Post HA bowel problem

[Landrovergirl]

Hi, my partner had a HA 2 weeks ago, he was blue-lighted to hospital and had 2 stents fitted. Major shock to us both as he is fit and active. He is still in hospital as he picked up a chest infection but he's slowly starting to improve. He is on a cocktail of drugs and constantly exhausted, which is understandable. He has one symptom which is causing him a lot of distress and I can't find it mentioned anywhere here. He keeps having bouts of diarrhea, which come on him with very little warning. He is hooked up to an IV and can't get to the toilet quickly, so has ended up soiling himself a couple of times. Sorry if this is too much detail. The nurses are great - they get him cleaned up and changed and don't seem to think anything of it, but none of the other men on the ward seem to have this problem. He says he has mentioned it to the doctor, but no action has been taken. He is getting anxious that control will never come back. I'm sure it will be the meds causing it, but if that's the case, why are they not changing his meds? Any one got any advice? xx

[Tos92]

It may well be his medication. I know from experience, there are some antibiotics that can cause diarrhoea as a side effect. I had to take quite a strong antibiotic when I got c*vid bronchitis last year, and this was one of the side effects.

It might not be the antibiotics and it could be one of the other medications he is taking. I suggest you ask the consultant what the side effects of his medications are and if diarrhoea is one of them. I stuck with the antibiotic as it was helping to clear the infection however, I appreciate that your husband’s circumstances are different and he may not be able to get to a toilet quickly enough.

I hope he feels better soon.

Tos

[alicebear]

I would trust the nurses they deal with this sort of thing every day

If it helps I had this but I think it was a mix of medication and I wasn’t eating solids so was living on the milkshakes that they give

[fishonabike in reply to alicebear]

as an ex nurse i can confirm that it is somthing they deal with often - but that does not make it any more pleasant for anyone concerned

[BeKind28-]

Hello

I am sorry to hear about your Husband and then picking up a chest infection to but the chances are if they have him on strong antibiotics they along with the other medications could be causing him to have sudden diarrhoea even though distressing for your Husband but glad the Nurses are treating him with such good dignity

If they do not seem alarmed they must have seen it all before but if possible when you visit and I know you say he has mentioned it to the Doctors I wonder if you speak to the Nurses and tell them how concerned you are , how it is affecting your Husband and could someone tell you both why this is happening ?

I don't think this will be forever even though I am not a Doctor and as I said more to do with the meds but make sure they give you some answers as that is what they are there for but sometimes you have to stand your ground to get them

Let us know how you get on x

[fishonabike]

i am sorry to hear that your husband is experiencing this - it is very distressing for him and is probably leaving him feeling very low - apart from the unpleasantness it is physically draining and increases his feelings of not being in control of his body any more

this could be a result of his medication and the effects they have on his gut biome, as well as the general shock to his body of the heart attack and change of diet and environment

it might help if you could bring him light food from home, things you usually eat, as well as some supplements like real live yogurt or kefir, or prebiotic and probiotic supplements to re-boot his gut flora (from a local chemist with advice re other drugs he is taking - and check with the hospital staff)

it would also help if he can drink enough to top up his fluids as he is losing more with the frequent loose bowel activity - he may be reluctant to eat and drink as this tends to stimulate bowel activity, but it is necessary to re-establish a good intake of solid food and fluids for his guts to act on

try home made soup with lots of veg, liquidised, stewed fruit with custard or rice pudding, egg custards - old fashioned "nursery food" or whatever will tempt him, a bit at a time

[Landrovergirl]

Thanks to everyone for your replies. He is responding to the antibiotics and I made him some plain pasta which he liked. It's all very scary and new right now. xxx