Gastrointestinal Concerns
A 71-year-old male, weighing 220 lbs and standing at 5'10", had his gallbladder removed on June 22. His medication regimen includes Atenolol at 100 mg once a day, Amlodipine once a day, a diuretic, and Ativan 0.5 mg taken at night. Since six months post-surgery, he has experienced a variety of digestive problems, primarily diarrhea. For nearly a year, he took Colestipol daily, which was effective enough for him to stop using it. His bowel movements have varied in consistency, but for the most part, they have been formed. Recently, he began taking Cialis 5 mg daily for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In the last few weeks, however, he has encountered constipation, despite straining and managing to pass only small amounts on several occasions. To address this, he introduced Metamucil into his routine over the past week and increased his fiber and water consumption. Just three days ago, he noticed a reduction in constipation symptoms. Yesterday, he had 6 to 8 well-formed stools and felt optimistic that the constipation might be resolving. This morning, he passed one formed stool at 6 a.m. but experienced three episodes of soft, pebble-like stool approximately six hours later in considerable quantity. He is uncertain if this indicates the end of his constipation or the onset of a new issue. He is seeking guidance on how to determine if the constipation has truly resolved.
Answers (1)
9/8/2025, 11:30:48 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're dealing with a complex situation regarding your gastrointestinal health following gallbladder removal. Tracking how your bowel movements have changed can indeed be challenging, especially with the recent fluctuations between constipation and softer stools. Let's break this down.
Main Points:
- Your history of gallbladder removal may lead to digestive changes.
- Recent changes in bowel habits indicate a possible transitional phase.
- Monitoring symptoms and adjusting your approach is essential.
Explanation:
Since your gallbladder surgery, your body may have had a harder time digesting fats and processing nutrients, leading to changes like diarrhea, constipation, or both. You mentioned that you used to take Colestipol for diarrhea but could stop due to its effectiveness. Recently, as you introduced Metamucil along with increased fiber and water intake, it seemed to have positively impacted your bowel movements. However, the variation you're observing may suggest that your gastrointestinal system is still adjusting.
The presence of soft, pebble-like stools alongside periods of formed stools can be an indication of several factors:
- Dietary changes
- Fluid intake
- Medication effects (like those from Cialis or your current medications)
Next Steps:
-
Continue Your Current Routine: Maintain the Metamucil and focus on a high-fiber diet and adequate hydration, as these have helped.
-
Monitor Your Symptoms: Keep a detailed log of your bowel movements, noting consistency (formed vs. soft), frequency, and any accompanying symptoms, such as discomfort or straining. This can help identify patterns and triggers.
-
Consider Smaller, Frequent Meals: Eating smaller meals can sometimes aid digestion compared to larger ones.
-
Stay Active: Gentle physical activity like walking can help promote regular bowel movements and enhance digestion.
-
Assess Medication Effects: If you notice substantial changes in bowel habits, you may consider discussing your medications with a healthcare provider, as some medications can impact gastrointestinal function.
-
Patience and Time: It’s common to have fluctuations in digestive health, especially after surgery. Continue monitoring and implementing your current self-care strategies. If you observe persistent changes or significantly bothersome symptoms, further evaluation might be warranted at that point.
Conclusion:
You are on a promising path with some positive changes already noted. By maintaining awareness of your habits and their effects, you should gain a clearer understanding of your gastrointestinal health. Continue monitoring, and take care to adjust lifestyle factors to support your digestion further. If you need more personalized advice, feel free to reach out!
Related Questions
Is It Time for the ER or Can I Visit Urgent Care?
AFAB, 24, weighing 160 pounds Since last Friday, the 5th of September, 2025, I have been dealing with significant abdominal discomfort, including cramping and bloating. The following day, my symptoms escalated, leading to vomiting which forced me to take a sick day from work. Although I haven’t vomited again since then, the pain fluctuates, remaining persistent, albeit not unbearable, but uncomfortable enough to be distracting. I have struggled to have a satisfactory bowel movement; attempts have resulted in diarrhea, and I constantly feel like my bowels are not completely empty. There is a sensation of pressure when I try to relieve myself, and despite using laxatives and trying an enema, I suspect I may be experiencing some sort of blockage. Thankfully, I haven’t had a fever or experienced a decrease in appetite. I find myself at a crossroads regarding what steps to take next since I have never faced this kind of situation before and have no previous experience with hospitals or emergency rooms. I’m concerned about burdening emergency services for a non-critical issue that could potentially be treated at urgent care. Financially, I am not in a stable position and currently lack health insurance, which adds to my worries about covering any potential upfront costs for urgent care services. What should I do? Should I head straight to the emergency room, or is there a chance I could manage this at urgent care? I’m genuinely anxious about this developing into something more severe and all I want is to feel normal again.
Seeking Advice on Managing a Cyst
I have been diagnosed with a 3.5 cm fluid-filled cyst on my left ovary. Initially, I consulted a physician who prescribed Primolut for three weeks, with instructions to repeat the course afterwards. However, after completing the initial treatment, the symptoms intensified to the point where I found it unbearable to continue the medication. Subsequently, I endured a month-long wait until my menstrual cycle resumed. During this period, I sought a second opinion from another doctor, who informed me that the cyst had reduced to 1.8 cm. She advised me to return for a follow-up in a few weeks. However, when I eventually returned two months later, the cyst had expanded back to 3.5 cm. The doctor presented me with two choices: to undergo a six-month course of medication (which she didn't specify but indicated it would prevent pregnancy) or to consider surgical removal. I'm reaching out for honest and trustworthy advice, as I've encountered some medical professionals who seem more concerned with financial gain than patient care. I have a strong aversion to medication and prefer not to disrupt my hormonal balance or my overall health. Any guidance would be appreciated.
Navigating Autoimmunity Concerns Without Medication: Seeking Options
I’m currently on 5-10mg of nadolol for my postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and dealing with a significant health challenge. I've tested positive for antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) antibodies—my results are notably elevated and have tripled in frequency. Additionally, I have dsDNA and anti-CCP antibodies. I suspect that these conditions emerged after my COVID-19 infection, suggesting a breakdown in my body's peripheral tolerance that must be addressed. While hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) seems like a logical treatment option, my rheumatologist has declined it due to my QT interval measuring around 460. My situation appears to be deteriorating, and with the APS, I am at heightened risk of clotting if left untreated, especially as my symptoms worsen. At this point, my quality of life is significantly compromised. I often find myself bedridden for one to two weeks around the time of my menstrual cycle, which feels incredibly frustrating. Why isn’t more being done for my severe situation? On a daily basis, I endure pain, debilitating brain fog, neurological symptoms, and episodes of vertigo. While not all these issues are solely autoimmune in nature, the APS certainly contributes to them, causing microthrombosis, endothelial damage, and inflammation in the brain—a situation corroborated by the extreme endothelial inflammation visible in my NFC. I’m at UCSF and facing difficulties transferring to another rheumatologist. I am also exploring private clinics, but I’m concerned they will recommend similar approaches. I want to pursue a more aggressive treatment plan, as this current state of affairs is untenable, and focusing on my autoimmunity issues may yield some improvement. One specialist who deals with my overlap syndrome of long COVID, POTS, and APS charges $3,500 for a consultation, but I doubt that they will provide any fresh insights beyond suggesting HCQ. Why is it such an uphill battle to receive adequate care before I experience a clot or sustain organ damage?
Understanding Blood Loss After Vaginal Cuff Repair: A Personal Account
A 39-year-old woman with no prior health conditions or medications recently underwent laparoscopic total hysterectomy. Three weeks post-operation, she experienced unexpected heavy vaginal bleeding, prompting a visit to the emergency room. During this episode, she noticed substantial blood clots, comparable in size to dinner plates. Medical staff discovered that the upper layer of her vaginal cuff had separated — a distressing sight for anyone. Fortunately, the attending surgeon performed an urgent repair, identifying it as a case of a 'raw edge' rather than a complete dehiscence. A particular concern arose regarding her hemoglobin levels, which plummeted from 13.2 to 10. This significant drop raises a question: How much blood loss does this represent? Additionally, the patient expressed worries about experiencing severe brain fog, wondering if it could be linked to the blood loss or the stress of having undergone two surgeries in such a short span of time. She is looking for insights on her recovery process and potential effects following these medical events. Thank you for your assistance!
Elevated Gamma GT and Cholesterol Levels on GLP-1 Therapy
After adhering to a GLP-1 regimen for four months, I recently had my blood drawn for testing. To my surprise, my gamma GT level has soared to 163, and my cholesterol has also risen to 6.2. During this period, I successfully shed 55 pounds (approximately 25 kilograms), which is fantastic news. However, I have no history of high cholesterol, making this development unexpected. Before starting Mounjaro, my gamma GT was already elevated at 65, likely due to my ongoing use of sulfasalazine at a dose of 2000 mg daily and regular consumption of around 1000 mg of Tylenol over several years. I anticipated that the tirzepatide would yield positive effects, so these alarming lab results have left me quite puzzled. While I am ecstatic about my weight loss progress, the prospect of having to discontinue this medication due to my elevated gamma GT levels is concerning. Thankfully, other liver function tests, including ALT, AST, and bilirubin, have remained within normal ranges.