codeine - loperamide - New to this board

[vogue]

Hi,

I'm curious to know if anyone has been able to try codeine?

I ask because I read a short article written by a man in the UK who had good luck with it. I've been given oxycodone 4 or 5 times, and each time I feel normal while taking it. Loperamide (immodium) works pretty good for me too, however, my doctor told me taking it constantly can cause ileus or ischemic colitis, which I understand to be a paralyzation of the intestinal tract that requires surgery. So I'm curious to know if codeine has this same ill effect possibly?

Also, I am aware doctors hate to prescribe opiates, addictives... etc. I'm thinking of demanding it though, I've tried just about everything else, I could name a whole ton of products, some prescription, some herbal, nothing seems to work. My problems are 1) frequency 2) pain 3) diarrhea, listed by most annoying first.

So, if anyone has tried codeine with success, or has any suggestions for other medicines, please let me know

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additional info, if you are interested
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I put this here for any doctors that might read this... what should I do??

a partial list of medicines I have taken so far :
lomotil - works for about 2 days, worse afterwards
hysocyamine (sp? levsin, nulev,levbid)- didn't do much
trazadone - no help.. made me TIRED
zoloft - made diarrhea much worse
dicyclomine (bentyl) - a bit better after meals, still wake up sick

Also, I have adjusted my diet, although I see no rhyme or reason, I can eat very well and get sick.. then eat pizza and not get sick at all. I don't eat any dairy for the most part (only cheese on pizza on special occasions), tried fiber but it made me worse.

I also exercise as much as I can, like the doctor suggested, but I usually feel sick while doing it. And it hasn't helped so far.

Thanks again,
ben


[This message has been edited by vogue (edited 11-20-2002).]

Hi,

Firstly, your doc is correct about the continued use of Immodium possibly causing a paralytic ileus. Immodium is not designed for long term use such as this.

Also, Codeine is available on prescription in the UK, but I have to say that prescriptions for Codeine are not given out lightly, as it is an opioid analgesia. This type of analgesia is normally only prescribed to be taken sparingly in cases of severe pain and diarrhea. As it is an opioid it has a constipatory effect so can be efffective for diarrhea, however, being an opioid, it also has side effects. It is normally given in doses of 30mg and is one of those drugs where the most analgesic effect is felt after just one dose. Taking another dose will not give an increased analgesic effect.

However, if you are not already taking Metamucil, then I suggest that you should start this asap. It is a water soluble fiber supplement that can safely be taken twice daily. It is as good for diarrhea as it is for constipation and will help to bulk up your stools. If you bulk up your stools, then your stomach pains may resolve too. Ensure that you drink enough water with this also, as it can make your belly a little bloated until you get used to it. You need a good amount of fiber in your diet for your gut to work effectively. It was designed to work with fiber. If you have gas pains at all, it may also be worth considering eating some live yogurt, or at least taking some Acidophilus caps. Take them twice daily on an empty stomach and keep in the fridge. This will help top up the good bacteria that live in your gut. These contain Lactobacillus and Bifidus which are the good bacteria that live in your gut naturally. If you are having diarrhea constantly, then these get washed out of your gut and you need to replace them. By doing this you may find that your diarrhea decreases and also your pain and frequency. Your frequency should also decrease with the increase of fiber in your diet.

Also, I would suggest that you take Calcium supplements. Calcium is a natural way of stimulating the bowel to absorb more water. If it absorbs more water, then your stools will be firmer and you should not have diarrhea. Immodium also works in this way too, but Calcium does this naturally.

Also, ensure that you eat a good diet that contains plenty of fruit, veg and also carbs - rice and potatoes are good and these also help to bulk up your stools.

It may also be helpful for you to find the cause of your stomach problems? How long have you had IBS and can you remember when it first started and if it was related to any specific incident? If you can find the cause of your problems and solve them, then it is more likely that you will be able to solve your problem for good. If you just treat the symptoms, then your problems will just drag on, as you have not really solved the cause.

Are you under a lot of stress? If so, then you need to work on reducing this, as the mind affects the body and there is also the mind/gut link, so the more stress and anxiety you have the worse your stomach will be.

So to re-cap:-

1. Try and identify the cause of your stomach problems and eliminate these. If you do this, you have more chance of solving your problem for good, rather than just treating the symptoms.

2. Add Metamucil twice daily. This is a water soluble fiber supplement and will help to bulk up your stools, thus decreasing pain, frequency and diarrhea.

3. Add Acidophilus/Probiotic supplements to your diet. This can be taken as capsules and also as live yogurt. This will increase the good bacteria in your gut that you lose after constant diarrhea and will help replenish. This should help diarrhea and pain.

4. Add Calcium supplements. This should decrease diarrhea and frequency by encouraging the gut to absorb more water naturally.

5. Ensure a good dietary intake with plenty of fruit, veg, carbs and fluids - upto 2 to 3 litres daily.

[vogue]

All I have to take right now is lomotil. Codeine can't be worse than that.

Also, I've taken acidophilus for a very long time and it has done little to help. I've also taken metamucel for quite some time, and it just makes diarrhea worse for me. In fact diarrhea isn't my biggest problem now, although I have it off an on. Mostly just extreme frequency and pain.

I tried eating rice for quite a while, I usually eat pretty well. I often get sick after eating rice though, I don't know why. Last week I ate very well because my friend was coming on friday, and still, friday morning I woke up with such severe pain I thought my intestines could rupture... it woke me out of my sleep and I was in the bathroom for hours with diarrhea, and laying on the floor hurting. This is getting less common, but still seems to happen a lot regardless of what i eat

The original cause, I believe, was food poisoning from eating out. For about a year I thought it was from the inguinal hernia I had, that's what the doctors told me. But after having that repaired, I am still sick. And I've been sick with no real relief for about two years now.

The only stress I'm under is due to IBS right now, my fiance has left me, I was chosen to be laid off for missing days of work. Things would be great if I wasn't feeling this way constantly.

I've taken calcium for a couple months, but it has magnesium in it, I'm told I need to get a brand without it. So, I could try that again, but I'm really at the end of my rope, I can't find anything that helps, and spent all the money I ever had on doctors and procedures and tests.

I also have some chronic pain stemming from the hernia surgery. After the second time they went in to correct it and removed some staples, the pain is better, but still there. I was hoping codeine would help both,

It seemed promising to me, I always wake up with stomach pain and an urgent need to go, then my stomach aches for the rest of the day.

I have a lot of metamucil, I could try that again also. The suggestions are good, and it's the same stuff I got from my doc, I feel like I've tried most of it though, and I just don't seem to feel any better. And not good enough to work, or go out anywhere.

Thank you for responding
ben

[This message has been edited by moderator2 (edited 11-26-2002).]

Have you ever had tests for food allergies? This could cause your problems. Also, I know you said that you have had tests, but have you had blood tests, endoscopies or a colonoscopy?

The thing is that what you describe sounds as if your bowel is severely inflammed and the fact that you have such severe belly pains and belly aches could be indicative of something like ulcerative colitis rather than IBS. Do you ever have blood and mucus in your stools? This a thought, but if you have already had these tests.

It is just that a dose of food poisoning could leave residual bacteria within your gut and you could still have some kind of lingering and chronic infection. This is possible. Have you had stool samples taken recently to see if they can isolate any bacteria?

It might well be worth trying the Calcium supplement without the Magnesium and seeing if this works better. This will encourage your gut to absorb more water back. Also, try the Metamucil again and see.

I did read the article and it sounded quite interesting, however have you considered going to see an ND about this rather than an MD? It might be worth exploring the alternatives, as they use herbs and acupuncture. I have to say that I have had stomach problems myself and have had herbs and acupuncture and acupuncture is fantastic for belly ache. You may have to have some needles in your belly, but this does not hurt at all. I feel much better for this and my stomach is a lot better.

You seem to have done your research on this one, but why not see what the alternatives have to offer before going down the Codeine route? Codine is an opioid after all and opioids can be addictive.

Good luck.

[vogue]

Thanks again for the reply!

I've had a colonoscopy, a flexible sigmoidoscopy, and 3 stool tests, one from great smokies diagnostics.
I sort of went to an ND, not exactly her title, but that's what she was, she called herself a "health consultant" or something. I bought quite a few herbal remedies on her advice, they didn't help much.

I will definitely try calcium and more fiber, I've got a few months before I get insurance again.

I would try acupuncture, but I truly am totally broke. I've seeen about 6 GIs... heh, my fiance was angry because I only saw most of them once. Some of them said "you just have to learn to live with it" verbatim, so I figured they wouldn't be of much help. Heh, I'm 22 and really in a bad spot, no money, no fiance, my parents are getting tired of me sitting around here all day. Maybe I can try it if it's covered by insurance.

Thanks for taking the time to reply
and I will try your suggestions!
ben

-edit-

I forgot to mention, have been tested for celiac disease, and crohns, and UC (just looking for signs of inflamation in the blood I guess) and deficiencies. None for specific food allergies besides celiac though.
What else is there?

Also, tried questran for quite a while too. It helped with the stool, but not with urgency and pain.

thanks again
ben

[This message has been edited by vogue (edited 11-21-2002).]

[This message has been edited by vogue (edited 11-21-2002).]