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diarrhea after gallbladder removed

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 11/16/2011 10:37 PM (GMT 0)
I had my gallbladder out a few years back and I still get pains on and off where the gallbladder was. I get the diarrhea frequently. But now i have had the diarrhea alot. Its like yellow water at times. I'm wondering if this could be related to the to much bile your talking about? I even drink stuff and it gurgles its way down like to much acid. I had blood work done liver and everything is fine. I do take acid reflux meds for acid reflux. Does anyone else get this and pain where gallbladder was and into back? I'm going back to the doctor Friday. Still waiting on stool sample results. What do you think?
Posted 11/18/2011 12:45 PM (GMT 0)
Sandra,
I had my GB taken out in 2001. I had IBS before that but it got much worse afterwards. This also happened to my mom after her GB surgery. I also wonder why it makes things worse.

I've had an upper & lower GI, a colonoscopy, a cat scan, blood tests, stool tests, everything comes back normal. I think they stick IBS on u anytime they can't figure out what is making u sick.

I also still have serious pain in my right upper quad near the clip from my GB surgery. Bad enough to go to the ER for the pain. None of the docs can figure it out.

I have very loose stool with a lot of mucus, and dump ab 10-15 minutes after a meal, or after anything to drink besides water. I have pain too. I am hoping some folks on here can share some ideas to help things. I have made some changes to my diet, and lifestyle.
Posted 11/18/2011 1:23 PM (GMT 0)
The powder usually prescribed for high colesterol - Cholestyramine - helps a lot of people w/o their gall bladders. This powder absorbs the bile that is dumped into the small intestine and solidifies the stool, making it less messy. Also reducing your trips to the bathroom.

I tried it but it didn't help me as much as it helps others.

If the powder doesn't work for you, you can try one chewable Caltrate with Vitamin D pill with each meal, sipping only minimal water with that meal. The Caltrate will absorb the bile as well.

There are many, many past topics about this issue, sometimes I wish we could keep a sticky type topic at the top of this page for people asking if they can make their post gall bladder removal situations better. There are things you can try (the two above) that apparently help a good percentage of those struggling w/o GB's.

I wish you both healing.
Posted 11/18/2011 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
Marsky,
Thanks for the info. I am doing calcium therapy but that hasn't made much of a difference. Will check out the powder you mentioned. :)
Posted 11/18/2011 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
I see the doctor today again. I've also had upper and lower gi's. They were normal back when I had them. My blood work was all good the other night at the hospital when I went in. Haven't got results from stool sample yet that should be today. To me it sounds like what people have been posting and I've been reading about, the to mUch bile. Like bile reflux and the bileyD. If its that's I hope they can give me something to control it. I already take two caltrate with D twice a day. I was taking it ti get my calcium. Didn't know it helped with this. I'll see what doctor tells me today.
Posted 11/19/2011 3:46 AM (GMT 0)
I am so sorry to hear you are still having issues years after your gallbladder surgery! Are you seeing a Gastroenterologist or your regular Primary Care Physician? RE: sharp right sided pain? Has your doctor considered the Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction? Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction refers to structural or functional disorders involving the biliary sphincter that may result in impedance of bile and pancreatic juice flow. Up to 20% of patients with continued pain after cholecystectomy and 10–20% of patients with idiopathic recurrent pancreatitis may suffer from sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. This condition is more prevalent among middle-aged women for unclear reasons.

I had my gallbladder removed almost 10 months ago and I had to make major changes to my diet, I eat a very low fat diet, no fried or greasy foods, no red meat, no chocolate, coffee, tea, cheeses, salad dressings, spicy foods, I still have trouble with citrus fruits and certain raw veggies. I try to stick to a higher fiber, low fat diet as much as possible, I do eat yogurt every single day because I need the calcium and I stick to organic fruits and veggies and organic chicken and fish, oatmeal, flax and brown rice. If I make a mistake and eat something bad, I am running to the bathroom and pay dearly!

My doctor wrote me a prescription for Welchol(colesevelam hcl) It is esentially the same thing as Cholestyramine, it binds the bile and is them eliminated, preventing the bile from irritating your intestines. The problem for me is that it caused severe constipation and I had to stop using it. Sticking to my diet works for me but it doesn't work for everyone. I hope you get some answers soon, please let us know how you are doing and when you get your lab work back. Take care, Ruth
Posted 11/19/2011 6:23 AM (GMT 0)
My labs and stool sample was all normal. I seen the doctor today he's thinking fatty liver because of my pain and when he pushed where liver is. He said he's not ruling out cancer or anything. I had a cat scan today so waiting for the results on Monday. I hope its something minor and an easy fix. I wonder if to much bile could irritate your liver and make it sore? Without being fatty liver cause thst isn't good, said it could turn to liver cirrhosis(spelling). This doctor I seen is against drinking pop or anything bad and I also heard he treats heavier people different. so since I'm overweight he might have jumped right to fatty liver. I'm glad they did a cat scan so I can find out what's going on. Thank you for your input and support. We will find out more on Monday.
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