Treating IBS-D

Dear all, new follower here - would greatly appreciate more recommendation and advice.

So I'm just starting up on my TMS busting journey to solve my IBS-D once and for all (I've literally tried every other solution out there in the past decade or so: acupuncture, hypnotherapy, psychiatric drugs, fiber diets, SIBO-fodmap diets, all sorts of supplements etc. etc.). And yes I've already done both colonoscopy/endoscopy relatively recently, there is nothing structurally wrong, hence I am certain its a mind body syndrome.

My question is, how should I approach it in terms of weeding off the medication? I take imodium/loperamide for anti-diarrheal fairly regularly. Should I just stop it immediately or gradually taper off of it? Because I've heard and read different takes on this and am unsure which is the optimal path for the smoothest and quickest recovery.

Many thanks for your help in advance!

 

First, congratulations on discovering that your symptoms are due to a mindbody syndrome. You are now on the path to recovery.

As far as your question regarding medication--you are right that many people choose different paths in dealing with this. For me, I kept the medication the same while I was working the program. Then when I felt better and could see progress, I had the confidence to begin tapering off of my medication.

 

I'd like to echo Ellen's congratulations. While I've never had IBS-D, I did have a long struggle with daily headaches for several years. As it turned out, by using BC Powder (a combination of aspirin and caffeine), I had been bringing on rebound headaches as my body fought back against my daily onslaught of powder. The result was that I had to take more - and more often - over time just to be able to function normally. When I finally figured this out, I tried to stop immediately - and got walloped with the nastiest, most disabling headache I could ever imagine. I had to taper off the powder slowly over about a 6 month period - and even then I was only able to do it because, on a doctor's advice, I started taking Tylenol cautiously but as needed to stave off the worst of rebound. I've since learned that rebound effect is something that applies to whole classes of medications.

I'm not a doctor! But I know that some meds shouldn't be stopped abruptly for safety reasons, and others should probably be tapered off to avoid unpleasantness, just like I should warm up and stretch before getting out on the badminton court (my sport!) and playing hard if I want to avoid injuries that could keep me off the court for weeks.

I'm with Ellen on this. Welcome to the club!

 

Thank you both for the replies! Very helpful indeed.

Yes I am well aware of rebound headaches (as my brother went through them before). I decided to taper off the meds as well since it seems there are rebound effects based on what I've been reading.