Diarrhea treatment

[Pam Shepard]

I have had diarrhea for about 5 days..it seems like everything I eat turns into liquid..I have taken immodum and pepto to no avail...what can I do over the counter to make it stop?

[HFHSm.D.-Gastro-rf]

Dear Pam,
Most diarrheas that last less than 3 weeks are infectious in origin.  The over-the-counter regimens that you describe usually work.  Failure to respond to symptomatic treatment, persistence of iarhea or blood in the stool are indications for investigation.  Risk factors such as foreign travel exposure to others with diarrhea, antibiotic use, will influence the timing and extent of the evaluation.  Initially, stool cultures are done.  A flexible sigmoidoscopy is sometimes done if the diarrhea persists and the cultures are negative.

[Brandon]

Take Acidophilus tablets (one billion CFU) for diarrhea. Works very well.

[Ann Sweeney]

I had lap gall bladder surgery.about a 1and a half years ago.My stomach cramps severly all the time.I have to constantly go to the bath room sometimes can't even make the bathroom
why would this happen its hard to have a normal life like this.

[jennifer]

Pam-
    I work for a GI doctor.  I suggest a bland diet, clear liquids, bananas, rice, gatorade.  It may be a virus.  Some of our patients have had this for nearly 3 weeks.  Be sure to keep yourself well hydrated - the gatorade will assist in this.  If it continues for much longer, or if blood becomes present, contact your physician.  Feel better.  Jennifer

[Carmen Spence]

I have been diagnosed and operated on 3 times for crohns disease, 3 magor operations for obstructions peritonitis, etc.

I have now been found to have stones in my Gall Bladder also one large one caught in my Bile duct stopping the flow of neutralising bile into my poor inlflamed shortened small bowel, I bleieve this could have been the main problem for all these many yyears of suffering.  I am awaiting a bed for an operation to have them removed and paraying this will help end my suffering of burning diarrhoea.

[charly]

I had my gallbladder removed last March and have had several problems since.
Recently I have had diarreha a lot ,with blood and bad stomach cramping.     My DR> has set up an appt. to check my colon ,I'm
A 33 yr. old female.

     Has anyone else been through this???????????

[Carmen]

I have had diarrhoea for over 35 years diagnosed with crohns disease.

I have found out that I have a verylarge Gall stone,

Could this cause the diarrhoea?

[white bowel movement]

Help...my bm's have turned white and  I felt like I was having a gallbladder attack even though mine is removed.  Could I have a stone in the duct now?  
help

[Katie]

i had gall bladder removal  and 15 feet of bowel  removed  to    re construct my  ducts  which  were  deformed  at  birth  or  so the  dr  said ,,,,i   have  been a  vegetarian  since  the  surgery  only  able  to digest about 15oz  of protein a  week usually  in the  form  of  chees,,, i  have  bad   pains  on my  right  side  diahreah,,, and  the frain hole  under  the  foot  long  scar   has  just   healed  after  18  months ,,, now  i     had  blood  tests  with  very   elevated liver  enzymes,,,,possible hepatitus (hepatitis)  c,,,,, i  think this  is  all  from  the  surgery ,,,, i  was a  healthy 39 year  old  white  woman with  not even bad  colds  bechind  her,,,, now   i  am  sick  most every  day ,,,, headaches  fatigue,,,shaking,,,,
any one else  out  there feel  the  same,,,,,,they  said  gall bladder  is  not  essential,,,,,i  think i  disagree    now ,,,but  its  too late

[Sharon]

I am a 40 year old woman who elected to have my gallbladder removed about three years ago after several attacks.  My doctor assured me that diet would not help my condition but after my surgery I constantly have to watch what I eat and where the nearest bathroom is. I had known a person who nearly died after having this surgery from dehydration and was very afraid to have it done.  I have also had two babies by c-section so I am not in the least wimpy. Both my mother and my younger sister have both had this surgery and both suffer the same problems.  I agree with the woman who asked if you really need it, and I would answer that life was a lot easier with one.  My mother now has pain most of the time and watches everything she eats but with no improvement. She has episodes of intense pain, along with vomiting and diarrea (diarrhea). She has had cat scans, upper gi tests, and also the colon tests, nobody can pinpoint the origin or the treatment. Any suggestions?  The latest advise was that she might have ulcers?  None of the tests confirmed that.

[Rose M.]

I have to agree on the outcome of gallbladder removals. I too had my gallbladder removed approximately 9 years ago and my life is now a living hell. I eat doesn't matter what it is and hardly have time to finish my meal before I have terrible diarreha. I cannot even DRINK water or any type of beverage either. Needless to say dinning out is a "NO" it would be to embarrassing. If anyone can suggest ANYTHING... I would be so grateful.. Oh by the way my doctor put me on Questran.. What a joke! it causes more pain than its worth. Please help me. If you have this problem ...Can it be stopped?

[Ted Dexter]

I have had a soft stool for 6 months. This results in stool leakage and irration.  Is there something I can add to my diet to solve the problem?

[Ted Dexter]

I have had a soft stool for 6 months.
This results in stool leakage and
irration.  Is there something I can add
to my diet to solve the problem?

[Sheri Sweet]

How interesting from all the listings to find out that I'm really not alone out there!!!  I had my gall bladder removed almost 3 years ago.  At that time, the doctor told me I would have an increased risk of diarrhea.  Well, I've had diarrhea ever since!  According to my internist, 10-15% of the people who have their gall bladders removed have this problem.  It had gotten so bad that it was really starting to interfere with my job.  

In an attempt to find a solution, I've just finished with the colonoscopy, CAT scan, and barium enema in that order.  The GI guy was not able to complete the colonoscopy because of the redundancy of my colon - apparently it loops around and around.  He said that out of 500 people he does colonoscopies on, he finds 1 or 2 with this "normal" variation!  I was able to see all the loops in the spleenic junture and in the ascending-to- tranverse juncture during the barium X-ray.

I have diverticulosis almost totally throughout the colon.  In my case, the treatment for the diarrhea is Questran and it works if I take the nasty wet sawdust every day!  Additionally, I take Fibercon daily and have been trying to eat a higher fiber diet.  So far I've finally be able to control the diarrhea this way, but it's a challenge.  

Another thought, I have a fairly high-stress job.  My family doctor treated me with Xanax and Prevacid for a couple of weeks and this too, surprisingly, seemed to help with the diarrhea.

The GI's final diagnosis was diverticulosis and over-production of bile, for what all this is worth.  Oh, yes,  I know where every bathroom is located between my house and the 10 miles to where I work!

[Another victim]

I had my gallbladder removed 19 years ago, 3 1/2 weeks after childbirth. The doctor never mentioned any digestive problems but I too am familiar with every bathroom within a 20 mile radius of my home. Not sure if it is recomended, but since I discovered Imodium (immodium) AD, life has been a lot easier. I only take it when it gets to where I can't make it to the bathroom in time.
I also have suffered a problem with low potassiam (? spelling) levels because of the diarea (diarrhea). Something the rest of you may want your doctors to keep an eye on.

It is conforting to know that I'm not the only one in this "boat".

[quinette]

what's wrong with you when you have blood in the stool and diarhea (diarrhea)?

[Lauren]

Last year I was diagnosed with lymphocytic colitis, a rare form that causes major diarrhea, sometimes up to 25 times in one day.  I went to the health food store and bought some chitosan, a fat blocker and the diarrhea went away the next day.  I had tried all the others everyone talks about including the fiber supplements which only made it worse.
good luck

[Sherry]

I'm 36 years old.  In pretty good health.  But I've been having problems with diarrhea for at least 4 months now.  At first it was once in awhile, but now it is constant, with several trips to the bathroom a day.  And I'm getting rather score because of it.  What can I do.  This is getting to be a real pain in the butt!  Literally!

[Paige]

I, too, had my gallbladder removed about 6 months ago.  The result is chronic diarrhea.  I just had a colonoscopy which showed no problem.  I am 45 years old and this problem in interferring with my life.  I've been told by my surgeon it could be an absorption problem or over production of bile.  Is there anything that can be done about this?

[Rose M.]

As I stated above I too am on Questran like the new person that posted.. Questran can sometimes cause very bad pain in your intestines over a few years of taking also make sure your Dr. does a liver profile on you ever so often.. As for the amodium .. my doctor states not to take it on a regular basis. Your intestines will forget how to operate on their own properly.If anyone knows of a non drug alternative to controlling this I would forever be greatful. And by the way Fibercon and its affiliates do not work for me..This has been destroying my life for years now.    :(

[Joann [e-mail]]

I had my gallbladder out about 3 months ago, in which it took them 1 1/2 years to figure out that I had 9 stones.  The most common surgury and it took them 1 1/2 years to diagnose, because my pain was only below the breast bone.  I was beginning to think it was my imagination and was drepressed about all the pain and being sick for so long.  

Since the surgery, I too have had severe attacks of diarreha.  I have found that my BMs have had some blood and they can vary from a spidery/fiberis form to a tar soup form.  I have also had excess mucus. I feel like I am going to have the attack anytime I eat anything, but sometimes if I wait the urge will go away.  I usually have 2 BMs a day and sometimes more.

I am going next week to get my colon looked at and be tested for Crohns, Ulcerative Colitis, Inflamative Bowel Disease.  I hope that they can link it to something, I can't imagine feeling like this for the rest of my life.  I am 31.  If anyone has had similar symptoms and have be diagnosed with a condition, please let me know.  I don't want to wait another 1 1/2 years to find out that there is a treatment or cure.

[MJ]

I found out about 10 years ago I was a diabetic.  Shortly after that I then had diareha, it still persists to this day.  I just switched doctors, and now I'm told I have several lumps in my liver.  The doctor has put me on a liquid that is essing my bathroom problem.  I'm curious about my liver.

[brenda deb]

i have a 4yo with diarrhea X 8 days and a feeling like she needs to have a bm when she is really going to pass gas.  she is experiencing a clear liquid coming out when she does pass gas.  when she is finally able to have a bm, it is a liquid green color.  she does not have a fever, and is sleeping a little more than normal, but no other symptoms.  i have kept milk products from her, and encouraged fluids, but have not been able to totally put her on the brat diet because she will eat nothing if she has to eat that diet.  i have been letting her have an otherwise normal diet.  these symptoms have been ocurring for the last 8 days.  i have contacted her dr. and they encouraged the brat diet, and keep her well hydrated(which she is).  I tried immodium ad for children yesterday(the 7th day), and it kept her from having symptoms for 24 hours..bt she again started with the same symptoms all over again after 1 day free of symptoms.  does this sound viral or bacterial?  is there anything that i should be concerned about or anything else that i should definitely do?

[stacey]

i went to the bathroom yesterday and after having a bm i noticed there was blood. what could this mean? is it a serious problem, i'm kinda nervous about it. if anyone has an answer please tell me.

[Lynn]

I, TOO HAVE BEEN HAVING DIARRHEA FOR YEARS, RIGHT AFTER I eat I HAVE TO RUN TO THE BATHROOM.  IN THE PAST 6 MTHS, IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE, I AM AFRAID TO TAKE WALKS, ETC., IN CASE I FEEL AS IF I HAVE TO GO. IT IS RUINING MY LIFE, MY DR. DID AN ULTRASOUND AND FOUND GALLSTONES. MY QUESTION IS CAN GALLSTONES CAUSE THIS? I AM ALSO VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE THEY RECOMMENDED SURGERY AND AFTER READING ABOUT EVERYONE'S PROBLEM WITH DIARRHEA AFTER GALL BLADDER SURGERY-IT MAKES ME VERY SCARED AND SKEPTICAL TO HAVE SURGERY- DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS OR ADVICE I'M STARTING TO FEEL DESPERATE.

[lucy]

Wondering if anybody developed diarrhea and noises from intestines after taking Claritin

[Robert E.O. Wi.]

I am a 7l yr.(Male) had perforated bowel (Crohns) surgery 20 years ago.  I now have ulcerations, and bleeding where the small bowel was connected to the Ileum..Drs. are discsussing removing infected section...But..also have dilated cardiomyopathy,hypertensive cardiovascular disease..I am on 0.25mg digoxin (1 daily) and 12 1/2 mg. Coreg (2xdaily)..I am concerned if the surgery is worth the risk.  I need to be transfused because of loss of blood about every 2 months (2pints).I was first told I had myelodysplastic syndrome..since then seeked help at Froedtert Clinic in Milwaukee.  I need help from other professionals to confirm my fears or send me for the surgery..All help will be MUCH appreciated...Am worried...

[chritters]

A related discussion, Yellowy Liquid after Gall Bladder removed? was started.