Stop that squelchy feeling - fast! (Diocalm Dual Action Tablets)

Member Name: i_am_joy

Product:	Diocalm Dual Action Tablets
Date:	21/12/08 (227 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Stops stomach cramps related to episodes of diarrhoea, pleasant tasting, gentle on a delicate tummy

Disadvantages: ----------

About a month ago I was afflicted with an appalling stomach bug that really knocked me for six. I knew something was brewing as soon as I woke up when the smell of the haddock poaching for my three spoiled moggies' breakfast made me feel extremely sick. As the morning wore on I started to feel clammy and downright miserable, and then the stomach cramps began.

Within moments of feeling the first cramp I felt my insides start to do that squelchy thing that usually heralds the arrival of an episode of diarrhoea, oh lovely. And yes, without going into very much detail at all, the diarrhoea arrived shortly and the downright miserable feeling took a decided turn for the worst. Luckily (for me, not so for her!) my friend had chosen that day to pop in for a visit and when she realised I was rushing to the loo every five minutes she popped down to the chemist and gave me a pack of the wonderfully named Diocalm tablets.

Now, I am so sorry but I really must go into a bit of detail here to hammer home to you just how effective I found these tablets. Please feel free to skip this paragraph, in fact be my guest as the less people who read about my nasty bathroom problem the better as far as I am concerned! Anyway, my stomach bug was quite standard in that the aforementioned cramps were immediately followed by the horrible feeling of my bowels loosening and me having to get into the toilet as quickly as possible. I still had control of my bowel movements, but upon sitting on the loo I found my stools had a completely liquid consistency. I'm not prissy, I know we all have bouts of diarrhoea and let's face it, what better way of our body quickly expelling nasty bugs and offensive matter. But it's bloody miserable, isn't it?

By the time I took my first dose of Diocalm I had already been to the toilet at least three times and vomited twice, so there was not much left in my stomach for me to void. I did, however, continue to suffer with terrible cramps and the more or less constant urge to visit the bathroom even though when I got there I found myself sitting on the loo twiddling my thumbs because I didn't really need to 'go'.

As per the instruction leaflet I had taken two of the large orange tablets and chewed them thoroughly before swallowing. They didn't taste as bad as I thought they would, having a chalky citrus flavour not unlike those Haliborange vitamin tablets. The tablets have a gentle flavour and pleasing texture so as not to upset your stomach more than it already is.

I praised my friend for getting me precisely the right tablet for my condition, as these Diocalm have a dual action which claims to stop diarrhoea fast and also will relieve the pain while you are suffering from it. I can honestly say it works, and with bells on!

To be honest a few minutes after taking two Diocalm the cramps seemed worse than ever, presumably my stomach rebelling against the tablets and small amount of water I had sipped afterwards to rid my mouth of the chalkiness. Not long after these particularly painful cramps I realised the pains had lessened from the labour pain type cramps to a more manageable dull ache in the very pit of my stomach.

I only had to visit the bathroom once after taking the Diocalm tablets, and even that was more me worrying than actually feeling a proper need to go to the toilet.

Within six tablets I was feeling much, much better (although a little delicate); the cramps had gone completely and my bowels in general felt more stable. The stomach bug finally ran its course a couple of days later, but while I was still feeling under the weather I continued to take a couple of Diocalm whenever I felt my insides start churning and I really think they helped to control my symptoms so that I could cope with my day and not burst into tears at the slighest little twinge in my tummy.

I believe my friend paid around £3.20 for this packet of 20 tablets, which may sound expensive but considering the relief they provide I think it's money well spent and I would have paid double (triple!) for them!

May I just add that Diocalm are suitable for children from 6 years plus, although if your child has diarrhoea badly enough to need something like this then you really should consult a doctor to get to the root of the problem and possibly prescribe some nutrition drinks and re-hydration supplements.

The active ingredients in Diocalm Dual Action tablets are Morphine Hydrochloride (0.395mg), Activated Attapulgite (312.5mg) and Attapulgite (187.5mg). Presumably it's the Morphine Hydrochloride that aids the stomach cramps so well, I had never heard of Attapulgite before but quickly Googling the name tells me it's a mineral used to bind acids and toxic substances in the stomach and gut.

Summary: What a relief!