1. Community
  2. Liver and gallbladder
  3. Gallbladder Problems

Bile Salt Malabsorption after gallbladder surgery

Posted , 6 users are following.

lisajj68
lisajj68

anyone suffer from this? I suffered before the surgery but as soon as the gallbladder was removed it got worse. Doesn't matter what food I eat but it's usually the first thing of the day I get awful gripes and then really bad Diahhrea. This has been going on for seven years now but luckily my doctor prescribed tablets which bind the bile. 

2 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • sandynan
    sandynan lisajj68

    Posted

    Hi Lisa I am three nearly four years post GB op and have suffered from BSM! I take Colesevlam to bind the bile and imodium I can't book a holiday or go anywhere! Unless I am sure I will be OK but you just don't know when it's going to strike mornings are my worse time too but as I say you never know! I have lost all my confidence because of this!
    • lisajj68
      lisajj68 sandynan

      Posted

      Yes, that's the same medication as me. I was given the Questran to start with but it made me want to vomit. A lot of people get robbed off by their GP saying its IBS. It's the not knowing that's the hardest....one day something is fine and then a week later the exact food can cause so much trouble! I found boiled rice about the best food as it must soak the bile up! I'm only on 1-2 tablets daily with the odd Imodium, since starting Slimming World in March, eating less processed food seemed to help quite a bit.

       

    • sally14335
      sally14335 sandynan

      Posted

      I absolutely know about everything you are going through, and, it is most unpleasant and discouraging.  I cannot plan much of anything because of the uncertainty of what morning will bring.  Most holiday plans are not possible, if it should involve much traveling.  My most recent trip, by bus, with a senior group, was so stressful that I don't plan on trying this for a very long time!
  • Moonday
    Moonday lisajj68

    Posted

    Before my GB was removed I suffered with diahhrea and would have to take immodium, although this wasn't prescribed to me.  When I was finally diagnosed with gallstones nothing was mentioned about diahhrea being a symptom - in fact my GP didn't really know the cause of it.  Just before my op, at the form filling stage and chats with the various nurses and doctors I was finally told that I may have to resort to taking immodium because of the diahhrea.   I have found through trial and error that leaving fact out of my diet helps tremendously,although I've only got to make one little slip up, like eating one small chocolate biscuit and I'm paying for it over a couple of days.  Why don't they tell us these things before hand.  I say I don't eat fat, but I do eat coconut oil, which doesn't have a negative effect on me.
    • sally14335
      sally14335 Moonday

      Posted

      Really, you can eat coconut oil?  I only base my surprise from listening to a friend with similar problems.  When visiting Hawaii on holiday, she ate quite a lot of coconut foods rusulting in her being confined to her room for an entire day, not able to leave the bathroom!  I know they recommend the coconut oil for a variety of reasons and I've been afraid to try it.  Glad it works for you.

       

  • NoraZ1962
    NoraZ1962 lisajj68

    Posted

    I had my gallbladder removed 24 years ago and have suffered from daily cramping, gas and diarrhea since.  I knew removal could cause diarrhea but never knew why.  Until about 5 years ago I had a job where I was free to visit the restroom pretty much any time so it wasn't as bad as it could have been.  I am now at a job where I am pretty much stuck at my desk for 2 hours at a time, and unfortunately my body doesn't want to stay on that schedule.  I finally mentioned it to my doctor when I was in there last week and she prescribed a powder for me to mix with water and drink.  Well, it worked - after making me horribly sick with a bloated stomach and severe reflux all night long.  Not worth it and given how severe these side effects were, I am definitely not going to try taking it again.  I see you have all mentioned taking tablets.  Can they cause this type of side effect, and what is the name of the medication?  I don't know why she would prescribe that nasty powder if there is a pill available anyway.
    • sandynan
      sandynan NoraZ1962

      Posted

      Hi Noraz ivwas given the powder but it made me feel so Ill I stopped taking it I was then given Colesevla

      m started on two a day then went down to one no side effects with them, I still have D and I have to take imodium

      The reason we have the D is that because we no longer have a gall bladder for the bile to drip into it just stops all time and acts as a natural laxative

      Some people have it worse than others I can't go out now I am too frightened I have list all my confidence due to this horrible illness xxxx

    • NoraZ1962
      NoraZ1962 sandynan

      Posted

      I go through periods where it is way worse. Fiber makes it horrible, as does Asian food for some reason. Lettuce is another one. I have been going through this for almost 25 years so have learned most of my major triggers. I also cannot take acid reducers. They cause it to be like a faucet that just randomly turns on, and I have to work outside the home now, so I suffer with my ulcers. I am going to a GI specialist in a few weeks so I hope I can get the pills, and tolerate them.
    • sandynan
      sandynan NoraZ1962

      Posted

      Hi NoraZ I was told by one Consultant not to take Pantoprazole or Omprazole as the side effects are D! but I was given Ranitidine (Zantac) 350mg at night which are ok. But some days as you say it's dreadful no matter what I have eaten and even imodium dont work! Please let me know how you get on with your appointment xxx  
    • NoraZ1962
      NoraZ1962 sandynan

      Posted

      Thank you for the info. I have always taken famotidine/pepcid as it seemed to work best for my stomach, but not anywhere lower! I will pick up some Zantac while I am out today and give it a try. I will let you know how the appointment goes. And I am also one that is not only plagued with this syndrome, but have gained weight with it, even when you think that wouldn't be possible.
    • sandynan
      sandynan NoraZ1962

      Posted

      Weight wise Noraz I am the same! I have put on two stone and can't shift it xxx
  • claire57219
    claire57219 lisajj68

    Posted

    hi Lisa i had my gall bladder removed 2 years ago and have been diagnoised with severe bile salt malabsorbition. i know exactly what you are going through. i am taking tablets that are massive. this is not helping me at all. i cant go out for family meals as i need to run to the toilet shortly after eating. my stoamch bloats and am in severe pain on a daily basis. i am in the process of comtemplating leaving my job as i am alays ill during and our of work. although my boss is understanding about my condition i dont think they really know how painful it is. i also have constant dioarhea 4 /5 times a day no matter what i eat even low fate diets still no change.

     

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.