Suffering Diarrhea for 2 months Already

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Lily24

Joined
Apr 8, 2008
Messages
46
Hi guys...I really need help if any of u all hv wen thru this kind of situation. I was diagnosed Crohns in 2008 and my latest CT shows a lot of improvement. Currently I am losing weight due to diarrhea. Wateva I eat has to come out the other way. This has been going on for 2 mths already and I hv gone to my specialist and stool checks, blood test n all hv been done but its negative. But y am I still having diarrhea? I am so down...My mind and body are so weak that I feel like crying everyday. Every night it gets worst becoz I 'll be going to the toilet for more than 7 times and I don hv enough sleep to go to work the next day. I hope any of u can advise me or help me on how can I stop the diiarrhea,...
Current medication:- calcium tablets, salofalk 1000mg bd, iron tablets
For diarrhea :- charcoal tabs, dhamotil, lomotil, beamotil

I'm out of medicines for diarrhea actually becoz none of it is helping me. Do you guys think i hv to go back on steroids? Do u think steroids might help me?

Please help me as I'm very ddown and sometimes feel like i'm totally lost in this world...n no one with me as this moment...

thanx in advance.

Regards,
Lily
 
I'm so sorry to hear what your going through. Myself i'm learning of this disease as i go along because everyone has it different. The only med i;ve taken so far for colitis is the steriod enemas. I think you should try the steriods if nothing else is working. Maybe watch what you eat, find out what you can eat that doesn't make you sick. Usually for me when i have some d, i can usually eat crackers, dry toast, rice and bananas that are not too ripe. Hope you feel better soon
 
Hey, bless you sounds like your not doing so well!
I would go back to your doctors and discuss with them exactly how you are feeling and whats happening, let them know how down you are feeling about it all and they should be able to help you.
It might be worth mentioning steriods with your doc as it may be the start of a flare up or something so it would be better to get it sorted now!
Hope your feeling better soon :)
 
Lily, looks like you arent really on any maintenence meds at all. But, it sounds like you are flaring atm...so, back to the GI you need to go. If you cant get in there ASAP, get to your regular Dr.

Yes, steriods will help. But you need to get on asacol or pentasa, or something to help to prevent you from flaring again. Or there are other meds as well. But get the flare under control ASAP. It wont get better on it's own, I assure you. I wish that would've happened for me!

Keep us posted.

Misty
 
Hiya Lily
and welcome

With this diarrhea, are you in any pain too?
Steroids would help if there is inflammation.
When I have bouts of diarrhea I take Codeine Phosphate, this stops diarrhea in it's tracks, but long term can cause constipation. It does work if taken for a few days only. It's on prescription only.
Give your GP a call, make an appt
good luck
Joan xxx
 
The problem is that blood tests cant always be 100% on whether Crohns is back or not in my experience.
For me I know when its back even when the inflammation markers are saying no. I had a sigmoidoscopy 2 weeks ago that confirmed it was back(I knew anyway) but the bloods still said no.
If your BM's have changed in the space of 2 months I'd be going back to my specialist pronto.
Rgds

1st symptoms 1983
Diagnosed 1985
1997 Right Hemicolectomy & Resection
2002 Laperotomy & Resection
2010 Laproscopic Ileocolic Resection

Been on Azathioprine & Pred

Currently on Entocort 3mg every other day
Humira 40mg every two weeks
Calcichew
Pentasa 4gm daily
3mthly B12 Jabs
 
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Hi, Lily. Sorry that you're having such a bad time. Zofran works great to stop diarrhea. I've taken it before for a short period and my daughter has taken it when she had a bad stomach virus and was becoming dehydrated. Some doctors will prescribe it for short term help. It might help your symptoms while you figure out what maintenance meds. would help with the Crohns. Good luck!
 
My boyfriend was having trouble with that for a long time as well. The anti-diarrheal meds just weren't helping...in fact, they just seemed to cramp him. And he still had the urge to go all the time. But that's what it mostly was...the urge. Some stuff would come out every trip to the bathroom, but his body was forcing it. He was given some medicinal enemas to reduce the urge to go (proctitis, I think it's called). A twitchy rectum. That really seemed to help reduce the urges to go and he slept better. He was getting up half a dozen times through the night before that. You should talk to your doctor about the possibility of it being proctitis (spelling?) and talk about getting some medicated enemas or suppositories. Doesn't sound nice, but they're actually quick and easy and you can administer them by yourself. I don't know if that's what it is in your case, but it might be a possibility worth considering. Hope that helps!
 
It sure sounds like a flare up.
Is there any blood?

You need to at least take corticosteroids.

When I have a flare up, my doctor makes me take everything and the kitchen sink (60m Prednisone, Humira, Flagyl, increased doses of Imuran, Entocort, Asacol, vitamin D).
 
Hi Lily,

so sorry to hear how your feeling, i was EXACTLY the same about 10months ago. I know when people say "i know how you feel" you think no way, but i really do. I had diarrhea up to 13 times every day, it was the hardest part of the crohns to deal with for me, couldnt work properly, couldnt go out for dinner, it ruined my life.

However, i decided to cut wheat out of my diet all together, now i go 1-2 times a day, with formed stools! the docs were amazed and like you,every test i had showed no reason why i would have it and did not show that wheat would have affected me like that. I have also cut down dairy. I had to cut the wheat by myself, docs said it would not make a difference, but the results speak for themselves.

I hope this helps you. i understand.
and if you need help or tips then contact me. im here for you.

p.s for me it was about cutting out wheat, not just the gluten, please dont confuse them. Its the wheat rather then the gluten.
ruthyp xxxxx
 
Hi all...Thx for the support...I went to the docs on Monday and he gv me Flagyl Antibiotics to help me. Since then, it has reduced from 10 times a day to 6 times a day but still its not good yet.

@Smarzie:- As u said...the urge makes me go to the loo often but somethings do comes out each time I go..Maybe I could try the medication you said...will ask my doc this time...But as usual, my doc always laughs whenever I say to them my symptoms because they feel its weird to hv like this....

@Ruthyp:- Hi..I'm kinda interested in trying your NO WHEAT product diet. Can I have some examples on NO WHEAT products? Here, we usually eat rice n bread. Is this included in it or not?

My another problem is whenever I take prednisolone or metheotrexate....I get a lot of stomach pain eventhore I hv taken gastric tablet (nexium) in advance before the meds...I can't lead a normal daily walking life if i take this medicines...It will make me to stay on bed with pain for the whole day...I hv mentioned this to my doctor but he says I hv no choice but to continue the medicines. Currently, since I've start work, I hv stopped those medicines...which was on October 2010 onwards and was doing well with no pain until this diarrhea started 2 mths ago. My recent CT taken on Mac 2011 shows good improvements. My doctor does not know I've stopped and I feel really guilty for not taking the medicines properly but whenever I take its the same symptoms with pain and its so unbearable. I don't know what to do. Anyone hv experience this b4?
 
reply to wheat free list

Lily24 said:
Hi all...Thx for the support...I went to the docs on Monday and he gv me Flagyl Antibiotics to help me. Since then, it has reduced from 10 times a day to 6 times a day but still its not good yet.

@Smarzie:- As u said...the urge makes me go to the loo often but somethings do comes out each time I go..Maybe I could try the medication you said...will ask my doc this time...But as usual, my doc always laughs whenever I say to them my symptoms because they feel its weird to hv like this....

@Ruthyp:- Hi..I'm kinda interested in trying your NO WHEAT product diet. Can I have some examples on NO WHEAT products? Here, we usually eat rice n bread. Is this included in it or not?

My another problem is whenever I take prednisolone or metheotrexate....I get a lot of stomach pain eventhore I hv taken gastric tablet (nexium) in advance before the meds...I can't lead a normal daily walking life if i take this medicines...It will make me to stay on bed with pain for the whole day...I hv mentioned this to my doctor but he says I hv no choice but to continue the medicines. Currently, since I've start work, I hv stopped those medicines...which was on October 2010 onwards and was doing well with no pain until this diarrhea started 2 mths ago. My recent CT taken on Mac 2011 shows good improvements. My doctor does not know I've stopped and I feel really guilty for not taking the medicines properly but whenever I take its the same symptoms with pain and its so unbearable. I don't know what to do. Anyone hv experience this b4?
Click to expand...

hey! sorry i didnt get back to you quicker.

i'll do a list of what i dont eat:

-Bread is defo not aloud (unless it is the special wheat free bread, but thats like cardboard, alright for toasting though)

-Pasta (again, unless wheat free and if you over cook it so its abit sludgy then it tastes more like normal pasta)

-Sausages have added wheat

-Any cakes, pastries, biscuits (except hobnobs, they are made with oats)

-I make all my own pasta sauces as alot of them have added wheat to make them thicker. Its very easy though, just use Passata, salt, pepper and herbs, then it takes just the same.

-Some soups have wheat in so i make my own, always cheat the label.

-Some stock qubes have wheat so check those too.

If i think of anything else then il let you know. I bet it sounds just as daunting to you as it did for me, iv been doing it for 4 months now, and believe me its worth it!! if you like i could send you an email with a list of recipes i use if you like? I looked all over the internet but they all seemed so time consuming!!! hope this helps you! lots of love xxxx
 
Thx...

i'm at work now but i can't do my job coz since morning i'm hving diarheaa...its bloody...watery n with lumps of blood...its full of dark brown colour..I'm feeling weak...
And tomoro i have a journey of 6 hrs early morning at 4am to attend meeting n conference...In a dilemma wheter i should go or cancel it...Its kinda important to work...Pleaaase help me with a decision...
 
Its more important to live in my opinion. Bleeding is never good and should be treated asap. I'm sure you're superiors would understand especially if you brought them a note from the emergency room doc. If I'm ever bleeding, that means that I'm in a really bad flare and that my medication is not working (although I see you stopped taking some of yours, of course you'll get sick and diarrhea is the least of your worries at this point). I go straight to the ER and get treatment right away while I contact my GI for further treatment after I leave the ER. They can do tests there and can prescribe meds along with give you much needed fluids etc etc. I'll never tell someone that they should ignore it for now and treat it later. It will not go away on its own. I'd suggest you cancel after you're currently in the ER.
 
I completely agree with Crabby! What if you are six hours away from home and need immediate medical attention? I would go to the ER and get checked out as soon as possible so you can get treated and get better.
 
Thanks Crabby n KaLa...I din go for my meeting n conference bbut went to see a doctor for help...After hving a good rest n medication...now a bit better... but currently hv an additional problem with lots of wind in the abdomen area. That causes pain when it moves. And for the wind to come out, i hv to go to the toilet as i can't fart like a normal person but it comes out together with my stool...Have anyone experience this?
 
I just had a really bad flare, my first (bloody diarrhea, severe stomach pain, all that jazz), and while I was in the hospital, they told me about a low-fiber/low-residue diet. It's for people who need to rest their intestinal tract. It limits the amount of food waste that has to move through the large intestine. This diet could help control diarrhea and abdominal cramping. I, personally, think it helped while I had my flare attack.

And as for the gas issue, I got it too. My advice is to not eat extremely gassy foods. Maybe that might help with that.

Hope your feeling better soon!
 
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Hi...while thinking i'm not alone in this world..i feel quite better...Nowadays, i'm having trouble of urinating due to diarhea. Doctor said because i'm low in protein. I can't take milk due to lactose intolerance and i'm jus eating fish. Can anyone help me with this?

@Tanachild:- what r the examples of low residue/low fibre food?
 
Not just low in protein, I'd say very dehydrated too! Can you get Fortijuice for vitamins and minerals and calories, also has proteins.

Why are you just eating fish? How about chicken, rice, banana, what else are you eating? How about your fluid intake?

Misty
 
Well, my doc only told me to take fish n egg for protein. As for dehydration, why my legs/ especially feets are swollen if its not water inside? I can actually press n see that it is soft. therfore, when i told this to my doc, he did a blood test n said my kidneys r fine, only my protein intake is low n thats the one tat cause the swollen thing.
I'm also worried to drink water as it might go n stay at my legs as it doesn't come out properly...I'm really confused...pls do help if u can...

I do take chicken, rice n soups too. I can't really take fruits because scared it might cause diarhea...Just because I'm hving months with diarhea..I'm like a paranoid to be scared to eat this n that...scared it might worsen it...I'm just so lost...
 
A few examples of a low-residue diet would be to:
Avoid nuts, seeds, raw or dried-fruit.
Avoid whole-grain breads and cereals.
Limit fats
Avoid tough meats with gristle.
There's a packet on it that I have, I could scan that into a computer and send it if you wanted. The packet basically lists foods to avoid and foods that are alright to eat.
 
Hiya Lily

continuous diarrhea is no fun, been there!
I stick to low residue when I'm like this, it works.
Basically, it's white food, rice, white bread, pasta, potatoes (no skin) chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, bananas, old cheese,
Try some veg, broccoli is anti inflammatory, as long as the veg is soft cooked, it shouldn't be a problem. Melon is good, avoid citrus fruit.
Try Rich Tea biscuits, Arrowroot biscuits, Rice Krispies, but go easy on the milk.
for my diet I have chicken and rice, or salmon and pasta with broccoli, mashed potato with scrambled egg, and I don't eat any red meat or processed meats like ham or sausage.
You can find more on the low res here on the forum under diet and fitness or the Wiki.
good luck
xxx
 
Currently I'm on prednisolone-5mg, iron tablet-100mg, Salofalk - 3000mg, Calcium - 1000mg, folic acid, and currently due to diarhea, I've been taking a lot of anti-diarheal tablets.
 
Thanks for the info on the low-residue diet. I'm going to try on it asap to c whether does it get better. My gut just does not hold onto food n needs to clear wateva i eat before it could rest. I'm so down emotionally n mentally. Hope all goes well soon.
 
There are MANY milk substitutes out there. Try them out and find one you like. I used to drink Lactaid when I was a kid.

This site has a list for how much protein is in each item. I'd stay away from lentils and nuts and seeds though cause those aren't going to help with the diarrhea (anything with fiber isn't going to help really). http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/whattoeat/a/highproteinfood.htm

Your med list doesn't make much sense when your symptoms are taken into account. You were bleeding not too long ago and you're only on 5mg of Prednisone?
 
Back to the GI! Many of us that taper down from pred flare right up again with the big 'D'. What I wonder is why you aren't on a maintenance med, even Asacol/pentasa as well as pred, or something stronger.

Yes, more pred to get you back to normal, but a maintenance drug as well! Taking immodium all the time isn't going to resolve your issue. Dont ask me how I know this.......:ytongue:

:rosette1:
Misty
 
Lily says they are taking 3000mg of Salofalk which says its similar to Asacol or in the same class of drugs as Asacol and Pentasa. Although that's certainly not the only type of drug you should be taking during a flare. Taking the right meds will stop these symptoms though I agree.
 
CrabbyRelish said:
Lily says they are taking 3000mg of Salofalk which says its similar to Asacol or in the same class of drugs as Asacol and Pentasa. Although that's certainly not the only type of drug you should be taking during a flare. Taking the right meds will stop these symptoms though I agree.
Click to expand...

See, that's something they dont do alot of here, Salofalk. (i thought it was like milk of magnesia! :redface:) At least not any GI I've seen but hey where I live it's not a surprise!
Misty
 

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