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On Wednesday, I Had Multiple Incidences Of Diarrhea And Nausea
Question: On Wednesday, I had multiple incidences of diarrhea and nausea after eating romaine lettuce on Saturday. I might have run a fever, but it's hard to tell without a thermometer. On Thursday, I had no diarrhea, but some nausea. Today, my stomach is feeling much better, but since I've hardly eaten anything the past two days, the diarrhea has returned. Is it safe to go ahead and start taking immodium?
Brief Answer:
Imodium is not a good choice in bacterial enteritis.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome to 'Ask A Doctor' service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
Taking imodium is never a good idea especially if gastroenteritis is bacterial(very likely bacterial in your case as it is related with food consumption).
What imodium does is that it constipates the intestines hence the food with toxic bacteria's instead of coming out of body in form of stools remain inside the body and hence in some cases taking imodium may cause more harm then benifit.
What i would suggest you is to take an antibiotic and anti protozoal(erradicate the root cause of problem in your case) along with it take an antispasmodic like Dicyclomine 10 mg twice daily to decrease the rate of persistalysis of intestine hence frequency of stools would decrease.
Take oral rehydration solution or electrolyte solution on each vomiting or loose motion(200ml).
The only problem is that all the above mentioned medicines are not over the counter so in case you can't manage a prescription you can take imodium 4 mg stat dose followed by 2 mg twice daily(stop it as soon as diarrhea stops).
If you are from a European country you may take anti secretory agent Racicadotryl 100 mg in place of imodium thrice daily(Very safe with excellent results) but unfortunately its not available in US.
Hope i was helpful.
Follow ups are welcome.
Warm regards!
Imodium is not a good choice in bacterial enteritis.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome to 'Ask A Doctor' service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
Taking imodium is never a good idea especially if gastroenteritis is bacterial(very likely bacterial in your case as it is related with food consumption).
What imodium does is that it constipates the intestines hence the food with toxic bacteria's instead of coming out of body in form of stools remain inside the body and hence in some cases taking imodium may cause more harm then benifit.
What i would suggest you is to take an antibiotic and anti protozoal(erradicate the root cause of problem in your case) along with it take an antispasmodic like Dicyclomine 10 mg twice daily to decrease the rate of persistalysis of intestine hence frequency of stools would decrease.
Take oral rehydration solution or electrolyte solution on each vomiting or loose motion(200ml).
The only problem is that all the above mentioned medicines are not over the counter so in case you can't manage a prescription you can take imodium 4 mg stat dose followed by 2 mg twice daily(stop it as soon as diarrhea stops).
If you are from a European country you may take anti secretory agent Racicadotryl 100 mg in place of imodium thrice daily(Very safe with excellent results) but unfortunately its not available in US.
Hope i was helpful.
Follow ups are welcome.
Warm regards!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
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