I wonder if you can offer me any advice please. I have locally aggressive prostate cancer which. had spread to the bladder by the time it was diagnosed. Since 2009 I have been given Prostrap injections. Because of the worsening side effects (sore and watery eyes combined with heavy flushing) the oncologist advised me through my doctor to stop treatment until my PSA reached 5 or above. After 15 months, in February this year, I resumed treatment. During the 15 months the severity of the effects diminished slightly but during the period I noticed that the smallest quantity of red wine (at 84 about the only pleasure left to me) and then any alcohol would trigger the flushing etc. but more seriously than usual. I am a widower and live alone. I would like to go back to my two glasses per night and the odd Scotch. Help!!
Sincerely
Steven R
Dear Steven R,
Thanks for being in touch, this flushing, as you will know, is a well recognised side effect of hormonal treatment caused by dilation of the blood vessels in the skin – though the precise mechanism is not clear. This is compounded by alcohol which has the same effect on the blood vessels. There is thus regrettably no solution to your dilemma – other than to experiment with some non alcoholic form of psychoactive stimulants!
Dear Dr James
I have type 1 diabetes together with hereditary spherocytosis. I have recently been diagnosed for the second time with an overactive thyroid.
When last I had a problem with my thyroid I was prescribed block and replace therapy, carbimazole and levothyroxine, for 18 months. During the whole period of treatment the doctors never once managed to raise my thyroxine levels to where they should have been, leaving me with the equivalent of an underactive thyroid. As a result I felt dreadful for the full 18 months and over the course of treatment put on 2 stone in weight.
I understand that for a second episode of overactive thyroid the usual treatment is radioactive iodine, designed to reduce the activity in the thyroid but more often than not killing it off entirely leaving the patient needing to take thyroxine daily for life. I am obviously not keen on spending the rest of my days (I am only in my 40s) feeling dreadful and getting fat!
Is it possible that the spherocytosis could be affecting the absorption of the thyroxine?
Similarly every time the doctor tests my HBA1c I am congratulated for keeping my sugar levels in the 4-6 range, results not borne out by my own testing at home.
Many thanks.
JW
Dear JW,
Thanks for your query. It certainly does seem that radioactive iodine is the next logical step though the lack of efficacy of those thyroxine supplements is puzzling, and I share your concern. I would not have thought that your spherocytosis is implicated. The two possible explanations might be that you are not absorbing the thyroxine perhaps because you have some degree of malabsorption caused for example, by celiac disease. Alternatively it could be due to some coexisting autoimmune disorder. I am sure you should discuss this with your specialist.
Hi,
Although I do not have diabetes I suffered with abdominal pain almost 50 years of my life, much as described. Having every test and scan imaginable it was not until I eradicated gluten and dairy from my diet, did the pain go entirely. I took an allergy test as a last resort. I imagine it will be difficult to sort his diet if this is the case for a 12 year old boy, being a Type 1 diabetes sufferer. If I stray from the diet, the pain returns. Worth a shot in any case and was life changing for me. I am now 58. I, too, when much younger was told it was “all in my head” and you cannot have stomach ache every day!
Heather T
Dear Heather T,
Many thanks for those comments
In response to the query on 26th May regarding the grandson with stomach pains, might it be undescended testicles? On occasion a growth spurt can mean undescended testicles move higher up causing pain.
Regards
R C
Dear R C,
Many thanks for those comments
ALAMY
Dear Dr James
Our daughter had a recurring abdominal pain. We eventually took her to a consultant who could see no reason for the pain. He said to go back in 4 months if no better and he would do exploratory operation. In meantime my daughter wondered if might be related to wheat. She then either cut out wheat or reduced it and pain disappeared, now if pain comes back she reduces wheat and it goes again.
yours sincerely
Judith B
Dear Judith B,
Many thanks for those comments
Re: your query about the 12 year old diabetic boy with unexplained abdominal pain. I wonder if the possibility of autonomic neuropathy has been considered. Rare in one so young but it is an exceedingly complex condition. Although traditionally diarrhoea is said to be the predominant symptom it can however cause bloating and symptoms similar to Irritable Bowel Syndrome. There is a good summary in the professional section of Patient.co.uk.
Dr. Robert W
Dear Dr Robert W,
Many thanks for those comments
ALAMY
Dear James
My son also has Type 1 diabetes and when he was around the same age as the subject in the article (he is now 20) also suffered from abdominal pains. He still does to some degree but as he has developed and understood the condition he seems to have some rationale for what is causing it. Very often he will say he is ‘hyper’ (high blood sugar) but sometimes if you insist on him testing he is in fact ‘hypo’ (low sugar – hence his reluctance to blood test – hypos cause huge obstinacy).
However, since being issued with an insulin pump 5 years ago his level of control and even temperedness has improved significantly. He is thriving and studying at Cambridge.
A major problem for which I would seek more advice is that of snoring and ‘chronic sleep apnoea’ which leaves him so tired and sleep pattern disturbed. He uses a CPAP pump but I have heard there are mouth guards that can be used effectively. Any experience? Or feedback?
Many thanks and I do hope I can be of help to the reader – I have had 10 years experience of being the ‘mum of a diabetic’
Best wishes
Rachel W
Dear Rachel W,
Thanks for being in touch. It is most interesting your son’s abdominal symptoms improved with the use of the insulin pump but my impression is that they are not related to the degree of control of blood sugar levels. As per the snoring if your son definitely has sleep apnoea then mouthguards are definitely not indicated and he should stick with the CPAP.
Dear Dr Le Fanu,
A possible cause could be sorbitol intolerance.
Sorbitol is used as an alternative sweetener in diabetic diets and can I believe, cause abdominal problems.
P.M.B
Dear P M B,
Many thanks for those comments
Dear Dr Le Fanu
Perhaps he has chronic pancreatitis? It would be certainly worth an MRCP (the scan not the qualification!)
As far as the bariatric vertigo is concerned, fluids don’t expand or contract in response to changes in atmospheric pressure, so I don’t think it is an inner ear problem, unless of course there are bubbles in the endolymph. It’s all in the middle ear. I get this slightly in blustery weather.
Keep up the good work, I enjoy your articles immensely.
Tom D
Dear Tom D,
Thanks for being in touch. I would agree that pancreatitis is a possible culprit. I stand corrected about the possible mechanism for that barometric vertigo.
I would suggest severe reflux as a probable cause for her grandson’s symptoms.
Since being unable to take PPIs (or Ranitadine or similar) and despite maintaining a strict low fat/anti-reflux diet, I am nevertheless all too familiar with these symptoms. Perhaps raising his bed at the head end and having nothing to eat for three hours before lying down would be a start. Perhaps. Hopefully!
Best wishes,
Mary
Dear Mary,
Many thanks for those comments
Forty years ago I became the victim of sudden onset excruciating abdominal pain, so intense it caused me to vomit. This could last from 20 minutes to well over an hour. Numerous tests were carried out for no results. I would be administered pethidine injections, which mostly relieved it.
Those were the days the doctor would immediately come out, night or day. Eventually it was diagnosed as abdominal migraine, they eventually stopped after ten years.
Dear Anon,
Many thanks for those comments
Dear Dr Le Fanu,
In response to your column in The Telegraph on Monday the 26th of May.
The section featuring the conundrum of the lady with mild vertigo when lying and turning in bed has had me thinking.
Firstly, I agree that allergic reactions in the Spring could contribute to a general feeling of mild unsteadiness, particularly as a result of eustachian tube dysfunction. I am rather amiss at the idea that mild fluctuations in atmospheric pressure could result in such sensations as a result of minor changes in middle ear pressure. I accept that this statement is open for debate. However, if these symptoms are only occurring when lying down and turning in bed I would be much more inclined to consider the movement evoked diagnosis of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV).
I would be most interested to understand your reasoning for not including BPPV as a potential cause of this lady’s concern.
Amy J
BSc (Hons) Audiology
Dear Amy J,
Thanks for being in touch. I would agree that this lady almost certainly has BPPV – the conundrum was why it should be exacerbated at the time of the spring equinox.
Hi there, I am baffled as to why you exclude psychological causes for the boys chronic non-organic abdo pain. If anyone feels they can say ‘this clearly cannot be the case’ I think all the more likely to be the case. In paediatrics we used to talk about abdominal migraine. Just being a 12 year old boy is enough cause for anxiety and turbulence. And that can produce all sorts of strange symptoms. It will no doubt settle in time and he will go on to enjoy the migraines and IBS of modern adulthood.
Best wishes
Melanie C
Dear Melanie C,
Many thanks for those comments
ALAMY
Sir, May I suggest that the grandson of Mr. JH form Leeds is put on a gluten-free diet for a trial period. That, and perhaps dairy-free as well. It would certainly do him no harm.
Yours sincerely,
Dr. David R
(Retired Radiologist)
Dear Dr David R,
Many thanks for those comments
Sir,
Your last item regarding the 12 year old with type 1 diabetes refers. My own situation may be of some help.
I developed Type 2 20 months ago and when dietary control did not work my doctor prescribed Metformin three times day. I then developed considerable pain discomfort in the groin and lower stomach areas – sometimes reaching up to lower chest area. My doctor checked but could find no cause – muscle strain or other symptoms. My daughter suggested taking Yakult once a day as Metfomin prevents certain biological processes acting correctly. To my surprise and great relief the pains vanished within two days and have not returned. I am now able to do without Yakult for as many as 8 days without the pains returning.
For your information I am a 74 year old male and reasonably active.
I hope this is of use to your contact.
Regards
Chris O,
Dear Chris O,
Many thanks for those comments
Dear Dr Le Fanu,
My son is now 32 years old, and he has had Type 1 diabetes since the age of 7. He used to have awful stomach pains/cramps very regularly. They were very severe and he would have to have a hot bath, painkillers and a hot water bottle to try and ease the pain. Nothing really worked though, and sometimes the pain would make him sick. The attacks could last up to a day at a time and the diabetes paediatric consultant at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, called them TUMMY MIGRAINES. They lasted at least until the end of puberty. Apparently you could have these instead of the conventional migraines. He still can have trouble with his stomach at times.
I hope that this will help Mr HJ from Leeds.
Yours sincerely,
Heather L-B (Mrs.)
Dear Mrs L-B,
Many thanks for those comments
Dear Doctor,
Allow me to share our experience of teenage undiagnosable abdominal pain. This wasn’t constant pain, but occurred all too frequently, and for considerable periods of time. There was no involvement of diabetes.
Our daughter (now 27) suffered with such pains for 2 or 3 years during her mid-teenage years, like Mr HJ’s grandson this interrupted her education. When not in pain she was a fit and healthy teenager, who played football with a passion – it eventually took her to university in the USA via a sporting scholarship.
Treatment/diagnosis was via our excellent GP (many times), various other experts we were referred to, stays in hospital and attending a 3 week Pain Management Course at a hospital in Bath.
Our ‘eureka’ moment came one morning when I came across a small article in the Daily Telegraph which reported a girl in Swansea who seemed to have similarly suffered and had visited a cranial osteopath who had diagnosed teeth braces as the cause, by setting tension in various muscles from jaw/head through the neck and down to the abdomen. Removal of the braces had removed the pain.
My wife became detective, phoning the Telegraph who put her in contact with a local paper in Wales, who put her in touch with a pub who had been involved in fund-raising for the girl’s treatment. They got her family to make contact. From there we immediately got our daughter’s teeth braces removed – they had been on for some time, and their job was nearly done.
Just before this happened I had seen a Chiropractor for a neck problem (I had never used one before!). Before treating me we had discussed my health etc (and I ask everyone I see if thy have a ‘magic cure’ for migraine which is my personal bug-bare) and he asked about sources of stress in my life – so I mentioned my daughter’s medical problems. He asked if he could see her.
Timings meant the teeth braces had been removed before she saw the chiropractor, but he was in total agreement that setting un-natural tensions in the jaw could impact muscle groups in other parts of the body. He demonstrated this by testing knee reflexes with jaw relaxed and then again with teeth clenched – they are very different. Treatment proceeded working to relax and stretch out muscles and other soft tissues etc (I don’t pretend to understand all that Chiropractors do, I just know how well it returned movement to my neck – in reality I’m more of a skeptical biology graduate).
In a short space of time our daughter’s abdominal pains were gone, never to return.
I know that doing 2 things simultaneously is poor science as either, or the combination could have been the cure.
I hope this is of some use to Mr HJ’s grandson, or to any of your other patients.
I only ask for a cure for migraine in return!
Kind regards,
Steve P
Dear Steve P,
Many thanks for those comments
Dear Dr Le Fanu,
I was particularly interested to read, yesterday, your explanation for the problem of the patient with mild vertigo when lying down.
I have now been retired since 1998 but prior to that I was a specialist asthma nurse and for a long time before my retirement I was explaining just the points you make, but in respect of asthma mainly.
So many patients suffered increased symptoms and indeed, had acute attacks of asthma if they failed to read the signs and failed to adjust their medication appropriately. It was interesting that many doctors did not understand and dismissed patients anxiety when the symptoms were due to fall in barometric pressure – they did partially understand the hay fever-type allergy, though often it was difficult to convince them!!! I guess that the same level of knowledge still exists in general practice, which is criminal after so long. The figures for asthma deaths remains frightening.
Sincerely,
Maggie H (Mrs)
Dear Mrs H,
Thanks for being in touch and those interesting observations on the influence of changes in barometric pressure on asthmatic symptoms .
Dear Dr Fanu,
I am writing regarding a problem you featured in yesterday’s Daily Telegraph, Monday 26th, Doctor’s Diary.
On two occasions I have had bouts of dizziness when turning over in bed at night, the first started in early March, and the second last week. On the first occasion my GP diagnosed labyrinthitis, for which there is no cure, but a friend who had had a similar problem a few years ago, suggested I had BPPV. The Epley manoeuvre was recommended, and I instantly recovered. It was performed again yesterday with the same result. I was very interested to hear that some of your readers suggested the changes in pressure could be to blame. I, however believe it can occur at any time, and am skeptical that the weather can affect it, despite the timings of my episodes!
I would be very interested to hear your thoughts on BPPV, and the Epley manoeuvre.
Yours sincerely,
Amanda S
Dear Amanda S,
Thanks for being in touch. I am delighted of course to hear that your BPPV responded so well to the Epley manoeuvre.
Dear Dr Le Fanu,
My problems is that having gone to bed at 9pm feeling fit for my age (89) and in good spirits I wake at 7am after a good nights sleep (with one visit to the loo around 5am) feeling utterly exhausted and aching all over. This waking mood casts a shadow over the day but when I force myself to get up the symptoms gradually ease as I become active.
My GP says this is a mystery complaint.
The increasing lack of energy, which my GP attributes to old age, is frustrating but I visit a gym three times a week and enjoy light gardening when the sun shines. I eat a healthy diet and do not smoke.
I suffered a heart attack four years ago and at present I am on the following cocktail of drugs:
Eplerenone 50 mg 1daily
Furosemide 40mg 1daily
Rtidine 150mg 2 daily
Aspirin 75mg 1daily
Losartan 50mg 1daily
Bisoprolol 1.25mg 1daily
Omacor 1g 1daily
Levothyroxine 50mcg daily
Viscotears
Warfarin variable dose
With kind regards,
Richard M
Dear Richard M,
Thanks for being in touch. I agree this early morning exhaustion that improves during the day is very puzzling especially as you are generally so active. Several years ago a reader described a variation of this in the form of severe early morning gloominess and low spirits that similarly improved during the day. The general consensus was that this must be brought about by changes in the brain chemistry that occurred during sleep. There is regrettably no remedy but it can be reassuring to know of this straightforward explanation.
Dear Dr. Le Fanu
My mother is 87 and is generally very healthy. She is unsteady on her feet and always very tired, but otherwise is remarkably well, I think.
However, she is very distressed at not being able to sleep at night because of having to go to the bathroom many times and also because of sharp pains and tight sensations in her ankles and legs at night only.
The pain and peculiar sensations that she gets prevent her from sleeping and seem to disappear when she gets up. She has poor circulation in her lower legs.
She has been prescribed Neurontin (Gabapentin) by her GP, but is afraid to take it in case she cannot wake up in time to get to the toilet. She has seen several doctors and been to the local hospital and nobody seems to be able to tell her what the problem actually is. She has been given some exercises by the Physiotherapist at the hospital, and she is doing these as prescribed.
I would appreciate any further thoughts you may have, please?
Thank you so much,
Kind regards
Dear Anon,
Thanks for being in touch and my sympathies for your mother’s problems. It is possible these frequent trips to the toilet at night are due to the condition known as Benign Nocturnal Polyuria . This can be prevented or minimised by taking an anti inflammatory drug such as aspirin or nurofen before retiring. Your mother should be then be less apprehensive about taking the Gabapentin for her neuropathic pain.
Mr HJ from Leeds
I had similar problems with pain from childhood. At the age of mid-30s a doctor suggested we try for food allergies/intolerance. He said that if I had a very favourite food it could be the cause of such pain. He was right – it turned out that total (absolutely total) avoidance of any trace of ONIONS provided a cure for pain and often associated diarrhoea. If I am even slightly careless the trouble comes back.
Hence I suggest avoidance trials of successive foods and/or flavours. MAH
Dear MAH,
Thanks for your comments.
Dear Dr. LeFanu,
In your column on Monday, you asked for suggestions as to what might be amiss with the young boy with stomach pains.
I wonder if it could be the disease which dogs carry? I read a book about a similar case and all sorts of tests and even an operation to remove the appendix was performed but no answer could be found. Eventually some sort of test – possibly faeces, maybe blood, was sent to the Welcome laboratory and they found out that it was the disease which dogs carry.
Anyway, I do hope that a solution will be found for the poor boy.
yours
Thelma M (Mrs)
Dear Mrs M,
Thanks for your comments
Dear Dr Le Fanu
Re Mr HJ’s query on behalf of his grandson,
You may wish to forward the attached testimonial regarding a child of the same age I worked with (surrogately through his mother, by telephone only), with severe ulcerative colitis. I realize Mr. HJ’s grandson pain has no obvious physical cause, but I’m sure some investigation into his emotional state could reveal deeper causes. I specialize in the emotional context of chronic pain, and would be happy to have an initial chat with the child’s parents to find out more about the case.
I copy below my signature, the testimonial in case the google doc attachment cannot be opened. I should mention that in the year since this testimonial was written to me, the child is still in remission and now leading a normal life. As surgery to remove the colon had being considered, it is a relief to all concerned that such an option was no longer considered necessary!
Yours sincerely,
John-David B
thechronicpaindetective.com
Date Friday 19th April 2013
RE: L. Diagnosed Ulcerative Colitis July 2012. DOB 11/10/02
Current Medication
Prednisone 5mgs every alternate day
Imuran 75mgs daily
Salazopyrine 1mgm mane, 1.5mgs nocte
Homeopathic remedy
Probiotic
Calcium
Vit D
At L’s January 2013 review, the doctors showed particular concern regarding L’s progress since his diagnosis in July 2012. His condition was classified as severe. He was stooling up to 9 times a day including stooling at night with bleeds. He was also experiencing severe abdominal cramps.
L had been commenced on Imuran 25mgs in December and was tolerating it well. So the dosage was increased to 75mgs in January. He had been off prednisone but in light of his symptoms he was re-commenced on 30mgs daily and Colifoam enema at night and was maintained on salazopyrine. We were told if L remained unresponsive to medical treatment it was possible we may need to consider surgery to remove his entire colon as he was diagnosed with pancolitis.
At this point, we felt the need look further and include other possibilities in relation to his care, looking at a broader approach to support the medical side of treatment. A friend, who himself was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, recommended a particular homeopath
who had experience working with this condition. This homeopath is a qualified doctor with a solid appreciation of the medical side while also providing a more holistic approach. We made an appointment with him and he advised us that L should have an OATS test and IgG test. The OATS test examines the urine for the functionality of the gut and gut dysbiosis. The IgG test examines the blood for food intolerance and allergies. We proceeded with the tests and subsequently results for L showed an imbalance of intergut flora and a complete depletion in Vit C. L was started on a homeopathic constitutional remedy.
At this time we also felt L would benefit from continued body work. We discontinued Osteopathy and instead opted for craniosacral therapy having a preference for a gentle and less intensive approach. We continued with the counselling for L which we had started the previous
November as we could see the benefits of it.
In addition, our family needed support. L’s condition was on going and all the family were experiencing significant stress. We knew it was vital to be positive and hold a relaxed approach within the family. However it was a very difficult time and we all felt the strain of the situation. I was the primary carer, so I had the most interaction with L each day. I felt my attitude with L was in need of strong attention as I had become very anxious and obsessive in observing and assessing his day to day toilet activity.
It was at this point that I had the opportunity to work with JD Biggs.
I had had a session with JD about a year previously and had felt enormous benefits gained from insights I got in the work together. I let go of a lot of emotional baggage that had stopped me from making progress in my life at that time. I knew his approach to illness and disease was different to the mainstream and conventional methods of thinking. There is a“freshness” in his approach thinking and creates new possibilities in approaching health and how we manage experiences of physical and emotional pain. I felt this would provide a fresh approach which would benefit L and the family.
A strong example of this took place between late January into February and early March. L was experiencing severe abdominal cramps throughout the last school term up to Christmas and they had continued into January. They came on in the morning and were persistent through school time. The cramping was a big issue for L. He was missing a significant amount of school and although his teacher and the staff in school were understanding and supportive of the situation, I was anxious about his level of absence. I was eager to try and help L find support at school so his attendance would improve. I hoped with the help of his teacher he could find ways to manage these periods during school. However L found it too difficult to manage at school and he began to get very distressed and expressed intense levels of anxiety about going to school, begging me to let him stay at home. I was struggling to cope with the intensity of the emotions that were coming up for myself and L.. I felt at a loss as to manage these episodes.
The sessions with JD were invaluable at this time. With his guidance and encouragement, I began to develop skills around opening up and accepting what was taking place for L when he was experiencing abdominal pain. Through our conversations together, JD gently and very patiently offered suggestions and guidance to create changes in my thinking. This change in thinking created changes in my interaction with L.
Slowly I began to open up my awareness, to implement strategies to help me remain calm, either by using my breath or simply looking around and fixing my gaze on what was in my direct field of vision to become very aware of what was present to me in the moment.
I slowly began to practice this method of awareness and found that as I maintained this practice I was more open and accepting to whatever was presented to me. By deliberately slowing down my thoughts and being intensely present to what was taking place within me emotionally and
mentally, I became more open to allowing L express his feelings so he could fully acknowledge approach but required effort and focus from both L and myself.
With JD’s continued encouragement and support I maintained this practice. I
began to notice a remarkable change taking place in L.
Slowly, L began to get calmer when he experienced cramps. He became more open to dialogue as he was experiencing the cramps, something he was resistant to before. He became more open to guidance in how to navigate his way through the pain. Over the next 2 to 3 weeks L began to learn how to relax his body by breathing and I learned the value of providing him the time and space to work his way through the cramps. He began to notice that the cramps came in a wave and he learned how to manage his way through it. He was getting more assured in how to deal with the pain. As this was occurring he also began to negotiate his way back into school without all the anxiety and distress displayed previously. It was an extraordinary process.
L is currently attending school every day. While he can still get occasional cramping it is not severe and does not last as long as previously.
On the medical side, L’s Prednisone is slowly being tapered down. He is now maintained on 5mgs every alternate day with the plan to stop in June. The enemas have been discontinued and L’s toilet activity has stabilised to 1 or 2 toilet trips daily. There has been no blood in the stools since February. Since January, L has gone from strength to strength and at his last medical review on the 12th of April the medical team confirmed that L had entered into remission.
We continue with the treatment of care from a multi skilled team of practitioners and remain open and grateful to the support it provides L and our family.
Dear John-David B,
Thanks for being in touch and that detailed testimonial on the value of your intervention. It is encouraging that L’s symptoms are now in remission.
Writing on behalf of my 85 year old father in response to the young man with the night time abdominal pains. He suffered for years and followed all of the conventional advice to no avail.. Atkins and Barry Groves gave the answer. Cut out the cereals and grains, eating only one slice of white bread a day has totally solved the problem.
We have benefitted from a number of things raised in your column, and would hope that this can help.
Thanks, Anne J
Dear Anne J,
Many thanks for those comments
Dear Dr Le Fanu
Re the grandson of Mr HJ from Leeds with bad stomach pains
My daughter had a similar experience 7 years ago when she was 12 too. She experienced agonising stomach pains for about 6 months, lost her appetite, was admitted to hospital 3 times and lost 2 kg in weight. All blood tests were clear. From our research on the internet, we were convinced that it was a grumbling appendix, but were told that there was no such thing. In the end, the doctors did operate as my daughter’s condition began to deteriorate. The problem turned out to be her appendix which was unusually long and tucked behind her bowel; the end of the appendix was impacted. Once removed, she immediately began to improve and made a full recovery.
I hope this may be of some use to Mr HJ’s grandson. It may prove difficult, however, to persuade the doctors to operate as everything is ruled by the blood test nowadays. We only got my daughter’s operation because she was visibly going downhill and the doctors proposed a barium meal – which would have meant that they could not then operate for 4 days. I got very distressed; a kindly ward Sister phoned the registrar on her own initiative and within an hour we were off to theatre.
I love reading your column; have you published a book of the home remedies featured?
Kind regards
Dear Anon,
Many thanks for those comments
Dear Dr. Le Fanu,
I always read your column with interest and I like your common-sense approach to a lot of problems. That is my approach to life also ( am 75 and take no medication, haven’t seen my doctor in more than 5 years)
Your article on Prozac etc. was very timely for us, as over the last 6 months we have experienced problems in our son with depression. He is 46 years old and has no history of this. But it started last December, caused we think by unemployment, the realisation that at his age he may never get another permanent full time job, after a series of temporary and part-time jobs.
He decided to start his own business, has no business knowledge, but opened 2 new bank accounts, one personal, one for business. After arranging an overdraft he went on a spending spree, bought a new television, computer, top of the range mobile phone, and iPod etc. “I need these for my business” was his argument when we queried this. He could not tell us what his business was going to be. Now he has realised of course that he has no means of paying back the overdraft and the credit card debt. He gets benefit payments of £72 per week, which is pathetic, out of that he has to pay his mortgage, insurances, fuel bills etc. He has survived with our financial help so far.
Because of the depression we asked him to go to the doctor, who prescribed Olanzapine 10 mg. tablets last January, which he has been taking since then. The last couple of months he has become completely incapable of doing anything, his movements are grotesque, his tongue is forever going in and out of his mouth, could not sleep at night, not our son at all. I took him to the doctor (who had not seen him for some time) and asked for his opinion. He said he would refer him to the mental-health clinic. This was followed up with a phone call from a nurse, who asked me to describe his symptoms and how he was. She commented that these could be side-effects from the medication. He then had a home visit from a nurse and trainee, she brought a subscription with her for a different medication, the name escapes me, (beginning with i or q), he now sleeps better, but does not want to come out of bed. He keeps holding his head and saying “I cannot cope with this, I cannot cope with the outside world”. When I rang him last night he said he had not eaten at all, also had not fed his cat. He had several phone calls but had not answered them. Missed appointments reminders I think.
I cannot help feeling that counselling would have been a much better option at the beginning, rather than put him on the tablet regime. After 5 months of this he is at last getting an appointment with a psychiatrist next week. Should I be optimistic or despairing about that I wonder? We do not know how to help him cope, should we relieve the pressure by paying his debts? That would give him free rein to spend some more probably. We have coped with most things during our lifetime, but feel helpless in this case.
I would welcome your comments and input into this if possible. It will be much appreciated.
Yours sincerely,
Joyce T (Mrs.)
Dear Mrs Joyce T,
Thanks for being in touch and my great sympathies for your son’s psychological problems and the side effects of Olanzapine. It certainly sounds as if he has bipolar disorder (what used to be called manic depression) and it is almost certain he would benefit considerably from treatment with Lithium. This must have been a most stressful time for you but I would be optimistic that he should respond to treatment.
ALAMY
my son has had type 1 diabetes since he was three he is now 15
For approximately the last seven years he has suffered with the same symptoms ie severe stomach pains
I have spoken to his diabetic nurse consultant and gp to no avail the only suggestion was to bring him to see him when he is suffering an attack as that only happens at night this has not been possible
The only reason we can think could explain the pain is that his blood sugars are dropping more quickly than usual other than that we cannot explain it
Dear Anon,
Many thanks for those comments
Dear Dr Le Fanu
My daughter, aged 43, fairly frequently wakes during the night and experiences a smell of burning for no apparent reason. I have an idea that there is an underlying health problem which causes this, and would be very grateful for your advice.
Kind regards
Diane T
Dear Diane T,
Thanks for being in touch. The crucial question is whether this smell of burning is real (that is can be independently confirmed by others) – and if so its source clearly needs to be identified. I suspect however that it is more likely to be a phantosmia (that is a form of hallucination) which may rarely be caused by pressure of a benign tumour on the olfactory nerve. She may need to have an MRI scan and should discuss this further with her doctor.
I have had very dry and sore eyes for a few years now and also dry claggy mouth overnight and dry vagina etc. Have seen doc about eyes but there is no infection says it is old age (74) and drying up of bodily juices. Optician says same about eyes and gave artificial tears like the GP. I reckon a small dose of female hormone like oestrogen in a vaginal cream or something like that might help . I have been trying to find one you can buy over the counter with no luck- you always need a prescription or was looking for a natural plant oestrogen from somewhere. Any ideas, what do you think? I suppose I just accept the diagnosis and live with the problems. Thanks for any help you give. Ps I do use a computer but not enough to give eye trouble.
Dear Anon,
Thanks for being in touch and my sympathies for your problems. This ‘drying up’ of bodily secretions is suggestive of a condition known as Sjogrens . There is regrettably no specific treatment other than to use artificial lubricants though the drug Hydroxychloroquine can reputedly prevent it from getting worse. You should discuss this with your doctor as well as the option of using oestrogen cream to control your vaginal symptoms.
Prickly Heat
Dear Dr Le Fanu
I would be delighted if my communication helped someone. I know doctors are not allowed to prescribe tablets for a purpose for which they are not intended. However, you can walk in and buy these over the counter!
I am in my early 60s and have since the age of ten suffered from prickly heat. This first came to light on a windy boating holiday on the Norfolk Broads and subsequently on family holidays in sunnier climes. The itchy and unsightly rash was most unpleasant – and being perpetually covered in calamine lotion was not a great look! However, one year we visited Kenya and I dutifully took malaria tablets and to my surprise I had no skin problems. We visit family in Greece each year and in a two week stay I probably take four low dosage old school malaria tablets and have not suffered since. Some years ago I told my GP of my discovery (she was interested) and I also phoned the drug manufacturer (who took no interest).
Best wishes Ros W
Dear Ros W,
Thanks for being in touch and I am intrigued that these malaria tablets should have cured your prickly heat. Perhaps you could clarify which they were.
I have suffered from this every day for the past few years.
I am 82 and in good health, apart from some osteoporosis, for which I take prescribed calcium tablets 4 times a day..
My quite violent bowel movements seem to be caused or activated by wind, which are a side-effect of my tablets. The wind, on its own, often persists throughout the day.
Needless to say, the condition makes travel difficult and embarrassing.
Sadly, I don`t know of a remedy.
Don P
Dear Don P,
Thanks for being in touch, perhaps you could let me know the tablets you are taking and which you think might be implicated in these severe abdominal symptoms.
Dear James
I have had similar problems and after a colonoscopy [8 biopses] and a gastroscopy [6 biopses] the diagnosis was coeliac disease lymphocytic colitis hope this observation is of help.
This came as a shock at age 78 but much better now I am slowly getting used to a gluten free diet [and encouraging restaurants to be helpful !!!]
regards
Barry
Dear Barry,
Many thanks for those comments
I have similar symptoms to Mr A N and a colonoscopy confirmed chron’s / colitis. Medication (Mezavant ) is helpful.
I am aware of 2 people who have sensitive bowel problems who have been helped considerably by taking a teaspoonful of Manuka honey, strength 10+, each day. In both cases their problems diminished within a few days of starting treatment and have not recurred whilst they have been taking it.
Dear Anon,
Many thanks for those comments
Dear Dr Le Fanu,
Your medical query in the Daily Telegraph of today concerning undiagnosed abdominal pain reminds me of my own experience.
In 1943 at the age of 12 , recurrent agonising tummy aches were finally diagnosed as due to a trapped gut, in what was described as a “muscular divarication”. Long before precision scanning, the discovery was made by Cambridge based surgeon Mr Riddiough, with deep manual probing of the abdomen above and below the navel.
The divergent muscles were successfully reunited with a surgical repair, resulting in a complete cure. My stay in Addenbrookes Hospital, tended by beautiful nurses, had the beneficial side effect of arousing my passionate admiration for the fair sex!
Kind regards,
Dear Anon,
Many thanks for those comments
Dear Sir
In response to your medical query of todays date, re the 12 year old with chronic abdominal pain: My daughter, spent most of her childhood suffering from “Tummy Aches” that were put down to school nerves etc….We spent endless nights cuddled up together waiting for Paracetamol to take effect. She was very small for her age, and is now only just 5′ tall. We were sent to London hospitals for tests and offered hormone growth treatment, which thankfully I declined! It wasn’t until I took her, aged 19, to see a Consultant who actually took time to examine her, that it was found that she had been, and is still, suffering with Crohns/Ulcerative Colitis. That will not show up on any Xray, and a colonoscopy is the only way sadly to really confirm it.
Looking back we now realise that my mother who died aged 60 of bowel cancer and related illnesses also had undiagnosed Crohns, and that my daughter probably inherited the disease. Her sister is borderline diabetic, as am I.
Please ask this family to get their son checked out as Crohns becomes very debilitating as one gets older.
Mrs. Sheila S
Dear Mrs Sheila S,
Many thanks for those comments
Dear Dr Le Fanu
I am responding to your query re the above with an experience of my son’s illness at the age of 14.
The local consultant could not find a cause for the pain he was having, especially at night, and the school was querying his frequent absences.
After many tests he was referred to Gt Ormond Street where, again after a lot of diagnostics which didn’t show anything, we had a ‘final’ appointment with one of the top surgeons. He was as baffled as everyone else and suggested that it might ‘right itself’ but, being a nurse as well as a mother, I said I believed it was something to do with his appendix (others had dismissed this). He very kindly listened to me and sent my son for another ultrasound which showed a tiny bit of ‘something’ on the appendix. He operated and found a benign tumour. Fortunately this had not spread to the liver as this type sometimes does, in spite of being benign. My son was playing badminton in the garden 2 days after coming out of hospital and has never looked back.
This, of course, may not be the answer for the boy you have mentioned but it might in some way help. If a solution to my son’s problem hadn’t been found he would have had to repeat the school year, never a good thing for a bright student.
Regards and thanks for your excellent column.
Dear Anon,
Many thanks for those comments
Dear Dr James
Two items
1. I too suffered from severe and disabling stomach pains when I was 9 – 10 years old. I ended up in University College Hospital (1957) in London where Mr Bonham Carter cut a 4 inch incision in my lower abdomen. He removed my appendix because it was there and diagnosed MESENTERIC ADONITIS. It went away without any further treatment that I can recall. Mind you I still have a damn great scar.
2. I also suffer occasionally from the problem explained this week regarding very loose motion on returning to the loo a short time after the first, normal motion. I too would love an explanation. It does seem to occur the day after highly spiced food for dinner.
I enjoy your articles – please keep them coming.
Regards
Christopher B
Dear Christopher B,
Many thanks for those comments
Re your article about the problem experienced by NrN A from Leeds:
I have been a registered coeliac for 5 years and had the same problem and after a considerable amount of trial and error have discovered a solution. I now make smoothies which include lettuce or mixed leaves and it may be that this neutralises and normalises excess acid in the digestive system. I do feel that this needs investigating and could be a real help for people with this type of problem. Eating more leafy uncooked greens would obviously be as effective.
Kind regards
Dear Anon,
Many thanks for those comments
Dear Dr Le Fanu,
In response to this week’s conundrum of Mr N A from Leeds:
Nine years ago, aged 50, I was diagnosed with (mild) diverticular disease and microscopic colitis. Leading up to diagnosis I had similar bowel movements to those described in your column but used to have to “rush” more than once—maybe up to four times in the first hour of getting up. The cause was speculated to be an adverse reaction to lanzoprazole. Although I stopped taking lanzoprazole at the time of diagnosis, my condition never improved but it is sometimes less bad than at others.
I was advised that the colitis was causing the acute diarrhoea and, regrettably, these days I rarely pass normal stools even at the start of the day and the evacuations are generally very liquid.
However, the diarrhoea is very well controlled by my taking 30mg of codeine phosphate after the first couple of movements in the morning and maybe with a further 15mg in the middle of the afternoon if necessary.
Regards,
Ruth H
Dear Ruth H,
Many thanks for those comments
Dear Dr. Le Fanu,
In response to your reader with the urgent bowel movement I have just been diagnosed with IBS and one of my symptoms was exactly as described. I was advised to take probiotics either as capsules or as yogurt drinks and to have a tablespoon of linseeds each day which I put on my morning cereal. This has definitely helped and is worth a try.
Dear Anon,
Many thanks for those comments
Dear Doctor Le Fanu,
Mr N.A of Leeds is suffering from what is almost certainly Diverticulosis.I suffer from this which is annoying but not life threatening apparently. It usually affects older people and is caused by pockets in the gut which trap food which in turn causes fermentation , leading to what I call flooding i.e. serious looseness of the bowels. One has to be alert, especially in the morning and has to put up with it unfortunately.
With regards . G.C
Dear G C,
Many thanks for those comments
PA
Dear Dr Le Fanu
Having suffered from similar symptoms to Mr N A of Leeds I was recommended by a hospital consultant to try golden linseed. It must be crushed to a powder and I use my coffee grinder for this. Since starting this regime about 6 months ago I have not been troubled.
Regards
Betty McD
Dear Betty McD.,
Many thanks for those comments
Dear Dr Le Fanu
In answer to the query of a person who has two bowel movements close together, has this person had a cholecystectomy? (Removal of gallbladder). I have had this operation and I suffer the same effects. I believe it is a known side effect as there is no control over the flow of bile into the intestinal tract. In the past I have been prescribed Questran to assist, but I found this to cause more problems with regards to constipation than it was worth.
Hope this assists,
Chas H
Dear Chas H,
Many thanks for those comments
Mr AN of Leeds (2 June)
Dear Dr Le Fanu,
I experience exactly the same problem as your correspondent. I wonder whether it can be related to the cocktail of heart-related pills that I take daily: Clopidogrel, Atorvastatin, Omprazole, Nicorandil, Atenolol and Amlodipine.
Any explanation would be greatly welcome.
MP
Dear MP,
Thank you for your query. I would doubt these symptoms are related to the medication.
Dear Dr Le Fanu,
Approximately three months ago i had a throat infection following a bad cold. I was given antibiotics for this and after the first day of taking them i had an allergic reaction to them and came out itching all over – so stopped taking them.
After this i had problems with itching and feeling very prickly on and off for the next two months. If any time i got warm it would bring the prickling out bad for several days.
I have been taking antihistamines to try and help and over the months the prickling has become less prominent. But i am still suffering with an aversion to heat (which if i get hot will bring out the itching/prickling) and more strangely a very acute sensitivity to anything that is mildly warm.
For example; if i am sitting within a couple of feet of a light bulb it will make me feel uncomfortably hot in the face. Likewise if i am near a computer screen i also get the same problem. Also sitting near a window where the sun has been several hours before makes me feel hot in the face as though the sun is still shining hot through the window.
Any ideas why i am getting this heat aversion so bad – and what i can do? Or is it a case of keep taking the antihistamines and wait for it to slowly go?
Thankyou,
M J
Dear M J,
Thanks for being in touch. These symptoms you describe are strongly suggestive of Physical Urticaria where the mast cells in the skin respond to changes in temperature by releasing histamine. There is regrettably no specfic treatment other than to take antihistamines.
Dear Dr Le Fanu,
Re: Abdominal Migraine
I meant to e-mail you last week concerning the above with further information.
From the age of six my youngest son was having the same symptoms – severe abdominal pain and vomiting to the point where he could not even keep down a few sips of water. Our GP at the time diagnosed AM. Over the years my son experienced intermittent attacks and during his late teens was X-rayed but nothing was found.
He is now 27 and a few months ago he had an extremely severe bout and, it being a Sunday, I took him to Winchester A & E. He was in such pain that he was unable to walk the few yards to the entrance and had to use a wheelchair. The doctor immediately put him on a paracetamol drip and called in a senior doctor.
He decided to do an ultrasound scan and found the cause of the problem – kidney stones. They kept my son in overnight for further tests which confirmed the diagnosis. Having undergone treatment he has improved tremendously and at least is now aware of the problem and can take steps to alleviate the onset of any twinges. Incidentally, he is not diabetic.
The X-ray did not show anything amiss because he was not having a problem at the time so a scan has to be done during an episode.
I hope this helps
Kind regards
David S-C
Dear David S-C
Many thanks for those comments
Good Morning
I have a weird allergy for you.I am 60 fit and active. If I use milk in small cartons usually found in hotels and now peroni lager within the hour I suffer from diarrhea so violent that I cannot reach a loo!
Can you possibly tell me what I need to avoid as it is making life complicated?
Many thanks
Elissa M Mrs
Dear Mrs Elissa M,
Thanks for your query. It looks as if you need to avoid milk in cartons and peroni lager!
Hi
I was interested in the problem of Mr N A re bowel problem, as I intermittently have this too. Mine started after the removal of my gall-bladder 15 months ago and does not seem to be triggered by any particular foods.
Mr A did not say if he had a similar operation.
I hope someone has helpful advice on this
Thanks
Dear Anon,
Many thanks for those comments
Dear Dr Le Fanu,
Further to the readers enquiry in your diary of Sunday 1 June 2014 relating to his inconvenient bowel movement. I have a similar problem but this only occurs infrequently – approximately two or three times a month on average. I have not discovered a specific cure but my findings are such that I put the problem, in my case, to two possible causes.
One is that the normal first movement becomes separated from the second by a degree of fermentation occurring in the bowels, thus giving the effect of two distinct movements at different times. The fermentation may be caused by part of a meal consisting of fermentable fibre. I have consistently found that the second movement is invariably preceded by excessive flatulence. The second movement is invariably looser and of an irritated nature
The second possibility is that a digested meal that is following the first movement irritates the bowel (spicy?) and causes the passage through the bowel to be speedy and not fully absorbed. Thus it “catches up” and becomes ready for elimination to soon.
I have reason to think, for myself, that the first option is the most frequent, with occasional additions of the second.
I do however suffer from a surplus of stomach acid for which I take omeprazole, and from diverticular disease where I have been advised to reduce fermentable fibres.
These opinions are merely theories based on experience but I have found no permanent cure, only alleviation.
You may pass on any information you think appropriate.
Best wishes John
Dear John,
Many thanks for those comments
Dr.Le Fanu, Mr. N.A. of Leeds echoes exactly my own problems. Eighteen months ago I suffered a severe loss of blood and exudate from what I thought was my anus, it turned out to be a inter anal abscess which had formed a fistula through to my buttock. Nine months ago my surgeon suggested LOPERAMIDE to alleviate the twice in quick succession daily visit to the loo. This has not solved the problem. I have recently had the sixth full surgical operation on the original site brought about by the presence of Pre-cancerous cells, the surgeon now believes my wound will heal after removing a ‘tumour’. I gather my case has gone down in the history books? He says the ops have nothing to do with my ‘Toilet’ problems….but….I did have a TURPS and seven weeks of radiotherapy on my prostate some eight years ago and maybe this has some bearing on my present predicament. Meantime I hope to continue without having an accident and finding a cure sometime soon. PS I’m coming up to my 82 birthday. John Moore.
Dear John
Many thanks for those comments
I have instantly put down yesterday’s Telegraph on reading your column. This symptom is the same experienced by my late husband which we ignored for a while, but he mentioned it on a visit to his doctor, was tested, and was diagnosed with bowel cancer.
Please insist your reader seeks medical help immediately. It upsets me not to give a reassuring answer.
Lutena Y
Dear Lutena Y,
Thanks for being in touch and drawing attention to the possible serious underlying cause of these symptoms.
Your correspondent with the annoying bowel habit, which I also sometimes have, might try cutting out or minimising any butter or spread at breakfast.
This certainly seems to act as an aperient, usually occurring an hour or so after intake, and sometimes more than once. !
Many thanks for those comments
On several occasions I have had an excruciating stabbing pain coming from deep in my right ear but yesterday’s bout was not a good experience. – over about 3 hours I had this pain in separate occasions, not continuous, and very slight relief was if I pressed really hard in my ear with my thumb but still the pain was hardly bearable.
Your thoughts would be much appreciated.
Dear Anon,
Thank you for your query. Could you possibly let me have more details – including your age, how long you have had this complaint, whether you have seen any specialists etc.
Dear Dr. Le Fanu,
I think that Mr. A.N from Leeds could have Diverticular Disease. I had precisely this problem perhaps 2-3 years ago which made leaving the house even by 10am virtually impossible. After a colonoscopy and various other (horrid) procedures, it was discovered that I had ‘very severe Diverticular Disease’ for which, alas, there appears to be no permanent solution. Despite consulting a professor of gastroenterology, I really got no further, so I decided to try various ideas myself.
SO: I now take one Imodium before my Weetabix and one immediately afterwards, no matter how I feel my tummy is, even if I feel that all is well. This has made the entire difference to my life. I then need one more, perhaps after lunch or before dinner and my problem is now completely under control.
What does worry me somewhat is that I’ve no idea what 21 (or, on occasion a few more) Imodium will do to me as I will obviously be taking them for the rest of my life. Any ideas re this please?
Yours sincerely,
Dear Anon,
Many thanks for those comments
re Mr N A from Leeds
I have a similar problem at age 79.. It started when I was 78.9yrs . I have been on statins and Metformin since 77.6 yrs. I cannot attribute any change in health or circumstances to this new condition. It happens irregularly but the urgency for a second visit is such that I worry a bit.
I shall be interested in your readers opinions.
Thank you for your interesting columns.
Alan B
Dear Alan B,
Many thanks for those comments
Dear Dr Le Fanu
In your column published on 2 June, you refer to ‘the interesting condition known as abdominal migraine’.
A friend has a teenage daughter who is apparently suffering from this condition – and has done since she was about 7 years old, although it has become much worse recently. She has endured a painful lumbar puncture and numerous drugs have been tried by way of exploratory treatment, but to no effect.
She is now trying to take GCSEs while suffering from debilitating nausea and sickness, as well as a chronic headache which only abates slightly in the afternoons. She has been permitted to attend school on a part-time basis when she feels she can, but this is, of course, having a considerable negative impact on her education, and her confidence, at a very important time in her life.
Neither the local GP practice, nor hospital seem to have any idea what to do next. Are you, or your readers able to offer any help or advice, please?
Yours sincerely
Barbara M (Mrs)
Dear Mrs Barbara M,
Thanks for being in touch and my sympathies for the plight of your friend’s daughter. There are, as with classical migraine, a range of possible preventive treatments such as Pizotifen and Propanol, while some patients respond to the specific anti-migraine drug Sumatriptan.
In Mondays telegraph you passed on a query from Mr N A who was puzzled by his bowels. I frequently have a similar problem since having a pancreaticodoudectomy (excuse spelling). I guess having had gallbladder removed at the same time affects digestion. I try to eat small, regular meals but it only seems to work now and then. I look forward to one of your readers having a better solution.
Dear Anon,
Many thanks for those comments
Re this weeks conundrum June 2nd.
3 years ago I had pancreatitis and then my gallbladder removed and have since suffered this problem, sometimes after every meal. The pain is bad and motion “yellow water”….I presume this is bile, not controlled by the gall bladder. I tried and stopped various foods to no avail and my GP prescribed codeine phosphate which does help to a degree but has other side effects.
Could Mr N have a gall bladder full of stones? If someone has a miracle cure I would like to know as life is controlled by “where’s the nearest loo”! That’s when I manage to go out.
Hope this may help Janet D
Dear Janet D,
Many thanks for those comments
Interesting query from Mr N A of Leeds this week as I have the same pattern and have had for a number of years; I am now 58
Unfortunately, my second almost liquid evacuation is followed by similar movements through the day after drinking coffee which may be linked
I use lactose-free milk now which eases the situation as well as an immodium a day or its equivalent
In the past, my faeces have been tested and I have had a intestinal tube inserted to check, presumably for cancer, all to no avail
I look forward to the answers!
PS My two daughters follow you with great interest as they are both at medical school, King’s (and I was at the Royal Free)
Yours sincerely
Dear Anon,
Many thanks for those comments
The symptoms described in the conundrum of June 2nd are similar to mine. After being diagnosed as suffering from IBS (= don’t really know) I self diagnosed via the internet and later confirmed by my doctor as “bile salt diarrhoea”. This can arise after having your gallbladder removed resulting in excess bile in the gut which rejects it. A solution is a resin which captures the bile but it must be taken 2 hours before food and other medicines which may not be easy done. Hope this helps.
John
Dear John,
Many thanks for those comments
Dear Dr Le Fanu
In response to this week’s conundrum from Mr N A from Leeds, I had a similar experience a few years ago. After I reduced my milk intake significantly (including the milky drink at bedtime) my problems disappeared completely and I concluded that this may well have been lactose intolerance. I also experienced bloating and gas, which have similarly disappeared.
It might be worth considering.
Yours sincerely
Pat T (Mrs.)
Dear Mrs Pat T,
Many thanks for those comments
Dear Dr Le Fanu
For a number of years I have had trouble with irregular bowel movements as experienced by Mr N A of Leeds.
My doctors had thought that I had some form of Diverticulitis. However a month ago Dr Collyer who is treating me for Polymyalgia Rheumatica suggested I give up all caffeine. I was already drinking decaffeinated coffee but now after 4 weeks of going over to decaffeinated tea or drinking Red Bush I am 90-95% better.
Regards
Nick E
Dear Nick E,
Many thanks for those comments
I have had for several years the same problem as the gentleman who after having a normal bowel movement needed a short while later an urgent and loose return. The solution in my case was to stop using cow’s milk and use goat’s milk instead.
Even now after many months the problem returns if I use cow’s milk say when staying away from home. I also use goat butter and cheese although this is not essential.
It can be a very embarrassing problem.
JLMC
Dear JLMC,
Many thanks for those comments
Dear Dr Le Fanu
I read with interest the two articles on the above in Monday’s edition.
Relief may be obtained if the parties concerned revert to the squatting position for defecation as practiced in the East.
A useful website is www.naturesplatform. It is not necessary to purchase anything but a small bowl filled with water can be used. See the website for position etc.
The site also refers to other western diseases which may be the result of our use of the “throne” over the last 150 years or so. A very interesting and informative read and also concerning.
JT
Dear JT,
Many thanks for those comments
Dear Dr le Fanu
The item about someone who has a normal bowel movement & then diarrhoea.
I had something a bit similar, although with me the movements were all loose or diarrhoea. I eventually found Questran (cholestyramine), which apparently is used for bile acid malabsorption. This worked perfectly for me & may be worth trying on a suck it & see basis.
Derek
Dear Derek B,
Many thanks for those comments
Dr Le Fanu"s on the internet health clinic, Friday 6th June 2014
