Irritable bowel syndrome

You should try medications that contain Cholestyramine. Your doctor can prescribe it. It will help with the diarrhea and reduce the bile salts diarrhea burning. This is a common issue with those that have their gall bladder removed.

Hi there, I have similar but not exact symptoms as you, I was diagnosed with 1 inch malignant tumor in my sigmoid area and had 90% of my sigmoid removed, along with 15 inches of colon above that point, given a temporary ostomy for 8 weeks and then once reconnected (June, 1999) I was left with D and multiple, unrelenting bm's. Per day, for life. I have lived this way now for nearly 15 years. While all my doctors have said what an amazing job my initial surgeon did reconnecting me, sometimes I think I should have been given a perm ostomy. Hooking up a patient without a good place internally for stool to collect through out your day and then ideally be released 1 to 2 times per day, is not always in the patient's best interests, if you ask me! The initial surgeon nearly patted himself on the back for the job he did, my gastro tried to get me to view the surgeon's expert work during flex-sigs (I said, no thank you, I don't want to see his work). Long story short, in the span of 14+ years I've tried so many approaches and meds or fiber supplements. Initially a strict low residue diet is what save me from being attached to a toilet. For 2 solid years I kept a food diary and hardly ever strayed from the low residue diet. Over the years since my initial surgeon also removed my gall bladder saying - you don't need it, you have hundreds of gall stone which showed up on a pre-op cat scan - some have wondered if I have a bile problem on top of the colon resection. So I've been on Cholestyramine for a few years now. Has it helped me, sometimes yes, initially it did, I felt like a new person. But subsequent refills presented problems, the pharmacy would give me C. light if I didn't push for reg. C. and one made by Sandoz. FYI, light versions contain a neurotoxin known as the artificial sweetener Aspartame - avoid it if you can. If I make sure I am taking the reg. C. and manufactured by Sandoz, it does help me. I make sure I brush my teeth immediately after taking it.

I have tried something new too - taking Sudafed D 12 hour, just one pill during a 24 hour time period, for work purposes. It seems to reduce bowel contractions and reduce my trips to the bathroom. You could try this simple med, BTW this is the med docs used to prescribe years ago for D.

But back to this being an unfortunate situation (losing vital GI parts). Surgeons often dismiss us after the 8 week post-op checks, they either have no idea how much we do struggle to live in a normal colon world or they have an idea but still challenge themselves to perform surgeries that sometimes are not in the patient's best interests (surgeons really should take into acct. our day to day living).

Sorry for the windy reply but I feel your pain.

Shame on your surgeon for making you feel that way about an iliostomy. I gently have to encourage you to read posts on the ostomy forum here, so many, many really nice folks over there, with iliostomies, colostomies, and J-Pouches. I believe some with even K-pouches. You know that is just not right your doctor for hollering at you. I'd report him, unless you think you need further surgery from him/her.

If you try Sudafed D, make sure it's the behind the counter type, with D, that you have to show your driver's license for. Regular Sudafed will not tackle D. I also just buy generic Sudafed D now, it's cheaper.

I just wrote a reply and pushed the wrong button and it's gone. Basically I said I, too, was told to eat what I want. I was in a "brain fog" due to 5 hours anesthesia, pain meds and s/p major insult to my body and could not solve problems for weeks. However, I was dying before the surg. because the drs wouldnt listen. Then I got the flu in spite of the shot, it put me back about a month of recovery. Also, naturally, other life events, I divorced my husband. Now I'm very lonely, a lot because I almost can't leave the house. You can imagine that the doctors are urging antidepressants. I only need some sunshine, and more iron in my diet, and more social interaction. I go to the store every morning, close by, just to get out. Quick trip. Afternoons and evenings are no escape at this time. I have been saying I needed an ostomy for a long time, they just said I was crazy. Well, I'm not. So the sun came out today and I'm tolerating my situation better. Thanks so much for your sharing. I've only recently, got a computer and learned to use it (post divorce!)

Thanks, you are really who I needed. The Divorce was the best thing I've done to get better, next was the operation, now I have to get this diet more comfortable, yes, I have lots of animals and yes they help a lot. I was out of the house today and did very well, now I'll be up all night, don't know what my body is doing next. taking sudafed on a regular basis, used codeine today, it's the only sure slower-downer and I don't otherwise even know I've taken it. on the rollercoaster. It was sunny for a couple of hours and tomorrow is supposed to be sunshine all day, that's very very good for me. Hope the meniere's is currently not active, that's a tough one.

Interesting thread. IBS, or similar diagnosis should always be properly screened for porphyria (check the American Porphyria website for the proper protocol as most doctors can't perform the tests). I recommend trying to find what "triggered" your illness, that worked for me. That way, you know what is happening, why it is happening and what to do that works. I have acute porphyria, DNA confirmed, triggered by HSV2, and the IBS is Herpes Colitis, biopsy confirmed. It's hard to get a proper diagnosis of WHY, took me years. Hope you find a doctor who will put all your less than perfect health symptoms into a Med Palm device to get you on the road to better health! Good luck;-)