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Suggest Treatment For Diarrhea Post Hip Replacement Surgery

Posted on Sat, 5 Sep 2015

Question: hi. I had a hip replacement almost 2 weeks ago. about a week ago I developed diarrhea. I put myself on bland diet. I still go. any ideas? suggestions? thanks

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (47 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Withdrawal from pain medication?

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns

You recently had hip replacement. I assume you were on pain medication during this time. If you just started to reduce your pain medication then the diarrhea is a result of withdrawing from the pain medication. This is a common problem and should resolve in a few days

You could try imodium to reduce the diarrhea if it continues but again you may have some withdrawal from the imodium too.

Along with a bland diet stop all milk and milk products. During times of diarrhea you may become temporarily lactose intolerant.

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

Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (9 hours later)

thanks. I have been taking Imodium. I am not sure what the cause is, but I wish it would stop. I have been drinking water, eating crackers,oatmeal, bananas. Is that enough or should I get Gatorade? Also, does this need just to run its course? thanks

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Replace fluids

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for returning to HCM with your concerns.

I think using imodium is OK to help reduce your diarrhea but do not use it more than 3-4 days. Using it more than 3-4 days you can also get habituated to it. But then if you are still having diarrhea I would recommend seeing your medical provider to determine the cause.

During hip surgery the doctors give a dose of antibiotics for prevention of infection. It is possible that single antibiotic has caused your diarrhea. If your diarrhea smells strong then you my have have clostridium dificile infection. I recommend you see your medical provider if the stools are still loose and foul smelling.

I do agree with replacing your fluids with water and you may also use gatorade. One of the biggest dangers of diarrhea is becoming dehydrated. So please continue the fluids.

I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again with your health care questions and concerns

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

Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (40 minutes later)

thank you. I had a red bloody mucus in my stool this morning. could all this be some kind of infection that is causing this? thanks again

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (0 minute later)

Brief Answer:
Infection

Detailed Answer:
Yes the bloody diarrhea is not normal and I suspect you may have clostridium dificile infection. I recommend that you see your medical provider today and submit a stool sample for clostridium dificile toxin. This can be corrected with antibiotics

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

Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (22 hours later)

hi. I did as you said. The lab has my stool sample. I hope I hear something today. Not sure how long it takes. thanks

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
by end of day today you should know

Detailed Answer:
I would think by the end of the day today you should know

If you do not hear from your doctor by 3 pm call them and ask for your results

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

Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (3 hours later)

Hi again. I wont know what the problem is until I get the lab results back, so I really dont know if it is clostridium dificile infection or not. A side note-- i have been on omeprazole off and on for a year and am on it now. I was on it in the hospital. Would this have anything to do with the diarrhea I got a few days after coming home from hospital or not. Thanks again

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
yes Omeprazole can cause diarrhea

Detailed Answer:
For right now I recommend stopping the omeprazole because it can cause diarrhea in some people during times of stress.

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

Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (31 minutes later)

If by any chance i do have clostridium dificile infection, would the omeprazole have had anything to do with it or is it something picked up from the hospital. Thanks

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (1 minute later)

Brief Answer:
picked up from taking antibiotic in the hospital

Detailed Answer:
Clostridium dificile is a complication of taking antibiotics. This can occur at home or at the hospital but since you had the antibiotic pre op this is what caused the C. dificile

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

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