Bedridden, frail, easily out of breath. Doc giving anti-diarrhea med which I am concerned about. If one needs to evacuate, isn't it better to let it out?
Has your loved one been put on any of the many bladder spasm medications for their frequent urinating? A urologist can also put Botox in their bladder to try and calm it down. My only concern with having to take an anti-diarrhea medication is that one of the side effects is that it causes high blood pressure, so if this person already suffers with high blood pressure, that could be a major issue. Taking a good probiotic may help get their stomach back in some sort of more normal state and help with the diarrhea, as will perhaps the BRAT diet. Bananas, rice, applesauce and toast.
Not to be gross , but I have some very important questions . What were the stools like before the diarrhea started ? Were they normal in frequency ? Were they normal in amount , or small and hard ? Was this bedridden individual constipated prior to the loose watery stools?
Bedridden people can become impacted . Meaning there could be a collection of hard stool just sitting in the colon not moving . Then the stool from higher up in the colon that is not solid yet literally seeps around the impaction and leaks out of the rectum as watery stool.
Did the doctor order an abdominal X-ray to rule out impaction before ordering the anti diarrheal ? Did the doctor perform a digital rectal exam ? Sometimes the impaction is literally near the end of the colon and it can be felt . An impaction can lead to a life threatening bowel obstruction . Is this individual more lethargic, having fevers ? Is appetite less? Is the abdomen distended ? These are other signs of impaction . Frequent urination can happen if the impacted bowel is pressing on the bladder .
Or does the doctor KNOW FOR SURE that this is true diarrhea ? Is this individual on a new med or new tube feeding that could cause diarrhea ? Is the patient in a facility where a stomach bug is going around ? Diarrhea can lead to dehydration . More information in your question would be helpful.
An impacted individual needs laxatives , and/or enemas to move the stool collection . When the collection gets to the end of the rectum sometimes it has to be broken up digitally ( carefully with gloved fingers) if it’s very wide so it can be evacuated .
Sorry about the gross details . I’m just an old nurse that at one point worked in a nursing home .
Bentonite clay may help firm up the stools. We have a rescue cat that had chronic soft stools and started him in this fir cats and after a couple if weeks he finally has normal stools. They have the clay for people too. Might be worth a try. And a good quality probiotics. If they are taking ither medications like antibiotics the probiotic should be taken 2 hours before or after that medication.
A different approach. My doctor told me that he had patients who had been taking Imodium for years, with no adverse effects. I take it (or a chemist alternative, Eg Gastrostop) if I get a bout of diarrhoea (usually after drinking too much red wine), and it does me no harm.
Diarrhoea usually comes from over-the-top irritation in the gastric system. Medications stop the irritation, and give the gut a chance to calm down. Diarrhoea isn’t the same as a “need to evacuate” when it’s “better to let it out”.
I would suggest the most absorbant continance pads, changed very frequently until the situation improves. Maybe a barrier cream for the skin for protection.
The gut takes time to fight infection/bacteria. With a frail elderly person, the risk of dehydration happening quickly may be a very big concern. The medicine will hopefully reduce the loss of fluids & dehydration risk.
Years ago while travelling overseas I was overcome by a bout of diarrhoea. A Doctor prescribed something for me to stop the symptoms. I was young & healthy yet so lethargic & dehydrated I hardly knew the time of day & could hardly drag myself to the bathroom, let alone travel. My plane companions the next day appeared to have various degrees of the same ailment. I'm sure those who didn't have it at take-off, had it by landing time..
If this is something that could be contagious, be very mindful to protect yourself. (You getting ill certainly won't help matters).
I would also suggest ordering in deliveries of disposable gloves, soft disposable cloths, rubbish bags, hand sanitiser. Even set up your own supply trolley like they might in a hospital so everything is within quick reach.
My only concern with having to take an anti-diarrhea medication is that one of the side effects is that it causes high blood pressure, so if this person already suffers with high blood pressure, that could be a major issue.
Taking a good probiotic may help get their stomach back in some sort of more normal state and help with the diarrhea, as will perhaps the BRAT diet. Bananas, rice, applesauce and toast.
Immodium or pepto bismol can help manage the watery stool. It won't heal it.
You want your loved one on a very gentle diet. Think protein, rice or mashed potato or sweet potato and pureed veggies.
Bedridden people can become impacted . Meaning there could be a collection of hard stool just sitting in the colon not moving . Then the stool from higher up in the colon that is not solid yet literally seeps around the impaction and leaks out of the rectum as watery stool.
Did the doctor order an abdominal X-ray to rule out impaction before ordering the anti diarrheal ? Did the doctor perform a digital rectal exam ? Sometimes the impaction is literally near the end of the colon and it can be felt . An impaction can lead to a life threatening bowel obstruction . Is this individual more lethargic, having fevers ? Is appetite less? Is the abdomen distended ? These are other signs of impaction . Frequent urination can happen if the impacted bowel is pressing on the bladder .
Or does the doctor KNOW FOR SURE that this is true diarrhea ? Is this individual on a new med or new tube feeding that could cause diarrhea ? Is the patient in a facility where a stomach bug is going around ? Diarrhea can lead to dehydration . More information in your question would be helpful.
An impacted individual needs laxatives , and/or enemas to move the stool collection . When the collection gets to the end of the rectum sometimes it has to be broken up digitally ( carefully with gloved fingers) if it’s very wide so it can be evacuated .
Sorry about the gross details . I’m just an old nurse that at one point worked in a nursing home .
Diarrhoea usually comes from over-the-top irritation in the gastric system. Medications stop the irritation, and give the gut a chance to calm down. Diarrhoea isn’t the same as a “need to evacuate” when it’s “better to let it out”.
The gut takes time to fight infection/bacteria. With a frail elderly person, the risk of dehydration happening quickly may be a very big concern. The medicine will hopefully reduce the loss of fluids & dehydration risk.
Years ago while travelling overseas I was overcome by a bout of diarrhoea. A Doctor prescribed something for me to stop the symptoms. I was young & healthy yet so lethargic & dehydrated I hardly knew the time of day & could hardly drag myself to the bathroom, let alone travel. My plane companions the next day appeared to have various degrees of the same ailment. I'm sure those who didn't have it at take-off, had it by landing time..
If this is something that could be contagious, be very mindful to protect yourself. (You getting ill certainly won't help matters).
I would also suggest ordering in deliveries of disposable gloves, soft disposable cloths, rubbish bags, hand sanitiser. Even set up your own supply trolley like they might in a hospital so everything is within quick reach.
I hope this resolves quickly.
This is so hard to deal with on a daily basis.
I wouldn’t be opposed to trying meds that can possibly help with the diarrhea.
Stick around, other posters will give their opinion on this topic.
Wishing you and your family all the best.