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What Causes Stomach Cramps,gas And Diarrhea After A Colonoscopy?
Question: 5 days post screening colonoscopy (no polyps etc--only internal hemorrhoids found) everything I eat is followed by cramping, gas and diarrhea. I had severe cramping with numbness in my hands and a fainty feeling two nights ago after a skirt steak and baked potato. I didn't eat the next day until evening and had plain noodles. Yesterday I had plain noodles and a scrambled egg, and a piece of broiled salmon , no sauce and mashed potatoes. Again, copious gas, painful cramping with some soft light grayish brown stool and then diarrhea. Everything was FINE before the colonoscopy and that horrible prep MoviPrep. Now I'm afraid to eat and am exhausted. What is happening?
Brief Answer:
Possibly due to Polyethylene glycol cramps
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Healthcare-Magic
Greetings of the day
Dear Ms
The cause of your symptoms is unlikely to be related to colonoscopy, your were fine for three days following the procedure. The cause of your symptoms is likely to be infective diarrhoea ( Acute Gastroenteritis) due to food consumed few days ago and also with some contribution from Moviprep. Moviprep is Polyethylene glycol which causes evacuation of bowel . Some individual may experiencing cramping and persistent loose stools following the intake. It is usually self limiting.
If the loose stools are not associated with blood and there is absence of fever then there is no cause for concern.
I would suggest you the following which will definitely help
1. Prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalance: Persistent diarrhoea may lead to it. Ensure good intake of rehydration solution like WHO recommended Oral rehydration solution. Avoid consuming too much of plain water as it will lead to further electrolyte imbalance. Fruit juices like Orange juice with little table salt added will also be helpful. Tender coconut water if available may do wonders
2. Antispasmodic: Over the counter antispasmodic like Drotaverin or Hyoscine Butyl Bromide will be helpful to relieve cramps.
3. Combination of Pantoprozole and Domperidone will be helpful.
4. Soft diet
5. Avoid caffeinated/carbonated beverages
Symptomatic therapy is all that is needed.
Do get back to me if you need any further assistance, will be glad to assist you.
Keep me posted about your progress.
Take care
Best Regards
Dr Deepak Kishore MBBS, MS, MCH
Consultant Surgeon
Possibly due to Polyethylene glycol cramps
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Healthcare-Magic
Greetings of the day
Dear Ms
The cause of your symptoms is unlikely to be related to colonoscopy, your were fine for three days following the procedure. The cause of your symptoms is likely to be infective diarrhoea ( Acute Gastroenteritis) due to food consumed few days ago and also with some contribution from Moviprep. Moviprep is Polyethylene glycol which causes evacuation of bowel . Some individual may experiencing cramping and persistent loose stools following the intake. It is usually self limiting.
If the loose stools are not associated with blood and there is absence of fever then there is no cause for concern.
I would suggest you the following which will definitely help
1. Prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalance: Persistent diarrhoea may lead to it. Ensure good intake of rehydration solution like WHO recommended Oral rehydration solution. Avoid consuming too much of plain water as it will lead to further electrolyte imbalance. Fruit juices like Orange juice with little table salt added will also be helpful. Tender coconut water if available may do wonders
2. Antispasmodic: Over the counter antispasmodic like Drotaverin or Hyoscine Butyl Bromide will be helpful to relieve cramps.
3. Combination of Pantoprozole and Domperidone will be helpful.
4. Soft diet
5. Avoid caffeinated/carbonated beverages
Symptomatic therapy is all that is needed.
Do get back to me if you need any further assistance, will be glad to assist you.
Keep me posted about your progress.
Take care
Best Regards
Dr Deepak Kishore MBBS, MS, MCH
Consultant Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you so much Doctor! I want to clarify a detail, just in case it changes your opinion.
I had the colonoscopy on Wednesday afternoon. The doctor told me to return to regular diet. I ate pizza that night. No one else in my family became I'll. Thursday I are very little as my gut felt sore and gassy. Friday I had a spinach and cheese omelette for breakfast, and steak and potato for dinner. That is when I had the severe cramping, diarrhea, and the new-to-me numbness and tingling of my hands and fainty feeling. I have had IBS since my 20s and many attacks, but never with the numbness. Saturday I ate only plain noodles and Sunday increased food and was sick again all night. Can you explain the numbness/fainty sensations? And does any of this timeline info change any of your initial recommendations?
Thank you again.
I had the colonoscopy on Wednesday afternoon. The doctor told me to return to regular diet. I ate pizza that night. No one else in my family became I'll. Thursday I are very little as my gut felt sore and gassy. Friday I had a spinach and cheese omelette for breakfast, and steak and potato for dinner. That is when I had the severe cramping, diarrhea, and the new-to-me numbness and tingling of my hands and fainty feeling. I have had IBS since my 20s and many attacks, but never with the numbness. Saturday I ate only plain noodles and Sunday increased food and was sick again all night. Can you explain the numbness/fainty sensations? And does any of this timeline info change any of your initial recommendations?
Thank you again.
Brief Answer:
More likely due to ibs and polypropylene glycol
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Greetings
Associated IBS makes the possibility of intestinal spasm induced by Polyethylene glycol more likely.
My impression of previous opinion is further strengthened by the fact of associated IBS.
I would suggest you to follow previous advise . Also addition of Simethicone containing antacid will be helpful.
Do keep me updated about progress.
Take care
Best Regards
Deepak
More likely due to ibs and polypropylene glycol
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Greetings
Associated IBS makes the possibility of intestinal spasm induced by Polyethylene glycol more likely.
My impression of previous opinion is further strengthened by the fact of associated IBS.
I would suggest you to follow previous advise . Also addition of Simethicone containing antacid will be helpful.
Do keep me updated about progress.
Take care
Best Regards
Deepak
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Thank you Doctor XXXXXXX -
I ate half a banana, toast and applesauce yestersay and aside from gas, had no cramping or diarrhea. I drank water with electrolytes all day as well. I purchased coconut water for use today.
Thank you again .
I ate half a banana, toast and applesauce yestersay and aside from gas, had no cramping or diarrhea. I drank water with electrolytes all day as well. I purchased coconut water for use today.
Thank you again .
Brief Answer:
Take care.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Greetings
Nice to hear that you are recovering
Wishing you a very happy and healthy life.
Keep me informed and be in touch.
Take care
Best Regards
Dr Deepak
Take care.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Greetings
Nice to hear that you are recovering
Wishing you a very happy and healthy life.
Keep me informed and be in touch.
Take care
Best Regards
Dr Deepak
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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