Just a follow up to my previous message. I am currently taking 2-600mg capsules of Calcium Citrate twice daily to help combat the bile salt diarreah. Although my condition was greatly improved there was little room for error, in other words I had to be sure to take the capsules or else the diarreah would return immediately. I have found since my last writing that if I supplement the calcium approach with eating a variety of nuts that my bowel function becomes completely normal. I eat a handful of nuts about three times a day and it works great. I have found that eating a mixture of almonds and cashews is appealing to me and are effective in combating the diarreah. I would imagine that other nuts would work also. If I don't follow this regiment every day the problem returns immediately. I imagine that I will have this condition for the rest of my life. I am just glad that I have found something that works to control it.
Hope this helps someone else, since I know how hopeless I felt for the two years that I suffered with this problem after my gallbladder was removed. If you try this approach and it helps you please let me know by responding to this message. P.S. you can purchase the Calcium Citrate from an internet site that is owned by the doctor's clinic (Hotze Health and Wellness Center) that I go to (www.physicianspreference.com)or any health food store.
Thanks for the advice on calcium! I never realised the connection before. I take calcium carbonate about three times a week and now realize that that on those days that I take calcium I don't have "bile salt diarrhea". I also appreciate the advice on trying nuts.
Some other things I've figured out to prevent the problem:
--Don't drink ANY fluids while eating a meal. Have water (non-carbonated only)/unsweetened juice/other fluids about 15 minutes before or 1/2 hour after a meal and always sip (don't drink down a whole glass in one go at any time). This has REALLY helped me, especially when eating in restaurants.
--Try giving up wine (and never have it with a meal). I can tolerate one small mixed drink (but only on occasion) but cannot have it with food.
--Try to reduce sugar, ESPECIALLY high-fructose corn syrup, as well as fat in your diet. I went on a low-glycemic diet a few weeks ago to lose weight and cut out all extra sugar (including cookies, candy, and sugary foods like cereal) and it ended my bloated stomach, gas, burping & other problems. It's hard to stick to but worth it. Look out for sugar lurking in supposedly non-sweet foods (like some bran cereals and most bottled salad dressings and condiments). I especially have a problem eating ANYTHING containing high-fructose corn syrup and have banned it entirely from my diet.
--See if any vitamins (other than calcium) that you take cause diarrhea. Many multi-vitamins make my problems worse (I have alot of trouble now with oily supplements like fish-oil, Evening Primrose oil and vitamin E which never bothered me before my surgery).
I spent 1/2 hour with my GP yesterday complaining that since my gallbladder surgery in May 2004 I have chronic diarrhea, gas, burping, acid reflux, fatigue and sometimes exhaustion. He told me that the surgery had nothing to do with it (the same thing my surgeon said). Reading this forum has been incredibly helpful, so thanks to all.
Also, my GP recommended I try taking supplemental 'bile salts' (in pill form or powdered and sprinkled on food) because my family history of gall bladder disease is probably caused by inability to process cholesterol.
Has anyone had any success with taking bile salts?
Subject: Bowel Problems After Gallbladder Surgery
Topic Area: Gallbladders
Forum: The Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Forum
Question Posted By: N. Solis on Thursday, March 02, 2000
I had my gallbladder removed almost a year ago. I've seen comments posted about this in the forum, but no real answer or explanation as to why it happens. Luckily, I suffered no pain after the surgery; I recovered well and I am VERY HAPPY that I do not suffer through those horrible attacks anymore (the last one made me think I was going to die and I ended up in the ER with the surgery scheduled shortly after). Anyway, I have noticed that ever since the surgery I have a MAJOR problem during and after eating. I have to RUN to the bathroom. I, too, am familiar with a lot of public restrooms almost anywhere I go. Unfortunately, sometimes I choose NOT to go somewhere or NOT to eat something because I'm so afraid of what will happen later. Is there a real medical ezplanation for this? I asked my PCP and all he told me was to ask the doc who performed the surgery. I was given a lot of information before the surgery, but during my TWO follow up visits, nothing about this was mentioned. I didn't notice it until a few weeks later. I'm ashamed to talk to anyone about it. Is there anything that can be done? I hate to think that this is how I have to live for the rest of my life.
I had my gallbladder removed 12-29-99. My mother and my sister have both had to have theirs removed as well. Since then, we have all had "attacks" and were told that there are still stones in our systems. Luckily, we don't have these "attacks" very often. My sister and I have both noticed bowel problems since the removal. We don't necessarily have to "run" to the bathroom, but when we feel the urge, we have to go real quick. Often, for me anyway, when I feel the urge for a BM or during I cramp and have terrible abdominal pain. I also get diarrhea often. I never had such a sensitive stomach or bowels before my gallbladder was removed. I think that for some people it does make you sensitive to certain foods and the bowels can be greatly affected as well. I have heard of nothing to help this, except for following a low fat diet. I'm glad you spoke up, because there is so little information out there about what can happen after gallbladder removal. I guess it is somthing we will have to live with.
Hello. My name is Traci and I had my gallbladder removed on 12/13/2001. I have had nothing but problems with my bowels ever since it was removed. I spoke to my doctor 4 weeks after surgery and he stated that this was normal and should subside in time. Wrong. If I go out, I have to go all day without eating until I come home because if not I'm in trouble. When I have to go - I have to go now. Now I'm having problems with scar tissue and they think I may have a hyatal hernia. I sympathize with any of you who have this problem. I had to have mine removed though because my gallbladder was full of stones.
I had my gallbadder removed 4 years ago. I was told only 5% of the people who have their gallbadder removed have bowel problems.
Well, I guess I am part of the 5%. I have never been the same since my surgery. Food goes right through me. Recently I was in NYC and had to run to a Starbuck's restroom and barely made it in time.
So, I have experimented with something that has helped me. It is simple. Metamucil. The fiber in it, helps absorb the excess bile salt in my intestines. Initially I only took it once a day. But now I take it three times a day, two teaspoons at a time.
I have noticed a significant change. Today I went out to eat so I took two teaspoons before we left. Normally, I have about 15 min before the urgency is upon me. Not this time.
It is a simple solution for a very bothersome problem. Try it. I hope it can help someone else.
Hello, I had my gallbladder taken out in October 1977. I too had problems but over the years it has improved. I do still have problems with my first meal of the day so I try to have it and leave enough time to do my business before I go for the day. I have ruined alot of clothes. I also still have cramping pain if I eat alot of fat and milk really does a number on me. But it is alot better than when I had gallbladder attacks. I started having them when I was a kid and I threw up more times than I can count. I got diagnoised after I gave birth to my son when he was 5 months old. What a relief. Before that I was rushed into the emergency room I don't know how many times, them telling me it was all in my head. When I was pregnant and around eight months they told me it was false labor. I was born with a gallbladder that was the size of a thumbnail and it's supose to be the size of a pear.
I had my gallbladder removed September of 2001, and I still have those problems. It has gotten a little better, but not much. I don't want to go out anywhere because I know that it will happen. Even though I was in a lot of pain, I really regret getting it removed.
Ask The Experts!
Question Regarding:Chronic diarrhea after Gallstones surgery
Viewers Question
I am a 26 yr old male that had my gallbladder removed and a hyatal hernia repaired a year and a half ago. Since a month following the surgeries i have had diarrhea following meals. Sometimes I can go three to four weeks without diarrhea, but most of the time I still have it. I have had c-dificile, candida albicans and salmanoella bacteria. Have also had hypoglocemia problems. Within 6 mos. of surgery i had lost 30lbs. I am currently up about 7 lbs (still down 23lbs). Diarrhea occurs at my normal bowel movement time as it always has, the only thing different is that it is diarrhea with major cramping and it seems to completly clean me out (similar to taking go-lytely). Have had the following tests: colonscopy, numerous stool tests, berium x-ray, endoctrine tests, blood tests including AIDS (which was negative). Colitis and chrohns have been ruled out. Do you have any suggestions for possible diagnosis or other possiblities?
Ten percent of patients who have their gallbladders removed develop bothersome diarrhea. This is most likely due to the effects of bile acids which no longer are being stored in the gallbladder but rather circulate in larger concentrations through the intestines. Although it has not been medically tested, cholestyramine--which binds bile acids--has been suggested as a potential treatment for post-gallbladder removal diarrhea. Anecdotal information suggests that oleic acid also may be effective. (Oleic acid works by inhibiting the transit of intestinal contents through the intestines.)
Please remember, information can be subject to interpretation and can become obsolete. Therefore, information should never be a substitute for an open and trusting doctor-patient relationship. Always consult your doctor.
I suffered with frequent explosions of diarrhea after having my gallbladder removed in 1991. I was told by many doctors it was irratable bowl syndrome. After eight years of not being able to eat out, and only going out after at least an hour after eating, I finaly found a doctor who didn't think I was a hypocondriac and told me that what I had was called Bile Salt diarrhea.The bile instead of being stored in the Gallbladder and small amounts being realesed when you eat, just constantly drips into the gut and irritates it causing diarrhea. That day in 1998 changed my life, since then I take 2 sachets (one in the morning and one at night) of Questran which contains cholestyramine. I no longer have to carry wet wipes and spare pants wherever I go. In 2001 I was admitted to hospital again I told them the pain was the same as when I had Gallstones before, I was told by the doctors after Ultrasound, cat scan, that there where no stones but as I was Jaundiced they knew something was wrong. Eventually they did an MRI scan which found stones in the bile duct. So if you have pain even years after a gallblader removal don't let them tell you it can't be stones ! I hope this story helps someone realise and fix their diarrhea.
I had laparoscopic gall bladder surgery two months ago in late June. The recovery wasn't easy but it was normal and after a month I felt ok enough to go out. I even painted a room two weeks ago. Last week I ate a hamburger at MacDonalds and 2 hours later I was in real pain, upper right quadrant. I had eaten a hamburger a week or two earlier so I don't know if there is a real connection but the pain was and still is fierce. I had blood tests and they showed normal liver functions and pancreatic and kidney functions and a normal ultrasound, but the pain was still there and my white count showed a slight infection. I am on antibiotics for 5 days and on a no fat diet but it still isn't any better, pain in the front and in the back right hand side, my internist said it might be a small stone or gravel, I have no jaundice or fever so nothing is stuck. Other than liver flushes which I am told can be extremely dangerous, what else can I do? I am going to see my surgeon this week but meanwhile this is awful, belching, nausea, and pain...and lets not forget the runs...which I didn't have after surgery when my bowels were quite normal after a week...any suggestions? Judy
Hey guys,
I had my gallbladder removed in 2005. Since then ive been on Questran Lite 4mg and its been working wonders. I had to stop due to me falling pregnant because you cannot take it while you are pregnant. Im back on the questran now. However recently within the last few days ive been having pains in my abdomen and constant nausea but not throwing up. I had a blood test done and it showed that i have a condition called "Gilberts Disease" and because i have this i have been instructed to stop taking the questran lite 4mg. The reason being is Questran is a drug for cholesterol and with the gilberts disease i am unable to take any medication for cholesterol. I stopped taking the questran and now i am constantly on the toilet within 5 mins of eating. I dont beleive in having the imodium tablets as it cannot be too good for your body to have them everyday and the amount that you need becomes expensive because it isnt on the pbs. I am really depressed now because i have no idea what i can do to help myself not have this problem. Everyone on this website seems to be leaning towards a liver flush. What does it involve and would it be beneficial to me i wonder???? Does anyone have any ideas what i can eat and not eat? Im tired of looking at the toilet what seems to be every 5 mins of the day. I tried having eggs on toast and that went through me as well. It is a very imbarrassing condition and i feel for those who also have it. I only came off the questran today because i only found out last night that the questran was the thing making me get the pains and nausea and i have this Gilberts Disease. PLEASE HELP....
Forum: The Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Forum
Topic: Gastroenterology - General
-------------------------------------------------------
Question Posted By: debbrown on Tuesday, June 25, 2002
I have so many questions and don't know where to start.
Last month, my mother went into the hospital for an ERCP which was to look for Gallstones and then 2 days later to do the gallstone operation.
The ERCP was performed at 5:00pm on May/20, by 8:15, she was violently vomitting bilous green fluid with pain and distended abdomen. By Tuesday am, she was in severe pain and further distension of abdomen. On Wednesday, they performed scheduled gallstone operation to find ischemiac bowel and pancreatitis. Condition further detoriated and laparotomy was again done during which subtotal colectomy was done in addl to removel of the terminal ileum. Further detoriation until 3 days after inital ERCP, death occurred.
Damage done:
- Lungs - severe congestion and oedema
- Liver - coated by acute inflammatory exudate
- Thryoid - severe lymphocytic infiltration
- Spleen - severe congestion
- Pancreas - extensive haemorrhagic infraction both the surface and substance of the organ. A number of thrombooccluded vessels
- Omentum - patchy areas of haemorrhagic necrosis
- Gallbladder - sections show extensive necrosis of the mucosal folds. Severe Haemorrhagic infraction and necrosis extending to the surface.
- Stomach / Intestines / Urinary bladder - show haemorrhagic infarction with moderate congesion
Could acute pancreatitis do this much damage in 2 days; if not, what could?
Dear Deb!
I never know what to say to those who lost someone loved, but I really felt sorry and deep sorrow when I read Your story.
This is so awful, sad, unexpected.
Thanks for sharing it with us.
One more reason to become Your own doctor and listen to Your own body and not to rely on other's opinions.
Keep the remembrance of Your mother and let Your tears flow.
This experience will be always part of Your life now, but I hope that there will come the day that You will despite all this enjoy again a blue sky, a beautiful flower and other wonderful things in this world.
On 6th Dec 1993 my brother was taken into hospital with acute stomach pains and vomiting. After one week, he was taken into ITU, where he renmaind for weeks. By this time he had been diagnosed with Acute Necrotic Panreatitis and was given a 1 in 4 chance of recovery. The condition was managed by keeping him tranqualized and all his organs monitored. He had several operations to remove necrotic tissue from his pancreas. He was in hospital for months and he did survive, but is now diabetic. It was never said, but I believe that this was the result of him passing a stone and he was also just recovering from a bout of 'flu. Both my mother and I have suffered severe bouts of pain due to gallstones, so I think it must be a family trait. I know that my gallbladder is full as I have had ultrasounds done. I have been on the surgeons list for 3 years now, but I am terrified of the surgery, but I also think of what happened to my brother. I have not had a bout of pain now for a very long time, but I know that the stones are still there.
Pancreatitis (spelling?), is something that while not heriditary, runs in my family (grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousins). Luckily my dad, brothers, sisters and myself haven't had any problems in that area. On the other hand, both my dad and I ended up having our gallbladders removed about 3 years ago. My husband had his removed last week. By the way, my relatives with the pancreatitis problems never had gallbladder problems. Anyway, neither my dad or I have had any stomach problems since the surgery. My husband who had been misdiagnosed for several years ended up with his gallbladder heavily scarred from all the attacks, many severe ones. Since the surgery he hasn't had any of that bloating or stabbing pain he would get after eating. It's too early to tell what his long term outlook will be but if this past week is any indication, he will hopefully be pain free from here on out. Of course, each person is different, but I can at least vouch for 3 people who have had the surgery and none of us have any regrets about it. As for the surgery, both my husband and I had out-patient surgery. From the time we were taken in to the time we left was something like 4 - 5 hours. The first two days after are the hardest due to tender stomach area and trying not to use those muscles in that area to get up or sit back down. Recovery is actually fairly quick. Hope this helps some.
I attended my husband's aunt's funeral yesterday -- 45 days ago she had elective routine gall bladder surgery. An error on the doctor's part left her bleeding internally for three days, slipping into a coma, and eventually on life support. Life support was removed last Thursday and she died Sunday morning at 1 am. She has left eight children... yes 8. Yesterday was one of the most depressing days of my life. Seeing her four daughters doubled-over on the floor in front of her casket expelling gut-wrenching painful sobs is sight I will never forget. What was to be a simple in-and-out procedure took her life. I'm not quite sure what advice to give to anyone considering this surgery other than make your doctor aware not to take the procedure lightly! You CAN die from having this done! If you've read this message and have thirty seconds, please say a short prayer asking God to heal the hearts of these broken children who have lost their mother as well as the others around her who are suffering.
Gods best to you all,
Diane
Laguna Beach, CA
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