DgtofTNfan
Senior member
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2009
- Messages
- 566
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Country
- US
- State
- KY
- City
- Louisville
I am hoping you guys can offer some ideas. My Dad has had his PEG for about a month. He continues to have diarrhea. We have been working with the dietitian from the ALS clinic and his PCP. He was recently on IV abx and they have run the course and have been ruled out as well as a bowel infection ruled out. We have tried a couple of things but so far no luck and we have calls in again to the dietitian and now the GI doc.
I don't want to discourage anyone getting a PEG as my Dad has a history of pancreatitis and abdominal surgeries that I am sure play a part in this. He has managed to stop losing weight but has not gained weight at this point. He is on Peptamen 1.5 which is optimal for people with absorption problems. He did not have difficulty with diarrhea before the PEG.
He was diagnosed with aspiration pnemonia on the same admit as getting his PEG. Since then he has had little to nothing by mouth for fear of getting sick again. The occassional item he eats is pureed and tires him out after a couple of spoonfuls.
He has used Imodium with some success but was told not to take it as there is a significant risk of constipation and impaction for PALS given the slowing of the muscles in the digestive track. I have been through the threads but did not see a specific discussion about Imodium however noted that some PALS have taken it. Has anyone had problems with using Imodium?
I have also read some threads and especially noted a tip from Carolan regarding a combination she supplemented instead of tube feeds for her mom as well as a drug called Paragoric. Paragoric is a controlled substance and that concerns me. Are there other threads that I am missing that might be helpful or does anyone have an idea?
At this point Dad has recovered from his pneumonia but is still having generalized weakness which has to be due in part from the diarrhea. He is able to move about the home but fears leaving for sake of needing the restroom. I really want to push to get him help but not sure which way to push.
Thanks.
Dana
I don't want to discourage anyone getting a PEG as my Dad has a history of pancreatitis and abdominal surgeries that I am sure play a part in this. He has managed to stop losing weight but has not gained weight at this point. He is on Peptamen 1.5 which is optimal for people with absorption problems. He did not have difficulty with diarrhea before the PEG.
He was diagnosed with aspiration pnemonia on the same admit as getting his PEG. Since then he has had little to nothing by mouth for fear of getting sick again. The occassional item he eats is pureed and tires him out after a couple of spoonfuls.
He has used Imodium with some success but was told not to take it as there is a significant risk of constipation and impaction for PALS given the slowing of the muscles in the digestive track. I have been through the threads but did not see a specific discussion about Imodium however noted that some PALS have taken it. Has anyone had problems with using Imodium?
I have also read some threads and especially noted a tip from Carolan regarding a combination she supplemented instead of tube feeds for her mom as well as a drug called Paragoric. Paragoric is a controlled substance and that concerns me. Are there other threads that I am missing that might be helpful or does anyone have an idea?
At this point Dad has recovered from his pneumonia but is still having generalized weakness which has to be due in part from the diarrhea. He is able to move about the home but fears leaving for sake of needing the restroom. I really want to push to get him help but not sure which way to push.
Thanks.
Dana