Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date. Dear Doc,
For the past 5 weeks I have been experiencing HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE, DIARRHEA. I have taken lomotil, paregoric, and ALL otc medications on the market nothing seems to help.
During the last week I have been experiencing INTENSE cramping before, during and after I go to the restroom. Honestly it feels like my insides are coming out of my rectum.
It got so bad last night I went to the ER and they did bloodwork and told me to see by HIV Dr., who
is on vacation and my Gastro Dr. can not get me in until 11-28!!
I do not know what else I can do at this point, I am about ready to GIVE UP!!!!
Is there ANYTHING you could suggest I try or do? I can't take this ANYMORE!!!
ANY ADVICE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lisa Capaldini, M.D.
Internal Medicine
The first thing to do is to make sure your diarrhea isn't due to an infection with a parasite or other infectious agent. This is done by doing stool tests: most likely your HIV doctor's office can order these tests at a lab for you, as they are quite routine ones. Then you could get the results from them a few days after you submit them. The tests you need are ova and parasites X 2, Giardia antigen, stool culture for bacteria, and a C.difficile toxin.
It's unlikely your diarrhea is a side-effect of your medicine as the antivirals you're on don't tend to cause diarrhea. Until things are sorted out you can reduce the diarrhea by eating a bland diet: lots of broth, rice, bananas, juices: while this might cause you to loose some weight, it could control your symptoms till you are seen by the GI doctor. With diarrhea, the main danger is getting dehydrated: so drink plenty of fluids, especially juices and sports drinks which will replace the minerals you're losing in the diarrhea.
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