Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | HELP NEEDED for Eldery IBS

My mother in law, Rita was diagnosed with IBS many years ago and has probably not watched her diet as closely as she should.
She is 83 years old and is having a terrible time with diarrhea.

She had gotten so weak that she fell when she was walking to the bathroom and was then addmited to the hospital where I feel she didn't get proper care. She was diagnosed with Celiacs Disease and sent home before she could even eat solid foods and before her bowels were working properly. They saw a blockage on an MRI and did the endoscopy but did not do the colonoscopy or the Sigmoidoscopy. She continues to have diarrhea epposides that are severe. She also had abdominal pain. Turned out that when we were finally able to contact the doctors that did the tests it ends up that the Celiacs Disease was not a proper diagnosis according to the test results.

She is elderly but she was not an invalid and was living independently with, and caring for her diabetic husband until this event happened.

I live in Virginia and they live in Mass. My husband is on the way there now. He intends to get her back into a better hospital for a diagnosis. I fear if we do not get the diarrhea under control that it will kill her in a shot time. This has been going on for weeks now.

I could use any advise anyone has to offer.
I am prepared for the sad possibility that at the age of 83 it may be her body just shutting down, but it seems there is something going on here....or is that just being optimistic?
I would think even if that is the case a person shouldn't just be sent home to die of diarrhea. It seems something could be done at the very least to make her more comfortable.
It really makes me wonder what is happening to medical care in our country when elderly people get such terrible care. My in-laws are quite well to do, and can afford good care if it still exists. I just am not sure they are capable of demanding what they need. Let us hope that my husband can help them.
And I thank you all for any help you can offer.
I have been reading on the net what information I can find about treating diarrhea and IBS.
If she manages to survive this... should we start her diet back with rice, potatoes, cooked carrots, rice toast and rice crackers with electrolyte drinks??? Any suggestions?
Thanks again!

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