Suggest Treatment For Diarrhea, Vomiting And Acid Reflux In An Elderly Person

Posted on Mon, 11 Jan 2016

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

Mon, 11 Jan 2016 Answered on

Thu, 11 Feb 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : i am 73. I have had low abd cramping for 5 weeks. I am diabetic, HTN, chronic kidney disease. Been to er 3 time. family dr once and gastroenterologist once last thur. 3 CT scans done one with contrast, all showing normal results. Many blood works all normal, but continue to have cramping in low abd. Gastro Dr thinks I have Diverticulitis. Gave me antibiotics for 10 days. Now on 3rd day, stomach is not better. Dr said if not better in about 5 days will do colonoscopy. I am afraid. I read it is dangerous to do when you are hurting. What would you advice for next step. I am now very nervous and anxious. My stools have gone from normal to diarrhea and then back to normal. Passing lots of gas. No nausea or vomiting.. Pain wakes me up at night. He would not give me any pain meds, just Bentyl and antibiotics.

Answered by Dr. Amit Jain (17 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Colonoscopy can be avoided as CT scan is normal

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thanks for putting your query in HCM.

I can understand your concerns.

At present you can avoid colonoscopy since CT scan are normal

Since CT scan of abdomen are normal, suggest that there is no structural abnormality. Then it may be due to disturbance in motility that is dysmotility or due to dysbiosis that is due to abnormal bacteria in the intestine

So I will suggest you to take a course of probiotic like enterogermina containing sacchromyces boulardii ( Brand name Cap Econorm OD) along with a gut antibiotic like rifaximin 400 mg thrice a day. And an antispasmodic agent like drotavarine (Brand name drotin ds od)

These all medicines to be taken for at least 2 weeks. All these are available OTC.

If I hope I have answered your query and this will help you. If you have any further query I will be happy to answer that too. Remain in touch and get-well soon.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T