This topic is about living with an ileostomy and the use of Imodium (loperamide) to manage stoma output. The original poster shared a personal story about how they used to rely heavily on Imodium but recently realized they no longer needed it regularly. This was highlighted by a moment when their husband needed Imodium, and they found none in the house, marking a small victory in their recovery journey. The poster also asked for advice on whether Imodium could be useful for managing ileostomy output on days when frequent emptying is inconvenient.

Here are some insights and advice shared by others:

1. Many people congratulated the poster on not needing routine medication anymore and wished them continued good health.

2. One person shared that they have been taking 8 Imodium tablets daily since 2006 to manage very liquid output, showing that the drug can significantly slow stoma flow but also indicating a long-term reliance.

3. Another person with consistently liquid output had been using both DTO (Deodorized Tincture of Opium) and a large amount of Imodium. After stopping Imodium, their output remained unchanged, and they experienced weight loss and improved well-being, now taking eight fewer pills a day. This suggests that Imodium is not always effective for everyone, and stopping it may not negatively affect output.

4. Combined experiences suggest that:
- Imodium can reduce volume and liquidity for some people with ileostomies and may be helpful when longer pouch wear time is needed.
- The effectiveness and side effects of Imodium vary widely; some people become dependent, while others see no benefit and prefer to avoid unnecessary medication.
- If considering Imodium for occasional use, it is advisable to start with a low dose and monitor how your body and stoma output respond, possibly in consultation with a healthcare provider.