Hi guys I know how good doctors are at telling us the side effects of our drugs are so I thought I would post this. I saw where alot of you were taking alot of immodium after your j-pouch and before so I thought I would look up long term effects before I started it. It turns out that it is an opium that you can get really addicted to with worse withdrawel simptoms than opium. It doesn't brake the blood brain barrier so you don't get the effects you would normally have to pay alot for , but it will make you have to take more and more to get the same effect.
Anyway just thought I'd put it out there. I know it helps us but as many drugs we are put on we have to be carefull we aren't trading one problem for another (Ex: prednazone)

We'll T-minus 3 days and counting till 1st surgery

I've never heard that. Since it's an over-the-counter drug I wouldn't think they'd be able to sell it if it was an opiate.

I've been taking imodium for 20 years. Every once-in-a-while I go off it completely. I've never had even the slightest withdrawal problem.

Imodium has been used long-term and at the highest daily dosage (8/day) by many on this site with no problem at all.

Could you provide the link to the information? I'd like to read that.

There's another bowel-slower called lomotil which is only available through prescription. I haven't heard about any withdrawal problems with that one either.

Now dontcha be worrying your pretty little head snookums. We won't lead you astray... We'll try to keep you from being a druggie and having to sell your car parts for your next high.
kathy

I tried to add a link but I couldn't on this stupid I-phone. I just typed in long term effects of immodium on google and read from there. I'm not real good wit computers, they say a computer is only as smart as the user, so my computer is an idiot! I'm not a doctor and I definatly don't belive everything I read on the Internet, like I said I don't take immodium so I don't have a vested intrest in researching it alot I just want all of us to watch what we take so we can be health and live long lives. It seems like new drugs come out everyday and you know they don't really know the long term effects on any of them they just want to sell them as fast as they can and make their money. Just be vigilant and proactive instead of reactive, because let's be honest when we find out we have a problem with a drug it's usually to late.

I'm not trying to be a fear monger I just want us all to be around long enough to be able to complain about old age .

Here is what I found on imodium/loperamide:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loperamide

"Loperamide is an opioid-receptor agonist and acts on the μ-opioid receptors in the myenteric plexus of the large intestine; by itself it does not affect the central nervous system like other opioids.....Symptoms of mild opiate withdrawal have been observed following abrupt discontinuation of long-term therapy with loperamide."

What is suggested is that you would need to be on a lot of imodium, and then discontinue abruptly, to get what is characterized as "mild" opiate withdrawal. I personally only take 1 imodium at bedtime, and have no plans to abruptly discontinue that minimal dosage. I find it to be very effective for me in low dosages.

You are right I guess I wasn't real specific on quanities the people having withdrawel we taking 30 or more a day, obviously there is something real wrong if you were taking that many, but the people said they started with the recomended amount and kept having to increase to get the same effect.

Once again just look out for yourselves.

Ps I've got some car parts for sell real cheap! Come on you know you want them. Dang it just give me some money! I need my anti diarea fix! lol

That is a very interesting study, though my take on it is that you'd have to take a ton of imodium to cause this effect. Although there haven't been extensive studies on longterm use, the information available indicates that there is no lasting side effects (i.e. liver damage, etc) from moderate, longterm loperamide usage (which is 6-8 tablets a day). My surgeon basically told me I could take up to 8 a day indefinitely, and that is the case for most of the people on this forum. The most I've probably ever taken in a day is 4. Right now I really only need to use imodium about once per week, usually prophylacticly, like before a long drive or going to movie, etc.

That said, too much of anything is never a good thing. I can't imagine people taking 20-30 tablets a day. Not only would that probably turn the contents of your intestine to cement, but considering imodium can run over a dollar a pill, that's a pretty expensive drug habit. *LOL*

quote:

but considering imodium can run over a dollar a pill

I recently went to Rite Aid and the store brand 96 count bottle cost me $12.99, on special. Works out to about 13.5 cents per 2 mg loperamide pill, if my math is correct.

If you have access to Costco, it is much cheaper there.

Brand name Imodium is still not very cheap in Canada. For instance, even at Walmart, a 20 tablet pack will cost about $16.49. Some drugstores charge significantly more; I've seen it for as much as $22 for a 20 pack. The best price I've found is Costco, for about $0.40 a pill. That is for the Imodium Advanced, which also has a gas preventative. I prefer that one. However, you can get store brand loperamide at Costco, without the anti-gas properties, for about 15 cents, which is a much better buy, but unfortunately not as good a product.

I'm just glad I don't have to take imodium daily anymore, otherwise I might consider buying shares in the company. *LOL*

For inexpensive generic go to Costco. Kirkland brand, I believe it was 400 for about 6 dollars
(dont quote me on that) but it was incredibly cheap. They seem to work fine.

Jan has posted that taking over 8 imodium does not get better results and one would just be flushing them down the toilet.... Or something like that. But I've taken the maximum of 8 for an extended period of time occasionally and then stop abruptly with absolutely no side effects.

Now stopping my morning cappuccino is a whole 'nother story. Do NOT mess with me in caffeine withdrawal. Fortunately, that doesn't happen often.

kathy

You know, I might wanna try opium in place of imodium. Because I'm not lazy enough already.

kathy

Costco is the cheapest I have found by far...also cheapest on Nupercainel, Calmoseptine, bottled water, bananas and Veggie Straws.
Avoid the frozen yogurt in the food court though. It has way too much sugar and causes nasty buttburn as a result. If you want to clean out the system go for the Polish Suasage and soda for 1.50...
I love Costco!!!

What is the difference between Immodium and Lomotil. My surgeon has me on 2 Limotil 3 times a day.

quote:

What is the difference between Immodium and Lomotil. My surgeon has me on 2 Limotil 3 times a day.

Lomotil has anti-spasmodic and anti-diarrheal agents whereas imodium is purely an anti-diarrheal. In the past, I took lomotil for excessive motility and imodium to thicken up the stools.