[ezduzit]

I suspect there was still medicine in the tablet...it wasn't a capsule...because I hadn't eaten enough and it progressed too fast. I think it's supposed to digest some in the stomach and then little by little thru the intestines. I had intended to ask my pharmacist how "extended release" is supposed to work but with Christmas and all...haven't done it yet.

I never thought to ask if there was a different method of delivery.

[Adamantane]

Happily except when I have the flu or have eaten something that my body rejects, or encounter one of the two things I know to which I have a spectacular rapid-onset lower-GI reaction -- Furacin/nitrofurazone being one, an exciting experience first to discover on the way home from the barn -- I don't have the flash diarrhea problem.

But I can relate to feeling tethered to bathroom proximity, and having to plan around the problem.

When I was 12-14 I had with no advance warning random, intense and frequent (4x/week) bouts of nausea. Feeling as if you either are about to throw up, or with no warning suddenly might feel as if you were about to throw up, definitely creates a whole weird set of logistical problems that healthy people never even think about. Among other things I used to choose classroom seats near the door (at least when the teacher didn't inflict a alphabetical seating chart on the class), and every time I went to some new place I'd need to work out the shortest path to a bathroom as soon as possible.

Fortunately the problem went away as suddenly as it materialized, and I think I know the reason for it in retrospect. (Interestingly, I never threw up during the whole interval, but spent many hours in the bathroom at home the next thing to it.)

But I definitely can relate to being held hostage to a bathroom and how it screws up your life.

[tradewind]

To the OP, you say you do not have anxiety, but you do, as you are afraid to go out because it might happen. You also state if you did have one, you would not crawl out from under your rock..That is anxiety and is normal. You need to address it as it is limiting your life. I had more accidents than I care to mention for those couple of years, you need to have some coping strategies in place. You have an illness, you do not have a life sentence to remain in your house and give up cherished outings with family and friends.

[ezduzit]

Well, yes you're right about that: I do have anxiety about this particular thing. What I meant was I don't have general anxiety. I'm pretty fearless about ordinary things. I don't jump out of airplanes, however.

The last time we trailered to a riding lesson, I was telling daughter how nervous I was. We had over an hour travel time, one way. She said "Don't worry, just say the word and I'll pull over. We have buckets in the dressing room". That put me at ease and I wasn't nervous anymore. I didn't have to be...I had a "bathroom" with me.

Is there such a thing as counseling for this fear? I don't have much faith in counselors. The last time I tried it was because I was angry that my heart surgery went so wrong and I needed help putting everything into perspective. All I got out of one visit was a referral to her lawyer cousin because she thought I should sue the doctors/hospital, et al. So, not a fan. I worked it out on my own. Same as I did with panic attacks 35 years ago when nobody knew what a panic attack was.

[aqhadreamer]

I've been dealing with something similar for years. Dr's kept telling me its side effects from the Rheumatoid Arthritis drugs that I'm on. The told me to take Imodium, but after several years they decided that taking Imodium for that long wasn't healthy for me. They then had no back up plan for me when the trots came back full force. (7-8 times a day)

Finally I have an appointment with an internalist next week but it took a lot of bugging on my part and being very open about what was going on with my body. You need to have a frank discussion with your doctor if you haven't yet and tell him/her everything you have told us. Think of it this way, if it was your horse dealing with this wouldn't you be chasing down vets and specialists to help her?

My family doctor believes that I am gluten sensitive and I've been trying that diet for several weeks with good results.

[ezduzit]

I hope you find some answers! I told my doc about the horse show episode and he's just "hmmm...shouldn't be a problem. You've been on it long enough." End of conversation. So, ball's in my court.

I had an iffy day today but no trots and even with plenty of food. I'm going to give up. I think the drug spikes my appetite anyway and that's no good for me trying to lose weight.

Good luck next week!

[spacytracy]

My plumbing is so short, I see whole food a lot. No large intestine and 3 sm bowel resections, I swear it's just a straight tube from mouth to bum.

I would keep a food diary, along with an anxiety diary. I never thought I had anxiety. I am really cool and collected. That's the problem. I keep it all inside instead of letting it out. It completely manifests itself.

I'm sure the medication started it. Then the anxiety about what might happen has made it progress.

There are other immodium type drugs out there, lomotil comes to mind. Worked very well for me.

I woud absolutely see a gastroenterologist. I'm guessing they'll do either a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, to see if you have any ulcerations or anything. Then go from there.

My mom has cancer and takes lots of drugs that take her from almost not making it to can't go at all, she takes immodium pretty often, on and off, and I don't believe she's been told not to. I had a script for like 100 pills and was told I could take it daily.

[thatmoody]

Check into cholestryamine - it's been a miracle drug for me. If you have diabetes you will have to check to see how it will interact with your other meds as it was originally developed as a lipid drug, but it may actually be BENEFICIAL (I don't know - see what your doctor says). I have IBS and have to be very careful of what I eat, and that's been a great drug for me. I have also taken a couple of IBS specific drugs but I prefer that one - it has fewer side effects for me.

[Alice Norton]

Try Psyllium - take about 2 tablespoons with warm water as soon as you get up or with your tablet.

I have taken it for years - magic stuff

My Aunt had IBS and would not leave the house but after regularly taking Psyllium every morning it completely disappeared

and she is now able to go out and about
- as a pleasant side effect she also lost 10 kg

[jjgg24]

I'm also on this drug although not for diabetes and I can't stress enough that you have to eat consistently while on it. And something a little "heavy" when you take it or a glass of milk. Tuna salad and celery isn't heavy enough to guard against those affects. Keep a food journal while you take it and there may be some foods you can't tolerate while on it even if they never gave you issues before. Good luck with it!

[carolprudm]

I'm IR/pre diabetic. It sucks but by STRICTLY controlling my carbs, less than 20 grams a day, I have been able to keep my A1C below 6 without meds. Would that be an option?
Stems and leaves, no fruits, roots or seeds

[rothmpp]

Have you been seeing the same endo doc the whole time? Maybe a consult with a different doc can offer some alternative treatments for the diabetes other than the Metformin. I know it is the drug of choice, but to me the side effects would be unacceptable.

I also second the idea that you try to keep a detailed food, drug, & exercise log. You are pretty certain that you know what you do in a day, but you might be surprised to see what may be triggering the attacks.

[ako]

Oh no!!! That's just not OK. You really cannot just wear Depends and live with such a disruption to your quality of life. Your Dr. really should be more helpful and supportive. DO see a gastroenterologist and get your quality of life back.

I would say it does sound like IBS. I'm of the opinion, though, that IBS is a nice diagnosis when the DRs. can't find another name for your issues. (Anxiety, diet, allergies, etc.) It could absolutely be a direct reaction to the meds - or an anxiety reaction to the meds. Or both, really.

You need your life back.

I would also recommend a daily yogurt with live cultures or a probiotic.

All the best!!

[ezduzit]

I really appreciate all the concern and suggestions. I'm taking notes and deciding on a course of action. Especially about doctors! And diaries. Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences with me. I'm sorry there's so many of us.

[Chall]

Hospitals are your friend if you are traveling it's usually easy to find a hospital and hospitals are dedicated to our bodies, and this is a body problem.
In a city it's often hard to find a bathroom, and hospitals are a good choice, they understand.
Baby wipes help in cleanup, carry them in your purse, plus spare underware.
Plus, a toilet for your car
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...T&cmid=PP_P0_1