Husband's Chronic Diarrhea

Updated on October 21, 2012
R.R. asks from Burleson, TX
25 answers

After repeated bouts of diverticulitis that caused scar tissue, my husband had about 8 inches of his descending colon removed. That is the part of the colon where waste sits and "firms up". Consequently, he has diarrhea and cramping every single day. He spends a lot of time on the throne. He takes immodium every day, literally. He takes fiber pills every day. He eats some raw fruits and vegetables, but is allergic to apples. He is also lactose intolerant and doesn't like the "fake milk" - so doesn't/won't eat fiber cereals. He's been to his GASTRO many times, and basically it's a shrug of the shoulders and a "live with it" attitude.

So, does anyone have ANY suggestions? I went to a health food store and asked and she suggested psyllium (which is what is in fiber pills) - but of course her assertation is that it should be from a health food store and not just any store. So I bought what she had, which was the stuff you mix in juice. He tried to drink it, but it literally gags him, so he won't drink that either. So - I'm tossing it out there in case someone says "ah ha! I know just the thing!". Oh - and I should also mention that he takes blood pressure pills too, and cholesterol meds, so he can't take charcoal because it "sucks up everything".

Also, he DOES take a probiotic daily too.

What can I do next?

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S.B.

answers from Dallas on

My husband was incorrectly diagnosed with diverticulitis last year. We went through the gambit of drugs and probiotics, etc. His intestinal issues are mostly pain and not necessarily diarrhea or constipation. But he found this stuff on amazon and decided to give it a try. Heather's Tummy Fiber CAN ~ Organic Acacia Senegal 16 oz. for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. He heard mention of it on a blog and it got mostly positive reviews on amazon. It's a tasteless powder. It's a soluble fiber which is supposed to be kinder on the system than psyllium. I am much pickier than my hubby and when I tried it (because I didn't believe the tasteless claim), I couldn't taste it in my juice. Hubby drank it in his water, but it does change the look a bit and if it's not stirred well, it clumps, and that ooged me out. It can also be sprinkled on food if he prefers. Maybe this would be worth a try. I think it comes in smaller packages too, but it worked so well that hubby started buying the larger container.

3 moms found this helpful
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P.K.

answers from New York on

Sorry but eight inches should not cause such bad diarrhea. I do not have a colon and do fine. Find another doctor. Something else is going on.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.K.

answers from Appleton on

I think maybe he is for lack of a better word confusing his body. He takes Immodium to stop the diarrhea and eats raw veggies and other things for the fiber, which will increase the diarrhea.
I would get an appointment with his pharmacist and discuss his medications and their possible side effects. The pharmacist may also know of a OTC medication that will help his diarrhea issue.

1 mom found this helpful

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L.R.

answers from Washington DC on

His gastro doctor shrugs and says "live with it"?

Time for a new doctor.

It sounds like you're both trying a lot of things but you need a doctor on board who actually gives a darn about the fact that your husband's quality of life is terrible. Helping him cope with life after his operation should have been part of what his gastro doctor does but this doctor is done with you -- the operation's over, and the doctor is ready to move on.

Find another gastro specialist who has dealt with this before and is willing to work harder with you and not leave all this in your court. Tons of fiber alone may not be the answer here. And find a gastro specialist who will actually consult with your husband's other doctors! The doctor treating the cholesterol and the doctor treating the blood pressure AND the gastro should all be talking. The cholesterol and blood meds may be affecting your husband's digestion as well -- has anyone every explored that possibility? Often doctors never cross-reference with each other!

One other thing -- your husband sounds as if he's not really fully on board either yet, if fiber is essential here. When an adult says "it literally gags me" and then gives up -- well, that's making excuses; he needs to find a fiber supplement that does NOT gag him rather than now dismissing all psyllium. I doesn't have to be thick goo from a health food store. There are versions that claim to disappear entirely in liquids and leave zero goop that gags; has he tried that? Has he seen a nutritionist who might have new ideas about food and fiber?

He is likely and very understandably just sick, sick, sick of all the pills (blood pressure, cholesterol, probiotics) and the diarrhea and he may be feeling that the "cure is worse than the disease" overall. Please ensure that he's not either getting depressed by his health or just resisting help with the diarrhea because...resistance is something he can control, when he cannot really control his body right now.

3 moms found this helpful

S.K.

answers from Denver on

The dr can prescribe something i think its called welchol or something its a cholesterol pill but its supposed to help with chronic dirrhrea. I have issues and I read that taking calcium supplements help so i tried that and so far I do have to say that it has helped greatly. I use the caltrate 600 plus D the purple and white box. if you take one with each meal it helps. This is why:When you take calcium about 40% of the dose gets to the bones the rest is eliminated in our waste. The calcium goes to the intestines and soaks up excess fluids and binds them together and they are gotten rid of in our waste.

This is a process that can be continued by taking the calcium carbonate on a daily basis thus giving a more formed BM.

Have him give it a try and see if he can lower the immodium or if it will work with eachother and help him out.

2 moms found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

I think he's trying everything all at once and not giving any one thing a chance to work.
I don't have gastro intestinal issues but probiotics every day GIVES me diarrhea.
Too much just overwhelms my system - it works like a laxative for me.

Fiber can help with diarrhea caused by irritable bowel syndrome but I'm not sure what he needs since all/most of his diverticulitis was removed with his 8 inches of colon.
Does he need it to prevent diverticulitis in what remains of his colon?

If he's lactose intolerant - no dairy for him.
Maybe you can try him on goats milk (easier to digest) but he might have to just give up on milk altogether if he can find no substitute that will work for him.
Maybe he should see a new gastroenterologist or work with a nutritionist to help him with his dietary issues.
Honestly if I were facing that kind of pain every day I might consider living on soup broth (a liquid diet).

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/colectomy-diet.html

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M.J.

answers from Sacramento on

I have IBS-D, so I've dealt with the chronic diarrhea problem first-hand for many years. I agree that he needs to find a doctor who will take him seriously.

Here's what has helped me:
1. Anti-depressant. I went on one about a year ago for depression and pretty immediately, I noticed a dramatic improvement with my IBS. May be worth asking about this with a doctor for input on whether it might help him.

2. Eating the right things. Be extremely careful with any fruits and vegetables. They can be very irritating. Stay clear of any citrus or acidic ones, such as oranges, tomatoes, pineapple, etc.

3. Skip the caffeine. Cut coffee altogether, even the decaf. This was a painful one for me, but I suddenly didn't have to do bathroom dashes in the morning when I quit. Limit other caffeine sources, like chocolate.

4. No soda. Carbonation can be really irritating and trigger diarrhea.

5. Benefiber Clear. This stuff has zero taste and adds the fiber. Not sure why a health food store is necessary when this works fine.

That's just what my doctor recommended to me and what has made a huge difference in my IBS. I realize his condition is different, but this helped control my diarrhea and may help with him, too.

Good luck!

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A.L.

answers from Chicago on

No suggestions here, but will be looking forward to the answers. My husband is an a very similar situation, and I feel like I should own part of Immodium for as much as we buy it. Seriously I buy it by the case now because it is cheaper in the long run. It is the only thing we have found that helps him. None of the probiotics etc. have worked.

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N.G.

answers from Dallas on

I second the suggestion on the nutritionist. Nutritionists are trained to address special needs diets, and I bet they can offer some good suggestions for him. And FYI, my insurance covers nutritional counseling at 100% of the cost, so worth looking into!

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S.C.

answers from Dallas on

Hi...I suffer somewhat with similiar issues but mine goes back to a birth defect.. However, what we found that worked was my Dr put me on Cholestyramine...it is a powder that mixes in water or juice and the purpose is really for lowering your cholestrol but one of the side affects is constipation. In my case, he had me drink it first thing in the morning and it causes things to "form up" and move along without it being diarrhea. It usually works fairly quickly so he suggested I not take any of my other medicine for at least an hour...or take the medicines an hour before drinking the drink. It is hard to get it to mix up but it tastes better then the other psyllium. Hope this helps!

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L.F.

answers from Chicago on

Go to peoplespharmacy.com and do a search under diarrhea and coconut. Apparently, eating coconut is a home remedy for diarrhea. Your husband can eat it in the form of macaroon cookies. It's worth a try!

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M.P.

answers from Peoria on

Someone I know had severe IBS (cramping/diarrhea). The doctor prescribed a drug called Cholestyramine. It is a cholesterol med but also helps with diarrhea. It is just a powder that you put into water and has worked wonders for my friend!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cholestyramine

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B.C.

answers from Dallas on

My husband has this problem/coupled with rectal bleeding.
After 17+ years with no real answers other then "increase fiber" he stopped eating meat as a desperate attempt.

Fours years since, he has flare ups once MAYBE twice a year. So either do it, and feel good, or don't, but he would only have himself to hold accountable then.

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Psyllium is in constipation meds isn't it? That's what's in that med you drink to clean you out before you do a colonoscopy. I know this because I had an allergic reaction to it the night before I was supposed to have one.

I think what you are doing is counterproductive and not in his best interest.

He needs to eat normal foods and understand he is going to have diarrhea afterwards. I have IBS with chronic diarrhea. I have to plan my whole day around where I can find a bathroom or not.

There are meds that will help his colon relax so he won't feel those deep cramps but it can constipate him.

Foods that are constipating might fill his colon too. Banana's are very dangerous for anyone who blocks up easy. There are a lot but only a doc or a nutritionist can help/.

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E.F.

answers from Kalamazoo on

If you are looking for a different source of psyllium, there are fruit bars (fruit leather) with it, called "Fiberful" bars at Trader Joe's. I don't know whether they all have traces of apple, or not, but it might be worth a try. There are lots of flavors, even some veggie ones. They also have Fiberful granola bars, which are helpful (and yummy) for my little ones.

I am sorry he is going through this and I hope you find something that helps.

Has he tried peppermint capsules to ease the cramping? IBS and chronic digestive issues run in my family, and we've found that peppermint capsules work wonders. I also have strong peppermint tea before bed each night, which I find soothing to my gut.

Here is a quick link:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/333443-peppermint-oil-f...

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P.M.

answers from Dallas on

R.,
I am so sorry to hear about your hubby's issues. My hubby has been through the ringer as well. It has been a long 5 year struggle. We went through a couple of gatro's and we got the "live with it" line as well. Basically they were unable to determine the issue and gave up. We did find out that Gary's colon wasn't empytying correctly. The meds for that were dangerous. Gary finally got fed up and reasearched some holistic things. We found books by Jordan Rubin. He is the author of "The Maker's Diet". There is another book that we bought and followed the plan "The Guts and Glory Program". There is a soup recipe in there that helped Gary get better. It has many ingredients that are healing to the stomach and since you cook it for 12 hours it is easily digested. There are some supplements that Rubin called FYI makes that have assisted in getting him under control. The challenge is after the healing. Gary loves to eat a big meal at dinner and light during the day. His system just can't handle it anymore, but he continues to try and then relapses. He is dealing with one this week. I will probably have to go make the soup again. Just be aware it is a 2 hour job to get it in the pot!...But it works....Diet is the most important thing.

I have also become allergic to milk & soy and the Almond milk is a great substitue. If you get the sweetened version, I can't tell the difference. CHange can be difficult. I am learning that myself w/ the adult onset allergies. There are things available, it just requires planning. It is so easy to get lazy, but there is a price paid for that. I pray for you and your hubby.

J.S.

answers from Hartford on

Oh, sweetie... doesn't he know that since it's a diverticulosis issue that Immodium is NOT going to work? He has to stop taking the Immodium because it isn't doing any good to begin with. None of those OTC anti-diarrhea meds are going to work. They're just not. No Pepto, nothing.

He HAS TO give his stomach, intestines, and colon time to heal. I was hospitalized for five days due to a particularly bad diver attack and was lucky not to require surgery. Your husband is VERY lucky that he's alive. Most people who have what he has DO NOT feel the pain. The pain is the only warning sign we have, really, that we need to make changes in our diet or that there's something wrong and we need to head to the emergency room. Some people will get the infection and die never feeling a thing. So he HAS TO take this seriously. His body is telling him to change how he's eating and he HAS TO listen to it.

First and foremost he has to find a new gastroenterologist. One that won't tell your husband to "live with it." He's already had one surgery. He also needs a nutritionist that's familiar with IBS and diverticulitis/diverticulosis and other inflammatory bowel diseases.

Until then you can do this in order to give his digestive system a break: Start him on a Clear Liquid Diet for three days. He would be able to have teas, broths, juices, flavored bottled water, anything liquid that would be clear at room temperature, Jell-O, etc.

After he does that, he can go to a Soft Foods Diet. Cream of Wheat, mashed potatoes, and other foods that don't need to be chewed much if at all. I'd go at least three days on that, probably four days or as long as he'll tolerate.

Drink lots and lots of fluids but avoid milk and carbonated drinks. Avoid coffee. Avoid creamers.

Get him on a Low Residue Diet. He's going to need to eat foods that are easy to digest, and THAT means that he needs to eat foods that might typically be off many diets because of the carbs and he'd need to avoid foods that would be considered very healthy for others but unhealthy for him. Make sure that vegetables are steamed. Skins are peeled.

It's EXTREMELY important to avoid seeds like poppy seeds, corn, popcorn, whole unrefined grains, sesame seeds, tomato seeds, cucumber seeds, strawberry and raspberry seeds, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, peanuts, nuts, nut butters, peanut butter... as a general rule. I can't eat any of things ever without getting the telltale searing cramps and diarrhea a couple of days later. Popcorn is what landed me in the hospital and while I may have cheated and had a strawberry here and there, I haven't touched popcorn since my hospital stay two years ago.

With Lactose Intolerance, if he's still drinking regular milk and eating regular cheese then that could account for much of the diarrhea. There are many substitutions he can have as long as he doesn't also have a milk protein allergy. Lactose-free milk tastes exactly the same as regular milk and is, in fact, still cow's milk. They simply remove the lactose ie. the milk sugar because it can't be digested (your husband is missing lactase enzyme in his large intestine required to digest the lactose). You can cook with lactose-free milk exactly the same way as with regular milk EXCEPT FOR making the pudding in the boxed mixes. You'll have to make pudding homemade using cornstarch. You'll have to make certain things from scratch to avoid milk products but make them using lactose-free subs at home. In many instances you just have to make an ingredient change without any hassle.

He can have Kraft shredded mozzarella and other Kraft cheeses as long as they say 0 grams of lactose in the nutrition area on the back. Cabot and Cracker Barrel also cater to Lactose Intolerant customers, so look for 0 grams of lactose on packages.

Look for the ingredients lists. Avoid things that have milk, milk powder, caseinate, lactate, lactylate, loaf meats, salami, pepperoni, and other cured sausages. No milk fat, no butterfat as ingredients. There's now Yoplait lactose free yogurt, although many people with lactose intolerance can have regular yogurt as long as it has live active cultures in it.

Avoid McDonald's and other fried foods... a lot of times, the frying process converts sugars or there are hidden milk products in the fast food items. My daughter can't have fast food fries anywhere because of the lactose issues.

If you have any questions, my PM box is open. :-)

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R.T.

answers from Tyler on

http://www.helpforibs.com/
(also known as heather's tummy care)-sb from keller mentioned heather's products purchased from amazon helping her husband.

Great site. lots of info. I don't recommend the books/hypno etc. Just scour the site for helpful info that will get you results or at least a place to start. very comprehensive insight to cause and helps for lots of issues.

The fiber(everybody needs fiber of one kind or the other) and peppermint capsules and fennel is great. All organic stuff. Get the discounts and/or shop around at your local Health food store or Amazon/vitacost, etc. You can find better pricing for her stuff if her discounts aren't enough?

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M.D.

answers from Dallas on

That is unfortunate that his Dr. has this attitude. I know that diverticulitis can be a result of the person's diet. I have a 21 day program that I think will help with his diarrhea and cramping. I know that it definitely will help with his cholesterol and blood pressure. The individuals that follow this program are dropping their cholesterol by 30 or more points. This can be a huge game changer for him if he is really interested in feeling better. PM me if you would like more information on this.

M.

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S.C.

answers from Dallas on

He may not be willing to do this and it may not work with his situation, but I'll mention it anyway - Specific Carbohydrate Diet - http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info

My 8 year old has ulcerative colitis. She and I have followed this diet since May 2010. She no longer has diarrhea and the UC is in remission. Asthma is almost non-existent (only appears when we travel out of the area). And she feels better in general.

For the probiotic, does he take S. Boulardii? That helped stop diarrhea when my daughter had die off at the start of the diet.

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A.N.

answers from Dallas on

There is so much success with those symptoms with Vemma. The reason is that it is 97% absorbed starting in the mouth. The vitamins and minerals the body needs to heal itself is getting there and circulating through the body. People with Crohnes, who have had part of their colon removed, have seen relief. I have a friend whose husband had been so ill with colon issues for 25 years. They were about to remove part of his colon when his wife found Vemma. He has been free of all his pills and has his life back for five years now. It is worth a try to see if it helps your husband. It tastes great! It comes in different delivery systems. It is ordered from the company and shipped to your house. I only have here what we take ourselves. We love the Verve Healthy Energy Drink with the Vemma in it. We also have the Vemma in the two 32 ounce bottles, taking two ounces daily with the little dosage glass that comes with it. A doctor introduced it to me about five years ago, and I have had such changes in my health that I am passionate about it. My list is up to 12 health improvements, from Planter Fasciaitis, to allergies, to arthritis, IBS, to getting off cholesterol medicine. That is not even half of the list. My husband avoided knee surgery and prostate surgery by drinking Vemma daily. The body heals itself when given the right vitamins and minerals that are actually absorbed. This is clinically tested, the formula, not just one ingredient in it. It just plain works.
With an order that is shipped out every month so you don't run out, there is a free website. Of course, it can be stopped at any time. By investing in your health for wellness and prevention, there is a financial opportunity as well that happens as you exist. Many doctors are feeling blessed with this plan B income with the changes in the medical field now. Skeptical until they saw it work on their own bodies, they now share it with patients and peers. My website is http://annnoblehealth.com/ It can be ordered thru that front page of the website. http://annnoblehealth.com/

L.A.

answers from Austin on

Is he wheat intolerant also?

My sister has a very severe allergy to all wheat..

☼.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

You may want to invest some money in a visit to the nutritionist/dietician. It sounds like he could use a good evaluation of his eating habits. Good luck, this can't be fun and it's unacceptable to just 'live with it.'

D.B.

answers from Boston on

PM me - don't use psyllium, don't use pills. I have worked with many people with various forms of irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, and more. You need to talk to them and get into a better product - and yes, "ah ha! I know just the thing!" -- too much to email back and forth here. If your husband wants you to do this for him, fine. If he really wants to talk to someone himself, I can set that up, and if he'd prefer to talk to a man, I can connect him to a couple of guys who are great about this and have gone through it. And congrats on being willing to put something like this out there - so many women apologize for the TMI stuff, but honestly, how are you going to get help if you don't explain things?

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M.S.

answers from Dallas on

I have Crohn's disease and have had much of my colon removed, too. Unfortunately after that you will always have chronic diarrhea. The trick is watching what you eat. I am also lactose intolerant. If I avoid dairy, it will save me at least a couple of bathroom trips. If he just can't, tell him to try lactase tablets as they help a little. They are an OTC digestive aid. If you stick with soy milk, the taste gets more tolerable. Vanilla soy milk is really quite good on cereal - even soy milk haters tend to like it. Almond milk has a smoother taste than soy, maybe he'd like it (but don't make pudding from it because it won't set). My GI says immodium is fine to take, even daily. Metamucil is orange flavored and not too awful and helps to firm up stools somewhat. (yes, people who have had colon removed sometimes need both metamucil and immodium - they won't work against each other in his case). Anything fatty or fried is a definite no-no! A low residue diet is extremely helpful. (google it for suggestions). And the hardest one of all is avoid stress (and always carry an extra pair of underwear) It gets better with time!

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