[McRobb]

Hi, Everyone - thought I would check with the experts out there and see if anyone has had this happen to them.

Last night, my bowel movement was mostly clear water - a little mucus there but mostly very thin and lots of gas. The first movement came with a few shards of normal looking bm but was mostly the watery stuff. The rest was all water. Not a lot of smell to it and no brown color.

Today, had another in the middle of the day ( I hate that! ) and it was the same.

I do not feel bad, have not changed any meds in the since two weeks ago when I added Nexium (40 mg twice a day) to my regular meds. Have been eating quite a bit of watermellon and cantaloupe since it is the season here but have never had this happen before.

My caretaker is a bit concerned and I am as well but will see what happens in a couple of days.

Anyone else have this happen and do you know what caused it? Any help appreciated.

[alyssa]

Because theres no smell or other side effects I would probably rule out things like c-diff, however a few questions come to mind...

1. when you say it was water...is it a lot of water?
2. are you using a suppository? maybe this water discharge is melted suppository
3. do you take any stool sofeners or laxitives?

[McRobb]

alyssa, on Aug 11 2007, 04:52 PM, said:

Because theres no smell or other side effects I would probably rule out things like c-diff, however a few questions come to mind...

1. when you say it was water...is it a lot of water?
2. are you using a suppository? maybe this water discharge is melted suppository
3. do you take any stool sofeners or laxitives?

It is a pretty good amount of water - enough to soak the pad that I was sitting on. And, no, I do not use a suppository - just lots of fiber and milk of magnesia every day. I did check with my doctor about the milk of magnesia and he told me that it would not hurt me to take it every day so that is what I have been doing.

Normally, I have a movement every day (I do my program before going to bed at night) but may skip a day or two once in a while and have a larger amount when I do go. I had a really large movement three days ago that was normal consistancy and it had been 3 days before that when I had had a movement.

Thanks for trying to help.

[Texaswheelz]

I've had milk of magnesia twice and both times I had pretty much what you described if i didn't eat very much substantial food. I couldn't imagine taking that every day, I'd be having accidents every day, that's for sure.
If your taking that and eaiting watermelon/cantaloupe and not much else then I could see this happening. That pretty much all those are is water. Your not stopped up or there wouldn't be anything coming through. Just sounds like you haven't eaten much the last few days, yet still taking something to cause you bowels to shoot stuff out.

If you have been eating food other then that then I don't know.

[hockeydahc]

I'd think Tex is right. If I don;t eat the same amount for a few days I have less come out or I can wait another day to go to build up more.

may call the doc to be sure. it is possible you're not blocked completely, but that something's not moving. You'd be feeling heavy and sluggish, and not well.

hope everything comes out all right for ya.

[McRobb]

Thanks for the help, everyone.

I do eat other things as well as the fruit but try to keep lots of fiber in there. May have to lay off that for a bit.

I do appreciate the input as I really do not know any other para's around here and no women at all. Take care.

[smokymtn memories]

You might want to try something like metamucil daily or fibercon. I use the generic metamucil and it helps a lot. I would think eating a lot of watermelon and melon with milk of magnesia could cause your problem.

[alyssa]

don't cut back on the fibre...fibre is your friend.
maybe you should try milk of magnesia once every two or three nights?

[McRobb]

Thanks for all the input, follks.

finally called my doctor - clear watery stools are the first thing you see when an empaction is beginning. And he sent me after some MiraLAX, now sold over the counter but is a pricey thing. Dr. said that in years past, nursing home residents had a horrible time with empacted bowels because they did not move around enough for their bowels to function correctly. Once this stuff was invented, it has practically eliminated (pun intended) empactions from nursing homes as it is so reliable. It is not a laxative and does not absorb through the bowel so you can take it long term.

Got the stuff and took one dose at noon - by next evening had a small movement and larger one the next afternoon. One at bedtime as a little loose but have had no trouble today at all. Now I just have to experiment and find out what works for me the best and figure out how long it takes to work.

But, if you get plugged up, this stuff seems to be the best. Just wanted to pass this along to all.

[hockeydahc]

yay! I was right!

glad to hear you're a few pounds lighter!