Constant Diarrhea

I have no idea what caused mine. It just started. The doctor called it "microscopic colitis" because it was so small that they needed a microscope to find it. It appears to be gone. As I said, I changed my diet and stopped eating toasted cheese sandwiches. If that was the problem or something else that I stopped eating, I don't know. It just disappeared. Now from time to time, I have the opposite problem. Cracked wheat muffins, along with corn and cocoanut macarons work wonderfully.

I had the problem for years, and it significantly worsened after my gallbladder was removed. I told my doctor at the time that I would have uncontrollable diarrhea within minutes of eating. She (who I dumped) told me that was “impossible,” that “food isn’t processed that fast.” I ultimately went to OHSU and was diagnosed with Bile Acid Malabsorption. They prescribed cholestyramine (a powder you mix with liquid) and, in two days, no more problems. I got my life back.

I’m in my 70’s, healthy, and active. Diarrhea has never been an issue. For 3 months now it is constant. Now my husband is experiencing the same thing! Our MD has no solution. He suggested an anti-diarrhea medication but it does not help. I have been eating yogurt & sauerkraut. No change! Help!

@klinker
I’m very sorry to hear that you have had to deal with constant diarrhea for 3 months.
Has your doctor done any stool tests for infection? Blood work?
At 3 months you should have a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy to have a look and get biopsy samples for diagnosis.
It could be due to an infection or autoimmune illness.
I went through 2 months of constant diarrhea before an autoimmune colitis diagnosis.

I finally went to a GI. There is this condition called microscopic colitis. It requires a colonoscopy with biopsy There are medicines for it. I believe this is what I had that caused diarrhea for over a year, but it had resolved by the time I got in to see a GI. I suggest you look into it.

Hi @klinder, I’d like to add my welcome along with @astaingegerdm and @hbbird who offered helpful suggestions.

I think you’ll also appreciate reading the posts from @suzanne2 @elizaolson @dkharris2005 and many others in this discussion:
- Constant Diarrhea: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/constant-diarrhea/

Have you been referred to a GI specialist?

I know how terrible it is to have diarrhea for so long. I was the one who eventually figured out why this nightmare was happening to me. It was the Pantoprazole I had been prescribed!

I have widespread diverticuli and IBS. Ironically, constipation had been my enemy so I had Gastro stumped after all the scopes, etc were okay.

Omeprazole had not been good for me either. My digestive system was always in flux and I thought I was serving a life sentence of pain and misery.

Now I take just one famotidine daily, generic Metamucil capsules, peppermint gelcaps and a probiotic and am more self-disciplined about what I eat with wonderful results. Not stressing over my guts now helps keep peace in my body, too!

Hi - not sure if you have tried the BRAT diet:
Bananaa
Rice
Apples
Toast
https://www.google.com/amp/s/health.clevelandclinic.org/brat-diet/amp/
It has helped me. I always eat some banana when my stool loosens.
I am not a health care professional just a patient that has has GI issues for years. Pleaae ask your doctor what medical tests would be appropriate and whether some of your medications or supplements may be the culprit.
Hope you find some relief.🤗

Thank you. I’ve been reading what you suggest. No I have not seen a gastroenterologist.

Ask your GP about Colestid / colestipol. Get the pill - the powder is truly gag inducing. After decades of worry about going anywhere because I was crapping liquid 10+ times a day, I finally gave a graphic description of my days, of messing my pants at the grocery store or while on walks..

1 gram of colestid a day made my bowels almost normal. It can be tricky to time with other meds, so if your doctor can't ask the pharmacist. I now keep a journal to keep track of all the medicine rules! But easiest is at waking on an empty stomach. You can eat 15-30 mins later.

Good luck. Diarrhea is so terrible. It makes us hermits or frightened travelers who know the location of every bathroom in the county!