Question Title: Post Operative diarrhea

Two years ago my wife suffered stroke-like symptoms due to severe anemia
which was determined to be due to bleeding from the stomach. Her stomach was mostly above her diaphragm
and had been there for a long time (she is 74 years old). In August of 1997 surgery was performed to place
the stomach below the diaphragm and repair the hernia. In October she began to experience diarrhea on several
evening occassions; these continued into mid December when she had massive diarrhea and severe dehydration (I mean
using the bathroom 75 times in 24 hours). In ER she was rehydrated and sent home. The Diarrhea continued and in early January
I took her back to ER with abdominal pain and gas. She was determined to have a gangrenous gall bladder and
pancreatitis. The gall bladder was removed laproscopically. Severe episodes of diarrhea continued every few days
lasting 24 to 36 hours. She drinks gallons of gatorade to keep hydrated. She minimizes milk products, sugar,
and eats no raw vegetables or fresh fruit. The episodes seem to have become less frequent but still occur every
8 to 10 days. This week end was especially bad. Her diagnosis is "dumping syndrome". She takes cholesystramine
daily to bind the bowel but it is only minimally effective. She has lost some weight and much energy. She is
depressed. Her advise is "oh it will go away in time". It is difficult for me to believe this is so uncommon
and that there is no relief.

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Dear Jim,
An important question is whether you have diarrhea when fasting. If you have diarrhea when fasting, I would be reluctant to attribute your symptoms to dumping syndrome. Similarly, the lack of symptoms everytime you eat and the severity of your symptoms when you are afflicted is unusual ffor dumping syndrome. I would suggest that your wife be evaluated specifically to determine the cause of your diarrhea.

There are two general types of chronic diarrhea. People with osmotic diarrhea have diarrhea when they eat and normal`bowel function when they fast. The second type of chronic diarrhea is referred to as secretory diarrhea. people with this type of diarrhea have large volume stool even when fasting. Measurement of stool electrolytes wll provide confirmatory evidence for the type of diarrhea. Once your doctor knows what type of diarhea you have, he/she can then initiate investigations to determine the specific cause.

This information is presented for educational purposes only. Always ask your physician specific medical questions.

HFHSM.D.-rf
*keywords: diarrhea
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