Something for Traveler's Diarrhea?
Dec 30th, 2007, 12:17 PM
#21
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Sorry nyama but you and luangwablondes didn't pay very close attention to all of the previous posts on this topic. 
Too bad since your are both regulars. When I had difficult patients like the two of you my advice was usually find another doc. 
The best advice I can give you is to find someone whose advice you trust and go for it (no pun intended). Much of what is advocated on this forum is in complete disagreement to the best practice guidelines of western medicine. I don't mean just as practiced here in the U.S. but worldwide. I can't address what people bring here as their "doctors advice". Much of what I read here is most certainly either misrepresented or misunderstood. There is no special version of medicine practiced by travel doctors vs any other sort of physician. If you want to operate under some other illusion, do it. As far as what luangwablones was suggesting, no doc, travel or otherwise, would condone it. I find that most cases of TD can be avoided by careful habits, extending even to rinsing a toothbrush in bottled water and keeping ones mouth shut in the shower. The vast majority of cases are bacterial, resulting from E. coli or similar bacteria. these can be dealt with using Cipro or another suitable antibiotic. However, other cases are not simple and are designated as "complicated". These situations require a different treatment or the affliction will linger and even become life threatening. I think most doctors here in the U.S. try and explain what symtoms require treatment and when to take the various meds and for how long. If they do not, then stop them and make them give you an explanation. Another good practice is to write down exactly what the doctor tell you in front of him/her. I find that while many prople are good at listening and understanding instructions of an illness they are currently dealing with, they do not pay attention when the illness seems only a fututure remote possibility. As a travel destination, Africa is somewhat unique in that qualified medical help is just not as available.
Frequently I find that while soeone may have a complete medical kit along on safari, when they do have a problem they haven't a clue as to how to use the their meds. Someone in each family should take responsibility for the health issues that can arise. If you don't understand the conditions under which you should begin treatment then you might as well not have bothered to take the meds along. The bottom line is that for medical advice talk to your doc, don't seek advice on a travel forum, even Fodors.
Happy New Year-safarichuck
Too bad since your are both regulars. When I had difficult patients like the two of you my advice was usually find another doc. The best advice I can give you is to find someone whose advice you trust and go for it (no pun intended). Much of what is advocated on this forum is in complete disagreement to the best practice guidelines of western medicine. I don't mean just as practiced here in the U.S. but worldwide. I can't address what people bring here as their "doctors advice". Much of what I read here is most certainly either misrepresented or misunderstood. There is no special version of medicine practiced by travel doctors vs any other sort of physician. If you want to operate under some other illusion, do it. As far as what luangwablones was suggesting, no doc, travel or otherwise, would condone it. I find that most cases of TD can be avoided by careful habits, extending even to rinsing a toothbrush in bottled water and keeping ones mouth shut in the shower. The vast majority of cases are bacterial, resulting from E. coli or similar bacteria. these can be dealt with using Cipro or another suitable antibiotic. However, other cases are not simple and are designated as "complicated". These situations require a different treatment or the affliction will linger and even become life threatening. I think most doctors here in the U.S. try and explain what symtoms require treatment and when to take the various meds and for how long. If they do not, then stop them and make them give you an explanation. Another good practice is to write down exactly what the doctor tell you in front of him/her. I find that while many prople are good at listening and understanding instructions of an illness they are currently dealing with, they do not pay attention when the illness seems only a fututure remote possibility. As a travel destination, Africa is somewhat unique in that qualified medical help is just not as available. Frequently I find that while soeone may have a complete medical kit along on safari, when they do have a problem they haven't a clue as to how to use the their meds. Someone in each family should take responsibility for the health issues that can arise. If you don't understand the conditions under which you should begin treatment then you might as well not have bothered to take the meds along. The bottom line is that for medical advice talk to your doc, don't seek advice on a travel forum, even Fodors.
Happy New Year-safarichuck
Dec 30th, 2007, 05:38 PM
#24
Wow I have been reading this thread with interest.
I agree with much of what safarichuck says and also monekypooshoe.
Yes Diasorb perhaps worked because the powder and the tablets contain
Lomperamide HCL....you know what this is!!
This is Imodium..so sure it worked.
Lomotil works better but you need a precription because the FDA does not trust it being an over the counter medication..I agree with them!!
Yes ,you do not take meds if you have diarrhea and fever and/or blood in your stools........
Why !
because you probably have or are getting Psudeomembranous Colitis or a degree of Ulcerative Colitis...so get yourself to a hospital as soon as you can.
Where do you think the blood is coming from!
From broken blood vessels .
And how much of your intestinal linning has to be "chewed" away before it erodes to the level of the blood vessles.!?!
So get yourself to the hospital
No Cipro does not work faster or better than Imodium.
They have totally different modes of action and are used for different medical conditions but can be used in conjunction with each other for diarrhea under certain conditions.
( But as has been mentioned fever and blood stoools is not one of the conditions )
Imodium works on the lining of the "gut"'s function of secretion, absorption and motility.
( Like I said Lomotil does a better job here).
Cipro.......(well you all remember the Anthrax scare), this drug works on a wide range of susceptible bacterial including those that are most commonly the cause of diarrhea.
Like E. Coli for example.
It does this by blocking an enzyme that the bacterial must have in order to duplicate itself and keep on multiply to keep on infecting you.
And yes,it will kill both the "bad" and the "good " bacterial.
Cipro is just not that smart!!!
Use the 1000 mgm tablet of Cipro and you will only have to use it once a day rather than twice.
Pepto Bismol , it will work in mild diarrhea ,or at least it will help....but two things about Pepto Bismol....
it gives you a black tongue and you will wonder what the heck is going on and second and most important ...it gives you dark tarry looking stool and you will think or might think you are bleeding....if this happens ,stop the Pepto Bismol.
Good Night All and Happy New Year
Percy
I agree with much of what safarichuck says and also monekypooshoe.
Yes Diasorb perhaps worked because the powder and the tablets contain
Lomperamide HCL....you know what this is!!
This is Imodium..so sure it worked.
Lomotil works better but you need a precription because the FDA does not trust it being an over the counter medication..I agree with them!!
Yes ,you do not take meds if you have diarrhea and fever and/or blood in your stools........
Why !
because you probably have or are getting Psudeomembranous Colitis or a degree of Ulcerative Colitis...so get yourself to a hospital as soon as you can.
Where do you think the blood is coming from!
From broken blood vessels .
And how much of your intestinal linning has to be "chewed" away before it erodes to the level of the blood vessles.!?!
So get yourself to the hospital
No Cipro does not work faster or better than Imodium.
They have totally different modes of action and are used for different medical conditions but can be used in conjunction with each other for diarrhea under certain conditions.
( But as has been mentioned fever and blood stoools is not one of the conditions )
Imodium works on the lining of the "gut"'s function of secretion, absorption and motility.
( Like I said Lomotil does a better job here).
Cipro.......(well you all remember the Anthrax scare), this drug works on a wide range of susceptible bacterial including those that are most commonly the cause of diarrhea.
Like E. Coli for example.
It does this by blocking an enzyme that the bacterial must have in order to duplicate itself and keep on multiply to keep on infecting you.
And yes,it will kill both the "bad" and the "good " bacterial.
Cipro is just not that smart!!!
Use the 1000 mgm tablet of Cipro and you will only have to use it once a day rather than twice.
Pepto Bismol , it will work in mild diarrhea ,or at least it will help....but two things about Pepto Bismol....
it gives you a black tongue and you will wonder what the heck is going on and second and most important ...it gives you dark tarry looking stool and you will think or might think you are bleeding....if this happens ,stop the Pepto Bismol.
Good Night All and Happy New Year
Percy
Dec 30th, 2007, 06:29 PM
#25
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Okay, imagine the following situation:
- the malady catches me during the night
- there's no blood
- I have to visit the loo at least once an hour
- Imodium doesn't help, I still have to visit the loo at 6am, and I have to leave for the Cessna at 7am.
Any suggestions what to do?
- the malady catches me during the night
- there's no blood
- I have to visit the loo at least once an hour
- Imodium doesn't help, I still have to visit the loo at 6am, and I have to leave for the Cessna at 7am.
Any suggestions what to do?
Dec 30th, 2007, 07:45 PM
#26
Yes
This is what I would do:
Take Lomotil ( two of those little white pills)
Take Cipro( one pill, the 1000 mgm pill)
After an hour or two you can take another Lomotil.....
then
take the Imodium with you as you head for the airport....Use the Imodium that dissolves under 10 seconds on your tongue , not the kind that you have to swallow.
take sips of water ,do not drink half a bottle but small sips very often.
Don't eat anything...I do not have to tell you that because you will not want to eat anyway!!!
Another hour goes by ..place another imodium under your tongue.... if you still have that bathroom urge
I am sure you are getting much better now.
Have I done this or had to do this... I sure have.
I also bring injectable Gravol with me because if I am very nauseated or vomiting... I guess the pill swallowing does not help much does it....
So I give myself an injection of 1 cc of Gravol.!
And don't tell me you cannot inject yourself...Diabetics do it everyday!and if you are heaving and vomiting believe me you can very easy draw up that( one cc syringe,available at any drugstore ,cheap also)and injection yourself ..
Take the "Quick Dissolve" Imodium with you on a trip.
The other type is okay if you are home !
Good Luck...you will get better, this is just to get you from point A to point B...and no animal drive this afternoon !!
Percy
This is what I would do:
Take Lomotil ( two of those little white pills)
Take Cipro( one pill, the 1000 mgm pill)
After an hour or two you can take another Lomotil.....
then
take the Imodium with you as you head for the airport....Use the Imodium that dissolves under 10 seconds on your tongue , not the kind that you have to swallow.
take sips of water ,do not drink half a bottle but small sips very often.
Don't eat anything...I do not have to tell you that because you will not want to eat anyway!!!
Another hour goes by ..place another imodium under your tongue.... if you still have that bathroom urge
I am sure you are getting much better now.
Have I done this or had to do this... I sure have.
I also bring injectable Gravol with me because if I am very nauseated or vomiting... I guess the pill swallowing does not help much does it....
So I give myself an injection of 1 cc of Gravol.!
And don't tell me you cannot inject yourself...Diabetics do it everyday!and if you are heaving and vomiting believe me you can very easy draw up that( one cc syringe,available at any drugstore ,cheap also)and injection yourself ..
Take the "Quick Dissolve" Imodium with you on a trip.
The other type is okay if you are home !
Good Luck...you will get better, this is just to get you from point A to point B...and no animal drive this afternoon !!
Percy
Dec 30th, 2007, 10:34 PM
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I did the Percy method (minus the Imodium) the night before my balloon ride, and it worked like a charm. I could have kissed my doctor's feet for suggesting the Cipro/Lomotil combination.
Next time, I'll bring Imodium as well.
Next time, I'll bring Imodium as well.
Dec 31st, 2007, 02:01 PM
#29
nyama
Take the meds I have listed with you on your next trip and I hope you NEVER have to use them.
TravlinFool:
Yes the next time take Imodium with you also.
Lomotil is too toxic to keep on taking too much of, that is why it is under prescription, because some people think that if 4 Lomotil pills will help then 10 Lomotil pills will be better !
But get the "Quick Dissolve" Imodium tablets, it is written "Quick Dissolve" right on the box.
Now I have a question .
Have either of you been to Zanzibar?
If so what did you think of the place.
Thank You
Happy New Year
Percy
Take the meds I have listed with you on your next trip and I hope you NEVER have to use them.
TravlinFool:
Yes the next time take Imodium with you also.
Lomotil is too toxic to keep on taking too much of, that is why it is under prescription, because some people think that if 4 Lomotil pills will help then 10 Lomotil pills will be better !
But get the "Quick Dissolve" Imodium tablets, it is written "Quick Dissolve" right on the box.
Now I have a question .
Have either of you been to Zanzibar?
If so what did you think of the place.
Thank You
Happy New Year
Percy
Dec 31st, 2007, 04:19 PM
#30
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Immodium if you are sure it is not a serious type of bowel infection .... works for me.
Plus, found that Crystal Lite now has a rehydration powder in small packets available at most grocery stores and I find them invaluable to add to a bottle of water to provide the rehydration needed. Takes very little space in travel suitcase and is invaluable for foreign travels.
Hope this helps.
Granny Joan
Plus, found that Crystal Lite now has a rehydration powder in small packets available at most grocery stores and I find them invaluable to add to a bottle of water to provide the rehydration needed. Takes very little space in travel suitcase and is invaluable for foreign travels.
Hope this helps.
Granny Joan
