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I suffer from often unpredictable diarrhea most likely the result of my low anterior resection in 1986.
I fly generally three, sometimes four, days per week for my work and have found some success in avoiding or minimizing bathroom dependence on the airplane. By not eating solid food for 12-18 hours before flying, I avoid a gastrocolic reflex which starts my bowel moving. If I have loose or watery stools within a few hours of a trip I take one 2 mg loperamide which tends to shut down my lower intestine activity for one to three days. If that does not work, I would use Depends.
Loperamide may be contraindicated for your condition and history, so check first with your GI or general practitioner. However, 2 mg taken with 8 ounces of water is a minimal dose and may be permitted. Sometimes after a loperamide, I will end up constipated after about four days. I have had success with 7.5 ml of Dulcolax liquid (1/2 of the smallest dose) also taken with 8 ounces of water. Generally, this produces a bowel movement without excess diarrhea.
The combination of these OTC medications along with keeping notes of outcome has given me some valuable, but not complete, control over by bowel habits. It took me thirty years to realize this because before flying I was always close to a bathroom that I could use.
I take Metamucil twice daily and have since 1986. While that has some impact on forming a solid stool, it has no impact on diarrhea onset
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My family Dr. said if I had a flare up or frequent loose BMs I could take a Anti Diarrhea med prior to flying. My problem is that I never know when I am going to have a flare up or a trigger that my bowels are constantly wanting to move like every hour. Not eating is a good solution but If i dont eat at least a cracker or some toast I might get airsick. Wondering if Dramamine and Loperamide can be taken together? Ill have to check that. I take benefiber in my food or drink daily using one or 2 tsp depending. I find that eating spicy or foods that I dont normally eat may cause issues. If I stick to things that dont bother me Im usually ok. But stress seems to trigger issues sometimes and I sometimes get diarrhea when Im stressed. Thanks for the input and I sure hope and pray I dont have to wear depends yet. Im a 55 yr old female and that would be so embarrasing for me. But honestly stressing about getting to a bathroom while traveling is definitely a bit worry. Sorry it took you 30 years of dealing with this:( Most people think with diverticulitis issues people are constipated. Its quite the opposite for me. Im not overweight, I am fairly physically active and dont smoke or eat really unhealthy foods. I think genetics is a huge factor as my mom had 2/3 of her colon removed and hardly ever leaves her house:( Hoping this isnt my future. Hearing that you fly so much with this condition give me some hope. I will be flying approximately 3 or 4 hrs. connecting flight then another 3 hrs. I probably will not eat much the entire day and drink only water.