HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Gallbladder removal

Support Forums
>
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 10/2/2010 1:48 AM (GMT 0)
Our Daughter in law who turned 25 this past summer had her gall bladder removed about 4 yrs ago, ever since she cannot or does not eat when she travels away from home because of having to go to the bathroom right away after.. she does put a powder substance (not sure what it is) in some juice before travelling however even than sometimes will NOT eat.. my mom, sister and others i have talked to have not had these issues since having their gall bladder removed.. is this problem not something that happens to everyone or is there something else going on here?? ..
Posted 10/2/2010 2:41 AM (GMT 0)
Some people that have their gall bladder removed develop what is called bile-salt diarrhea. There is a very good description of why this happens at the this link: http://www.gihealth.com/html/education/bilesaltDiarrhea.html 

Most often people that have this problem are prescribed a powder called cholestyramine resin. This is likely what your daughter -in-law is using to try and control her symptoms. She might wish to talk to her doctor about the medication not working as well as it should. Also, the fear of not being able to locate a toilet when one is needed can cause people to get anxious and not eat. When my Crohn's disease was not controlled, I had to scope out my surroundings everywhere I went to make sure there was a toilet nearby. Diet also can influence the symptoms she has. Fatty, fried or greasy foods can heighten the symptoms of bile-salt diarrhea. Your daughter-in-law might find it helpful to read the information at the link because it talks about diet and other medications that control her problem.

I hope this helps you. Thanks for joining us here at Healing Well!

Posted 10/14/2010 1:29 AM (GMT 0)
It sounds like your daughter in law may have something called Post Cholecystectomy Syndrome. I am 35 years old and have the same condition. Many foods can cause the diarrhea and sometimes pain and nausea too, but foods with fat are the worst culprit. Questran is probably the medicine she is taking. Welchol is another prescription medicine alternative she could discuss with her physician perhaps instead of the Questran. Some get luck with taking Calcium Carbonate with a meal to help bind the bile and hopefully cause a more formed BM. Unfortunately, the highest risk factors for getting Post Cholecystectomy Syndrome are being young, a woman and having your gall bladder taken out urgently. I had all three of those risk factors. My heart goes out to her. She can contact me if she wants support of another young woman going through a tough time.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply