My dad is 87 moderate Alzheimer's and has been in his memory care facility for almost a year now and for the past five weeks has been experiencing chronic diarrhea. I took him to his dr. to run labs and there were no findings (no IBS, no UTI and no parasite but the results on the parasite did indicate more testing may be needed - it was a general statement, not specific to his result). No changes in his medication or blood pressure. He feels good, looks good and still wants to walk with me when I visit him after dinner every day. He says he feels good and has been participating in the activities in the day. The dr. indicated that one of his meds Galantamine could cause diarrhea, but he has been on it for 4 years with no issues. We are starting to look at diet i.e. dairy and eliminating milk and yogurt. He is still experiencing it, so I don't know what to do. The care facility doesn't seem to think it is a big deal and have ensured me they are keeping him hydrated throughout the day.
My Dad would get "the trots" (as he called it) any time Mom would give him ice cream, cheese, cottage cheese, milk for cereal, yogurt, or creamy sauces. For some people, even milk chocolate can cause stomach upset.
For my Dad, when he moved into Memory Care, once a week I would bring to the facility Lactaid milk and once in awhile Lactaid ice cream which the kitchen would keep on hand for him.
If GI docs cannot find a source that gets treated in some other way, and the problem continues, you could ask them about Cholestyramine oral suspension. It’s a powder you add to water and drink, a great stool thickener.
- Request a full medication + bowel protocol review
- Ask specifically about C. diff testing
- Rule out fecal impaction/overflow
- Consider evaluation for microscopic colitis if nothing else shows up
- Request a gastroenterology consult if it continues