“Diarrhea from surgery?”
I had a ruptured appendix and had it removed. After months of infections, a CT scan revealed I had a Fistula Infection (hole in my colon). I went back in for surgery...cut the infection out and reconnected the Colon in November of 1921. I still have diarrhea till this day and do not know how to stop it. I tried Immodium AD. It can only settle down with muscle relaxers. How long does this last and is their something to stop the churning and CONSTANT diarrhea?
Female | 62 years old
4 Answers
Chronic diarrhea following surgery, such as the one you described, can have various causes, including changes in the gastrointestinal tract, alterations in bowel habits, and underlying conditions. Here are some steps to consider:
1. **Consult a Gastroenterologist:** If you haven't already, it's essential to consult with a gastroenterologist, a specialist in digestive disorders. They can perform a thorough evaluation, including a review of your medical history, imaging studies, and possibly additional tests like colonoscopy, to identify the underlying cause of your chronic diarrhea.
2. **Dietary Modifications:** Certain dietary changes may help manage diarrhea. Your gastroenterologist or a registered dietitian can provide guidance on a suitable diet plan. They might recommend a low-residue diet, which limits high-fiber foods that can exacerbate diarrhea.
3. **Medications:** Your healthcare provider may prescribe medications to help manage diarrhea, such as anti-diarrheal medications, bile acid binders, or medications that reduce bowel motility. It's crucial to follow your healthcare provider's recommendations and not self-medicate.
4. **Lifestyle Modifications:** Lifestyle factors can influence bowel habits. Managing stress, getting regular exercise, and ensuring you stay well-hydrated can be beneficial.
5. **Monitoring for Infections:** Diarrhea can sometimes be associated with infections. Your healthcare provider may test for and treat any underlying infections that could contribute to diarrhea.
6. **Consideration of Surgical Complications:** Since you had surgery to address a fistula infection, it's essential to ensure that there are no complications or residual issues related to the surgery. Your surgeon and gastroenterologist should collaborate to assess this.
7. **Bowel Rest:** In some cases, temporary bowel rest, which involves avoiding solid foods for a period while providing nutrition through intravenous (IV) fluids, may be recommended to give the gastrointestinal tract time to heal.
Remember that chronic diarrhea can have various causes, and the treatment approach will depend on identifying and addressing the underlying issue. It's important to maintain open communication with your healthcare providers and follow their recommendations closely to find an effective solution for your specific situation.
First, I would recommend a small bowel follow-through study, where you drink contrast, and xrays are taken. The reason being, if there is still a fistula, that could be source of persistent entero-colonic fistula. Typically, unless >50% of the colon is removed, patient's should not be experiencing long-term severe diarrhea.
Consult Functional Medicine and GI. This could be a Candida overgrowth as well. Radically change diet to organic, non-GMO, gluten-free Mediterranean diet.
Have you gone back to your surgeon? Have you been checked for c. Diff colitis?
