Does imodium have any long-term effects?
Posted , 6 users are following.
So I've been having symptoms of IBS since I was 12 (I'm 20 now), but no one has been able to figure out that that's what I had since early this summer. A nurse told me that I could use imodium not just for when I got periods of diarrhea, but also as a preventative measure if I knew I was going to eat something I usually react to, or drink alcohol, or be in a stressful situation (which is my main trigger). But then I talked to another doctor online (and no it's not a scam, i checked, it's a legit doctor) who told me that I shouldn't take imodium unless I got a prescription from a doctor, even though you can get it over the counter. I've been taking imodium every now and then since I first started getting symptoms 8 years ago, but after I realized I had IBS, I started taking them more frequently as a preventative measure. I'm just wondering if anyone else here has experience with using imodium frequently and how it affects your system after long-term use? Cause at this point I honestly don't know how I'd get by without it, but I just wanna be sure that it won't make my symptoms even worse if I keep using it too frequently.
0 likes, 8 replies
martin_F blinkblink
Posted
I don't know about long term use of Imodium, but some natural things that may help with IBS, if you are not taking blood thinning medication you can try Turmeric 95% curcumin with piperine, Coconut oil, Caprylic acid, enteric coated peppermint capsules, probiotics, Kefir etc, you can get info on all these online.
martin_F blinkblink
Posted
I've just read Imodium is pretty safe for long term use, but never used it myself.
mark6651 blinkblink
Posted
blinkblink mark6651
Posted
How so? I've never experiences any negative effects myself. Like they don't actually do much other than slowing down your digestive system?
jan48389 blinkblink
Posted
I'm not aware that immodium has any long term negative effects - in fact my GP told me it was fine to take it whenever I felt I needed it. Having said that, why don't you just ask your own GP to be absolutely sure? It may be that he/she could prescribe something else you could take as a preventatve measure.
Jan
blinkblink jan48389
Posted
I don't have a GP, I can't afford to see a real doctor right now... That's why I'm using forums like this.
Kelly2727 blinkblink
Posted
I'm 46 and have been taking immodium since I'm an early teenager. No long term effects for me. I have found that tumeric (which is an herb) has helped with my IBS and I don't have to take as many immodium. It's not a 100% cure but it has helped me with my IBS and also my joint pain.
I carry both of them with me everywhere. Prescription meds just don't agree with me.
Kjayne blinkblink
Posted
I'm 54 years old. I've had chronic IBS since I was 18. I was taking 3-5 Immodiums a day for years. Didn't particularly like the dryness and drowsiness from dehydration. I finally read on a forum about 3 months ago about taking it nightly as preventative. I now take 2 pills before I go to bed and my symptoms have drastically improved. I can actually be spontaneous about going out now. Understand, I couldn't go to the grocery store, or even a convenience store without worrying if I was going to be stricken with an "episode". I know where every bathroom in my city is and wouldn't go anywhere where I didn't know there were at least 2-3 stalls. I couldn't stay at my in-laws house because they only had 1 bathroom. I missed out on so much over the years and I'm glad I have finally found a better way to manage it. I haven't had any adverse affects from immodium and haven't heard of any. I am, however, happy that I've narrowed it down to 2 instead of 5.