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!

I have been off the Omeperazol for almost 2 weeks now, and there has not been a change. Still having issues with soft bowel movements that are difficult to prevent. Went for a walk yesterday and got 2 miles away and began to have problems.

I am not ingesting anything with Olestra or Sorbitol and I am following my dieticians recommended diet. I had my gastric emptying study back in August/September.

At the time I was having problems that put me in the hospital several times over the summer. My doc put me on domperidone with each meal. I have been able to scale back my use of domperidone with no discomfort or nausea.

Its possible it may be medication related and I will bring that up with my doc. Back in december my pain meds were increased somewhat and the cymbalta was added to the gabapentin. Maybe it is related to that.

Well, I think you need to see the doctor.

Typically drugs cause symptoms in the beginning, and then the side effects become less as your system adjusts. Your Cymbalta dose is not high either, but some people are just very sensitive to the nausea/diarrhea it can cause. There are people who cannot take any SSRIs because of this side effect.

Dromperidone (Motilium) increases movement, and if you still use ANY of it, even a small amount, it might be the culprit when combined with the other two drugs you are taking.

Keep us in the loop. It may be you just have a bug, and this will be self limiting with time.

Hi Kreink,

I would try the Fibre for bulking as Mrs.D has suggested. I have had both bowel and bladder problems from meds. I am now on 2 different meds for reflux and experiencing bloating,fullness,breathlesness. I was on a beta blocker called metropropol (Sp?)

My god how that thing messed up my digestion. I thought it was gastroparesis for sure as I had so many of the symptoms. Turned out it was the Beta Blocker. I would have food & liquid go up and down up and down all day. It was so embarressing as people could here it. It was so noisy it was like a concert. I had really bad bloating and spasms in my esophagus. It was misery.

It may take a while to normalise if one of your meds is the culprit. Don't give up hope. The problem could go away as quick as it came. There was also a few other members on here who were posting about similar problems and both eventually resolved.

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?