I had to open a couple MRE packs and eat the meals even though I had access to the chow hall, all because I just had to get the little packets of TP to put in my PSK. This is one of those things that really doesn't cross your mind much untill you get stuck somewhere without any and you have absolutely nothing else suitable. From now on, I will not be without any again if I can help it. Rocks and sticks are not a suitable substitute!!! Now I am short one pair of socks. <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

Eeep. <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

I remember a story from rec.aviation years ago. Pilot had a sudden case of diarrhea. Turned a seat cushion into a diaper, IIRC. Sometimes you don't have TP or room to use it if you did.

How fast does Immodium work, anyway?

Never fast enough, as far as I can tell. I have IBS, and I'm not sure if it does anything- near as I can tell, it's "run" it's course before the immodium has had a chance to take effect.

I keep a small ziplock bag w/ TP in the crown of my Tilley Hat and in my edc backpack.

Also, this is another good reason to carry a bandana/handkerchief. I'd rather replace a $1 walmart bandanna than my $15 smartwool socks.

C'mon admit it - you were just jones-ing for that Country Captain Chicken entree <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Back in the day, I always tried to keep an accessory pack or two in my cargo pocket so I was always set for TP, matches or a quick caffiene fix.

I haven't found anything to treat diarrhea and cramping that comes close to beating Lomotil. It requires a prescription but is worth the trouble. Comes in little tabs that look like saccharin tablets. Take two and if needed, two more in a half hour. See the link below. As with all medications, check with your doctor before using.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=3595E642-C415-4E32-8C0B6349B6A15AAC

Hydrate yourself adequately after the "emergency" is over. <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Whoa, that stuff looks pretty serious. I can live with what I've got, if it gets any worse I'll talk to my doc about that.

In Mexico (and probably other countries), Lomotil and antibiotics like Cipro and another which offers a full course in just 3 tablets are sold without a prescription in drugstores. Lomotil is used there by “most people” for Touristas (aka Montezuma’s Revenge, aka the Aztec Two Step). I have brought these items back to the States from there.

Other pharmaceuticals are sold such also; but, I probably would not want to carry some of these across the border without a good reason.

If you catch a bug in your guts while away from home, the best med I've ever found is Flagyll. I had giaridiasis once, and that is what they gave me. Cleared it right up in three days. Only trouble is it kills everything in your system, so you need to eat some yogurt, or sour cream, or sourdough, or some other local culture to really get back to "normal". <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Just my two cents. Make sure you try out you meds before you are in the field. Any unwanted reactions are best discovered at home. Just a thought.

Benton, you must have read all the precautions. About anything you take will have similar warnings. Remember, the company lawyers are paid to cover all bases just in case some of their bretheren decide to sue the drug company. I don't know of anyone that ever had a problem with Lomotil.
It is great for what it was made for.

Silly me, what am I thinking. If the FDA were to approve water, it would probably come with similar warnings.

Oh man, you be right -- sometimes the cure is as bad as the ailment. My ex-wife was on high-dose Flagyl solid for 9 months. She was a miserable human. Fresh cheeses (like the mexican queso fresca we can get here) and mexican crema or unpasteurized yogurt helped a lot.