I'm a 66 year old male that has been suffering with diarrhea for 44 years now. All I ever hear from doctors is I have IBS. Every time I get a new doctor they always want to do the whole battery of GI test. I am so over these tests that I won't do another one. The only thing that has ever helped me for short periods of time has been Imodium or Loperamide. The problem is I have had to increase the dosage to 4 Caplets at a time and it has diminishing results as time goes by. I have been talking about Peregoric with my healthcare providers and all they see is DEA agents behind every tree. Help! Where do I find Perigoric and how to take it in terms of dosage? Thank you. From a desperate walking diarrhea bomb!
Is Paregoric still available for purchase? Where do you get it?
Question posted by detroit1945 on 19 May 2012
Last updated on 23 October 2020
Added 22 May 2012:
My original questions that I had when I discovered this website were fairly specific. Is Paregoric still available for purchase? Where do you get it? The knowledge I had when I got here was that Paregoric is available for sale in Brasil and Trinidad. And, that with a proper prescription Canadian pharmacists will mix up a batch from scratch and ship it. I was hoping that there would be at least one person that might have experience with this method of dealing with the symptoms of IBS specifically the diarrhea part. But, to date no one with experience in that area has come through. Maybe over time someone will come forward with information about this specific use of narcotics for relief. My regular healthcare provider at the VA is a nice lady but she doesn't have a clue about how to deal with the symptoms of IBS. So, I see her every 3 to 6 months and she comes up with another suggestion. I did that for a long time with her until I figured out she didn't have a clue about how to deal with my condition. I asked her for a consult to GI doctor. He's what they call a fellow which I think means that he was the top guy in his medical school class which also means he doesn't/didn't have a lot of practical experience but he's real smart. I came up with the same method that my primary healthcare provider had with me which was to throw a lot of s**t on the wall and see what sticks. Unfortunately, none of it stuck other than they took my gall bladder out but it didn't do any good. The point being that every time I turn around each person has a suggestion or has heard about a suggestion that are all mainstream procedures or meds or treatments and they just do not f**k**g work! There are only two outcomes as far as I'm concerned either it's going to require some kind of exotic cure which is ify at beast. The Paregoric solution is the most long standing solution to the problem -- there is cryptic references to meds like it going back to the ancient Egyptians; Napoleon had the problem and used Paregoric like meds, the same ingredients were in his meds; William Wilberforce the British man that effectively ended slavery in England with the help of Prime Minister Penn had severe IBS that was aggravated by all the stress he was under on his quest he was on but he definitely used Paregoric like meds which was probably closer to Laudanum and up till recently, in my lifetime it was used extensively to control diarrhea. Then a certain group in this country, and, you know who you are, made it not just difficult but near impossible to use meds like Paregoric to help people with severe health problems because the devil was in those ingredients. My brother died at 33 years of age of cancer that had excruciating pain that went along with it. Yet, the people that control those pain substances would not allow anything more than a 7 day supply of the pain meds because they were a controlled substance and that group, and, you know who you are, controlled the distribution to the point that we would run out and we couldn't find a drug store to fill the prescription. So, again, I will wait and maybe some with the right experience with Paregoric, Laudanum or whatever will come along and share that information with me. Mike
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
31 Answers Page 2
granmere3
24 Aug 2012
I, too, have had problems with IBS diarrhea for many years and keeps getting worse. Gone back on donnatal for tummy pain but doc says no better meds for me. Dopers misused paregoric and wish they had not. Docs dont prescribe even if can get it somewhere. Canada sounds good, however you have to do it. Paregoric only answer. I do have colonoscopy every five years tho and you should, also.
sjunkawakan
11 Aug 2012
As far as I know, Paregoric is no longer available, and if it is, it would certainly only be by Rx. I have had had similar symptoms to IBS as a result of extensive radiation treatment for a stage 4 cancer, that resulted in the need for 4 digestive tract surgeries and lots of pain and agony. For the past 15 years I have taken Cholestyramine Powder to assist with bowel control. It was originally prescribed by my oncologist, and I have taken it 1,2 or even 3 times per day in order to have some control. Cholestyramine is used to reduce cholesterol, so, that has not been a problem for some time, lol. It did help control the diarrhea most of the time. I learned to take my time in the morning, and to take the med early as it would result in one episode within 2--30 min. and then I would be ok till about 4.
In the last year, I have found that I am eating much less, and I often do not eat all day - nothing sounds good so I just do not feel like eating..I eat enough to stay alive, but by eating much less, I have less diarrhea to deal with. The Cholestyramine might be worth a try.
The Doc described it as being a bile salts binder. Aparantly, the bile is released with the ingestion of food and helps the process along-in our case, much too rapidly. With Paregoric or any other opiodes, you cause constipation because the sensors of fullness are blocked until the colon can no longer contain the waste and then it explodes and if you are fortunate it explodes as diarrhea rather than a rupture of the colon. So without beating my head against a wall to get opiates, I chose less problematic solutions like the cholestyramine, and eating more often, but less, and keeping track of what foods really do not work - For me, that meant,anything fatty or greasy, most fiberous vegetables (which i used to love), and certain other things like chocolate or whipped cream, cheese, milk.
Good luck with your search and I hope you find something that works...
piperlu
27 Aug 2012
Hello sjunkawakan.
I found your post interesting. May i ask how much intestine you have left? How often do you take cholestyramine, & do you have any side effects? I too have short bowel disease, 41/2 feet ft small intestine, no large. I have an illeostomy. I am always looking for ways to help with the issues it causes. Currently I take Tincture of Opium 6-8 times a day to control diarrhea. (would love to have constipation!) I also avoid greasy foods and fibererous veggies & fruit. I am always hungry as my turnover rate is very quick. I have low absorption & get my nutrients from vitamins & iv's. Currently I am holding my own without iv for 2 months! Yahoo! Still I do have diarrhea as it seems to be the way it is with this disease. Anything info you have is appreciated. Thank you.
JoeMa
26 Feb 2017
Your messages are dated 2012 so I do not know if this comment is pertinent.
I was raised in Peru, So.America and pareghoric drops were given to us when we
had stomach pain with water. It was bitter but had nice aroma. We were told it was opium and were prohibited by our parents to self-prescribe. I grew in the era when we listened and obeyed our parents so there was never a problem but I still it's use was somewhat liberal and was sold at pharmacies over the counter. In Peru you can normally buy any medicine without a doctor's Rx. As far as I know they do nit have a problem with that but I have not specifically asked my relatives about it.
Come to think, this does not help you at all as trying to import it would land you in jail!
Sorry!
piperlu
19 June 2012
Hello. I have not signed on for awhile and noticed this question was still out there. I was taking paragoric for many years and then it was no longer available. I have since switched to tincture of opium full time. You can no longer purchse Paragoric since the FDA has put a hold on all of it. You can ask your pharmicist to compound it. If your pharmacy does not have a compounding lab, then they can direct you to one.It is just as effective as the brand name stuff. Your docter will decide the dosage as we are all different.
Your other option is tincture of Opium. If you come up with more ideas please let me know as i am always looking for something better & stronger that works.
I hope this helps you. Hang in there.
detroit1945
20 June 2012
I'll write you a private message for your mailbox if that's OK!
detroit1945
11 July 2012
I'm still looking for help with information and how to go about getting either Paregoric or Tincture of Opium to help control my symptoms of IBS. I appreciate all the other help with diets, other medications, alternative methodologies, new age thought processes, meditation, pilgrimages and other such ideas and concepts but I am not looking for any of those things. I am looking for help getting medication that will help control the symptoms of IBS. If there is another medication, and I underscore that, I need to look at to help me with the goal of controlling my symptoms I am interested in what that medication is. Thanks. Mike
piperlu
11 July 2012
Hello again. I'm sorry you havn't been able to get any medicaton yet. The best way to obtain Tincture of Opium is to go to your doctor and ask. They dont have to compound it. Your pharmacy orders it & if they can't, they will find a pharmacy with a distributer that does. I have gone through this process a few times. I have delt with this problem for 32 years and have found the Tincture of opium the most effective. Even more than Paragoric. It's certainly easier to take! Maybe you should mention it to your doctor as he may not know about it?
Please feel free to ask me any other questions you may have. Feel better.
piperlu
11 July 2012
Hello again. I'm sorry you havn't been able to get any medicaton yet. The best way to obtain Tincture of Opium is to go to your doctor and ask. They dont have to compound it. Your pharmacy orders it & if they can't, they will find a pharmacy with a distributer that does. I have gone through this process a few times. I have delt with this problem for 32 years and have found the Tincture of opium the most effective. Even more than Paragoric. It's certainly easier to take! Maybe you should mention it to your doctor as he may not know about it?
Please feel free to ask me any other questions you may have. Feel better.
leedavispharmacy
12 June 2012
deleted
tlcandmore
26 May 2012
Hi Mike,
My name is Terri. Laura (the sweetest hippie chickie ever) did give me a call about your predicament. She and some of the others (this is the best site ever) have given you some really good answers. I had my large intestine and a big part of my small intestine removed back in 2000. I had the worse problems with diarrhea and sometimes it would be straight stomach acid (ouch) and burns the skin right off you. Finally, my gastro doctor put me on Deodorized Tincture of Opium. It is basically Paregoric only stronger. This has been a lifesaver for me. I have been on it for over 10 years and have not had to increase the dosage to get relief from what I can only describe as hell on earth. I can tell you my experiences as it has not always been easy to find and is very expensive.
Hope to hear back from you and thank you for the service you've given to our country.
Also a special "thank you" to Laura for the call and the caring that you and so many others show here. I have missed you guys!!
Your friend -Terri-
Inactive
27 May 2012
Great answer Ter! Hopefully our new friend sees your answer, & gets some relief... Mar
tlcandmore
27 May 2012
Thanks Mar,
I am hoping I get a response from Mike. I do have a lot of experience with this issue. It's so difficult to find doctors that are willing to help when most of the time the don't understand what you're dealing with. Even when you do find one that understands they have to deal with the DEA, the FDA and let's not forget the insurance companies. Ugh!!
Anyway hope you're having a great Memorial Day weekend.
All my love -Ter-
Inactive
27 May 2012
Right back at you my friend! My hubby is pretty sick this past week, so we have no plans. Just trying to stay cool as it's in the 90's & humid. Have a great weekend... Mar
detroit1945
27 May 2012
I got that same comment again and here it is. I've never received this message before in any of my posts. Something is not right! I don't know why I was able to answer all the other times I did with no questions asked!!! "Your comment has been received and is currently pending approval by our site administrators. The approval process helps us reduce spam and other fraudulent answers. Your answer will be viewable to everyone once approved."
detroit1945
27 May 2012
Terri, It must be that when I put my email address in the last two responses that they flag those responses. So, I'm going to post my email in a way that might get through to you. It is:
livedog2 at hotmail dot com
I hope you get this one because I would like you to write me. Thanks.
tlcandmore
27 May 2012
I sure will Mike. I will also friend you so that if you have that problem in the future you can send me a pq or private question. I will email you and then you will have my email address too.
Happy Memorial Day weekend.
Your friend -Terri-
Inactive
27 May 2012
Mike, just a hint about thisite, they usually do not allow web adresses of any kind to be posted is why your comment did not get received by Terrie the first time. You can also friend people, & they usually will friend you back. That allows for private conversations between the two of you. There, you can exchange emails & even phone numbers if both parties are up to it... Mary
Inactive
23 May 2012
I don't have IBS, but I do know about paregoric. It is simply camphorated opium. You need to find a small pharmacy, not a big chain, explain your situation and ask, pretty please, if they could keep in stock enough paregoric to manage your diarrhea. Some will, a lot will. Those smaller mom and pop pharmacies tend to be more compassionate than the f*****king large ones.
I don't know where you live, but it can be done in Florida in the USA! Hope that helps you out.
Peace,
Sweet Hippie Chick
HeadStarter
26 May 2012
I read an older post asking the same question about paregoric. Here is the answer that was posted regarding manufacturers:
"You could perhaps write to the following manufacturing companies:
Aligen Independent Laboratories Inc, Alpharma USPD, Cenci, H.R. Labs Inc, Halsey Drug Company Inc, IVAX Corporation, Interstate Drug Exchange Inc, Major Pharmaceuticals Inc, Moore, H.L. Drug Exchange Inc, Morton Grove Pharmaceuticals Inc, Purepac Pharmaceutical Company, Qualitest Pharmaceuticals Inc, Sandoz Inc, Truxton Company Inc, UDL Laboratories Inc, United Research Laboratories/Mutual Pharmaceutical Company, Veratex Corporation, Watson Pharmaceuticals, they all manufacture the formulation or please talk to a pharmacist for more details... "
The response also said that one person's pharmacy was making it for her and had been for a while. I clicked on her name and I don't think she is an active member here any more. The response was from 1-1/2 years ago... It's just a shot in the dark. I'm doing my best for you.
Mary
HeadStarter
26 May 2012
I also copied this response to that older post... I hope this helps point you in the right direction. Neither of the people who were commenting on that original post about Paregoric appear to be "active" members any more:
"You have to have a prescription to obtain this drug. At this time the FDA has a hold on it but your pharmacist may be able to make you some. I have short bowell syndrome and have been taking paregoric for many years. Since it has been hard to get, and is high in alcohol, my doctor has given me another prescription for Tincture of Opium. This you take as drops. Both are effective but it also depends on how much bowell you have. I have a great pharmacy that now compounds Paregoric for me. It is the next best thing. I hope you find something that works."
So here she is talking about having it made by a "compound pharmacy". Again, I hope this helps you. I'm really trying to search the archives here for similar questions on this topic to help you...
Mary
detroit1945
26 May 2012
Thank you Sweet Hippie Chick! Your comment is very helpful in a broad way. The first thing I have to do is to find a small pharmacy and to tell you the truth I haven't seen one of those in a long time. There are CVS and Walgreens on every other corner like gas stations anymore. I have to keep reminding myself it's not about the products anymore it's about the money and only the money. But, I'm going to try to find one and see if I can explain my situation and see if I can get some help. Thanks again, Sweet Hippie Chick! You are a Sweet Hippie Chick! :)
Inactive
26 May 2012
Detroit,
The easiest way to get paregoric, i know someone who right now is getting paregoric since most her bowel is gone, lives in Texas, is to find a compounding pharmacy. They are few and far between I know. What I'm going to do, if you want, is friend you so that we may talk privately. I will ask my friend to either give me more info and maybe hook you two up. Right now I'm having trouble thinking in a straight line (major psych issues), but I'm trying my very best to get you what you need.
And thank you for fighting for our freedom.
As ever,
Hippie
tlcandmore
26 May 2012
Hey Sweetie Hippie Chickie,
Thanks for the call. I tried to call you back and left a message. I responded below and will try to help any way I can. It was good to hear from you. I miss y'all as I haven't been on the site in a while. Hope everyone is doing well.
Great answers guys!!
Love and hugs from Texas -Terri-
Inactive
21 May 2012
Hello detroit1945. Have you considered herbs? Might be an option. Regards, pledge
detroit1945
21 May 2012
The kind you eat or the kind you smoke? I couldn't resist that one! No, I never have considered them because no one has ever mentioned it to me nor have I thought of it. I did have a doctor at the VA tell me to go on a strictly brown rice diet. I did it for a month and it made things worse. You see from what I understand with these bowl problems it's like Baskin & Robbins ice cream flavors. We are all different in the way our IBS or whatever else cause these bowl eruptions. What is logical and generally accepted as ways of dealing with my IBS or whatever doesn't work! Not only does it not work but intuitively salads along with fresh fruits and vegetables sound like perfect. Well, all I can tell you is that if I go on that diet don't get between me and the Water Closet! IBS is like fingerprints which is what some of the problem is. There's not much work that has been done on our, if I can include the collective, IBS condition.
Why you might ask? It's because there's not a lot of money to be made with us with IBS or as I said whatever. The medical community really loves heart problems because there's lots of money in transplants, stents, Cardiac Catheterizations, etc., etc., etc. not much money in our end which is what they get from our end the end!!! :-)
Inactive
21 May 2012
I understand and appreciate your concerns. I would try herbal, such as in food.
Inactive
22 May 2012
Very good. I am going to read up see what if anything is out there that might be of help. And that you have not come across.
detroit1945
26 May 2012
You know pledge I want to believe you want to be helpful but I have no idea what you are talking about in your short, cryptic comments and/or answers Re: herbs. You have to be more specific so I know what you are talking about. Mike
Inactive
21 May 2012
have you ever tryed pro-biotics for a few months?
detroit1945
21 May 2012
have you ever tryed pro-biotics for a few months?
YES WITH NO POSITIVE OUTCOME! THANK YOU FOR YOU QUESTION AND/OR COMMENTS.
MIKE
Inactive
21 May 2012
Im sorry, Im sure you have tried everything. I made a stupid suggestion.
detroit1945
21 May 2012
Ginny12, there is no such thing as a stupid comment. We are all who we are and just by the fact that you took the time to ask and comment makes your interaction on this topic for me valuable. I may have already tried something but you don't know that so I consider your question valuable and pertinent! :-) Mike
P.S. I get cryptic, veiled, unintelligible, judgmental and often times mean spirited suggestions and comments from my Bible study group. But, I chose to believe that they are saying what they are saying from a good place in their hearts and that at times they get frustrated because they want to help. What I tell them is that when I try to help or suggest something to someone I try my best not to be invested in the outcome. My words or actions are all I am responsible for and the rest is up to God or a Higher Power or a Creator of the Universe.
I generally step lightly when I start talking about a Higher Power because people go off the deep ends one way or the other -- from Atheistor or nullifidians on one end to those that want to dunk me in water while they mumble some words over me. And, you know what it's all good because everybody is coming from their centers which are all different but good! So, thanks again, Ginny12, I appreciate you.
detroit1945
21 May 2012
Thank you, again, Ginny12! +<[:-)}~
Inactive
21 May 2012
thank you, Mike for being understending.
Valerie G1
9 Nov 2019
Months?! I couldn't even tolerate it for two WEEKS. I took a pre-biotic and pro-biotic combination from a vitamin shoppe; it almost IMMEDIATELY gave me frequent bowel movements bordering on diarrhea. It said to take one with the first bite of food with every meal... tried that ONCE and regretted it for 3 days. So I tried one in the AM and one at supper; same result. Cut back to 1 a day... NOPE. Even tried ONCE every OTHER day and while not as bad, still more than I was willing to deal with. I mean, the urge to have a bowel movement, even if NOT diarrhea, was waking me up at 1:00 AM! Totally unacceptable. Sadly, it's a pretty big bottle. BUT my husband takes Rx docsulate [?] because he's frequently constipated; he's open to trying it. Good thing is it didn't cost a whole lot. Am I unusual? Most people I know who take probiotics say it CURED their diarrhea... my mom took it for uncontrollable, antiobiotic-induced diarrhea when she was hospitalized for pneumonia last year and said it worked like a charm.
Adeline
20 May 2012
Hi Detroit! Just curious have they tested you for Crohns? My daughter and i both have it, with similar symptoms. i had surgery, but my daughter who has Crohns and my sister who has IBS and Colitis, are on Remicade treatments, and has helped alot. Just wondering if they ever mentioned Remicade to you?Adeline
detroit1945
21 May 2012
Hi Detroit! Just curious have they tested you for Crohns?
YES I HAVE BEEN TESTED FOR CROHNS. NO, I DO NOT HAVE THIS AILMENT.
my sister who has IBS and Colitis, are on Remicade treatments, and has helped alot. Just wondering if they ever mentioned Remicade to you?
NO I AM NOT ON REMICADE TREATMENTS. I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT IT IS. IF IT IS TO TREAT CROHNS THAT WOULD BE THE REASON I NEVER HEARD OF IT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND ANSWERS, ADELINE.
Adeline
21 May 2012
Detroit! I just thought of something eles that helped me so much and i thought it was worth a quick mention to you. When i am on antibiotics i have the same stomach issue as you, I can not leave my house. Like you the bentyl and all the other drugs just didnt help after a while. The Dr. then gave me a perscription for "Cholestyramine" it is generally used as a cholesterol medicine, but is also used for Diarrhea. It was unbelievable how it worked. When you get a chance Google it and read about it, and read some of the reviews. I actually talked to people on this site about it. You do need a perscription for it. It is a powder, you mix in in water once or twice a day, does not taste bad, and it "works". Just thought i would mention it I think it would be worth the try! Adeline
Inactive
20 May 2012
Unfortunately, Paragoric is no longer made. The FDA in it's infinite wisdom has taken it off, so that people like you are protected from turning into drug addicts. There is a tincture of opium, but it is hard to find, not covered by insurance,expensive, and tastes like horse dodo... so it has been reported. Perhaps a compounding pharmacy? There is a website called The People's Medicine Community which answers many questions, and offers suggestions. Best of luck to you.
detroit1945
20 May 2012
msfino, Let me start off by making two statements. The first one is that I am glad this is website is anonymous and that's important as far as I'm concerned so that I can reveal everything that is pertinent to my problem. Anything withheld could affect any comments or suggestions. I knew I was going to have to be transparent when I got on this website and was prepared to to be as honest and forthcoming as I can be.
You said: "Unfortunately, Paregoric is no longer made. The FDA in it's infinite wisdom has taken it off, so that people like you are protected from turning into drug addicts."
I am making conscious decisions for myself based on my health and frankly I don't care what the government thinks about what I need to do to heal or control my symptoms. The reason for that is probably apparent to most people on this website. I am a virtual prisoner of my illness and have turned into a recluse because I'm sick and tired of having accidents so I stay at home. But, more importantly I recognize the necessity for weighing decisions in so far as their pros and cons. I say this because I am a recovering alcoholic and addict. I have been clean and sober for 41 years last month. To consider the course of action I am on to find Paregoric and the proper way to take is and was not an easy decision. I have consulted many people much smarter than me including two of my Alcoholics Anonymous mentors or as we call them our sponsors. They have both known me for a long time -- one has known me for 27 years and the other for 36 years. They both told me that I have every right in the world to consider Paregoric if it will give me some relief because they know I won't abuse it and that I stay close to them for accountability.
Mike
Inactive
21 May 2012
Mike, we don't judge here (for the most part, although there are exceptions of some people who choose to do that), I admire your honesty, and that is why I gave you the name of a website where you can find what you are looking for. we understand horrible illness and pain. Many members are former addicts, many are addicts trying to get clean, and then there are always a few con artists. Don't feel embarrassed to get what you need to live a halfway normal life. We understand.
barbaradh
26 Nov 2016
Has any doctor checked you for Celiac Disease? I had the same problem for years, and still in the 70's was able to sign for the OTC medication with paregoric, which is obviously no longer available. A smart doctor finally diagnosed me with Celiac Disease when I was 53. It was medical negligence that caused me to suffer for so many years leading up to that. I was tested by Enterolab (enterolab.com). You can be tested without a doctor's order there, and you get the results in about a month. Insurance even reimbursed some of the cost. I encourage you to get tested for Celiac Disease. Since going on a strict gluten free diet, I have been free of any diarrhea.
Inactive
20 May 2012
Dear Detroit, as far as finding a way for you to get the medication you ask for, I don't have an answer. I work with a girl who has colitis, so we have talked about the treatments her dr has offered to treat that, it is similar to IBS. One option that is being talked about is something called an enema transplant, and I just thought I would mention it. It re populated the colon with beneficial bacteria and it has been touted as to clear up IBS pretty quickly. It is a new treatment for it, you might have to look around to find a dr to do it. She also takes a med called Asachol, which helps with the inflammation. I hope you get some relief soon. If you will do some research, you can find out what an enema transplant is. It sounds pretty gross, but also sounded like it worked well. Tummy troubles are no fun at all. Patti
detroit1945
20 May 2012
Pattishan, Thank you for your answers and comments. In addition to everything I've said so far I'm also a disabled veteran as you might have figured out from my earlier posts and I get my medical care from the VA or Veterans Administration system. I was also an ENRON employee of long standing. I had a $640,000 pension back in 2000 and the next day after senior management was caught lying about their business practices I had -$0- in my pension plan. I'm not telling you these things for you to feel sorry for me because I've already felt sorry for myself but I'm over that. I'm just telling you these things because they are the facts that affect my ability to have medical care. I work very closely with my healthcare provider at the VA but budgets being what they are I have not had a full fledged doctor in almost 8 years. I have a Nurse Practitioner that is great.
She is very good at what she does, she communicates excellently and does not feel threatened at all with my participation in my health as being my own advocate. I am a male and this may come off sexist but my experience has been that I have received better healthcare management and services with women than men. I know generalizations are dangerous but the two key ingredients for good healthcare is to have a healthcare provider that is will to dialog and get input from the patient and does not let their personal feelings to get in the way. In other words they don't get bruised egos just because the patient wants to participate in their healthcare. My experience has been women are good and men are... Well you fill in the blank. Overriding this discussion with answers and comments is the fact that being in the VA system limits my ability to have exotic cures or solutions to medical problems i.e. enema transplants. Again, thank you Pattishan, for your comments and answers. Mike
Inactive
20 May 2012
dear Mike, thank you for serving in our armed services, it means a lot to me. I too have had a similar glitch in my health coverage thru my work, so believe me, I can empathize with you. At my work, you can get part time health insurance, which I signed up for. Only managers are considered FULL time, but somehow, and at some point during the re-enrollment process, the HR computer deemed me full time and cancelled my full time coverage, with no notification of any kind. I found out, at the gastro drs office. In order to fix the problem, my manager and the store manager, told me to quit for one day, get hired again, thus enabling me to apply for part time coverage again. I am really freaked out about it, as I had an ultrasound and 2 sets of bloodwork done, not knowing they had scotched my insurance. I am worried about the quit/rehire solution, any diagnosis showing up on my record before I regain coverage, not to mention what is going on with my tummy.
Is the a medical college near you? Not sure if you would find a program there to help you, but it is just a thought. Keeping you in my prayers, and hoping you get some relief. Patti
Inactive
20 May 2012
Mike, you are so correct about the treatment between men and women. My husband has to come with me on important appts. with doctors, or I am just written off as an hysterical female. it pisses the Sh*t out of me!!
meyati
22 May 2012
If a VA patient gets any medical care on their own-that's not an emergency like a car wreck-the VA will drop medical coverage of the patient. My son takes about $3,000 worth of meds a month. He's been going through it as his tanse unit quit working and every department referred him to another department-primary physician to physical therapy to spinal injury to pain management-Many of the members seem to have good medical insurance, but lots of us are limited by different reasons. Two of the problems in this state is the highest rate of drug addiction of prescription drugs-with a corresponding death rate. Then we are one of the lowest paid states by medicare-few good doctors remain-and specialists can't pay off their student loans-so many of the recommended specialists by DC members are in another state-and it takes 6 months to see any type of specialist that remains here-usually because they grew up here-some stay for the cowboy life-hiking and skiing.
Nunyabees
1 Dec 2017
Mike, I feel you're pain. When I was an infant I had cholic and stomach problems continued until I was about 10. Paregoric was a life saver for me. It instantly made the diarrhea and cramping stop. I am in my 60's now and in the last few years I have had these symptoms start all over again. When it happens I have found that taking a hydrocodone has the same result which is not surprising since the active ingredient in both are the same. Now the challenge is finding a doctor who will prescribe that-but it should be easier than chasing down paregoric.
Inactive
20 May 2012
Hello detroit & welcome to the site. I used to use paragoric on my kids(I'm the same age as you) when they were colicky babies per my doctors adivce. When my second grandchild came along, he was also collicky,& I suggested paragoric. The kids were told that doctors no longer reccomneded it for babies so I dont know if you can buy it OTC or not. Ask your nearest pharmacist. He will know for sure is the best adivce I can give you. It sure did help the colic! Hope this helps...
detroit1945
20 May 2012
Thank you for your answer and comments, Mary.
Mike
Inactive
20 May 2012
Hi Mike, when I answered your question this morning none of these other answers were showing at least to me or I probably wouldn't have said a word! You have had to bear you soul to get an answer to a very simple question, & that isn't fair or the way we usully operate on here. I want to thank you for your service to our country. I lost a cousin, & several good friends in Vietnam. I'm very happy to know you made it home. I had a sister in law that had you very same condition, & could not find a cause or reason for her problem either. Her own father was a doctor, & he couldn't help her. She suffered terribly until the day she died. I do hope you find some relief, & soon. Tis a sad day when our counrtry lets any current or former serviceman or woman live in such misery. They should be the best in medical care not the worst. My own brother is a veteren & just got a diagnoisis of lymphoma, but not from the VA.
Oh no, he was just faking all this for all these years. I am truly sorry you can't get what you need or get a proper diagnosis so you can get the proper treatment. Just wanted to wish you the best, & thank you again for what you did for not only the Vietamese people, but our country as well. Good luck to you... Mary
meyati
20 May 2012
Oh darling-I feel for you. My GI system was labeled as seizure prone, and the Air Force put me on seizure medicine. I was diagnosed by the USN for IBS during the Viet Nam War, and diagnosed as having stomach seizures by the USAF during the Gulf War. I take Librax-which is a combination of 2 major depressents-anti-seizure meds that relaxes the muscles.
You say diets- but what are your food triggers? Many of today's stupid gastrointesten--- don't seem to be aware of what they prescribe from life style to meds. Obviously I'm not depressed-new doctors say they'll change meds. I say fine- I'll carry a poop bucket with me and use it in the ER waiting room-and they can clean up after me with a mop. They say-you wouldn't- I say-I did. If your med works fine, but why change something that's working and gamble that I'm going 2 B living in the ER.
I am now able to have a cup of warm coffee in the morning-that means so much to me. I spent about 12 years with a bowl of Cream of Wheat-without sugar or milk-for breakfast. I still can't tolerate hot or cold things- no ice-no ice water-and I didn't say -Hot Coffee-
detroit1945
20 May 2012
meyati,
I appreciate your comments and answers. Even if some things don't resonate immediately it helps to develop additional internal dialog. My situation as are everyone's situations are unique unto the person. My situation gets complicated because I was in the U.S.M.C. during the Vietnam War. One night in October of 1965 i was wounded with shrapnel in my right, lower intestinal area. As a matter of fact it damaged my appendix and gave me the problems and symptoms of a burst appendix along with the actually wounding by the shrapnel.I ended up in the Naval hospital on the Island of Guam for close to nine (9) months. The complications came into play in that the surgeon that originally worked on me when I was medivaced to the surgical unit had been on duty for 36 hrs. straight and he left sponges in me when they sewed me back up.
To complicate an already complicated situation was that we had lots of wounded on those few days and no doctor included me in their daily rounds. I was running a very high fever and the wound was very angry and hot to the touch and finally on the 8th day a doctor came in to see me. He took one look at my wound and called for a crash cart and performed surgery right on the spot without antisetic. He opened me up, the smell was the smell of death because I was literally dying from the inside out. He reached inside of me and pulled out a ball of pus the size of a man's fist. They put me on massive amounts of penicillin which I can no longer take. I say all this to give a whole picture of my situation. I personally don't think that episode had anything to do with my IBS. I have talked to a number of doctors and none of them think that the sponge problem has anything to do with my IBS. I don't think I had IBS as a child growing up. As a matter of fact I can go back to the point in time when it actually started which was in January of 1968 when I had my 1st episode. I have tried and done so many things that have never helped me at all. As I said in an earlier post the only thing that ever gave me any momentary relief has been Imodium. God bless whoever invented or discovered that medication. So, the reason I'm in the market again is because Imodium has almost stopped working for me. I am up to 4 or 5 Imodium caplets per initial dosage and it is giving me marginal relief. So, my body is or has adjusted to me taking Imodium and I am having diminishing returns and basically its not working for me or at least very close to not working. I have more to say about other suggested ways of taking medications i.e. Imodium, lomotil, other meds. But, it's late now.
meyati
21 May 2012
I'm sure that you're with the VA now. Here we have one of the best in the nation. My question is have they done a colonoscopy and took tissue samples? Just make sure-I was informed that they found a new bacteria that causes IBS symptoms. Actually it's not that new, but doctors disreguarded as a factor. This might be off the wall- but could you have a parasite-like beaver fever? It's called gallerdia or something like that.
You can get it and it slowly build up to IBS symptoms-I was taking so much Imodium that I was deficating white. The AF had fun with it. As soon as they had a suspicion of it-they put me on the med-that took 15 minutes. It took over 90 days to get my official results back, as they sent samples and paperwork to Ramstein, South Korea, and Turkey, turkey had been the champion. The AF had sort of a contest for the worst case of beaver fever.
Kirtland AFB was very proud to take the unofficial title-with all the Special Ops-I'm sure that I've lost my title as the most infected a long time ago. I was working with livestock-I often bit on the end of glove finger to pull a glove off with one hand, so I could hold a green horse with the other hand. I know the water was clean because my family wasn't infected at all. IBS can be caused by stomach damage. POWs-long-term-concentration camp survivors-even special forces develop it from stress, physical hardship-and lack of decent food. I think a type A personality helps to develop it. It doesn't happen overnight-1968 was a horrible year in 'Nam. Then you had to be stressed out wondering about your medical care. It was so bad that they had ROK navy doctors at Balboa USNH at 'Diego, CA. Good luck
kaismama
19 May 2012
You used to be able to just go into a pharmacy and get paregoric by signing for it. Those days have been over for some times now. It is still available but you need a prescription. Since it is opium and american doctors see loss of license and jail in their dreams the minute they prescribe it, you could probably get them to pull their teeth out easier. Has anyone tried to figure out why you have the diarrhea for real, not just write it off as ibs? Have you seen a gastrenterologist? You may think I'm nuts but sometimes fiber stops diarrhea because it bulks up the stool.
detroit1945
19 May 2012
You used to be able to just go into a pharmacy and get paregoric by signing for it. Those days have been over for some times now.
I'M FAMILIAR WITH THOSE DAYS BECAUSE I WAS THE OLDEST IN MY FAMILY AND REMEMBER MY MOTHER USING PAREGORIC FOR MY BROTHERS WHEN THEY WERE BABIES AND HAD SEVERE DIARRHEA. I BELIEVE IT WAS SOLD OVER THE COUNTER BACK IN THOSE DAYS WHICH WERE THE EARLY 1950s.
It is still available but you need a prescription.
THIS IS THE TRACT I AM CURRENTLY FOLLOWING WHICH IS THAT IT IS HOPEFULLY STILL AVAILABLE WITH A PRESCRIPTION LEGALLY!
Since it is opium and american doctors see loss of license and jail in their dreams the minute they prescribe it, you could probably get them to pull their teeth out easier.
THANK YOU FOR THIS COMMENT.
Has anyone tried to figure out why you have the diarrhea for real, not just write it off as ibs?
YES, AS I SAID I'VE BEEN SUFFERING WITH THIS 44+ YEARS AND I HAVE BEEN PURSUING AIDS AND CURES FOR ALL THAT TIME!
Have you seen a gastrenterologist?
YES, MANY!
You may think I'm nuts but sometimes fiber stops diarrhea because it bulks up the stool.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT BUT NONE OF THIS HAS EVER WORKED FOR ME.
I CAN'T SPEAK FOR ANYONE ELSE BUT I HAVE EXPERIENCED AND RESEARCHED MY PROBLEM FOR COUNTLESS YEARS. AND I'VE COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT NONE OF MY DOCTORS HAVE EVEN COME CLOSE TO HELPING ME DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM. MY NEWEST THEORY IS THAT THIS MAY BE A NEUROLOGICAL AS OPPOSED TO A GASTROINTESTINAL PROBLEM. THE REASON I SAY THAT IS THIS MAYBE I CAN DRAW A PICTURE. I THINK WHEN THE DIARRHEA STARTS THERE IS A SWITCH IN THE BODY SOMEWHERE THAT IS FLICKED ON BECAUSE BOWL MOVEMENTS ARE INVOLUNTARY. I THINK THESE KINDS OF AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM RESPONSES OR ACTIONS ARE CALLED SYMPATHETIC BUT DON'T HOLD ME TO THAT BECAUSE IT MIGHT BE THE PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM. TO KEEP IT IN LAY TERMS I THINK OR MY THEORY IS THAT ONCE THE SWITCH IS TURNED ON IS WHERE THE PROBLEM IS LOCATED BECAUSE I THINK THE NERVOUS SYSTEM IS DIS-FUNCTIONING BECAUSE IT EITHER IT CAN'T FIND THE OFF SWITCH OR SOMETHING IS BLOCKING THE TURNING OFF OF THE BOWL MOVEMENT SWITCH. FOR WHATEVER THAT IS WORTH BUT RIGHT NOW ALL I CARE ABOUT IS GETTING SOME MEDICATION THAT WILL HELP ME WITH MY SYMPTOMS. MITIGATING THE SYMPTOMS IS JUST AS GOOD AS A CURE FOR ME!
MIKE
kaismama
11 Aug 2012
You can take Canada out of the options, they cannot send narcotics across the border.
JBNYC
21 Feb 2017
Paregoric is a real life-saver. Rub a bit on a toothache and you're good for hours! And for diarrhea, a quarter teaspoon generally does the trick. Any opiates will constipate you, as will heavy doses of antihistamines that are over the counter and cheap, including generic Benadryl. When I couldn't get Paregoric I was able to get Tylenol with Codeine #3. Any doctor will prescribe that. Very little codeine but it will do the job or help greatly. I went online looking for Paregoric and found that it IS available in the USA. Best of luck.
eagle05
21 Nov 2017
in the late 40's my mother kept a little on hand from local pharmacy
HeadStarter
19 May 2012
I take it that you are looking for more than Pepto, right? You are leaning towards medications containing opiates to slow down the spasms like paregoric or codeine. And, you are right about the DEA agents hiding behind the trees. Even the medications containing those ingredients will have temporary, albeit short-lived relief. And, you can't just find it... it will have to be prescribed to you.
Doctors really don't like to be told by the patient what they think they need. It kind of sends up the RED FLAG warning. I take it you have a GI doctor now, why not ask them for something stronger because what you are taking just isn't working! I mean that in a respectful way... really just come out and tell your doctor you need help and immediate relief and to please, please help you get comfortable dealing with this condition.
I am sure you are following a good, bland diet, too, right??? Perhaps adding more starch to your diet would also help. Do you follow the BRAT diet when your symptoms are at their worst??? Do you take any kind of muscle relaxer???
Just some food for thought here and hope it helps you some. Please keep posting so we know how you are doing and whether you have gained any insight, okay?
Blessings to you and you are your own best advocate...
Mary
detroit1945
19 May 2012
MARY,
I take it that you are looking for more than Pepto, right?
YES!
You are leaning towards medications containing opiates to slow down the spasms like paregoric or codeine.
YES!
And, you are right about the DEA agents hiding behind the trees. Even the medications containing those ingredients will have temporary, albeit short-lived relief. And, you can't just find it... it will have to be prescribed to you.
YES, I KNOW AND SHORT TERM RELIEF IS BETTER THAN NO RELIEF. AS I SAID IN MY ORIGINAL QUESTION I'M 66 YEARS OLD AND A REALISTIC GOAL IS FOR ME TO HAVE ANY KIND OF RELIEF FOR ANY PERIOD OF TIME AS OPPOSED TO NONE!
Doctors really don't like to be told by the patient what they think they need. It kind of sends up the RED FLAG warning. I take it you have a GI doctor now, why not ask them for something stronger because what you are taking just isn't working! I mean that in a respectful way... really just come out and tell your doctor you need help and immediate relief and to please, please help you get comfortable dealing with this condition.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS COMMENT. THE ANSWERS TO WHATEVER QUESTIONS ARE IN YOUR ANSWER ARE ALL YES IF I AM GLEANING YOUR ANSWER/COMMENT CORRECTLY. THE REASON I HAVE COME TO THIS WEBSITE/FORUM/WHATEVER IS THAT I HAVE TRIED EVERY AND ALL MAINSTREAM MEDICATIONS, DIETS AND/OR AIDS AND NONE OF THEM WORK AND MY CONDITION IS GETTING WORSE! I'M A FAIRLY INTELLIGENT AND ARTICULATE PERSON. SO, I FEEL AS THOUGH i HAVE COMMUNICATED TOTALLY AND FULLY WHAT MY CONDITION STATUS IS ALONG WITH SYMPTOMS AND OUTCOMES FROM PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS TO MITIGATE MY SYMPTOMS.
I am sure you are following a good, bland diet, too, right??? Perhaps adding more starch to your diet would also help. Do you follow the BRAT diet when your symptoms are at their worst??? Do you take any kind of muscle relaxer???
THE ANSWER TO ALL THESE QUESTIONS IS YES!
Just some food for thought here and hope it helps you some. Please keep posting so we know how you are doing and whether you have gained any insight, okay?
MY INTENTIONS ARE TO DO EXACTLY WHAT YOU HAVE SUGGESTED IN THIS PARAGRAPH.
Blessings to you and you are your own best advocate...
THANK YOU FOR YOUR BLESSINGS AND YES I KNOW I AM MY BEST AND OFTEN TIMES MY ONLY ADVOCATE!
MY INTENTION AND/OR GOAL IS TO FIND OUT ABOUT PAREGORIC AND/OR OTHER OPIATES THAT PEOPLE HAVE USED AND TRY TO ASSESS THE POSITIVE AFFECTS OF THEIR USE. i VIEW THIS APPROACH AS THE 2ND TO THE LAST HOUSE ON THE BLOCK IN TERMS OF ME FINDING SOME RELIEF!! I AM OPERATING IN A DESPERATE MODE!!!
MIKE
granmere3
24 Aug 2012
None of meds work except eventually immodium which constipates me. Doc suggested my being in double blind government study for new med for people who are not helped with any others. I declined for personal reasons. If it is good it will be tremendously expensive I am sure. And will take few years to come out. Dont know name.
HeadStarter
24 Aug 2012
Hello Detroit - Beings I cannot send you a private message, I will mention another drug here because I am having no luck with the paragoric. This other medication with a brief explanation for it, too. It sounds hopeful but just wondering if you ever heard of it... Alosetron hydrochloride (Lotronex), which has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for women with severe IBS who have not responded to conventional therapy and who have mostly diarrhea. This drug can have severe side effects, including constipation and decreased blood flow to the colon. Some deaths have been reported. Accordingly, patients must thoroughly discuss the benefits and risks with their physician before taking this medication. In fact, patients are required by the FDA to sign a Patient-Physician Agreement before they can receive a prescription for this medication.
Okay, I saw where they are referring for the use in women but don't know if that was just from the study group that was used...
Mary
P.S. I was also kind of wondering if your IBS is from celiac disease which is a gluten intolerance but more importantly... continuing to eat foods with gluten can damage the intestines. Getting rid of all gluten can greatly decrease or diminish the severity of your issue and maybe even give you a glimmer of hope for the future. Just a thought and have done some reading on that one. I hope you don't mind the input. I have been thinking a lot about this and I feel for you in this case...
rgarciaq
3 Aug 2016
Medical trials are usually free and some even pay you for each visit ($100-$150). I was part of the medical trials for Nexium. All endoscopy's were free and I was paid $100 each time I went for an exam. All I had to do was take two pills (double-blind, meaning neither the doctor nor I knew which was the real pill) and keep a diary. I was almost stage 1 esophageal cancer and in 4 weeks I was cured. I have been taking Nexium for GERD since the drug came into the market. I digressed, but just wanted you to know about drug trials NOT costing anything, and indeed profitable in many ways.
English maiden
12 April 2017
I got some paragoric, go to EBay, there are sellers there from England or who sell stuff that you cannot but in the states any longer.
Snaab
12 Sep 2017
I'm 47 years old and when I was a really young child,my grandma use to give me Paragoric when I had an upset stomach. That stuff is amazing and if I could find a place to buy it today,I definitely would.
I'm not sure what is exactly in it,I thought that it was just alcohol..a lot of alcohol.
But I would only purchase it if it was still the same formula that it used to be.
This article didn't help me.
Can someone please just tell me if they still make and sell it and where I can get it if they do?
Thank you.
P. S.
Drugs years ago that have been pulled from the market are actually the closest thing to a"miracle drug" that I've ever seen.
The crap these days just doesn't work
AndreaCoffman
3 Feb 2018
I'm 55 I've used paregoric and I wish that they would put it back on the market it worked when you have a small child at home throwing up it worked now you can't even get it anywhere and this is shame
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paregoric, irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, doctor
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