Since about mid December I've been struggling with stomach issues especially when I eat. I get horrible cramps in my stomach, which usually signal the need to use the bathroom. My stools have been very very loose and soft but not usually liquidy so I guess diarrhea isn't exactly accurate. The stools often float and look rough and jagged, and smell worse than usual. I'm used to have one or two bowel movements per week (I typically struggle with constipation my whole life) but now am having 2 or 3 or more per DAY.
Now there are two things that could be causing this I think, either having my gallbladder removed or a major change in medications.
At the end of October my gallbladder was removed. I recovered very quickly with no issues and went back to my normal (terrible) diet right away with no digestive issues at all. But that was awfully long ago right?
And then my meds were changed right around the time this started which has me.thinking my gallbladder might have nothing to do with it.
December 14 I went inpatient and they changed my meds big time. I had been on wellbutrin 300mg, rexulti 1mg, and lexapro 20mg for years (changed to wellbutrin 300mg, lexapro 30mg, and busprione 15mgx2 on Nov 17). They changed it to stop all that (no tapering) and start Wellbutrin 150mg, Gabapentin 300mg thrice daily, Chlorpromazine 100mg, Diphenhydramine 50mg, Depakote 750mg, Mirtazapine 15mg, and Trazadone 150mg. I got very sick from these meds with a slew of side effects. So I stopped taking all of them on Dec 22nd. Almost all of the side effects went away quickly, except for my stomach problems.
I had noticed an increase in bm frequency when the bunch of new meds started but was too preoccupied with other worse side effects and the doctors didn't listen to my complains anyway. When I quit the meds is when I really started to notice it get worse and it's been this way ever since.
I was just inpatient again from Jan 1 til now when I started lithium 900mg but that hasn't affected my stomach so far. The doctors at this (different from last time) hospital also dismissed my stomach complaints. I read that it could be Lexapro withdrawal but the doctor said it's not.
I forgot to mention I take pantoprazole 40mg daily for acid reflux.
Please help. I can't get in to see my primary care doc for another week and a psychiatrist for another 2 weeks.