Over half the time I visit my sister’s house for an overnight stay, I get the nasty. Something in her house? Something in her food? I don’t know; I’m trying to be scientific, but it’s still a mystery.
Is it sensible to take immodium or some other anti-diarrheal over-the-counter med ahead of time, as a preventive measure? Or is that a bad idea, and such meds should only be used when symptoms actually strike?
All disclaimers about not being a doctor, and beware medical advice on a message board, yadda yadda yadda.
I think it’s important to try to figure out the cause. What circumstances are you commonly encountering at your sister’s that you do not encounter at your own home? Ask yourself a few key questions such as: When you’re climbing up a ladder, do you feel something splatter? When you’re sitting in your Chevy, do you feel something heavy? When you’re sliding into first, do your pants begin to burst?
Wish I could be more helpful. It’s a real problem. Some people think it’s funny, but it’s really gross and runny.
I have that same problem when visiting my folks’ - don’t know if it’s the water or what. I’ve started taking immodium before going there as a preventative if I feel like it might be an issue, seems to help most times.
Bienville - that was bad, you made me snort and wake my cats.
My doctor told me this was okay, and suggested a half-dose. What she said was “You can take it every day, you know.”
I don’t think she meant “every day for the rest of your life”, but for times that there would be triggers, like stress.
When I am confronted with the squirts, I take 4-5 heaping tablespoons of whole husk psyllium/mixed with juice and water. Taken regularly it really saves on toilet paper.
I seem to be sensitive to certain food situations. Anyway, after yet another emergency room visit, the doctor told me to take some Pepto at the slightest sign of queasiness. That was 20 years ago, and following his suggestion, I haven’t had any problems since. I now chow down a couple of pink bismuth tablets if I’m somewhere I think the food or water may be suspect.
Don’t mean to imply that the psyllium causes a blockage. On the contrary, stuff moves regularly. But, due to the fiber, pinching a loaf is more of an exact science. Hence, less toilet paper is needed.
I have frequent diarrhea ever since I had my gallbladder taken out. I sometimes take loperamide if I’m going to be on the road for a while. It doesn’t seem to help that much, it just seems to delay the inevitable for an hour or two. I told my doctor I do this and he didn’t say anything against it.
Well, like I said, I’m trying to be scientific. We’re doing practical experiments, trying to isolate a single definite cause. Kinda fun, actually! Amateur detective work! Is it the margarine? The olive oil? The water? Where is Hercule Poirot when you really need him?
Grin! It’s all of the above! Funny and yukky. Also painful. But funny!
That’s what I wanted to hear! Thank you!
That also makes good sense. I’ll try this first, and then move up to a full tab if I continue to have bad luck. Thank you! (Thanks also to your doctor!)
Good health to you all!
Even I still get a case of the squirts on occasion here in Thailand and can usually feel it coming on ahead of time. If at that time I absolutely have to travel or be somewhere with questionable toilet facilities, I go ahead and take a preventive dose of Imodium. Of course, if at all possible you should let it run out of your system, determine the cause etc etc, but sometimes you just have to ensure you’re not going to get caught short. I’d say the OP’s is one.
Well, at least it’s in a place with more than one toilet…
Ever had an attack of the squirts while out on a hiking trail, miles away from any comfort station? That is not having a good day at Stalingrad, I can tell ya!
(I sacrificed my socks to use as toilet paper. Ew…)
What, you couldn’t grab a squirrel?
No, do not take the treatment before hand.
You cannot know that the symptoms will turn to diarrhea. Only use it to when you have actually had diarrhea and getting too extreme. There can be harm from interfering with your body unneccessarily. eg causing constipation
What you can do is avoid lactose, as it may be lactose passing through the small intestine (too quick or due to lack of enzymes ) that may trigger diarrhea !
Oh, heck… Now I’ve got advice both yea and nay! (I should have stopped reading the thread after getting the answers I wanted!) 
TMI…TMI…TMI…
And, yeah, constipation is bad too. In some ways worse. (Maybe I’ve lived a lucky life, but the single worst pain I have ever felt in my life…ow ow ow…was from too large and too solid a b.m.)
Does the half-dosage idea make a good compromise?
Maybe it’s just my system, but whenever I use Imodium as a preventative, I can still crap okay the next day.