Diarrhea after ileostomy: IBS-D or LAR syndrome

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Bob_Weiss
Posts: 743
Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2010 11:23 am
Location: Brooklyn, NY

Diarrhea after ileostomy: IBS-D or LAR syndrome

Postby Bob_Weiss » Sat May 06, 2017 6:35 am

I have periodic bouts of diarrhea followed by constipation, which is now controlled most of the time by diet, Metamucil and Imodium. The medical literature refers to this problem as LAR syndrome, which apparently is experienced by 90% of people getting a temporary ileostomy. However, my primary doctor considers my problem to be IBS-D and recommends the drugs that are currently being used for that condition (Xifaxin, Viberzi, etc.) which I hesitate to try because I read about patients who experienced bad symptoms with these drugs.

Which diagnosis is it? Or does it not make a difference what the diagnostic label is?
Stage 3 R/C -1 node+ ( 7/09)
5 wks radiation, 2 wks chemo: 5FU (8-9/09)
Rectal surgery: tumor removal (11/09)
10 rounds Xeloda: 3000mg/daily 1 wk on/1 wk off (1/10-6/10)
Supplements: Aspirin, Calcium, Vit. D3
03/27/17: 7+ yrs. since surgery--still NED

Lee
Posts: 6207
Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2006 4:09 pm

Re: Diarrhea after ileostomy: IBS-D or LAR syndrome

Postby Lee » Sat May 06, 2017 3:18 pm

Bob_Weiss wrote: . . . However, my primary doctor considers my problem to be IBS-D and recommends the drugs that are currently being used for that condition (Xifaxin, Viberzi, etc.) which I hesitate to try because I read about patients who experienced bad symptoms with these drugs.


Hi Bob,

I never had a temp ileostomy, just a permanent colostomy, soI don't have experience there. My hought was IBS-D too. Have not looked up the side effect for those drugs. Maybe try the drug for a few weeks and see if there is an improvement. If not, discontinue use. Or if you can live with your current situation, don't try the IBS-D drug.

I understand your fears, last summer I was diagnosed with psoriasis, and I will not go on the pills to control it because of the side effects. I will live with the symptoms instead.

Didn't really help, butt good luck,

Lee
rectal cancer - April 2004
46 yrs old at diagnoses
stage III C - 6/13 lymph positive
radiation - 6 weeks
surgery - August 2004/hernia repair 2014
permanent colostomy
chemo - FOLFOX
NED - 16 years and counting!

tammylayne
Posts: 2177
Joined: Fri Jul 16, 2010 9:24 am

Re: Diarrhea after ileostomy: IBS-D or LAR syndrome

Postby tammylayne » Sun May 07, 2017 10:58 pm

Have you tried the quiz for LARS? I know someone posted it on this site, but you can also google it. Nothing is 100% but it might help to give you some direction about LARS
51 F
'06 Stage 1 CC,
'10 Stage 3 Rectal

"You never know how strong you are until you have to become your own hero."


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