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What Causes Intermittent Bouts Of Diarrhea?
Question: I am suffering from diarrhea. I had my gall bladder removed in 2005. Since then I have been having diarrhea oft and on. I tried Citrucel for a couple of years, but stopped. Some one cautioned me that it had harmful side effects. Then I was prescribed Cholestyramine. It has not been much effective. I still got soft stools and occasionally loose stuff. Now I am having loose watery stuff, which I try to control by taking imedium. It works for a day and then comes loose stuff and motions. My doctor has all sorts of tests - stool tests of 4-5 types, catscan MRI etc of my antistines liver, pancreas etc. had endoscopy and colonoscopy, breath test. All are said to be clear. I am continuing with Cholestyramine. Could I be helped?
Brief Answer:
low fat in diet could help
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.
Based on your query, my opinion is as follows:
1. After gall bladder removal, fat malabsorption is the main cause for diarrhea.
2. Reduced fat and increased fibre in diet should work.
3. Nothing wrong in taking citrucel, if it helps. It only fiber rich medication.
4. Avoid taking imodium for long.
Take limited fat in diet. Along with good hydration and fiber rich diet from fruits and vegetables should help.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
Dr. Prakash HM
low fat in diet could help
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.
Based on your query, my opinion is as follows:
1. After gall bladder removal, fat malabsorption is the main cause for diarrhea.
2. Reduced fat and increased fibre in diet should work.
3. Nothing wrong in taking citrucel, if it helps. It only fiber rich medication.
4. Avoid taking imodium for long.
Take limited fat in diet. Along with good hydration and fiber rich diet from fruits and vegetables should help.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
Dr. Prakash HM
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I am taking Cholestyramine on my doctor's advice, and am not taking Citrucel.
1. Should I stop taking cholestyramine and start taking Citrucel?
2. We normally eat meat, vegetable, Dal( pulses) curries, cooked in Corn Oil or Olive Oil with wheat bread (chapati) or rice. We also take yogurt. Which of these foods should I avoid?
3. I am diabetic and am taking Metformin for the last 15 years or so. What fruits should I be taking?
Appreciate receiving your advice.
Regards.
XXXX
1. Should I stop taking cholestyramine and start taking Citrucel?
2. We normally eat meat, vegetable, Dal( pulses) curries, cooked in Corn Oil or Olive Oil with wheat bread (chapati) or rice. We also take yogurt. Which of these foods should I avoid?
3. I am diabetic and am taking Metformin for the last 15 years or so. What fruits should I be taking?
Appreciate receiving your advice.
Regards.
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Continue both cholestyramine and Citrucel.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking again.
You can continue taking both cholestyramine and Citrucel. No cross reaction between both and it will reduce fat malabsorption and diarrhea both.
Take low fat content diet. Avoid fried items or anything with excessive oil. Its difficult to avoid completely, along with cholestyramine, it should not be a problem. Avoid processed foods and watch for fat content in food stuff. Difficult to specify the food to avoid, as methodology of cooking will influence the amount of oil used.
With your diabetes, I think more vegetables can be added. Fruits - you need to avoid majority like apples, grapes, sugarcane, water melon, pomegranates etc. Control blood sugar within normal range, to avoid autonomic neuropathy damage to Gut, which can also later on, cause diarrhea. Control blood sugar.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
If you do not have any further queries, you can close the discussion and rate the answer.
Dr. Prakash HM
Continue both cholestyramine and Citrucel.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking again.
You can continue taking both cholestyramine and Citrucel. No cross reaction between both and it will reduce fat malabsorption and diarrhea both.
Take low fat content diet. Avoid fried items or anything with excessive oil. Its difficult to avoid completely, along with cholestyramine, it should not be a problem. Avoid processed foods and watch for fat content in food stuff. Difficult to specify the food to avoid, as methodology of cooking will influence the amount of oil used.
With your diabetes, I think more vegetables can be added. Fruits - you need to avoid majority like apples, grapes, sugarcane, water melon, pomegranates etc. Control blood sugar within normal range, to avoid autonomic neuropathy damage to Gut, which can also later on, cause diarrhea. Control blood sugar.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
If you do not have any further queries, you can close the discussion and rate the answer.
Dr. Prakash HM
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
Answered by
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