Hi Tony,

Sorry to hear about further problems... yes, neuropathy can affect your bowels - doesnt have to be auto-immune - but PN can damage the nerves that affect the motility of your stomach and/or intestines and colon... Good idea to have a colonoscopy to rule out any other stuff - but "motility" issues caused by neuropathy typically dont show in an endoscopy (for stomach) or colonoscopy - so if that comes up clean - I'd try to find a good GI motility specialist (they are a challenge to find).... there are meds that can help.. hang in there

affects almost everyone who uses narcotics for pain. It just can't be avoided.

And if you are finding problems "controlling" impulses, the major cause of this in the elderly is spinal stenosis... called cauda equina syndrome.
It needs aggressive identification, so that damage is not permanent.

Sometimes people latch onto a diagnosis to explain new symptoms, when in fact something new is happening. I hope this is not true for you.

I am sorry you have this new problem. As we age, I am becoming very
aware of how the simple things in life we take for granted! Thanking God each day that you have normal bathroom visits, is not something young folks even think of.

some links:
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_r...85&topcategory

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/cauda...article_em.htm

At my own ownset of 'everything' I was NOT on pain pills and was stopped up better than a drain that'd had concrete poured down it? At that time...But. it took three weeks of Colace and lots of liquids to get things well,...rolling again?
Pain meds block things up - it's in the prescribing information...often clearly, at times not. But, it IS there...at the same time...
IF you are taking supplements, especially calciums AND magnesium? Well that can cause the true and faithful OPPOSITE effect! There are lots of other meds and supplements that can cause or augment the 'conundrum'...Add the 'stress' factor of what all we have to deal with into the 'mix'? and what have you got? Some problems...Save the frights for after that test next week...That is gonna be the potential for a lot of 'lets' look further's' or No problems can be seen...I surely hope for the latter!
For the interim? If it were me, I'd eat or try to, lots of fruits and fibres [if diabetic, this becomes a squirelley issue] Stick to what I call gentle foods...simple proteins and carbs and vegies...the plainer the better...I've not had the celiac issues, but, I do know [and have learned] that keeping things more simple IF you have problems can help you eliminate foods that cause problems...
One for constipation I've used in the past is the "BART" diet. Banannas, Applesauce, Rice [plain-yuk] and Toast. I've used it a 'few' times and it seems to help...tho my taste buds need to 'do' 'things' to this combo and it is an impulse hard to control...Doing it for 2-3 days at a try usually seems to help work things along? I've 3+ docs suggest this option for the 'problem'.
As for the other end of the spectrum? I fast...Plain and simple...liquids are all I usually feel I can tolerate after a few days, I then gradually add in more solid foods...Thing to be totally sure about in the interim is to HYDRATE like it's going out of style!
Medications or supplements? Hard to tell if it's that or something else...I for one truly hope it's those first two!
Well, you'll find out? - j

Gee... Just when you think there is nothing else that can be affected, along comes something new. I am so sorry to hear this, Tony.

Do you notice that this problem is aggravated by certain foods? How about eating fats? Does this bother you or cause any pain? Have you ever had any gallbladder problems?

If your doctor feels there is an autoimmune component causing some of these problems, I would suspect he would consider putting you on medication used in autoimmune disorders.


Cathie

I understand about feeling low. My autonomic system was out of control for a long time.Boy was I sick.My BP was erractic and I was very unwell. I have spoken to a number of people with various autonomic problems like mine and yours,who have said that it often spontaneously resolves itself. I beleive this to be true. Just as our sensory symptoms change week to week and so forth,there is a good likelyhood that this is temporary... and it really am hoping it is.

My BP issues just resolved one day, just as quickly as they came on. And others who have had issues with bowels have told me that it resolves as well.

Don't give up hope,and please cheer up a bit,as this may go away on it's own very soon.

Do these loose events occur as your opiate is wearing off?

Some people on long term opiate therapy develop physiological tolerance, and when the drug wears off, there can be a "mini" withdrawal, which would have diarrhea presenting.

I have seen loperamide (Imodium) which is OTC in USA given for this.

It is something to think about.

So in addition to evaluating your back (which might be the cause of your escalating pain), think about the timing of your meds, and when you get the diarrhea events.

These are the only other things I can think of to investigate for you.