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Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: auspoz on April 12, 2012, 06:40:51 am

Title: Yep, sorry. Another diarrhea question.
Post by: auspoz on April 12, 2012, 06:40:51 am
Hi friends. I haven't visited in ages, and I hope you're all doing well.

I wonder if anyone else has had diarrhea while on no meds. It seems to come back all the time. Bloody annoying as a bottom.

Any thought, ideas, experiences and/or suggestions?

I know this virus can concentrate in the gut, but I also know I could replace my douche tube more often.

Sorry if this is too graphic, but I just don't get it. :/

Regards,

Auspoz.
Title: Re: Yep, sorry. Another diarrhea question.
Post by: Ann on April 12, 2012, 07:49:12 am
Auspoz, I have had the same problem for years now. It's actually fairly common amongst us pozzies.

Many people use Immodium (generic name loperamide (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loperamide)) to control it; I use dihydrocodeine instead because loperamide makes me extremely nauseous.

You can usually get loperamide over-the-counter (the article I linked to lists several brand names) but I'm not sure if you can get it OTC down-under. Either way, speak to your doctor first.

I'd highly recommend you get some baby-wipes or moist toilet tissue for your bathroom. Chronic diarrhea (I call it dire-rear ;D ) can do a number on your hole, particularly if you're only using standard TP.

You might also run a dilute bleach concoction through your douche bag and tube after using it. Couldn't hurt.

BTW, don't apologise for posting a shit thread. Shit threads are usually pretty popular around here.  ;)
Title: Re: Yep, sorry. Another diarrhea question.
Post by: Jeff G on April 12, 2012, 09:47:12 am
A diet high in fiber and foods like rice can help a bit also . I sometime have to use a fiber supplement like Metamucil . If my tummy starts to feel out of whack I eat yogurt and drink buttermilk for the beneficial bacteria it provides .

Title: Re: Yep, sorry. Another diarrhea question.
Post by: Ann on April 12, 2012, 10:31:36 am
Yep, it's true that sometimes dietary changes can make a difference - I wish that were true for me. I spent about two, two and a half years trying to find a dietary fix but nothing really changed things.

I would get the intense intestinal cramping even if I abstained from anything but water for 48 hours. (I was getting desperate and hoped having nothing in my system would give me at least temporary relief.). The abdominal pain was far worse than the dire-rear - sometimes it would be so intense all I could do would be to curl up in a ball and cry. Bad times.

I eventually gave in and went for the pharmaceutical fix. I tried Immodium first, but I constantly felt like I was car-sick on that stuff. It's odd that codeine, also an opiate-based drug, doesn't effect me like that too, but I'm not going to argue with it. It allows me to leave my house and have a relatively pain-free life. I spent far too long in pain and virtually chained to the toilet.
Title: Re: Yep, sorry. Another diarrhea question.
Post by: Buckmark on April 12, 2012, 10:43:43 am
BTW, don't apologise for posting a shit thread. Shit threads are usually pretty popular around here.  ;)

Ain't it the truth?   :D

Ann and Jeff both provide good advice.  It can be a difficult problem to solve, and I strongly suggest you work with your doctor on this, too -- don't take "no" for an answer.
Title: Re: Yep, sorry. Another diarrhea question.
Post by: jkinatl2 on April 12, 2012, 11:37:17 am
I tend to scoff at the easy answers, but in this case, in MY case anyhow, the addition of fiber really helped.

I hadn't really had a solid situation down there for years, but each and every time I heap on the fiber (either Metamucil wafers or fiber bear gummis or just chalky nasty fiber tablets) it seems to regulate me.

By all means work with your doctor to get this situation resolved - but in the meantime, experiment with dietary stuff too. I mean, more fiber can't really hurt.

Thanks to the fiber, the dance hall is open again for the first time in five years by the way.

Title: Re: Yep, sorry. Another diarrhea question.
Post by: Roie on April 12, 2012, 03:38:38 pm
I am convinced that a quarter of a teaspoon of Cinnemon, that I add to my coffee in the morning (actually needs to be taken 4 times a day) keeps me regular.
My stomache fluctulates from diarea to constipation all the time and the cinnemon helps to keep me in check.

Get Indian Cinnemon -  thats the best. Look for it in an Indian spice/food shop.
I have gotten used to the taste and so its not so bad -( or I have convinced myself that its not so bad.) But it still helps my stomach.

I have been using Cinnemon every day, ever since I found out about my poz status 5 years ago. except for a brief period of 1 month ( and actually I was mostly constipated during that month) - So I know that it definitely helps me.
Title: Re: Yep, sorry. Another diarrhea question.
Post by: Oceanbeach on April 12, 2012, 08:53:35 pm
I call it "the three minute warning", have "soiled" myself in public and for years altered my life around it.  I have gone through severe fasting for a 3 hour bus ride to medical care and am wondering... If a person has an uncontrolled BM on public transportation, is that person allowed to remain on the bus to go to medical appointments?  Or, will that person be discharged at the next stop for the comfort of the other passengers?

Once I was near the small town pharmacy which filled my prescriptions for years.  I had chosen them because they had HIV savvy and must have billed out around $200,000 to Medicare Part D and other insurances in the years they were my pharmacy.  I asked the clerk if I could use their bathroom because my AIDS medications are kicking in and I was about to have an emergency.  The clerk said, No, our bathrooms are for staff only."   8)  Have the best day
Michael
Title: Re: Yep, sorry. Another diarrhea question.
Post by: LoboDog on April 12, 2012, 11:47:50 pm
Once I was near the small town pharmacy which filled my prescriptions for years.  I had chosen them because they had HIV savvy and must have billed out around $200,000 to Medicare Part D and other insurances in the years they were my pharmacy.  I asked the clerk if I could use their bathroom because my AIDS medications are kicking in and I was about to have an emergency.  The clerk said, No, our bathrooms are for staff only."   8)  Have the best day
Michael

I do pray that you had the audacity to squat and squirt in front of them... Would have served them right.

On a serious note though... AusPoz, have you tried cutting out lactose? (all milk products) There is a healthy debate going on concerning hiv and lactose intolerance. When my numbers were really low, I was frantic dash to the toilet about 15 times a day. (not exagerating) I cut out all lactose and it cut the trips by 2/3 after  about 3 days without any milk products. It may have been a placebo effect, but my life became much more livable almost overnight.

good luck to you!
Title: Re: Yep, sorry. Another diarrhea question.
Post by: tednlou2 on April 13, 2012, 12:13:00 am
Oh, I love a good shit thread.  I'm sorry you're dealing with this and hope you can get some relief very soon.  Since you asked about experiences, I'll go TMI just this once.   ;)   

Before I was dx'd (but while I was infected), I use to have tons of diarrhea or loose stools.  I threw out many a good pair of undies.  I had a few very ugly scenes that were so embarrassing.  I won't go into the details.  But, it entailed throwing out clothing in a field somewhere.  Usually, I would just have to rush in traffic to find a bathroom, but made it most times.  Or, I had to put a wad of toilet paper in my underwear, for the frequent small accidents.  I thought I just had IBS.  And, sharts were very common.

But, I've developed the complete opposite problem in the last couple years.  My stools have become too bulky.  I have no idea why.  The only thing that changed is that I began eating yogurt daily, quit smoking, and began taking a beta-blocker--which pulls water out of the gut??  Perhaps it is a combination of the three.  Or, just a coincidence.  For me, I know smoking would always stimulate my bowels, especially first thing in the day.  Who knows.  Maybe HIV just isn't affecting my gut like it use to.  I hope it stays that way, because I'll take the anus-tearing stools over diarrhea anyday.  Knock wood, I don't have to worry about being out somewhere and needing to find a bathroom.  I'm sure I just jinxed myself.  I hope you find a solution, so you don't have to worry about it and deal with it.  And, for confident sex.

Keep us posted, if you find something that works for ya. 
Title: Re: Yep, sorry. Another diarrhea question.
Post by: auspoz on April 20, 2012, 06:33:33 am
Hello all. Thank you for sharing your shitty stories. :)

I just did what I thought was going to be a fart but ended up so much more. Lol.

Weird, innit?!

:)

Auspoz.
Title: Re: Yep, sorry. Another diarrhea question.
Post by: denb45 on April 20, 2012, 09:49:31 am
Hello all. Thank you for sharing your shitty stories. :)


I use these on those very bad days  when I need them :D

(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc473/denb45/13792_dependguards4men.png)
Title: Re: Yep, sorry. Another diarrhea question.
Post by: Ann on April 20, 2012, 11:38:13 am
I use these on those very bad days  when I need them :D

(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc473/denb45/13792_dependguards4men.png)

You must wear them backwards. ???
Title: Re: Yep, sorry. Another diarrhea question.
Post by: Bearcub201 on April 20, 2012, 06:54:57 pm
Wow, after I got infected this year in February I sharted so many times, I was diagnosed in March and started Atripla. I just realized I've been a lot more regular since my viral load went down.  :D

I tossed a few pair of boxers out  :( ruining good pairs of boxers wasn't pleasant lol.

--Mike

4/10/12  CD4 596 @ 22% Viral Load 26,134
3/9/12    CD4 827 @ 18% Viral Load 2,716,287


Title: Re: Yep, sorry. Another diarrhea question.
Post by: denb45 on April 20, 2012, 07:19:22 pm
You must wear them backwards. ???

Oh come off it Women  ;D they work well for pee pee leakage as well as the poo-poo squirts  ;)
Title: Re: Yep, sorry. Another diarrhea question.
Post by: phost86 on April 20, 2012, 11:18:23 pm
I usually get it when I'm on an antibiotic and that's most of the time these days.
Title: Re: Yep, sorry. Another diarrhea question.
Post by: LiveWithIt on April 22, 2012, 06:23:03 am
If you've taken any antibiotics they can cause diarrhea for months afterwards.   Also the medication tells you not to use Imodium for it because it can make it worse instead of help.

I used to sometime have problems with my aids meds causing it, but not for a long time, I guess my system is used to it,  plus I take my meds once at night. 

For me the biggest problem is coffee.  I haven't drank it in 3 weeks since I had a very bad disk problem in my back that almost made me immobile.  I figured since it takes me a few minutes to get out of bed if I have coffee it will end up in a huge mess which I can''t even bend over to clean.  Now I find that my stool is much more solid.  I may go back to coffee now that I am getting around better.  Maybe I will just use up what I have and then quit. 
Title: Re: Yep, sorry. Another diarrhea question.
Post by: auspoz on April 23, 2012, 10:21:42 am
Funny, I was just on antibiotics for a throat infection, now I'm pooing like a champ.

Maybe in "kissing" the wrong guys I picked up something else...

The sad part... I got a sore throat again! Lol.

Throw me them antibiotics now.

Auspoz.
Title: Re: Yep, sorry. Another diarrhea question.
Post by: LiveWithIt on April 23, 2012, 11:45:38 am
Funny, I was just on antibiotics for a throat infection, now I'm pooing like a champ.

Maybe in "kissing" the wrong guys I picked up something else...

The sad part... I got a sore throat again! Lol.

Throw me them antibiotics now.

Auspoz.

Don't take them again, let the sore throat run it's course. Use other things to make the symptoms go away.  If you overuse antibiotics or are given the wrong one you will get immune to them and have to try a different one.   There are only so many out there and some are for different types of bacterial infections.  When I got an infection on my nipple piercing the ER told me to take a certain antibiotic and gave me a scrip.  They later called me and told me to stop taking it because after a swab it was revealed that I needed a different type of antibiotic for that infection. 
Title: Re: Yep, sorry. Another diarrhea question.
Post by: Ann on April 24, 2012, 08:19:34 am

If you overuse antibiotics or are given the wrong one you will get immune to them and have to try a different one.   


People don't become "immune" (the term you're looking for is resistant) to antibiotics, the bugs do. This generally happens when people stop taking their script when they feel better, instead of when the script is finished. This allows the left-over bacteria to figure out how to mutate around and become resistant to that particular antibiotic. You should always take antibiotics until the bottle is empty, or otherwise only stop them when your doctor tells you to. People not finishing their antibiotics is why we've ended up with things like MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).

It is very true that there are different antibiotics for different bugs. When I had a kidney infection last year, my doctor rang to tell me that the drug he first gave me was not effective against the bug that was cultured and he sent a new script for the correct drug to my pharmacist.

It's always a good idea to eat plenty of live-culture yogurt or a pro-biotic while taking antibiotics. Antibiotics will kill off the friendly bacteria in our gut and this can result in diarrhea or constipation.

Some people (like me) are very prone to getting thrush infections while on antibiotics for the same reason. We all have the organism that causes thrush (Candida albicans) on and in our bodies at all times, but friendly bacteria and our immune system keep it in check. When the friendly bacteria are killed off, this allows an over-growth of C. albicans. Yogurt can help in this regard too, but many of us with this problem need to get a script for diflucan (an anti-fungal) every time we take antibiotics. I've had the thrush-antibiotic connection problem since I was a teenager, long before hiv.
Title: Re: Yep, sorry. Another diarrhea question.
Post by: auspoz on April 25, 2012, 05:30:48 am
Thanks Ann (as always). Couldn't have responds better myself.

To livewithit... Infections are different for everyone. For me, I have massive tonsils, and if I just let the sore throat take its course, I'd end up in bed for 3 weeks and on a drip again. (been there before). I know the ABs to take and how to treat my body.

Meanwhile I can report that my shit is no lOnger liquid, tho the 'sharts' fill me with dread. Meh. I can live with that! Dealt with harder.

Peace to all.

Auspoz. (who is a bit drunk).
Title: Re: Yep, sorry. Another diarrhea question.
Post by: Ann on April 25, 2012, 10:27:50 am
"Sharts" literally scare the crap out of me too. ;D

I never attempt a fart outside the bathroom until at least an hour after I've had some codeine. Even then I cross my fingers.

Yes, I admitted it. I fart. Warily, perhaps, but yep, I fart! :P
Title: Re: Yep, sorry. Another diarrhea question.
Post by: geobee on April 25, 2012, 10:45:06 am
I thought it was HIV that was giving me the runs, but it was actually a parasite.  The situation went on quite a while before the Dr. gave me a stool sample to try to see if it was something other than HIV.  Turns out I had giardia.  Took antibiotics and "bam!" everything cleared up.  [I'm still convinced that a round of antibiotics every year or so is a good idea.  Sure made me feel better.]

I also take supplemental calcium.  The doc said this slows things down in the digestive tract and it seems to work for me.