Gabapentin can cause fecal incontinence.

Lefthanded had this problem. You might message her for
more details.

Yes it is true that acid blocking drugs will affect protein digestion and make more gas, due to bacteria fermenting the undigested protein.

Also a big culprit can be fructose. So avoid all fructose for a couple of weeks and see if it is better.

If this all fails, consider: Are you eating low fat foods with Olestra in them (chips etc)? This will liquify stools. So will Alli the OTC diet pill.

Check any dietetic candy you may be using. The ingredient sorbitol is a laxative. Hershey's is even putting it in REGULAR candies now, so read all your labels to see if you are getting sorbitol. Sugar free gums, mints included.

Also becoming incontinent may be a result of cauda equina syndrome...a stenosis in the lumbar region. This is considered a medical emergency and should be evaluated ASAP.
Loose runny stools suggest something else, however.

Cymbalta can also cause diarrhea. But if you have been on it a while, this is not likely. It mostly does this side effect at the beginning of treatment. (increases serotonin in the GI tract).

Another rare cause could be Carcinoid syndrome. It would be a last resort if other solutions do not work. Carcinoid would be made worse with Cymbalta.

Are you taking one of the anti-cholesterol drugs? That might have something to do with it.

And to help with digestion, yogurt is very good.

Also, a stool softener might help. Even if you're not constipated, it still helps keep your s**t together, so to speak.

Oh, I don't agree! Colace will make this mess much worse!
I know many patients without PN who get this leaking running type stool they can't control! For patients not taking opiates Colace can be very disasterous!

Well, it works for me. And when I had my adult care home, the home nurses told me that even though it's called a "stool softener", it also has the opposite effect because it causes stool to sort of "gel". That the term "softener" is misleading because it's so often used along with a laxative in it to prevent constipation or treat it. Just a straight "stool softener" without a laxative added is helpful for a lot of people having diarrhea type problems.

I guess it depends on the person.

I had an issue with gabapentin increasing my issues with incontinence, but in my case, lacking a colon makes incontinence a critical issue as it leads to burns and inflammation and scarring.

If you are having any pain sypmtoms, you may want your doctor to check you for fissures. This can occur when your sphincter goes into spasms. Those spasms can contribute to incontinence.

Any time you experience this without a known cause it is wise to check with your physician. The fact that you have gastroparesis might be a clue. I would see a good gastroenterologist or colo-rectal doctor.

Thanks for the replys, I will check with my doc about possible side effects from medicines. I am taking 3600mg of Gabapentin. It may be that it is causing this issue. Or, it combined with the cymbalta.

If you have some inflammatory thing going on in the bowel, that is independent of your food intake, there are a couple of things you can do.

1) Beano is a must for anyone eating alot of veggies. It blocks gas production. (I use this myself)

2) Frequent runny type stools may be firmed up with Metamucil type bulk laxatives. This absorbs excess fluid, and also acts as a sponge to absorb toxins that may be irritating the bowel.
Some low grade food toxins, stimulate bowel parastalsis.

3) OTC there is Imodium. I find that 1/2 tablet is enough for me when I need help. You can then increase to 1 tablet if necessary. It is easy to get rebound constipation using it however.

4) Gas-X (simethicone) can help you pass gas more normally, but it does not get RID of gas production.

Colitis or other inflammatory conditions/bowel infections may be present. So if this does not resolve, you need to be evaluated for those.

There is a theory that long term use of acid lowering drugs, promote bowel infections. This is because the high acid normally found in the stomach is nature's way of killing off undesirable bacteria that are eaten with our food. When you reduce that acid you not only impair protein digestion, but you allow then these invaders a free pass into your gut.
I believe much illness has resulted from overuse of acid blocking drugs.

Kreink-I feel so awful for you! But do not feel bad talking about poo, this is a place that will not judge you, we all have bowel issues! When I was on 3600 mg. gabapentin,I was still as constipated as before I began taking it, I just can not see that as the problem, but I am not a doctor. Due to the opiates,etc., that I take, I was constipated all of the time, for 2-3 weeks at a time, which is dangerous.I read about xenical one day, saw the side effects included loose stools, got excited, doctor let me try it, works like a charm, as long as i take it with abit of fat.Go and get checked, you do not need to live like this!

My gastroentrologist prescribed this for me to reduce the unpleasant side effects following a resection for Crohns. It helps me.
Any one else have experience with it?

This is the same principle as Metamucil, only needs an RX.
One has to be careful with it because it can remove drugs before they are absorbed. As long as you watch your timing in taking it and space your drugs around it, it will work well too.
Cholestyramine is used to lower cholesterol too. That was its first purpose. It acts as a sponge to absorb fluid and bacteria and their toxins.

I think in kreink's case, he needs to find out WHAT is doing this.
If he can remove the trigger easily (like sorbitol or Olestra), that will solve the problem.