a better income, I will ask for a script.

Have you tried the warming stomach-wrap things that you can buy, generally meant for your period? If your heating pad helps when you're at home I'd give these a shot.
Yep, I use them sometimes. I sometimes find them more irritating than soothing, though.

Sorry you are feeling so rough!!!! I really hope this next week is better for you.
You and me both!! Thanks, I really appreciate it! I think I really will have to start back at square one and try some more new things.
Cheers!
--Steph

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