Anyone Know Why

[Danoisdone]

Does anyone know what's happening phisically to the body during opiate WD that causes diarhea.  I know this is kinda a silly question, but I'm really struggling with this part so far (days 1-4).  I've done the imdium thing, been trying to keep hydrated.  But the engineer in me really wants to know.  Any explanation would be appreciated

[HenryS354]

Hey Dano,

Madtram is correct... great explanation BTW! :-)

A primary example of this Dano, is Immodium.  Loperamide Hcl (Immodium) is actually an opiate medication.  When it was first released it was actually listed as a controlled substance.  It targets opiate receptors in the GI tract which decreases gastric motility, and peristalsis (The muscle contractions in your gut that push stool through the system)  This slowed down movement allows water to be reabsorbed into the body from the stool creating the nightmare constiapation we have all come to know and (Not) love.

The reason that we dont get any euphoria out of immodium even in large doses is that the composition of its opiate tendencies do not allow it to cross the blood/brain barrier, meaning that while its in our bodies it cant get to the Mu Receptors in our brains (The ones that make us feel good)  

Once this was discovered, immodium was reclassified as a Unscheduled drug.  There are only a few drugs in pharmacological history that have actually been reclassified as a lower risk!  

Happy to hear that you are feeling better today! Hoepfully you can enjoy the holiday with your family!

Henry

[Danoisdone]

Wow, thanks all for the the responses.  Makes sense to me now.  Feeling a little better today.......Happy Thanksgiving all.

[struggling_college_student]

Madtram is right......learned about it in physiology.  Opiod receptors are in your gut too and can slow the muscle contractions that move digested food thru the system.  Thats why opiates cause constipation.....the longer digested waste is in your intestines the more water gets reabsorbed from it basically turning it into a hard mass.  Take the opiates away and your gut freaks out and has to readjust to normal function.

[DayToTry]

Wow Jaybay that was a very interesting article.  The Bayer Company use to just sell Heroin!  As a (semi) safe product!  Crazy.

[madtram]

You have opiate receptors in your gut which have been accustomed to being occupied by your opiate of choice.  This slows down gastric motility & reduces the influence of the sympathetic nervous system, (fight or flight response) on your digestion.

When this slowing influence is removed you have a rebound effect while the opiate receptors return to normal.  Immodium is a very strong opiate that acts on the gut receptors but doesn't cross the blood brain barrier so it should help some.

If you have been going for a while now, make sure to replace lost electrolytes with gastrolyte or sports drinks  like gatorade.

I admire your scientific curiosity in the middle of all the guano.

[silentsuferer]

I know that opiate use binds your bowels up so when they are no longer in your system your bowels have to relearn how to function properly. It also is the bodies way of getting rid of toxins.

[Jaybay]

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/heroin/brain/

It's all about brain chemistry, and it's a really good question.  I found this link to an article that does a decent job of explaining what happens in the brain while you use opiates and when you stop taking them.  The writer uses layman's terms so it's easy to read.  He doesn't specifically explain what brain chemicals are responsible for the diarrhea as an individual withdrawal symptom.  It boils down to diarrhea (and all the other symptoms) being caused by the brain trying to get its chemistry back to normal.

[Ballgame]

It's nothing to do with wd but it's a side effect to drug. Your GI tract is messed up. Pain killers work on nervous systems. When drug is gone nervous system out of whack