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February 9, 2010
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Patient Discussions: Diarrhea - Effective Treatments

Diarrhea - Effective Treatments

The MedicineNet physician editors ask:

What kinds of treatments have been effective for your diarrhea?

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The following Patient Discussions have not been medically reviewed. See additional information.



Comment from: Jean, 65-74 Female (Patient)

I have been struggling with diarrhea since 1995. I have visited several gastro specialists to no avail. Aside from watching my diet, I began taking 625 mg of Welchol twice a day. I now have my life back. I have regular-formed stools and no accidents before reaching a bathroom. I also take Imodium after a spell if I forgot to take a dose of the Welchol. Before Welchol, I spent most of my days in the bathroom and was always fearful of an accident when leaving home. Following a nice meal away from home was always a concern because it was almost always followed with diarrhea within 15 minutes or so. I am very, very thankful for this medicine. I hope this helps someone out there. Published: February 11 ::

Comment from: cystoqueen, 45-54 Female (Patient)

I've suffered from chronic diarrhea for years and thought it was hormonal. Eating coconut macaroons was an effective treatment. But then I stopped chewing sugarless gum, and the diarrhea went away...permanently. Sugarless gums contain laxatives such as sorbitol! Published: October 06 ::

Comment from: Hope, 55-64 Female (Patient)

I am 62 years old and have chronic pancreatitis. After suffering from chronic diarrhea for more than a month, my doctor prescribed Zantac. The symptoms disappeared overnight. Published: August 05 ::

Comment from: Linda W., 55-64 Female (Patient)

I am a 62-year-old female who had congestive heart failure and am on heart meds to strengthen it, control blood pressure, potassium, and magnesium. I have had diarrhea for 10 years now. I take Imodium and fiber daily. Sometimes I don’t make it to the bathroom. Nothing I've taken has helped. I was told by a doctor to take enemas of plain yogurt at room temperature to introduce the good bacteria into the intestinal system. I haven’t tried it yet. Published: October 20 ::

Comment from: 25-34 (Patient)

My mother recommended a natural supplement for me to take when I had diarrhea. She said she read a book about a young man who was practically dying of diarrhea for unknown reasons, despite seeing specialists all over the world. He began taking a supplement, which he then developed into a marketable tablet for others to take. As was his story, my symptoms became worse initially, though after a few days, I am back to normal! How wonderful it is not to have to run to the bathroom after every meal! The name of the supplement is "Primal Defense" by Garden of Life. It is a probiotic formula. I am not a doctor, but I am a nurse, and I can say without a doubt that this product helped to restore my normal state, along with a bland diet, lots of hydration, and plenty of yogurt containing live cultures. I hope this information helps others. Published: July 08 ::

Comment from: Bratty, 45-54 Female (Patient)

This has always helped me when I have diarrhea: the BRATTY diet. It stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, tea, toast, and yogurt. The first day eat only bananas. When your stomach can tolerate the bananas, try rice -- plain white boiled or steamed. After rice, eat applesauce and so on. If symptoms reoccur, start back at the beginning. The enzymes in your body need to be rebuilt after all that trauma. I don't have a chronic condition, and I'm not in the medical field. I just know this has worked for me. Published: July 08 ::

Comment from: Liz, 45-54 Female (Patient)

Imodium capsules did help with my diarrhea, but I found changing my diet (ie cutting out white bread, spicy stuff) helped more. Published: August 12 ::

I have been prescribed Motofen. But it is going off the market due to not enough sales as well as the high price to make it. So I have been researching other options avail to me. I read an article about a supplement called''Acidophilus'' Published: June 09 ::

I've had diarrhea for 6 months. Imodium AD works well to allow daytime control, but Imodium multi symptom is less effective. To maintain control, I had to increase my dosage of Imodium AD when I used it 7 days in a row. My family doctor could not diagnose my condition, but a specialist now says I have Giardia and has me on two prescriptions. Those who have been in a rural area or around animals and have watery diarrhea with a very sour or rotten egg smell should see a specialist. Fat is not digested and results in frothy foam. Milk is not tolerated. Published: October 30 ::

Comment from: ohio man, 75 or over Male (Patient)

19 months of diarrhea Lomotil and Questran have been tried with no relief. Symptoms disappear when on Cipro, but return as soon as I finish the course. All tests are negative. The only one they haven’t tried is Carcinoid. Published: May 13 ::

Comment from: (Caregiver)

Imodium has always worked for me. Published: October 09 ::


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Diarrhea

What is Clostridium difficile (C. difficile)?

Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a bacterium that is related to the bacterium that cause tetanus and botulism. The C. difficile bacterium has two forms, an active, infectious form that cannot survive in the environment for prolonged periods, and a nonactive, "noninfectious" form, called a spore, that can survive in the environment for prolonged periods. Although spores cannot cause infection directly, when they are ingested they transform into the active, infectious form.

C. difficile spores are found frequently in:

  • hospitals,
  • nursing homes,
  • extended care facilities, and
  • nurseries for newborn infants.

They can be found on:

  • bedpans,
  • furniture,
  • toilet seats,
  • linens,
  • telephones,
  • stethoscopes,
  • fingernails,...

Read the Clostridium Difficile Colitis (Antibiotic-Associated Colitis, C. difficile colitis) article »











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