Early morning diarrhoea. Does anyone get diarrhoea not from a bug and what do you do about it?

[foxinsocks]

I have a suspected inflammatory bowel disorder (being investigated) but I don't get it all the time, I have bouts of it.

One of the symptoms is very early morning diarrhoea. Like 4am but then once I've had that, I don't get it again for the rest of the day (so it's not like I have it permanently all day). It's very odd and a bit annoying.

(was going to name change but couldn't be bothered )

does anyone else get something like this or have disarrhoea from a bowel disorder and if so, do you just let it happen or do you take medication to control it?

[akhems]

I have the same thing, anywhere between 3-9am and it makes me go about 4 times over the course of an hour or so. I just don't dare leave the house til it's happened.

I don't take anything cos nothing works and it's been happening since I had stomach surgery a year ago, I spose I ought to go and see my gp but cba tbh

[smurfgirl]

I am having this problem at about midnight every single day, its weird isn't it? Not useful, but sympathies.

[foxinsocks]

yes mine is very similar to that akhems! Very urgent and painful before it happens too.

What stomach surgery did you have?

[foxinsocks]

oh poor you too smurfgirl!

I have suspected ulcerative colitis (as have other symptoms that are linked to this...) but no definite diagnosis yet as I 'heal' between bouts and they want to try and do a colonoscopy while I'm having a bout which seems impossible!

you should go to the doc akhems, just in case it's related to the surgery and can be easily fixed

[onepieceofcremeegg]

Have you been checked for any allergies/intolerance foxinsocks. My dh has (fairly well controlled) coeliac disease but even when he sticks with the diet he sometimes get morning bouts of diarrhoea. It is very stressful, for him and for us as a family. I really have to try and be sympathetic.

Have you noticed any sort of link with various foods (such as gluten or dairy?)

[onepieceofcremeegg]

Very occasionally dh will have Imodium. Tbh I also think (in his case) it becomes worse with the worry/anxiety. i.e. he has one or two bouts, then he gets anxious about being near a loo, so tends to rush back there.

recently I have suggested to him that at times when it is really disruptive (e.g. on holiday) he take some imodium.

[foxinsocks]

that's interesting about the allergies/intolerances/diet - I hadn't thought of those

I suppose I should try and keep a food diary. But you know what, I start doing it, stay well for weeks and forget to do it then I get ill and have already given it up lol .

I wonder if I should try immodium. Herbie, does he take it the night before?

[foxinsocks]

it's quite debilitating

sorry to hear about all others suffering from it

I have to commute into work every day and my train has no toilets

I do worry a bit that the one bout is never enough and I might need another and won't be anywhere near a loo because when it comes, it's v urgent and painful.

[onepieceofcremeegg]

Fox that would stress my dh out massively (and me too if I was with him) - the no loo on train I mean.

He takes the imodium (rarely) in the morning after he has had one or two "episodes" iykwim. (I know you asked herbie rather than me but thought another response might be helpful too)

[smurfgirl]

foxinsocks its very upsetting isn't it?

I need to go to the drs really because I have more and more tummy ishoos but I am embarrassed and worried they will just tell me I am fat and to loose weight. Hmm.

[morningpaper]

I have a chum and this is the symptom she has from her coeliacs

[foxinsocks]

thanks onepiece. I typed that response before your post about also using immodium

I could be coeliac so maybe that is it . Think both ulcerative colitis and coeliac both Inflammatory Bowel Disorder and they think I have one of them but they want to do the colonoscopy first before they diagnose .

Wednesday was the worst because I knew there were tube strikes so knew my train journey would be a bit longer and disruptive. It is quite harrowing wondering whether you are going to get an 'episode' so thanks for the sympathy , I really appreciate it.

I wonder if I should do that - let the first bout happen and then take it. That might be the best way. I won't take it every day anyway, just when it's very violent and painful. I normally only get bouts that last 1-2 weeks so fingers crossed, this will be gone by next week .

Smurf, I would go if I was you. Even if you have a little weight to lose, doesn't exclude you from having some sort of tummy issue. I would hope they wouldn't mention your weight - but maybe you could aim for a more kind GP.

[onepieceofcremeegg]

fox, personally I would suggest having the imodium as a "safety net" on days that you absolutely have to commute and you have already experience one bout. As you probably know you will most likely have the opposite issue after taking imodium.

I have started to suggest to dh that he takes it when it will be really stressful/distressing if he has to keep running to the loo. Oddly, regardless of his diet during the day (although he does stick rigidly to gluten free all the time) the diarrhoea is almost never an issue apart from first thing (afaik - I haven't surveyed him recently )

[foxinsocks]

thanks for letting me know - I will get some (immodium) and keep it in reserve for very bad days.

I think I will try the food diary and see what it comes up with though I suspect this is just part of whatever I've got grrr but I MUST do it this time!

Poor ds herbie. I wouldn't fancy a 14 mile bus journey after something like that either!

Thanks for sharing your experiences with me everyone . I know it's a bit of a sensitive issue!