five months out... still having bowel issues

Just called and spoke with the nurse at my Dr Hares office.  They are telling me it is normal to have at least four episodes of diarrhea a day.  That means running to the bathroom almost dont make it in time diarrhea.   I am so sad.  It is really getting me down.

I am leaving for a trip to disney with my three small children and I have an anxiety just thinking about how I am going to make it to the bathroom on time.  Let alone wait in a long line. 

The nurse hung up on me before I had the chance to ask.... can I take immodium to help control this while I am on vacation?  

Thanks

Decrease your fat and carbs and yes, I took Immodium.

Pretty soon you'll be asking about the opposite problem!

~Becky

I am 4.5 months out, and have had the same problem.  And constipation.  Yea, learning to balance...  I'm so tired of toilet issues.

I started taking Immodium, extra calcium also helps. 

Get the calcium that is just calcium citrate.  I have lots of calcium that has some minerals in it, like magnesium, that counteract the calcium.  So look at the labels.

I also eat veggies, which doesn't help the diarrhea either.  But I really miss them.

I still do fats, but I do take something to counteract it.   I want the fats in my diet for my skin, hair and nails.  So I will take Immodium to stop a downward spiral.  I don't take it every day.  Maybe one pill every 4 days.

One caution - if you take Immodium, think twice about eating major carbs.  There is nothing worse then needing to clean out from the gas and diarrhea that heavy carbs cause - but the Immodium has plugged the dyke, so to speak.

Hope you feel better.

My question is this ... what are you eating NOW?

Because it's not really "normal" to have it IMO, unless you're eating things that don't agree with you.

Thanks everyone for the advice!  I am taking 3 calcium 600 a day.  I wonder if I need to add another?

My diet is varied but this is what I had today...

Chicken breast  with a tablespoon of tzacki sauce  (breakfast)

Very small greek salad... no beets or chick peas  (lunch)

another chicken breast with a very small amount of green beans

premier protein drink

It seems to happen no matter what I eat.  I try to get over 100 protein and keep the carbs under 25.   I am starting to wonder if the salad is not agreeing with me.  

I have bowel issues everyday!   I usually have to run to the bathroom to make it on time.  several times a day.  Usually stops by the afternoon.

Some things to look at:

Artificial sweeteners can cause gas, urgency and loose stools. Does your protein shake have them?

Lettuce can cause loose stools.

1 calcium citrate does not come in 600mg strength, check your dosage, it should be 2 pills= 630mgs.

check your magnesium,is it magnesium oxide? get rid of it.

Good luck!

I suffered from IBS-D for 20+ years.  Amazingly, the Band and then the Sleeve helped a lot as it slowed down how fast thing**** my intestines.  Still, I buy my Immodium at Costco to give you an idea as to how oten I use it.

Anyway, even with the immodium, don't risk ruining your vacation.  Where a depends or something similar under your clothes.  Put an extra one or two in  your purse.  Nobody will know.  If you have an issue at Disney, you can change in the restroom.  Once again, nobody will know but you.  :)

I am considering the depends.  I have never wore them before.  I guess I better get used to the idea though! 

Try cutting out the salad and see if that helps.  I'm five months post-op from DS and I can't tolerate lettuce at all yet.  

I was having the squirts, loose stools four to six a day and quit using stevia because I thought that might be it but I also bought acidophilus super probiotics and starting taking them twice a day. I have noticed my BMs have gone from the squirts to just runny/soft. Your flora may be messed up. You might need Flagyl or acidophilus.