Medication’s that cause diarrhea

[debsew]

I am a 72-year-old female ostimate. My ileostomy was done 36 years ago. I now have fibrosis of the lungs. My pulmonologist is considering a medication called nintedinib To slow the progress of the fibrosis. A side effect of this medication is diarrhea. As I understand it, most diarrhea relates to problems in the colon. Since I don’t have a colon, the doctor doesn’t know what effect this medication will have on me. Does anyone out there (a fellow iliostimate) have any experience with this medication or any medication with the side effect of diarrhea? What effect did it have on you?

[Mara]

I am in your age group with a long time ileostomy as well.

I just checked online and the two medications I use- one for COPD and one for thyroid issues - have possible side effects of diarrhea and one of them also lists constipation. And I have no particular problems with my ileostomy at all.

However, I do understand how you feel. I have up to now refused to take a statin because of side effects I have heard about - but these are from people I know who have actually taken that medication.

So in your case I wouldn't really worry about it.....just my opinion obviously.

Best of luck to you!

[To Dream a Dream]

I have experienced cramping & diarrhea from the heavy duty antibiotics (Cipro, Z-pack(?), etc.) & have them listed as Allergies in my medical record. I have also refused steroids just because of intense side effects in the past.
I hope you have no problems.

[debsew]

Thanks Mara and Dream. I decided to try the Ofev and have used it for about 6 weeks now. I’ve had some increase of watery output, especially after the morning dose, but since it’s an ileostomy, it’s not so different. I’ve had some cramping at times. Since I’m on IV and oral antibiotics too, it’s hard to tell what’s causing what. It’s tolerable. I’ll try to remember to write again after I’m off the antibiotics. The Ofev is “permanent” so I hope it stays tolerable.

[JerryNYC]

With an ileostomy, there is often a tendency to bounce back and forth between diarrhea and constipation. To control diarrhea, I have always had good results with Loperamide (2 mg tablets are available from drugstores without a prescription). But go carefully and start by splitting a tablet to take 1 mg. If that doesn't work, you can try the full dose. And with diarrhea, make sure you drink a lot. And even though diarrhea usually involves the colon, not too long after you have had your colon removed, the small intestine (especially the ileum), takes over the job of reabsorbing liquid from the intestine back into the body. And it is not only water but electrolytes (salts) that the small intestine takes back into the body.