Chronic diarrhea difficult to control

May 30, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have suffered for 30 years with IBS. I am presently going through the cycle of severe chronic diarrhea, where everything I eat goes right through me and I don’t always make it to the bathroom in time. This goes on 24/7. I am being treated with dicyclomine and colestipol and take Digestive Advantage lactose intolerance daily. I also use Imodium in the morning. I am better to the point that the diarrhea is mainly in the mornings now but am still dealing with it.

I am a 53-year-old female and had a laparoscopic partial hysterectomy (uterus only was removed) a year and a half ago. My bowels had been normal for three years prior to the surgery and I have been dealing with this ever since.
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Talk to physician for information

May 3, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I was told that I have lymphocytic colitis. I have been on Entocort for three months and am now on Lialda. I am seeing a gastroenterologist. I am told that this is an immune problem. Is this a long-lasting problem, and am I seeing the right doctor? I have had several UTIs, which I think are related, but the antibiotics have an adverse effect on me. I can’t walk and have pain in my arthritic joints. (I have severe osteoarthritis and see a rheumatologist.) Please help explain what I can expect long term.

DEAR READER: Based on your brief note, I can’t provide specific information. Are you on any other medications, such as an anti-inflammatory or other pain medication for your arthritis? Do you have any other health conditions? What antibiotics have you taken that appeared to adversely affect you? [Read more...]

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Daily Column

September 22, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My 10-year-old grandson had corrective surgery for Hirschsprung’s disease when he was an infant. He has been experiencing fecal leakage since then. He gets quite embarrassed but he can’t keep from having “accidents”. I was wondering if Kegel exercises would be of benefit to him. Any help you can offer would be appreciated.

DEAR READER:
Hirschsprung’s disease is a condition of the large intestine. It causes problems with passing stool because of missing nerve cells in the intestinal muscles. It is present from birth (congenital) and has no known cause.

Hirschsprung’s occurs in one out of every 5,000 births and ranges from mild to severe. In mild cases, babies often have minimal symptoms and may not be diagnosed until early childhood. Severe cases may lead to bowel obstruction, necessitating emergency surgery. [Read more...]

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Sunday Column

September 21, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 62-year-old female, 5’ 11” and weighed 165 pounds before all the problems.

In August 2007, during a four day stay at my beach house in Mexico, I developed watery diarrhea up to 12 times a day. Four days after returning home I saw my physician and he said I must have picked up a bug in Mexico. I have been going there fore 35 years and have NEVER gotten anything before, but thought there is always a first. He prescribed Cipro for seven days with no results so I was given another seven day round. When that failed to help, I was given Flagyl and had blood work and stool samples taken twice. Everything was negative. He then switched me to another medication but I was still having the watery diarrhea up to eight times a day, mostly during the morning and evening. I started losing weight. [Read more...]

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Frequent enemas not safe

February 23, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I frequently use a rubber enema bag to flush out my colon. It works but it is getting more difficult to get rid of my feces. Is there any danger in doing this? Are there other ways to do this?

DEAR READER: Colonic irrigation is unnecessary and should be avoided.

If you have chronic constipation, you should be examined by your primary care physician or a gastroenterologist. He or she can examine you to ensure there is no physical cause, such as blockage or polyps. You should then be checked for irritable bowel syndrome which can manifest itself as chronic diarrhea or constipation or a combination of both. Depending on the cause, you can then discuss treatment options such as bulking up with fiber, the use of stool softeners or perhaps you need medication.
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