Diarrhoea with no warning - advice please

[lalawasthebestteletubby]

Have NCd as I am very embarrassed that I have basically shat myself 3 times in the last couple of months.

I have been having some abdominal pain for a few months, loose stools but only going once a day. Had lost 3/4 of a stone over about a year but I run around after a toddler so that made sense. I'm veggie, teetotal, eat a lot of chocolate! GP did blood tests for liver, kidneys, thyroid, anaemia, coeliac, all came back okay so she diagnosed IBS. I take 40mg omeprazole, 40mg buscopan and 900 st johns wort (for anxiety) a day.

But 3 times now I have had bad diarrhoea and not got to the loo or even realised I needed to until too late - basically thought I had wind but it wasn't . Thankfully twice I was at home and once in the local High Street so shot home instantly. My anxiety about this happening is now sky high, I'm terrified it'll happen while I'm at work or somewhere else. It's the school holidays and I'm too scared to take my kids to the park or swimming, I feel like a crap mum and just don't know what to do to deal with this. Last time was yesterday, I hadn't eaten anything unusual or anything like that, I can't pinpoint why it's happening. Please can anyone suggest what's going on or how I can deal with it better?

[EmNetta]

Does your GP know about the St.John's Wort? I seem to remember being advised to take either prescription drugs or natural remedies but not both together, and wonder if this is causing your problem. Hope it's soon sorted.

[lalawasthebestteletubby]

Yes the GP knows about the st john's wort, she wants me to change to prescription anti depressants for a while to deal with the heightened anxiety but I'm not keen - last time they worked no better than the sjw, I put on 5 stone and was exhausted all the time, no thanks!

I can't make out if it is anxiety causing the physical problems (though in 20+ years of anxiety I've not had this) or a physical problem causing me anxiety! Today I had horrible diarrhoea after an innocuous cheese and pickle sandwich and packet of crisps, then later digested a Chinese takeaway and slightly still frozen cheesecake no problem, it just makes no sense.

[naty1]

I would find out what thyroid came out at.
Overactive can cause diarrheoa , rapid heart and can come on after pregnancy.
It can vary around a bit too.
Also thyroid can be affected by anti depressants.

[lalawasthebestteletubby]

Okay will do, I have had it checked a couple of times over the years as my mum has underactive and my maternal aunt overactive, which drs always find interesting, and it's always come back ok. Will check though thanks.

[feekerry]

ibs can vary between cramps and constipation (ibs c) or no cramps and diarrhea (ibs d) apparently ibs variations can come and go between these 2.
i am currently investigating this as i have similar issues. immodium has helped. if you have ibs d you can take a low dose daily which helps. of course speak with your doc first....
its the worst thing ever tho...x

[Bunbaker]

It could be the Omeprazole. I used to be on 40mg daily and my IBS worsened considerably. I cut down to 20 mg and now to 10mg and my bowels are very grateful.

[lalawasthebestteletubby]

feekerry I will definitely ask the dr about taking immodium daily, hope your issues get sorted!

Bunbaker that's interesting, I've been on 20mg omeprazole for a while but only upped to 40 recently, definitely worth a try to cut it back again.

thanks all.

[shrunkenhead]

OP I feel your pain as I am exactly the same, unexplained diarrhoea, one day I can eat X and have to run for the loo and another day it won't affect me! Odd. Like you I've had accidents which means I am scared of leaving the house, not easy when you have kids with active social lives...
My issues are a combo of bad tearing during childbirth coupled with what appears to be IBS (have had tests to rule out other things) so when I have to go, I have to go - I have a window of less than a minute.
Enough rambling, I'm no expert but here's how I deal with it: If I have to go out I restrict food prior to leaving the house (and don't eat while out), if I do have to eat while out (eg meal with friends) I take the maximum dosage of Imodium capsules (8) and then I seem to be ok and not need to go until the following morning. It's not ideal and I am waiting to try a new treatment but in order to not let this beat me it's what I do for now.

[Summerdaydreams]

Also has inflammatory bowel disease been ruled out? DH was told he had IBS before he was diagnosed with ulcerative Colitis. Loose stools, persistent with urgency is a symptom.

[Rowgtfc72]

In the same boat,darent stray too far from a loo. Not seen a doc though. I can go two days without going then the next four days I go about eight times in a morning. Ruled out IBS as I don't get cramps just bloating.

[ElectricalBanana]

I have IBS d and have what myself whilst washing up ( which was novel) amongst other times.

I had all the proper tests ( contrast ct scan, scopes etc and one to test the strength of my bottom muscles which was both interesting and mortifying)

I was recommended by my consultant to take a codeine based analgesic when I got the cramps as it would slightly bung me up as well as help with the pain.

[ElectricalBanana]

What?!!! I mean shat ... Bloody predictor text!

[lalawasthebestteletubby]

While I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy it is nice to feel like it's not just me who has this problem! Utter terror today as my daughter's perfectly reasonable request to take the park and ride bus to town and look for shoes for her upcoming birthday party involved me running to the loo at the bus station twice before we got on the bus then having a full panic attack on the bus because I was so scared the immodium I'd taken wouldn't be enough. It is horrible. Shrunkenhead like you I have been going with immodium and not eating before or during trips out, it helps I think. Electrical it had occurred to me that all the good painkillers do tend to bung you up, interesting your Dr suggested that. Not sure if my GP thinks it's that serious though. Thanks all for making me feel less alone, hope you get some relief and thanks for the support

[purplemachine]

Hi everyone

I have been having some tummy issues and wondered if anyone could tell me what their symptoms were pre coeliac diagnosis.
Also, once you eliminated gluten how quickly did you notice an effect?

Thanks