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Maybe not IBS? Bile acid malabsorption?

Posted , 4 users are following.

Cheetah
Cheetah

In 2008, when I was 62, I had my gallbladder removed.  In 2011 I felt very ill for months and, after various blood tests and a colonscopy, I was told that I had IBS.  I've been taking Mebeverine since then, but it's not particularly effective.  I still often have pain after a meal and have to go to the toilet urgently - something which affects quality of life, as I'm sure you would agree.

I understand that it's unusual to be diagnosed with IBS in one's sixties and have now read about bile acid malabsorption, which can happen after gallbladder removal and which is often mistaken for IBS.

Has anyone else been told they had IBS and then been diagnosed with bile acid malabsorption?  I'd be really interested to hear of other experiences.  I've made an appointment with my GP to discuss it with him, but it won't be for a few weeks yet.   

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • ann55375
    ann55375 Cheetah

    Posted

    My digestive system has never been right since the gallbladder removal.  I did have some ibs type symptoms before op but they are much worse now.  I feel nauseous frequently and get bouts of loose motions. I have now vot anxiety and becoming depressed about all,this as i think the digestion is the cause.  I have asked my dr about the bile acid and i know you can get a med for it, welchol its called.  Meantime dr is waiting to see if my dr will ask for tests which are not pleasant i hear. There is no cure for it, only comtrol with med.  wish I had never had it out.
    • Cheetah
      Cheetah ann55375

      Posted

      Sorry to hear that things are so difficult for you, Ann.  I have to admit that I had little choice in having my gallbladder removed as it wasn't just the stones, it had become infected and the infection had also spread to my bile duct.  It wasn't a very pleasant summer and I was so relieved to finally get rid of it!  I hope you get something sorted about the bile acid and things improve for you.  Take care.

  • pippa58442
    pippa58442 Cheetah

    Posted

    Ask your doctor for a SECHAT scan which looks for bile acid malabsorption.
  • looloo43
    looloo43 Cheetah

    Posted

    Hi. YES in answer to your question!! I suffer with colitis & ibs(d) controlled by meds & diet. a couple of years ago i started getting all the symptoms of colitis again without any blood. a colonoscopy confirmed it was not active colitis causing my symptoms at that time, & my diet for ibs control is good. my gastro consultant decided to send me for a sehcat scan as pippa mentioned to test for bile acid malabsorption which is possible to have in addition to my other bowel conditions (& yes you can still have it without a gall bladder - i still have mine). i had a sehcat scan as pippa mentioned, which is a simple non-invasive test that involves swallowing a tracer capsule then having a quick specialised scan, then you go back a week later & have a 2nd scan. from this they can diagnose whether you have bam(bile acid malabsorption) & put you on appropriate meds.  i was put on meds & within a week or 2 the symptoms were 90% better! i used to get urgent need for very loose bowel movements, sore stomach, very sore rectum, bloating & nausea, especially coinciding with eating or even randomly when i was out shopping. the meds i am on are called questran. they are sachets that you mix with water - it is similar to the consistency of wallpaper paste & tastes a bit like disprin! - you get used to it - I've had worst meds before!!!  i chose the sachets over the other couple of tablet forms as the time constraints of taking this with other medication were slighlty less restrictive. i have to take any other meds or vitamins either 1hr before or 4hrs after (the tablet timescales were worse) . it is important to follow these time conditions as any other med or vits you take will get "trapped " in your system & may not work as effectively. hope this helps x

    • Cheetah
      Cheetah looloo43

      Posted

      Thank you, for your really helpful reply, Looloo.  May I ask if you had the loose bowel movements all the time, before you had the medication?  I will have a day with pain after eating, diarrhoea and I'll have to go to the toilet urgently maybe three or four times.  Then the next 2 or 3 days things are better - although I still get bloating, wind and a rumbling tummy.  Thanks again.

    • looloo43
      looloo43 Cheetah

      Posted

      You're welcome.  Yes it was so bad it  kept off work & virtually housebound until i was diagnoses, put on the med i mentioned & had some control back. my tummy sounded like the amazon rainforest regularly. many times i had to abandon my shopping trolley in supermarkets ^& just rush to the disabled toilet. it was very random but worse during/after eating (when bile acid is very active). i still get bloating, but have much more control of my bowels(i used to go upto 9 times a day which caused constant rectal soreness/rawness)-very similar to colitis but without bleeding, which is why it took so long to diagnose after eliminating other causes of symptoms. bam does mimic ibs(d) & colitis, & many gastro doc's overlook it, but apparently it can be quite common-luckily my consultant had the sense to test me or i would've lost my job for sure.  hope this helps. x

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