Question:
I am 1 year post-op and have chronic diarreah.

This has really become a big problem for me. I regularly have 3 to 6 BMs per day. I also go through flare-ups where it is much worse than that. Right now I am having a major flare and have gone at least 12 times in the past 24 hours. I take acidolphilus and FiberCon everyday... this does help a little. Since this current flare I have also taken 3 Immodiums and it hasn't helped at all. I read someone's suggestion here that I try the BRAT diet - Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Tea so I will try that. I just sent hubby to the store to get bananas and applesauce (and also gatorade as I know I must be getting dehydrated... I hope that is okay on the BRAT) and I just ate some rice and drank some tea. I woke up in the middle of the night to go at least 3 or 4 times last night and tons of times today. My stomach is rumbling constantly. I REALLY need some suggestions! Please write back. Thanks!    — Heather B. (posted on June 7, 2003)

June 7, 2003
I believe the T in BRAT stands for toast not tea. My understanding of the DS surgery is that you DO have many trips to the bathroom due to malabsorption. There is a woman from my support group who goes 15-20 times a day! I would definitely talk to your doctor if you are concerned that this is abnormal. Better safe than sorry.
   — Carol S.

June 7, 2003

   — John Rushton

June 7, 2003
Thanks for you two, for telling me it was "toast" not "tea"... the post on another thread said "tea" so I wouldn't have known otherwise if you hadn't told me! Also thanks for the diet tips, I'll try them... I'll try ANYTHING at this point. Also, I did see my WLS doctor Yesterday, and told me that 3 times a day was normal for a post-op DS patient, but more than that was too much. He just prescribed something called Colestid, which is usually prescribed for high-cholesterol, but it is sometimes given to DS patients who have chronic diarreah because it lowers the amount of bile you create. But, I've only taken one dose and so far it hasn't helped. Anyway, 12 times a day is too much! It's horrible. I can live with 3 or 4 times a day but more than that and you are a slave to the toilet. I don't know how your friend could accept 20 times a day! Ugh! Is she a long-term post op like me? I did go a lot more right after surgery, but it got better there for a while and now it's bad again. I'm am so sick of it!
   — Heather B.

June 7, 2003
After I posted my response someone emailed me (??) suggesting that maybe you are having a reaction to lactose. I figure they would have posted here but maybe they emailed you instead. I hope so and it would make sense. Good Luck!!! :)
   — Carol S.

June 7, 2003
Heather, Why didn't your doctor have you give a stool sample? I had the same exact symptons you had (constant diarrhea--going several times during the night and many, many times during the day). I was 17 months post-op and had tried everything you are doing, to no avail. I finally called my surgeon who told me to provide a stool sample for lab tests. It turned out I had a bacterial infection that had nothing to do with my DS surgery. It was Pseudomembraneous Colitis. My surgeon prescribed Flagyl (a strong antibiotic) and it cleared it up in a matter of days. <p>I was so mad at myself for putting up with it so long. I suffered with it for 4 months before I finally called my doctor. Please ask your doctor to ask for a lab test. It may be something that can be cleared up with antibiotics. I've had normal bm's since the infection was cleared up (3 months) and have not had any more problems.
   — artistmama

June 7, 2003
ANY new symptom needs to be checked out by a doctor. Best of luck!
   — ZZ S.

June 8, 2003
Hi Heather, I have a suggestion. Stop taking the fiber. Fiber is just going to make you go more. I don't know if it will help but it's a thought. Good luck.
   — Kathy C.