Hi There, new here and wonder if anyone can help or has the same question.

My husband had a Parke's pouch fitted internally, now called a J pouch, some 35 years ago to replace his bowels and takes codeine phosphate to help stop any leakages. About a year ago he too was advised to take Imodium as well as the codeine to help him when he was having problems, but he only took it for a couple of weeks. Maybe you could speak to the department which has knowledge of bowel conditions? Although from what I have read, chemo has that effect. My husband doesn't have cancer or is having chemo, but maybe a short course of something prescribed by a bowel specialist would help you?

Thank you so much for your response, very helpful. Jeanne

I haven't had chemo, just radiotherapy, and I can only imagine how you feel. I just hope you get it sorted so you feel a little more comfortable.

I had my gall bladder removed over 25 years ago, and since then always loose stools etc. I know a different cause , not tolerating a lot of foods, oil, creams etc, and random things

with chemo yes watery now etc 

I use the drug given to me by the hospital for diarrhoea,  loperamide hydrochloride, they stop it / ease it

im always to scared of going the other way ( ie constipated) as so used to how I process/ digest various foods 

I have on the prescription to take 2 initially then one after each loose bowel motion( and for me this is a whole different loose like you say watery , but they work)

Ah Debs3112 that's also very useful thanks as I too have no gall bladder! I had mine removed before my partial colostomy in the 1980's. That's why I sometimes say, our bodies are amazing, how we can cope and live having gone through such major operations. I do believe it's holistic though, our minds, the way we handle things, not always easy by any means but try to remain positive or look for positives in the face of adversity! 

Thanks best wishes to you too Gazeebo

hi JL

Yes always used to a toilet dash before chemotherapy, so I was never really alarmed by the thought of diarrhoea 

my consultant said to me I must stop it tho with the tablets mentioned above, as there’s been a couple of close calls  when I’ve nipped out, and yesterday for a short drive/ walk luckily a loo at the nature reserve 

okay in my own home of course. 

have always been concerned a bit re my bowels as my father died in 1981 from bowel cancer ( no chemo or radiotherapy then) he had a stoma- not sure which , but todays science and treatments are amazing . my paternal Aunty and paternal grandparents had it too 

hope it all works out for you 

I’ve only just had 2 chemotherapy’s so far , 2 or 6 more to go , depends on response to it . I have invasive ductal 

my skin is affected rash/ spots annoyingly , spots on top of hair loss    

I would ask a pharmacist, this is their field. If you cannot have direct access, ask your nurse or your consultant to ask the oncology pharmacist on your behalf.

Greycats, Thanks will try to remember that when I go the the doctors tomorrow! I haven't been taking Imodium 'regularly' and my bowels have behaved today yay! So it does depend on our diet too I suppose. It's hard but I'm trying to be very careful with what I eat and it's my 3rd week when I'm usually 'better'- back on chemo Thursday so lets see what that brings. 

How did it go today? I you forgot to mention it perhaps you could phone or email them, but I hope you either have the answer you were after, or someone there is making the enquiry for you.