poo activity post HA

[30min-ambition]

I had a HA and stent operation 3 weeks ago today and my bowel movements have yet to return to any sort of normality.

Embarrassing to share, but I have loose stools that are not painful but nearly every morning after taking lansoprazole or say 20 mins after my breakfast.

Anyone remember if this was the norm, or do I tell GP? I don’t have the most accessible GP.

[Fanfab1]

hi can’t comment from HA perspective but this could be a side effect of lansoprazole.

bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/lanso...

But if you’re not new to lansoprazole or (in my opinion) had sudden changes in bowel habits that’s unusual for you - then a conversation with GP is worth having.

hope clears up!

[30min-ambition in reply to Fanfab1]

Thanks. I just looked at the list and I have some of the other mild symptoms and will speak to my GP.

[BeKind28-]

Hello

Sorry to hear about your HA and hope your recovery in every other way is going well

Your lansoprazole usually it is suggested you take it 30 mins before you eat anything I take mine as soon as I get up

If I take 15mg I am fine but sometimes with my Doctors permission I have to take 30mg when I take the 30mg I am rushing to the toilet to

I told my Doctor about this and she said lansoprazole can make some people go to the toilet but as I am ok on 15mg which I usually take I have stuck with it if I had to take 30mg I would have to ask them if there was another PPI I could take

So it does sound like the lansoprazole could very well be why this is happening and if it does not settle down talk with your GP and see if they will try you on a different one

Let us know how you get on x

[30min-ambition in reply to BeKind28-]

Thanks for the advice. I take 30 mg and as I have said to someone else as I take a cocktail of drugs it could be something else’.

But based on what you and others have said I have booked a review of meds for next weeek.

Thanks

[BeKind28- in reply to 30min-ambition]

Hello

That is a good idea booking a meds view I hope it goes well x

[Hrty]

Lansoprazole gave me dreadful problems. I was, quite literally, drained feom spending so much time on the loo. Eventually that was stopped and replaced by famotidine. Loads better since. Can take a while to get meds right and I have had several changes over the last year. Seeing GP tomorrow tk discuss my latest combination

[30min-ambition]

thanks and glad you are in a better place now. I have just booked appointment to review my meds for next week.

I am taking a cocktail of drugs and just guessing it is lansoprazale.

[fishonabike]

as others have said lansoprazole can cause gut upsets and there are alternatives your GP could switch you to

in the meantime you could also give some thought to your overall gut health - you may need to drink more to replace extra fluid lost through loose poo - inccrease your fruit and vegetable intake and try reading up on how to improve your Gut flora - Lanzoprazole (and other PPI medications) as well as antibiotics and sudden changes of diet (like a hospital diet!) can upset this and you may need to give it some attention to help stabilises it

at least you are not having the opposite problem which is no fun either!

[30min-ambition]

Lool - you are right constipation is probably just as awful. Thanks for the tips, as I hadn’t thought about needing to up my fluid intake etc.

[bludnut]

Hi, I have Stable Angina and I take 15mg lansoprazole at night in order to prevent heart burn and indigestion as recommended by my Heart Surgeon. However I don't seem to suffer as others on this website do, I do suffer from constipation, probably because of taking 50mg tramadol 3 per day.To help with the constipation I take lactolose twice / day, and I eat 10 dried Prunes in yoghurt at lunchtime, I also have a bowl of mixed fresh fruit and yoghurt at teatime. Having said that,I am still constipated at times. I take a 40mg Isosorbide when I get up, and another one 8 hours later, as well as 25mg of Atenol at the same time. One thing that does worry me somewhat, is the instability when walking downstairs, or just after standing up. When I discussed this at our surgery,I was told that it could be due to all of the medication that I am on. Take care and keep smiling.

#bludnut

[PorridgeForMe]

Hello 30min,

The problem with irregular bowel movement problems and drug side effects is pinning down which of, possibly quite a few different drugs you are taking might be causing the problem.

If you had a HA recently you are probably taking a number of heart drugs in addition to the lansoprazole.

I take BP control medication (Losartan) and a BB (Nebivolol) and both have bowel problems listed as possible side effects.

I would not be at all surprised if many different drugs can cause bowel problems.

If you are happy for me to get a bit technical here I will point out that bowel movements and blood pressure are both controlled within the body by very similar metabolic mechanisms.

Both of these functions (and your digestive system as well - and also the focusing function with your eyes) are partly controlled by something called smooth muscle. There are rings of smooth muscle around most of your blood vessels and if your cardiovascular system needs your blood pressure to increase this ring of muscle with contact - and if there is a need for your blood pressure to decrease the ring will get wider.

It is important to understand that in any individual, blood pressure is not fixed. It will be going up and down all the time in different ways in different parts of your body - depending on the blood supply needs of your different organs at different times of the day.

And this change in the constriction or relaxation of rings made up of smooth muscle along most of your digestive system all the way from your throat to your anus will control the movement of your "food" along the digestive system.

But to return to practicalities - are you taking a Beta Blocker?

Most patients taking a BB are on Bisoprolol - this is known as a 2nd generation BB.

The are more recent advanced BB drugs available. About 6 months ago I changed from Bisoprolol to Nebivolol (a 3rd generation BB).

And I am convinced that my bowel movements became more regular - maybe not perfect but much better than they were.

Of course - I am not saying that any of this applies to you. And I have no medical qualifications at all.

I have lived with a serious heart problem for over 12 years - although I have never had a HA.

All I am doing is sharing with you some of the little bits of knowledge my curious mind has picked up along the way.

If you are thinking about changing your medication make sure you get proper advice from a qualified person.

But if you have any questions just ask - I might be able to help explain things.

Anyway - apart from wishing you a Happy New Year that is all for now,

Mike.