Suggest Treatment For Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain And Reflux

Posted on Tue, 24 May 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 24 May 2016 Answered on

Wed, 29 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I have had diarrhea off and on for over one month. At times my stomach feels queezy. I also have been having reflux after some meals. I have been on Protonix for a long time which managed the symptoms up until now. This all came on suddenly. I can no longer tolerate hardly any caffeine ( don't drink much of it). It has helped some that I have eliminated gluten as well as most dairy. But is still has not resolved the issue . No blood in stool, no weight loss. My colonoscopy and endoscopy are towards the end of XXXXXXX Thoughts!

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
?? IBS, diverticulosis, etc.

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. Based on what you have reported I do suspect conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diverticulosis, etc.

Let me list the most common symptoms of such conditions:

+Abdominal bloating
+Increased gas/flatulence
+Abdominal pain and/or cramps
+Increased mucus in stool
+Irregular and smaller chunks of stool
+Increased urge to pass stool soon after consuming trigger foods (shall list them if you wish)
and a few other symptoms.

Please write back to me letting me know if these symptoms sound similar to what you are experiencing, and I shall go ahead and list as many trigger foods (including gluten, caffeine, and dairy products which you already mentioned)

I look forward to hearing from you so I can help you further.

Best wishes.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (5 hours later)

Thank you so much. After some meals but not always I feel the need to pass stool. I noticed when I was earring smart carb ice cream.... Which I have stopped a couple of weeks ago that was always a problem, sometimes but not always wine with dinner started aggravating it but not nearly as much as the ice cream. I read ingredients in ice cream and sorbitol and mannitol were the first ingredients. Also I feel like my stomach feels shaky. Also I do not drink that much wine. One other symptom which may not be related.... My knees have been itching quite a bit. It looked like I had little bites on my knees. This is getting some better. Although I have given up the things I know to give up the itching is some better as well as bite appearances. I still have queezy stomach (but can still eat in small amounts). Some days I have diarrhea in spite of eliminating these foods and some days I do not . No abdominal pain, no bloating, and no gas. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
I am leaning towards IBS based on the latest information provided

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.

Based on the latest information provided by you, it seems like I am leaning more towards the possibility of you having irritable bowel syndrome.

I am also glad that you are so well informed, both sorbitol and mannitol are advised against in IBS, and lead to aggravation of the condition. I would also like to take this opportunity to list out all the trigger foods and drink that can cause an aggravation of symptoms and a repeat episode:

+Popcorn
+Sorbitol (found in many drinks and
+Taurine (Also found many drinks)
+Vegetables (e.g. broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, onions, sprouts, beans, etc.)
+Fruits and fruit skin (e.g. apples, watermelon, pears, etc.)
+Sugar
+Fructose
+Milk and other dairy products
+Gluten and all products containing it
+Chocolate
+Alcohol
+Spicy food
+Oily food
+Fried food
+Fatty food
+Carbonated drinks
+Caffeine
+Tea
+Large meals
+Too much fiber
+Bread
+Cereals
+Processed foods (e.g. chips)
and others that can also be individual-specific.

I would also like you to know that there are certain medications that are prescribed to individuals who do not seem to be experiencing an improvement with lifestyle and dietary changes; I can help you with the name, but they can cause dependance so I will have to wean you off them in a while (i.e. once you feel better). I hope you find my response helpful. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.

Best wishes.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (3 hours later)

Thank you so very much. I appreciate it. That helps!

I did want to ask you is it possible to also have UGI Issues with IBS? I have been on Protonix for quite some time and after I eat my stomach feels queezy and I feel like I have reflux. Prior to all of this the reflux was well managed. Thank you

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (58 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It most certainly can ma'am

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.

Yes ma'am, it is most certainly possible. In fact, IBS can trigger and/or aggravate any pre-existing gastrointestinal conditions as well.

I am happy to know I could be of assistance.

Best wishes. :)

Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar