6 years and still so many bm's

what is your diet?

Have you tried Panadeine Forte? None of the usual stuff like lomital,immodium worked on me either, took it by the truck load, then took Panadein Forte for another ailment, and guess what, it halved the amount of loo trips, its the codiene, try it, it worked for me. Heather

Tincture of opium

Opium like methadone pills. Is that what you meant?

You were so right. I took 2 methadone and I have not had a bm for 3 hours. Unbelievable Abel thank you so much. Will see how this works for a few days maybe 2 a day will make my days much better. I cant believe it just stopped everything so fast its like a miracle. God is great.

Among the opiates (including methadone, morphine, codeine, oxycontin, heroin, and even Lomotil), all have a constipating effect. When Lomotil isn't sufficient, the more common choice for bowel control is DTO (deodorized tincture of opium). The reason atropine is added to Lomotil is to prevent it from being taken in doses sufficient for drug abuse. Opiates should be used carefully. Here are a few things to consider:

1) They are all quite addictive. If they are used daily for an extended period an addiction will almost certainly develop. It can be overcome in most cases, but it's very difficult.

2) The effects tend to diminish over time. This is known as "tolerance." The dose that worked a month or two ago is likely to become less effective.

3) It's easy to overshoot on the dose. Folks have regularly posted here about their bowels effectively being "shut down" by one of these meds. You really, really don't want that to happen to you. Use with caution - drink plenty of water, and manage the dose conservatively. Methadone in particular stays in the body for a very long time after you stop taking it, so it's like a car with lousy brakes.

4) These drugs are very tightly regulated. In most states I'd be surprised if you found a GI willing to prescribe methadone, and after the first DEA or state Board investigation they'll never do it again. Lomotil and codeine are less heavily controlled/monitored.

5) They affect thinking and alertness. Other than Lomotil, I'd suggest caution in driving and decision making while taking these meds.

YMMV, and the dose matters a lot. This isn't a complete list. The most potent of these drugs are an important set of tools, but they have consequences.

There are several threads on tincture of opium so I would do a search on this site. It is a 19th century med. I found little to no side effects, no tolerance buildup and no problem driving etc. I didnt get "high". There are differing opinions/experiences on whether one becomes addicted to it. I felt very minimal withdrawal symptoms mainly some restless legs for a day or two. if using opiates this is the one I would use.

Thank you Scott. I appreciate your info. I will look into it with caution. The one thing I didn't understand was ymmv .What is that?

I figured it out Scott. Thank you. I asked u a funny question. Lol

Chiromancer, I red about tincture of opium. The stuff sounds like it can really help. I just have to ask my doc to prescribe it. Its the weekend so it will be tomorrow. I'll surely keep in touch with you. Im sure my doc will give it to me. Ive been seeing him for 11 years. Thanks again for your info. I feel like im finally getting somewhere.

I used tincture of opium with my last loop ileo. I had no side effects at all whatsoever. Unless of course you count the adjustment in getting used to the absolute disgusting taste of it. It worked wonders for me. I was already on a host of bowel slowers - immodium, benefiber, nexium, and managing my diet very strictly.. but it really was the tincture of opium that got things under control so I could function.

It is a narcotic.. so you have to get a paper prescription from your doctor. And I found that pharmacies don't stock it.. and it takes them a while to order it.

Thank you Liz. Im telling my doc on Wednesday. You know how awful it is to keep running to the restroom. Im so glad to hear something can finally slow this down. I appreciate your info.

Consider Medical Marijuana as well. It really slows my system down.

Or, marshmellows sometimes help.

Long term lomotil should be fine as long as your liver function tests are normal. But, if you can get by with Imodium (loperamide) instead of lomotil, it is preferred as simpler choice. But, be sure to taper off of it while increasing your loperamide, to avoid any withdrawal symptoms, since you've been on it a long time. Loperamide is related to opiates too, so has a similar safety profile. They are both pretty tame stuff.

I've been on loperamide since my surgery in 1995. No problemo.

Jan