Almost Constant Diarrhoea

[Joolzz]

Hi guys, I have just joined this forum and this is my first post.

I am a 56yr old woman who was diagnosed with IBS about 20yrs ago. I have has cameras up and down, blood tests, stool sample tests etc etc

I am on daily 15mg Lanzoprazole for acid reflux, sertraline for mild depression caused by chronic fatigue syndrome approx 25yrs ago, lostartan for blood pressure and a vitamin D tablet. I also intermittently take iron tablets for recurring anaemia. I was diagnosed with fatty liver (tho trying to get that changed to Slightly Podgy Liver 😉) 20 odd years ago. Yes I am probably 4 or so stone overweight.

My Dad had stomach problems all his life which he blamed on shift work (he was always sucking Soval tablets which I presume were olden day Rennies) "I think" he was treated for H Pylori and eventually died at the age of 74 ish from pancreatic cancer bless him.

My symptoms are roughly I get up, I sometimes have a poo, sometimes I don't. Have breakfast and within between 10-45mins need a poo.

Possibly a couple of hours later I have another poo, then after lunch another poo and so my day goes on, now with an added poo about 11pm - this does seem to have happened more since lockdown. My hubby says I like a goose cos as soon as something goes in, something comes out.

I often skip breakfast so I don't need a poo if I'm going out, tho that doesn't always work and I often have to find a toilet or a tree (Holly are best, evergreen and thick 🙄)

I do think it's be one worse during lockdown as I am a bit of a stress-head and don't think the situation has helped.

Although I "think" I prefer diarrhoea to constipation, this is seriously impacting my life now.

My hubby has to wait for me to have a poo before we can go out and says I add a couple of hours to his journey with all my stops.

My biggest concern now tho is that surely I can't be getting any/enough nutrients as everything must pass straight through before I have chance to absorb anything. I try and drink enough to stay hydrated including using diorylite, but then need a wee.

I am a professional Dog Walker and have a couple of horses, so do need to be relatively fit, but am now getting more of a "can't be bothered attitude" which I'm not sure if it's a depression or total lack of goodness from food thing. I do sleep an awful lot, which again is impacting my life and understandably ruining my relationship with my hubby.

Thanks for taking the time to read this guys x

[Jackie1612]

Hi Joolzz, sorry to read about what you are going through. Like you, there are many days when nothing has got done because I have spent so much time having a poo. Like you I am also on sertraline, although I am reducing this , on Esomeprazole for gastritis and on an iron supplement for anaemia. I can't take iron tablets as they give me bad indigestion and diarrhoea.

I find that loperamide helps a lot with the diarrhoea. It might be worth a try.

I agree that there is a huge concern over diet and nutrients but I suspect like you that it is the depression which is playing the major part. Is it worth going back to the doc to ask for a referral to a dietician? And to ask for more help with the diarrhoea? It is very depressing when it is ruling your life. Best wishes

[Maureen1958]

You might want to have a look at Bile Acid Malabsorption (BAM), link attached, to see if it sounds like what you are experiencing.

gutscharity.org.uk/advice-a...

[Joolzz in reply to Maureen1958]

Thank you, I'll have a look

[Linedanceing]

I know exactly what you mean I need to go for a walk in the morning so I don't eat any breakfast and will still poo before the walk anyway sometimes even on the walk i may have to double back because I need to go so now I wear them long decree pads just to save me until I get home my walk now is very near my house can't be going to far away and if I have to go shopping or away for the day I have to dose on imodum we are all same here like you my hubby says are we going now and no I got to poop first