1. < Colorectal Cancer

Diarrhea post colonoscopy

Posted by kathleenweidmann @kathleenweidmann, Oct 23, 2021

Colon cancer & resection 2020. Follow up colonoscopy 4 days ago. Still experiencing diarrhea. Is this normal?

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 26, 2021

Hi @kathleenweidmann, Bowel movements typically return to whatever is normal for you one to five days after a colonoscopy. Did you have loose stool before the colonoscopy? How are your bowel movement now?

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1 reply
cjpy | @cjpy | Aug 9, 2022

I am a polio survivor and had constipation for 60+ years due to polio and scoliosis. After a routine colonoscopy, prep night never stopped and I had chronic diarrhea for 7 years. Several gastroenterologists later, I was diagnosed with colitis. With mega medication, daily diarrhea, 20 to 40 bouts daily, has stopped EXCEPT for when it flares up again and lasts for two to three weeks and may not reoccur for two months, more or less. Why did 7 years of diarrhea occur after the colonoscopy when I was constipated or over 60 years? I think this happened due to something that occurred during the colonoscopy. This was over 10 years ago, and the gastroenterologist retired. He refused to see me after the colonoscopy which I think is odd. I would just like some answers because this has taken my quality of life away, and my new gastroenterologist has no answers but says I will have recurrences the rest of my life.

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1 reply
oceancity | @oceancity | Mar 8, 2024
In reply to @cjpy "I am a polio survivor and had constipation for 60+ years due to polio and scoliosis...." + (show)
@cjpy

I am a polio survivor and had constipation for 60+ years due to polio and scoliosis. After a routine colonoscopy, prep night never stopped and I had chronic diarrhea for 7 years. Several gastroenterologists later, I was diagnosed with colitis. With mega medication, daily diarrhea, 20 to 40 bouts daily, has stopped EXCEPT for when it flares up again and lasts for two to three weeks and may not reoccur for two months, more or less. Why did 7 years of diarrhea occur after the colonoscopy when I was constipated or over 60 years? I think this happened due to something that occurred during the colonoscopy. This was over 10 years ago, and the gastroenterologist retired. He refused to see me after the colonoscopy which I think is odd. I would just like some answers because this has taken my quality of life away, and my new gastroenterologist has no answers but says I will have recurrences the rest of my life.

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Hello. I have a friend who is having trouble post colonoscopy with diarrhea. For 2 months now. Any info you can give?

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lisag03 | @lisag03 | Mar 9, 2024

With my last colonoscopy, I had diarrhea for two weeks. I have ulcerative colitis though.

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gregory6903 | @gregory6903 | Nov 19, 2024
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @kathleenweidmann, Bowel movements typically return to whatever is normal for you one to five days..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @kathleenweidmann, Bowel movements typically return to whatever is normal for you one to five days after a colonoscopy. Did you have loose stool before the colonoscopy? How are your bowel movement now?

Jump to this post

Loose stool

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1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Nov 19, 2024
In reply to @gregory6903 "Loose stool" + (show)
@gregory6903

Loose stool

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Hello @gregory6903 and welcome to Mayo Connect. I see that you are responding to this discussion regarding post-colonoscopy diarrhea. If you care to share more about your experience, how long ago was the colonoscopy. Did your doctor give you any suggestions on how long this might last or what you might do to lessen the symptoms?

I look forward to hearing from you again.

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lisag03 | @lisag03 | Nov 20, 2024

I had a colonoscopy almost a week ago. I was on antibiotic at the time, which caused diarrhea. I have now had diarrhea post colonoscopy for almost 5 days. I do have ulcerative colitis. This happened with my last one as well. Thank you for the article

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