Pam, Help -- Diarrhea

Ok, I'm finally giving up and asking.  I've had this diarrhea for the past few months.  I just figured it was normal for us WLS people who are further out, but now it's getting me up in the middle of the night.  I feel the urge and I'm afraid to f*rt, so I get up and am glad I did.  I thought about drinking some of that benefiber stuff, but I thought that was to help make me go.  Does it also help firm things up?  Anyone.....
Jan

For the first 3 weeks immediately following my WLS, I also had diarrhea.  I know what you mean - one time I thought I had gas and didn't head to the bathroom and then had an accident.  Big time ugh. 

My doctor's office at that time told me to start Benefiber since it will firm things up - that is how it makes you go when you are constipated, but it also helps with liquidy stools. 

You could try Imodium also - that helps with diarrhea. 

Hope this helps!!

Thanks Linda.  I'm going to try the Benefiber.  I didn't know if it just helped to make you go.  You've answered my question.

Jani, Are you taking Magnesium? I have found that has made things mooooooove differently for me....

Jan

I am  probably the wrong Pam, but I can offer some insite.  Are you still keeping a food log?  Look to see if it is something you may be developing an intolerance to.  For me it was Milk.  It took me 9 months or so before I could have regular Milk.  I could handle yogart and cheese, but not plain milk. I switched to lactaid or took a lactaid tablet when I had regular milk and I was fine. 

Depending on what is causing your issue, benefiber may help.  How much fluids are you taking in?  From what I understand, excess fluids that your kidneys and bladder cannot handle left in your intestines, and then softer stools will result.

There are days that I would trade with you.  I have the other problem because of my current meds.  I do benefiber, fiber one twigs and still have to use dulcalax every 2 - 3 days.  Not a fun life.

Best Wishes

Pam

Jani
I had IBS which did just what you described.  the PHP told me to take Metamucil every day because it regulates you . by adjusting the amount of liquid need   or not need.

Your could email Annette the dietitian and ask her what to do.

You may need to stop the coffee and the milk and cheese.

could be from the fruit, mango too.

You may be dumping from the natural sugar/ or lactose intolerance.
either can occur  (onset) any time after surgery.

as far as normal I have the opposite problems sometimes it seems like the BM is to large to get out. So I take magnesium daily.

Thanks all.  No, I don't take magnesium and I don't have too much fluid intake either.  In fact, maybe not quite enough in the winter.  I know in the spring and summer I won't have trouble getting in at least 64 oz.   I wonder if it is the coffee.  Not milk or dairy, because I certainly don't drink milk on a regular basis, nor do I have too much cheese or yogurt.  I tend to have more protein than anything.  I haven't had any problems eating anything (nausea or sick wise).  My real only issue is the diarrhea.  I can live with it, but I don't think it's healthy.  I'm going to write the nut and see what she says.  I did begin with benefiber this morning.  It's a fruit flavor, and actually not unpleasant at all, surprisingly.

coffee can act like a laxitive.

I know that I don't do coffee and oatmeal with in two hours of each other. 
read this
findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20030411/ai_n113860 34/

Coffee can certainly affect the digestive tract. Some people are especially susceptible to this reaction and you may be one of them.

The more coffee you drink, the more likely you are to experience problems. See if you can avoid diarrhea when you drink by reducing the amount of coffee you drink.

A food diary might help you identify other triggers. Dairy products can be a culprit for those with lactose intolerance. So can sugarless gum containing sorbitol, mannitol or malitol.

There is no obvious antidote other than avoidance. Relying on loperamide (Imodium) is probably not the best solution.

geez that explains alot.. Sometimes when I drink  coffee I get cramps and gotta go ASAP ( I also have IBS) 

I have the opposite problem. I get constipated, so I end up using miralax every 3-4 days to keep things going........smoothly. I go back to the doctor's on the 13th to see if there is something else I should be doing.