Is it safe to take imodium whilst on holiday?

[Sowhatsnext123]

I have a very special trip booked next year and I'm an IBS sufferer. I really don't want the whole week to revolve around where the nearest toilet is. I'll also be very nervous on the day I'm traveling so guts are bound to start. Will it be safe for me to take imodium an hour before breakfast (and hopefully after a big morning poo) on the day I fly and potentially do the same each morning of the week long trip or is reckless and likely to make me even more unsettled and too constipated? I don't usually take pills for anything at all.

So what I'm hoping for is... morning dump. Tablet. Breakfast. Forget about poo until the next morning!

Yes

Don’t take it every morning, you risk getting so constipated! I have IBS and actually try and avoid Imodium because I hate them having to deal with the opposite problem. But the last time I took it, I remained “bunged up” for at least a few days after just one dose. So maybe see how you go with just one dose first, don’t automatically take it every morning!

I'd take one each morning for the holiday but I wouldn't recommend long term.

Why not do a trial run of your proposed schedule for a week at home, and see how you get on with it?

Don’t do it if you have not done it before
I also have IBS and the only time I had Imodium (coincidentally on holiday) I ended up constipated and in serious pain for a couple of days
I would test at home
but personally I would not recommend

I did this for a week in Ibiza. It was fine. (I have ibs alongside lupus and all sorts of medical issues). Yes I was very constipated when I got back, I ended up taking some fybogel for a few days to get things going again but I’d rather than than shitting myself on holiday.

Yes, this. I've had IBS in the past and Imodium really is the last resort. I'd use it for travel days, but for me personally using it daily would make me feel terrible. Try it and see.

Have you tried mindfulness/CBT for your IBS. You can get specific ones that realty do work well.

You've got plenty of time to give it a go, you might find that you'd only need immodium on travel day.

Symathies, I get diarrhoea when stressed too but v bunged up from immodium.

I have IBS too and have had for as long as I can remember.

I take Loperamide (that's the active ingredient in Immodium) every morning and then usually again before a meal of any size. Whether I am at home or on holiday. If I didn't then my bowels would totally dictate my life. I get a month's supply at a time on prescription from my GP for this.

I find it usually doesn't make me constipated, but if it does start to then all I have to do is skip the next couple of doses and it resolves

We are all different though, all you can do is try out your proposed regime to see if it would work for you.

As a fellow sufferer I’d echo other suggestions of experimenting in advance. I sometimes use Imodium or take cocodamol instead as the tiny dose of opioid can actually work as a gentler alternative to keep your guts quiet for the day ( but don’t take this every day either else you’ll run into worse problems)I’ve got my medication and routine down to a fine art and have managed to avoid using a public loo for number twos for years now. If you do overdo it and end up with constipation, I find a few slices of watermelon before bed sorts the issue out a treat. You’ll be fine. I hope you have a lovely trip.

Exactly the same here

Do you take Imodium anyway? I would take it on day 1 but that would probably mean you wouldn’t go for 2-3 days. I wouldn’t take it again unless you need to.

I hope you get free prescriptions because it's much cheaper to buy loperamide on Amazon otherwise.

I have another bowel issue and I do this If I'm going on holiday or a distance it's a just incase thing.

I just buy the cheaper generic version from a supermarket or chemist immodium is expensive and it works just the same.

I do get why people say this, but for me not taking it again unless I need to would often result in shit suddenly running down my legs when out and about. It has actually happened, and I have to say that I would much rather be constipated even though I am aware of the discomfort and even pain that goes with that.

My GP said years ago to just take it and not let my bowels rule my life. As I said, we are all different and all you can do is give it a try.

I'm glad I've read this. I take it for the same reason. I am generally regular in the morning, so after that I'd take it, and that helps me for the day. I take it at home too, if I am out or in the office.

Has anyone tried pepto bismol as a gentler alternative.
Though having said that I'm not sure it's still available.

They are exactly the same. All contain the same dose of Loperamide.

They were £1 in Asda the last time I looked and similar in Tesco. So if you don't get them on free prescriptions as I do then just buy a couple of boxes now and then from the supermarket to stock up.

It’s fine for people who are taking it every day if that works for them but op says she doesn’t normally take any pills for her IBS. So I definitely wouldn’t take it every day for a week of holiday having never taken it before.

yeah the alternatives are not at all expensive I think I bought my last pack in savers for a £. and do the same job.

You could take it every other day. Definitely take enough with you though just in case you need it. Stick to bottled water

Thanks everyone yes I've used it before but it was a couple of years ago now and I think it worked fine ie I could still go the next day. I think I'll use it just for the plane and try to leave it at that

I’m having a bad flare up currently and started to take Colpermin, no idea if it’ll help but it has good reviews.