Senior diarrhea

Hi Marilyn, Yikes! I hate it when that happens. A few years ago I had a friend in his late 80s that had the same problem but I think his might have been related to taking antibiotics or an bacterial infection. It sounds similar to microscopic colitis. Mayo Clinic has some information on symptoms and causes here - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/microscopic-colitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351478. There is also another reference that talks about your question.
-- Microscopic colitis — a common cause of diarrhoea in older adults:
https://academic.oup.com/ageing/article-abstract/39/2/162/40976
You mentioned you are not ill, are taking any medications?

Thanks so much…will follow up with the article

@marilyncarkner I looked at the article that @johnbishop referenced, and it sure had some good information!

The situation you describe is not something many people want to bring out publicly, but I bet many of us have that concern. I know I do. It has been off-and-on for several years, but gotten more problematic in the last three years. I have been chalking it up to a change in my health and the treatments associated with those changes. Like you, there is little warning. It has resulted in some embarrassing situations.

A few things I have figured out. Eat small meals. Not overloading your digestive track all at once but give it a little to work on several times a day. Watch your intake of fried foods. If you are on medications, perhaps check with your trusted pharmacist to guide you on which medications can be taken at the same time, or not. Limit caffeine intake. I used to drink a pot of coffee a day, now it is about a cup of coffee, in the morning. I use loperamide either in capsule or liquid form. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/loperamide-oral-route/description/drg-20064573

I hope some of this helps you. Have you had a complete physical to rule out a specific cause?
Ginger

Yes I am for PMR and cardiomyopathy for the past 5 years and recently trazadone for sleep …periodically.
I think it may be an inherited condition ( mother) .Also someone suggested microscopic colitis which involves a biopsy and that wont happen in my lifetime 😀
This is cramping 😀my life style
Any thoughts?

Haven't had diarrhea in a long time but I have been battling with constipation. It mostly started after a failed colonoscopy a couple of years ago which was then followed by a bilateral inguinal hernia surgery. I found a special type of fiber that supposedly can help diarrhea as well as constipation. Can't remember which discussion I saw a member post it in but I started using it and it does seem to help for me but it's wasn't easy for me to figure out what amount to use daily. The brand name is Heather's Tummy Fiber - https://www.heatherstummycare.com/c/tummy-fiber/.

If you are thinking it is the same as your mother's condition, Ginger's suggestions in her above response might be the best option.

Microscopic colitis is a possibility in senior women.
The initial therapy is often loperamide and Pepto
for those who respond. If you see a gastroenterologist
they will likely suggest scope and colon biopsies.
They might run some labs for celiac disease.
Have you had a colonoscopy in the last 5 years?

Marilyn,
Just asking if you possibly have been using products with "sugar alcohols" in them? They used to have to put it on the front of the package if it had sugar alcohols in them, and they are changing things that were sweetened with Splenda and putting sugar alcohols in them without notification. One of the products was Good Humor Fudgesicles. Sugar alcohols cause horrific diarrhea, gas, and can cause spastic colon. They are sneaking this stuff in a lot of products today, so check your ingredients to make certain you are not unknowingly getting into sugar alcohols.

Thanks very much … will definitely look more closely at that

What's wrong with Splenda? Why is it being replaced with sugar alcohols?

Every once in a while, after I eat breakfast or lunch (never dinner) I will have to run to the bathroom. It doesn't go on, just one time. Never feel any pain, just a sudden urge to evacuate in a hurry!