what are the good foods that people say can help with ibs

I googled imoden and got nothing. Is that a generic name ?

I was told I had IBS after having a colonoscopy 2 years ago, the consultant gave me some peppermint capsules to take, these can be bought over the counter as well, whenever I feel uncomfortable especially with bloating I take them for a day or so. x

Imodium

(loperamide)

In this factsheet:

How does Imodium work? What will it do for me?

How should I use Imodium?

What form(s) does Imodium come in?

Who should NOT take Imodium?

What side effects are possible with Imodium?

Are there any other precautions or warnings for Imodium?

What other drugs could interact with Imodium?

DIN (Drug Identification Number)

02183862IMODIUM - CAPLET 2MG

02230542IMODIUM QUICK DISSOLVE 2MG TABLET

02291800IMODIUM 2 MG/15 ML ORAL SOLUTION

What side effects are possible with Imodium?

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

burning or prickly sensation on the tongue (quick-dissolve tablets)

dizziness

drowsiness

dry mouth

gas

headache

nausea or vomiting

tiredness

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

abdominal or stomach pain, cramps, discomfort, or distention

constipation

rash

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, e.g.:

difficulty breathing

hives

peeling or blistering skin

swelling of the mouth or throat

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

If no improvement within a week request a referral to a Gastroenterologist.

Also - read up on Coeliac disease - see Coeliac Org UK website...symptoms are similar and you should be tested for this before being given a diagnosis of IBS. (See NICE Guidelines to GPs).

Caro has it in a nutshell. My doctor told me to take Imodium (an over the counter med) for severe diarrhea and I did, but ended up bloated and very uncomfortable with quite a few side effects, so I'd be inclined to go back and ask for tests to see if you have IBS or Coeliac disease, as a lot of people are misdiagnosed, so the above is very sound advice. My son's partner uses it indiscriminately (imo) and now suffers extreme tiredness, irritability and stomach cramps, but refuses to go her GP which I think is very stupid..

Regards, Val.

As far as food goes, go to the IBS section of the NHS web site where you can find out a lot of useful information. Hope this helps.

Regards, Val.

Well I took the Loperamide tablets doc gave me and apart from a dry mouth haven't had any other side effects yet he also gave me Amitriptyline a mild anti depressant to help as well but I think that might take a while to show if it works, I do know its ibs as I too had camera and they digionsed Ibs so I know its not anything else I cant take peppermint as that affects me badly

Just to check...when you say you had a camera did it go upwards (putting it politely)?

Because for Coeliac Disease the biopsy goes downwards from your mouth into your gut to take a tiny slice of it - to check whether it is smooth and the villi are retracted - which indicates the Coeliac condition - if the gut is smooth it is unable to absorb nutrients hence the resulting deficiency in vitamins and minerals and downhill spiral in health...pains in joints and bones as a result of the body fighting itself...fatigue, and all the other symptoms which you will read about on the Coeliac Org Uk website....

Felt I must just clarify this testing for Coeliac Disease - to be on the safe side. Cameras going upwards are usually checking for other conditions in the bowel..like cancer....not Coeliac though.

The small intestine is much higher up hence they have to get at it from the top end!

What does NHS stand for ?

Hi Amanda

NHS stands for National Health Service (in Gt. Britain) They have a site that is about IBS and the foods that are well tolerated for people with IBS. Blue links posted on here have to be authorised on this site by the moderators, so it's best done by sending a private message (red button with "Message" ) underneath a persons name. If I can find it again, I'll send it privately.

Regards, Val.

Hi there Hun I had the camera both ways down the throat and up the back passage Biopsy's were taken but all come back normal so they said it was just Ibs, tow years ago I had a really bad tum for 7 moths it recked my holiday as on the way to holiday my poor hubby had to stop 7 times for me for the toilet and after that I couldn't relax on holiday as was always in bed with a very bad tum. Then for some strange reason it settled down and I was normal again, but I suffer with heart disease and that's been playing up a lot lately and im waiting to go and have an anagram on heart and now its playing up terrible again so I think its stress and worry causing mine, but I will admit I took the tablets the doc have gave me and so far so good I just want to be normal and have a normal life you see im not allowed to exercise at moment because of my heart so once that's done I can start swimming and that again, im also keeping a food diary now as well to see if there's anything that makes it worse. I don't eat anything like curry or spices as they really upset me anyway so I really am trying to help myself but it really can ruin your life im lucky as its just me and hubby I really feel for parents with young ones and that because it so hard to cope with and you always feel your alone as they say ibs isn't really an illness, im just glad I found this site love to you all

Hey Cherl,

Imodium is a blocker. It doesn't treat the cause of the D, just blocks everything up. I live in Thailand and suffer upset stomachs regularly. Only ever take imodium if I've got a long bus journey/flight ahead of me. See if you can get a blood test for Coeliac's disease. Also, you might want to look into the Candida Diet - especially, cutting out sugar. Maybe get your allergies tested? Great that you are keeping a food diary!

Best of luck!

So right amd82. At best Imodium only hides the symptoms. The cause needs to be found.

I tried the Candida diet - before I was diagnosed with Coeliac disease - along with lots of other things like Aloevera drink, probiotics etc....it made no real difference as my gut was damaged by gluten and that was the problem. Coeliac disease is not an allergy but an auto-immune condition - hence pains in bones and joints due to the body fighting itself until gluten is eliminated totally. Lack of absorption of vitamins and minerals result from the withdrawal of villi hairs in the gut - making it smooth - so a gradual spiral downward in health is inevitable.

Always follow NICE Guidelines to GPs which say they must test you for Coeliac Disease before diagnosing IBS. It is well known that many people do turn out to have it later down the line.

See Coeliac Org UK website for lots of useful information about this.

Anyone with continuing symptoms should go back to their GP and ask for a referral to a Gastroenterologist - they are the people who have the knowledge and experience to accurately diagnose.

Talk to your son's partner about this Val - she needs to go back!! Good Luck.

PS Even on a totally gluten free diet (as a Coeliac) it is possible to suffer from bloating etc sometimes....the good old standby which has been known for years ...and years...to be good for settling the digestive system is Ginger...even in the form of biscuits! I always keep a packet of Tesco Gluten Free Gingers in my cupboard.