Hi

I had my gallbladder removed a few weeks ago, and lately i have been pretty bad bouts of diarihia and sharp pains mainly after meals. Its getting pretty bad, is this a common problem after gallbladder surgery, and what can i do get rid of it?

Thank You

Mary

Yes, unfortunately diarrhea after GB removal is a fairly common occurrence. What happens is that the bile is still produced even after having the GB removed and as there is nowhere for it to be stored it floats around your bowels causing you to have diarrhea.

You could start taking a fiber supplement such as Metamucil and this should help to increase the bulk of your stools. It is water soluble and is safe to take twice daily, but ensure you drink enough water with it.

A Calcium supplement can also help, however a lot of people on this board who have had a GB removal find that the drug Colestid (Questran) is very good for stopping the resultant diarrhea afterwards. It is an anticholesterol drug, but helps to mop up the excess bile. I think it is known as bile salt diarrhea.

As I still have my GB I cannot tell you anything from experience, but just from a pure physiological and pathological perspective. However, there are lots of others on the board who can speak from experience and I am sure that they will be able to help more than I can.

Good luck and take care.

Hi Mary. So sorry for your troubles, but everything Sarah said is right on target. I'm speaking from experience having had IBS-D for years anyway, but after GB surgery in '97, and then Nissan fundoplication in 2001, my diarrhea was completely out of control. Usually in the a.m., I could go 4-5 times within 20 minutes, and then again have a major diarrhea attack after lunch. I almost had to quit work, because I couldn't always find a bathroom in time, and the "D" was explosive and uncontrollable. I found out about Colestid and bile salt diarrhea on this website and have been taking Colestid for almost a year with remarkable results. I now have formed stools once/twice a day or every other, and the only time I've had diarrhea is when I have some kind of intestinal "bug" causing me to be ill.

I also take 2 calcium pills daily, acidophilus capsules, and eat Metamucil wafers twice daily for general bowel health. I am a firm believer in the power of Colestid. Try the fiber and calcium route first, but if they don't work for you, be sure to talk to your doctor about Colestid.

Good luck and keep us posted,
Katie G