Hi

Too long, but please do read and share your experiences.

Briefly about me..From India, M41, living in USA, diagnosed with IBS-D 10 years ago after I had loose/watery stools issue almost my entire life. I was asked to take Metamucil (up to 3 times a day) and alter my life style. went to multiple GE's, had stool tests over the years and had my colonoscopy and vitamin deficiency tests about 4 years ago. Everything came out clean and advised me to follow Low FODMAP diet which I did not. Note that I do have high Bilirubin levels (2.1) and LDL levels (149)

Fast forward to Jan 24, I had the oral surgery for wisdom tooth and was prescribed with Clindamycin 300mg (note: I have severe allergic reactions to "Pencillin" class antibiotics) and my dentist prescribed Clindamycin as an alternate class. Since that day I have been having severe diarrhea and looks like my IBS-D symptoms have returned with force. It has been 3 weeks now and  unless I take Pepto Bismol, my stomach has been rumbling, need to run to bathroom after every meal( watery stools). Lately it impacted me mentally and got me very very concerned about my GI health. Called up the local GE specialist who gave me the appointment after 2 months.

Questions

1. Does IBS-D leads to any Cancers or serious life threatening issues?

2. Do I need to get Colonoscopy done again? How often does IBS-D patients get Colonoscopy done?

3. Should I get BAM test? reading other posts tells me that USA doesn't have the same tests as UK.

4. What can I do to reduce this flare up? Started taking Align probiotics (since 2 days) and Metamucil again (since 2 weeks)

This has been taking a huge toll on me mentally and I am constantly thinking/watching my surroundings for toilet.

Apologies for the lengthy post but been concerned and felt like pouring my thoughts.

      

 

If ferocious diarrhea was brought on by an antibiotic then you should see your family doctor to determine if you have an overgrown of Clostridium Difficile. That might explain your symptoms. That needs to be treated with a different antibiotic, namely Vancomycin or Fidaxomicin.

To answer your questions.

1. No, IBS if diagnosed correctly, does not lead to anything life threatening.

2. No, you do not need to be scoped.

3. No, very few people do BAM testing. They have patients use cholestyramine to see if it helps. If it does, then you assume you have BAM.

4. You need to make sure that you do not have a bowel infection before treating the diarrhea. If it is IBS, you can use Viberzi or  Imodium to manage the diarrhea.

 

Jeff,

   Thank you for the response. I did get another Colonoscopy on Friday as I was very worried about the diarrhea.

the colonoscopy came out clean “Normal Mucousa observed” but took biopsy for Microscopic Colitis. I am waiting for those results. I have been using Pepto Bismol to control the diarrhea.

 

is it normal to take Biopsy even if the Colonoscopy says Normal? Unfortunately GI was not available to talk when I woke up and he set a note asking to schedule a follow up in 2-4 weeks. 

Yes, it is normal to take biopsies even for a normal colonoscopy.

How are you feeling now? My daughter had a colonoscopy while she had a Clostridium Difficile infection and they missed that. Unless it is really bad the bowel can look normal. I still recommend testing for C Difficile.

I am feeling better than I was 4 weeks ago. On Metamucil (1-2 times a day) and managing it with foods. I did give the tests for C.Difficile and other "stool" tests and awaiting those results as well. I was asked to continue with Fiber and use OTC medicines if flares become worse and asked me to check with GI in 2-4 weeks once I get the results.

I will keep posted here. I am still puzzled on why the GI did not give any medicine to even control the Diarrhea and asking me to rely on OTC medicines

I guess they want to know what the diagnosis is before treating it. I'm glad to hear you are feeling better.

Appreciate the updates. When you say "watery" do you mean the diarrhea was liquid coming out as if you were doing a colonoscopy prep?