Pepto Bismol

Guest · Postby **Guest** » Tue Feb 05, 2002 11:13 am

I've seen some of you are on Pepto Bismol. My dr recommended that to me for the first time last Fri evening. I started it about 8 or 9 PM, then went to work at 11PM. By 4AM I had black stools! I panicked because that usually means internal bleeding. Here it is 4AM on Sat and my dr's office wouldn't be open again until Mon AM. I wasn't sure whether to phone in as a potential emergency or what to do. I looked up Pepto in one of our reference books at work before I did anything else and found that this is a normal response. Apparently the active ingredient in it (Bismuth) mixes with saliva and turns black. It can cause a black tongue, also. So, if you take that, don't panic as I did. Perhaps Friday will have more to add to this as I seem to remember that she is a pharmacy tech. [Guest Posted by: 'Mary']

Guest · Postby **Guest** » Tue Feb 05, 2002 2:08 pm

Mary, If you try the Pepto tablets (not the liquid or chewables), you usually won't get a black tongue. Black stools are a normal reaction for all three forms. I was amazed when Dr. Borody said Imodium for active C. diff. was okay and didn't keep toxins in the body. I have a lot of faith in him, however, and followed his instructions, and it has helped. (Dr. Allen also told me to take it, but I was over the active C. diff. at the time. I am going to check with Cheryl at his office to see what he thinks about taking Imodium with active C. diff.) In my experience with C. diff. (that ranges over 31 years including my son's first experience with it), I have found Drs. A & B the most knowledgable of all the doctors I have seen or talked with about C. diff. Imodium works far better for me than Pepto. I am very cautious with it, however, and only take it for one day (and never more than the four tablets a day). I don't believe I've ever had to take it more than once a week, and until this last "scare," I hadn't taken it for months. I do know that both Pepto and Imodium only help with the symptoms, however, and aren't a cure. They certainly are a Godsend, however, when it comes to being able to leave the house. Sometimes, I think they might be the "give the patient something to do category," but, hey, sometimes the psychological effect helps alone. How are you feeling, Mary? Any more progress with your diagnosis? My personal favorite diagnosis is when a doctor tells you that you or your child has a "syndrome." It sounds so ominous until I found out it just means a bunch of symptoms that could or could not point toward a certain disease. There has been an attempt to make "legalese" more understandable. Sometimes, I wish the medical field would do the same. [Guest Posted by: 'Bobbie']

Guest · Postby **Guest** » Thu Feb 07, 2002 10:22 pm

Bobbie; Well, I've been on the Pepto Bismol, along with Imodium after each liquid stool, for 6 days now and I have to say that my diarrhea is definitely decreasing. Imodium has never really gotten rid of it, and it doesn't now either. However, I was having 6-8 stools (mostly liquid) before we started this, and am down to only 3 today and only one of them was liquid. In reading about my new diagnosis I've discovered that a doctor in Dallas believes that Pepto Bismol actually is a cure for Microscopic Colitis (which is my new diagnosis). There's only been his one clinical test done from what I've been reading on the 'net, and he had excellent results with that. However, I keep finding people who log on to the support group for that diagnosis who have not had as good luck with Pepto. Well, I'm using it and thinking positive. There's lots on the 'net about this new diagnosis, and I believe we now have hit on the correct problem - I fit so many of the symptoms! It is also a very elusive disease and difficult to treat. One difference with this and with c. diff is that this seems to resolve itself, but that may be 10 years or so! It generally affects women in my age range (50's) and often attacks after someone has had a 'bout with some type of "bug" (ie; c. diff or even "the flu"). So, at this point, my hope lies in Pepto Bismol (isn't that sad!?!) [Guest Posted by: 'Mary']

Guest · Postby **Guest** » Sun Feb 10, 2002 12:47 am

hi, mary --the pepto is very interesting. How large a dose per day are you using? And does it turn your stool black? thanks! [Guest Posted by: 'bob']

Guest · Postby **Guest** » Mon Feb 11, 2002 10:49 am

Bob; First, please read my Case History - I no longer have c. diff and am using Pepto Bismol for a different diagnosis! I know some people use it with their c. diff, but please do check this out with your dr before you start it on your own! The research for the diagnosis I now have (microscopic colitis) indicates that taking 8 chewable tablets per day in some people actually can CURE this problem!!! (Usually Pepto Bismol is thought of as only controlling symptoms - not a cure!) I know that some of the people on the support site for microscopic colitis indicate that they used the pills to keep from getting the black tongue, but that it didn't work for them. Well, I read the dr who discovered that this is helpful and his info suggests chewable tablets, so I'll deal with a black tongue in hopes of a cure! My tongue is now black way back at the back of it, where it isn't visible when I just talk or laugh, but a big yawn not covered could "freak out" someone sitting across from me! The blackness tends to get closer to the front of my tongue just after I take them, but once they have all been disolved or chewed, I find that brushing my teeth and vigorously brushing my tongue has (so far) gotten rid of it! If interested, you can find more about this disease and the Pepto "cure" at the website called . Dr. Kenneth Fine is who discovered this. Best of luck to everyone. You all might be interested in reading my case history about my new diagnosis. Mary [Guest Posted by: 'Mary']

Guest · Postby **Guest** » Tue Mar 25, 2003 6:26 pm

I just found out that I have c diff as I suspected. I was put on strong antibiotics for 10 days for a severe throat infection. The diarrhea began one day before my last day of dosages. I called my Dr to see if I should continue taking it, of course he said I needed to finish the meds. That was 13 days ago and I have had diarrhea ever since. They gave me a four day med to try to get rid of the diarrhea...didn't work. I looked up info on diarrhea caused by antibiotics and found info on c diff so I insisted on a stool sample. I am a little scared after reading all of this info on people who have been suffering with this for months and years. I will begin taking Flagyl as prescribed by my dr and then go back in for a check up when I finish the bottle. Anyone know what the success rate of Flagyl is? I'm just curious to know if I'm pretty much wasting my time and money. Also, has anyone tried taking acidophilus with Flagyl? Thanks!

Guest · Postby **Guest** » Tue Mar 25, 2003 9:59 pm

I sure hope the "4 day med" wasn't another antibiotic. First time c-diff sufferers can actually look forward to about an 80% cure rate with the first round of treatment. This is true either with flagyl or vanco. You do not want to go without treatment. The repercussions can be ugly. The longer you have it untreated, the harder it can be to get rid of. Read the information in the FAQ section here plus Tom Borody's article to get a good idea of what you're dealing with. Good luck. I hope you don't become a recurrent sufferer. Most don't.

Guest · Postby **Guest** » Wed Mar 26, 2003 2:19 am

Cheri, Keep in mind that the people who post on this site are the "worst case scenario ones" -- the 20% that aren't cured with one to two rounds of medication. I'm sure the percentage goes way down for the ones who have the disesase for six months or more. The next time you have a throat infection, insist on a throat culture before taking an antibiotic if you didn't do so this time. Most sore throats are viral. Strep can be detected with a culture (the longer test is the most accurate). Think positive. Keep us informed.

Guest · Postby **Guest** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 10:32 pm

Cheri, you and I got C-Diff from a similar situation--I had a Thyroid infection. I hope Flagyl works for you. It worked for me while I was on it, but once I stopped, it came back. I have a question about Immodium and Pepto. Before I was diagnosed, my dr suggested Immodium. After I was diagnosed, another dr said don't take Immodium, but Pepto was safe. I didn't ask what was wrong with Immodium--anyone know about this? I'm not taking either if I don't have to because they tend to over-plug me (if you know what I mean), and it's several days before I have any BM's--but that's definitely not a good thing! And that's from 1/2 an adult dose!

Guest · Postby **Guest** » Thu Jan 08, 2004 3:18 am

I have a medically fragile child with c.diff. She is 4 years old with a trach and a g-tube. Currently she is having her second bout of c.diff. She was hospitalized once with it an discharged on flagyl. As soon as she got off the flagyl it recurred within a week. We are currently waiting for the last stool culture results in order to see if her doctor will order another round of flagyl. She take Pediasure four times a day and is also on Imodium 4 times daily throught her g-tube. It seems to be helping somewhat. I confess I am somewhat concerned. Is there anyone out there with a medically fragile child that can give me some feedback?

Guest · Postby **Guest** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 1:28 pm

This posting relates to use of pepto bismol among individuals who have poor bone health or who may be concerned about risk factors to their bones. I noticed on Dr. Weil's web site that he cautions against long term use of pepto since it contains aluminum which can cause softening of the bones. I talked with the doctor who follows me for my osteoporosis about this and he concurs with Dr. Weil and recommended staying away from ongoing use of products such as pepto bismol that contain aluminum and instead to use products that are calcium based (such as tums). Just an fyi.

Postby **Bobbie** » Sat Feb 11, 2006 10:40 pm

Rose posted the following. Thx., Rose. NOTE: As with an other med., Pepto has side efffects. Believe one of them can be an increase in bleeding and stomach irritation. Check with your pharmacist.

Liquid Pepto contains an inactive ingredient called aluminum silicate. If you use Pepto routinely, this ingredient can contribute to softening of the bones. However, neither the pill form or the chewable form of Pepto Bismol contain this potentially bone damaging ingredient.

I learned about this issue initially after consulting Dr. Andrew Weil's web site. The specialist who follows me for my osteopenia confirmed that, indeed, aluminum silicate is bad for the bones.

It was only after doing a bit of my own investigative work that I noticed that this ingredient was only in the liquid form of the product, so it's great that there are other ways to take Pepto while avoiding an ingredient that won't do your bones any favors.

The active ingredient in Pepto Bismol in any form (liquid, pill, chewable) is called: Bismuth Subsalicylate. As with prescription or over the counter medications, it's the inative ingredients that can vary quite a bit from one brand to another.

Pepto Bismol

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