Have had IBS-D for perhaps 10 years -- much of that time I worked out of my home, so could schedule taking Imodium (which definitely helps me) around when I had to run errands.

Now I'm working at a job which requires meeting students all day, so D is really not an option! I've been taking 4 or 5 Imodiums a day (2 at night and 3 in the morning) but at the end of the week I'm so constipated I have to take laxatives and enemas.

Question 1: I obviously need to reduce the number of Imodiums daily -- ideally to 3. I've heard some people take 1 at night and 2 in the morning. But how quickly does Imodium start acting? I don't want to start off to work and turn around and drive like crazy to a bathroom ( which has happened).

Question 2: I just started taking Calcium Caltrate 600-D (pink bottle) because I think I used to take two a day and they helped. Is this the right kind of Calcium? Has it helped anybody here?

Sorry for the long post, but I can't afford to lose this job!

Thanks,
Tom

P.S. OK, so actually I had a third question:
About a month ago my doc put me on generic Levbid (.375 twice daily) which I think is supposed to reduce cramping, etc. I can't see it's helped at all. Anybody take this?

Try elimination diet. No fructose(read, NO fruits or juices including tomatoes), sorbitol, milk, wheat product(gluten), High Fructose Corn Syrup. Habba Syndrome?????? Gastro Docs are noted for missing all of these problems as many are still living in the IBS catch all era. Do a online search of all these topics for more info. Find a good Gastro Doc, rare but they are out there.

Gastro Docs are noted for missing all of these problems as many are still living in the IBS catch all era.

That is so true! I was misdiagnosed for almost 11 years as having IBS-D when in reality I had Celiac Disease. They didn't test me because it was "supposed to be rare" and I "wasn't underweight".

Anyway, good luck! I hope you find something that works for you, I can honestly sympathize!! :)

tom421, assuming you do have IBS-D and not the other problems mentioned, have you tried probiotics? I had diarrhea every day for 1 1/2 months straight, and the first day I started probiotics it stopped. My problems go back and forth between C and D, more C, weird stools, feeling of not finishing. BUt the probiotics have really taken care of all of this. I want to give them to my daughter who is almost 7, but not sure if it's okay to. Anyway, it's worth a try. Yogurt doesn't have enough live enzymes. Try Jarro-Dopholus EPS. It's in an orange box and you can get it at GNC or other health food type stores.