Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | ??? Dangers of Immodium ???

Hi All,

I am in a desperate quandry at present and need to get back into the office. For the past three months, with the exception of about 6-8 days, I have been forced to work from home due to my IBS-D symptoms.

Everyday I get up and go through the motions of preparing for work, only to be tripped at the last hurdle of leaving by crippling IBS attacks. I know my body is giving me a pretty obvious hint here, but I am now getting pressure from my boss to get back into the office on a 'more frequent' basis...yeah like it's that easy !!!

Following some earlier suggestions I was toying with the idea of dosing up on immodium as soon as I wake up in the hope that I can get through the 1 hour commute.

I have two concerns here...the first is that when I tried Immodium melts a few weekends back it took 6 tablets following the prescribed doses to arrest the symptoms long enough for me to get home. Secondly, I spoke to my doctor today about the implications of taking this over a prolonged period...I was horrified when he told me that it should not be used long-term as it could completely arrest bowel function altogether essentially leaving me with a dead colon...is this true?

I am 100% certain that, in my case, the IBS started through a high level of work stress. I also believe that, as a result of a few near misses from IBS attacks on the train I have developed an anxiety which is fuelling the attacks.

I am soon going to start some counselling around the anxiety component, but would be interested to know...

How do other D-sufferers cope with commuting to work etc?

How many of you have been forced to give up or change career as a result of this illness?

Thanks and best regards
Tim

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Tim

-A poor man's Jamie Oliver...without the attitude!

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