Anyone with issues like this?

 Hello,

I am almost 2 years out from my RNY.  I have been having  a problem for the the last 9 months that I was hoping some of you may be able to help. It may be too much information but I am getting desperate.  Since April of last year I have had chronic diarrhea.  It's not dumping, though. I don't eat much sweets and I avoid fried and fatty foods as much as possible. I may eat a little somehing like this once or twice a month but for the most part I really am cautious.  And obviously because of the surgery I know I can get sick from it.I do eat whole wheat bread or wraps maybe with a sandwich but usually its the arnold thins and I can't eat all of it.  Reason I'm explaining my diet is that the first thing people say is that maybe I am dumping. It doesn't matter what I eat, I can eat something one day and I will be fine but a few days later if I eat the same thing I will get bloated, gassy, and can't get to the bathroom fast enough.  

Lately, I have been able to hold my food for a little longer before having to go to the bathroom, but I will still go multiple times and it's still runny.  I have tested negative for celiac disease, I'm not lactose intolerant, chron's.  Right now the surgeon and the gastro Dr I have been seeing think it may be something I have to live with...Which I have been but I am just so emotionally tired and drained that I have to reach out to my fellow RNYers to see if this is something I may be missing.  By the way my health numbers are normal, BP is great, cholesterol, blood glucose, so it's not affecting other things.  

The gastro has me on some  antibiotics to see if maybe there is some bad stuff in my intestines that are overgrowing and causing this issue.   It seems to help with the bloating and gas, but not the diarrhea (it is decreasing so it helps a little).

All I want is to feel like I can continue to work out without having to worry about losing too much weight. I don't want to be scared to eat because I am worried about what will happen. I want to be able to be at work and not have to walk to another building to go to the bathroom or go out with friends and not worry about what time I should go home so I can go to the bathroom.

Sorry to dump this all on you but I have been holding it in and although my family is trying to help I don't want them to worry about me or think I made a mistake by having this surgery.

Thank you for listening!
Lourdes

I am no expert and I am still early out.. but I was just wondering if you have spoken to a nutritionist about this.  Maybe she can take a look at your food log and see if there is any changes to try. Maybe u need more fiber to bulk things u.. i dunno.  Also do u take a probiotic?  We use that at work with our pts to help regulate their diets.   I have been so much constipation and gas since surgery.  I have started taking a probiotic for about 2 months..  its helping with the gas and helping me be regulated.

I hope the find something that works for you.  It would suck to have to live with this.  Keep me posted.  I will do the same about my iron levels.. LOL

Good to hear from you Lourdes!  I wish I had "the answer"  I agree with Fran, bring food log to nutritionist.  I suffer from constipation and would love to be normal, so to say. 

Each and everyone of us reacts differently to the wls.  I applaud your success.  Still working the program myself.  Before wls, I couldn't maintain significant weight loss.  The tool is the best, I can't eat like I used to, yayyyyyy wls.

Have you tried a probiotic daily?  I also take a combo pill (senna/colace) that I got from CVS.  Been helping. 

Hi Lourdes,
   Like the others say, I don't have any specific answer for you. I just wanted to let you know I care. I hope you find some answers fast. Do you have a nutritionist that you work with? I'll say a prayer for you.   Mag

Lourdes
I had almost the same exact problem just last month.  I had my RNY in 2010 and had reached my goal weight.  In December I noticed I was getting more and more gassy the more I ate solid foods.  After about 2 weeks It got horribly worse and painful.  No matter what I ate or drank (because I was on mostly soups) I had diarrhea for a month.  I found out that it was a stomach virus that was going around.  It was the first time since my surgery that I had any type of virus or flu like symptoms.  My Dr at the time stated it was the way that my body was dealing with it after the surgery.  I honestly thought I was going to die.  I lost an additional 15 pounds putting me WAY below the weight I ever wanted to be.  I have since gotten rid of the virus and I am working on putting the weight back on.  Try to keep eating, listen to the doctor and keep us informed. Feel better soon!!!

 Thank you everyone for your kind words and encouragement!  I finished the antibiotics and I am so relieved and happy to say that I feel soo much better.  I still have some problems at night, but I don't have the gas and bloating during the day. I can deal with the evening issue considering that I feel like I have more energy and I don't feel so worn out.  Going to try to add probiotics to see if that will make sure this doesn't happen again. 

I also spoke with the nutriionist and I am going to try to increase the fiber slowly in order to make sure I have a more balanced diet.  

Lourdes