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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Cholesterol med helps IBS sufferer

August 3, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome. I had no pain but knew where every bathroom was located everywhere I went. This went on for many years, and I became fearful of traveling. Finally, my gastroenterologist put me on WelChol, developed for lowering cholesterol. Voila! My cardiologist said I almost can’t overdose on it. I am presently taking two pills in the morning and another two in the evening. Now I am comfortable traveling around the world (pyramids, India, etc.) with no problems. This has been a life-changer for me.

I hope you can share this with your readers and perhaps improve the quality of life of someone out there. It has been wonderful for me.
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Rare Cancer Misdiagnosed As Harmless Bowel Condition

April 9, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I would like to see you devote some space to a rare cancer called carcinoid cancer which is formed by neuroendocrine tumors. My husband was diagnosed with metastasizing carcinoid cancer in 2006.

The mascot for these patients is the zebra because the disease is often misdiagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, and other bowel ailments. Because of the difficulty in getting a proper diagnosis, the motto is “If you think it’s a horse, think again”.

My husband’s case is unusual because his primary tumor was located around the descending aorta, not the liver, as is typical. The cancer has since spread to his lungs and bones. He is a valiant warrior and tries to live a normal life in spite of the devastating side effects. As far as we know there is no cure. Treatment is usually surgery to reduce the tumors or a drug called Sandostatin. [Read more...]

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Daily Column

March 9, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have an alternative treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with constipation. One cup of “Uncle Sam” cereal daily for breakfast.

I suffered for many years before accidentally discovering this. I don’t know why it works, but it does. I would also like to point out that I have no interest in this company. In fact, I had never even heard of it before purchasing the cereal on a whim one day! It’s inexpensive and tastes good.

DEAR READER:
I am printing your letter for reader interest. I, like you, had never heard of this cereal before but felt it was worth printing since it is harmless and as you say, inexpensive and tasty.

If any of my readers have experience with this cereal, please let me know your thoughts.

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Daily Column

February 6, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have had stomach and bowel problems for years. I lost an excessive amount of weight, had diarrhea six or seven times a day, every day for months and found that I could not tolerate foods that I was always able to eat in years past even though there was not one food that upset my stomach every time. At one point I couldn’t even tolerate bottled water. I wanted to die and couldn’t envision myself living the rest of my life chained to the bathroom.

Over the last eight years I have had numerous expensive medical tests, some two or three times, and all were negative. I am female, 5’ 8” and weight 115 pounds, that is 50 pounds less than what I used to be. When I mentioned to my primary care physician that I thought this problem may be related to a food allergy, he shrugged it off and continued to set me up for tests. [Read more...]

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Daily Column

December 19, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
Lately my bowel movement habits have changed. They used to be extremely regular and the correct consistency and shape. A few months ago I started eating a Fiber One bar for breakfast every day. They are filling and taste good. Most days they held me through lunch. Then two things happened. The gas I would have after eating lunch was awful. And I experienced a change in regularity and consistency. I could only attribute it to the Fiber One bar, as that was the only thing I was doing differently.

I stopped the bars hoping things would return to normal. They didn’t. My movements are inconsistent and I’m having to strain. I tried a laxative. Big, violent mistake. I didn’t like it, nor did it help. A stool softener helped a little, but I’m still not happy. I’m concerned there may be a blockage. [Read more...]

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Daily Column

December 5, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I realize that one size does not fit all, but why not try the simplest first.

A year ago I was having lots of trouble with irritable bowel syndrome and got no help from local doctors. Perhaps that was because it was going to take months to get an appointment with a specialist.

One of your articles mentioned drinking a glass of warm apple juice in the morning. It has worked great for me.

DEAR READER:
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder of the intestines. Symptoms include lower abdominal pain, gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or a combination of constipation and diarrhea.

Improper diet and stress can worsen symptoms. While the condition can be a mild annoyance for some people, it can be completely disabling for others. [Read more...]

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November 17, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have been reading your column for a long time. I am very thankful for all the information you provide, including natural and home remedies. Every time I get the paper your column is the one I look forward to and then clip out, saving it for future reference or to help someone else. Thank you Doctor Gott for caring. Please keep up all the good work you do.

I want to share my own sickness with you in the hopes that my experience can help someone else. I have Celiac Sprue and went through years of not feeling well and seeing many doctors before I got any answers. I learned that it is an allergy to the gluten in grains such as wheat, rye, oats and barley. I love baked goods and bread and baking was a family activity. I had to stop and learn how to use new ingredients.

In my town there is a “Sprue Club”. [Read more...]

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Daily Column

October 21, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I read your column regularly and have seen articles about irritable bowel syndrome. I would like to share my experience with this annoying condition.

I had suffered for a while with gas, bloating and other symptoms. My internist thought that I was lactose intolerant despite my claims that many milk products did not cause my symptoms. He ordered a colonoscopy which showed I had irritable bowel syndrome.

Shortly after the diagnosis I was reading an article in Prevention magazine that claimed there was an epidemic of IBS and that an additive found in many dairy products might be the cause. The additive is a seaweed product called carrageen.

Interested by this, I decided to check my refrigerator and found that the additive was in many products I had on hand including soy milk, ice cream, sherbet and more. [Read more...]

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Daily Column

September 18, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My husband has been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome by his physician. He’s extremely uncomfortable and isn’t getting a lot of relief. What are his options?

DEAR READER:
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder of the large and small intestines. It affects up to 15% of North Americans, with a predominance in females. Symptoms include gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, or a combination thereof. It can appear at any age, but is often found in younger individuals. Previous studies indicated IBS was caused by stress, but the condition is now thought to be a malfunction of the movement of the colon. Whatever the cause, it is uncomfortable for those who suffer from the condition.

For starters, your husband might modify his diet. [Read more...]

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