Need help to know what to ask dr.

by Nikki
(Idaho)

A little history, I have been to the dr. for multiple problems with my digestive tract. I have been diagnosed with GERD, IBS and Ulcers and Endometriosis (told this has caused some of my loose bowels and cramping). After having my daughter and 3 episiotomies, when they tried to stitch me, I ended up with a RV Fistula. Dr.s have checked my stools for parasites, but found none. I have since had a surgery to fix the fistula, where the Dr. informed me he had to build me a sphincter, because there wasn’t one to speak of. I have had loose stools for approx. 18 years, to the point that I am afraid to be too far from bathrooms, because it can hit at anytime. On average I have 5-6 BMs a day which are all loose and most of the time watery. If you can give me any advice or ideas of what to ask the doctor it would be greatly appreciated.

Bad IBS

You clearly have bad IBS symptoms or at least functional bowel problems and have been through so much. As a result, this has had a profound influence on your symptoms and I don’t think there are going to be any easy answers to this. We know that there is some evidence that hypnosis may have a beneficial effect on your symptoms and this is something you might like to discuss with your doctor.

We know that diet can have a profound effect on bowel movements and something I would strongly advocate as a treatment strategy. Perhaps you could discuss with you doctor about referral to a dietitian for some dietetic advice.

Your endometriosis can cause bowel upset in some sufferers as the endometrial deposits can occur in the bowel wall. Certainly, if you find your symptoms are cyclical it could be partly endometriosis related. You don’t mention any drugs you are taking, but there are treatment options with endometriosis that may have an effect on your bowel and again you could discuss this with your doctor.

Drugs for GERD can sometimes have an effect on the bowel. Certainly the PPI drugs commonly used in reflux can cause bowel issues and by altering these it can sometimes have a profound effect. There are also medications such as Sucralfate, Colestipol and cholestyramine that may help with your diarrhea and you may like to explore this too.