I had my gallbladder out about 6 months ago. After surgery I had bathroom problems, and I went to a gastro dr. who told me I had IBS. I took meds for it, and it seemed to get better. Here is my problem...I don't have diarrhea or constipation, but kind-of a combo of the two. After I eat, I feel the "urge" to go. Sometimes while I am still eating and other times right afterward. Depending on what I eat, I get severe cramps. These cramps are definitly "I have to go" cramps. At times I am doubled over in pain so severe, I cry. I feel like I have to go, but can't. Once I finally go, it is very, very soft but not water. I usually go after I spend 20 minutes or so in the bathroom. During that 20 mins. I suffer cramping, sweating one second and then freezing the next, pain in my calfs, not being able to sit still...it is driving me crazy! I dread eating and sometimes I can't eat. I am at the point where if I look at certain foods, I get sick to my stomach. Any help or suggestions would be wonderful. This is my first post, sorry it is so long!

I've stopped eating out (anywhere!) because of the same problem. I eat, my intestines start running full speed, and within a matter of an hour, I'm on the toilet, sweating, cramping, crying and cursing!

I've heard that a medication called Questran can help folks with IBS after gallbladder removal. You may want to check into that.

Also, I've found that when I eat, if I eat bread or rice before I start eating my meal, helps considerably. I DO NOT eat salads, fruit or veggies unless I'm absolutely craving them, and know that the bathroom is free and stocked up with toilet paper!

:angel:
Barefoot

Thank you so much for responding. Questran...I believe I was put on that by the gastro dr. I know he gave me Bentyl (sp?) and I think Questran. I know one med was a powder that I had to mix with water...yuck...very yuck! I will try eating some bread before I eat, thanks! Salads and fruits are bad on me as well. I was dreading Thanksgiving dinner! I took some Levbid about an hour before I ate and no trips to the bathroom...yet! Thanks again!

Bleweyes and barefoot......Everything you describe is me!! Infact just got back from going out to dinner and the minute (it felt that way) after I took a few bites my stomach started going haywire and I was racing towards the women's room!! Horrible pains felt like I wouldn't make it, etc etc. and then to beat all - a line out the door to women's room!!!!!! So there I was sweating, pacing the floor, and then by the time it's my turn, nothing. So back to the table I go and eat a few more bites and whammo I'm racing back to the bathroom. My husband ended up paying the check and getting our food to go because it was just a comedy almost with my getting up and down to go.

Long story short I had my gallbladder out also a few years ago. I always wondered if my "new" problems was due to having it out. Although the pains from my gallbladder are gone; I feel like I have gained a new problem! Does it ever end?

I'm having my first colonoscopy this Tuesday and as I'm not looking forward to it; I will be very interested to hear the doctor's suggestion on what to do because I am sick and tired of feeling like I am tied to the toliet when I eat.

I will post what he tells me and hopefully it will be helpful. Just wish me luck on drinking all the prep junk on Monday - YUCK!! but as much as I'm dreading it; I am so hopeful that I will finally have some answers.

Sorry for such a long post; I'm just "thriilled" to find others experiencing the same symptoms and to know I'm not alone.

River...I'm so sorry about your bathroom disaster, one of many I'm sure! Good luck Monday and Tuesday, I hope everything goes well and you get some answers! Please do post how things turn out for you as well as what the Dr. says. It is a good feeling to know that you are not the only one with "bathroom" problems. Again...Good Luck!

UPDATE -- I survived my colonoscopy!! The prep was pretty rough but not as bad as I thought it would be but ughhhhhh. ANyway, 4 polyps were removed and my wonderful gastro doc said I had a spastic colon. He prescribed Levbid or Hyoscyamine ER and to take it twice a day. I go back to see him in two months unless the pills don't help or make it worse. And boy is that Versed great!!! Althought I think they ended up having to give me an extra shot of it b/c I vaguely remember pushing someone's hand away, lol ;)

River...I am so happy that your colonoscopy went well. I can't imagine...How is the hyoscyamine ER working for you? I have some and take it occasionally, it's an anti-spasm med...isn't it? You would think I would know for sure if I take it :D Keep us posted as to how you are doing!! Did the Dr. say anything about what foods might irritate your colon?

yes it is an anti-spasm medication. So far it seems to be working BUT until I take it for atleast a month or more with no severe cramping etc I won't say it is "perfect". He also took me off of Zelnorm which I'm glad because it just kept me on the toliet!! We really didn't discuss food; more so my symptoms before my colonoscopy and then I was so out of it when it was over I couldn't tell you what he said.
I go back to see him in January for a follow up and I am going to talk to him more about food etc then.
I will say one food that really messes with me is garlic :eek: . It absolutely throws my system into a tailspin. Also the sugar substitute in Zero Cokes does it too. Diet Cokes are fine but not Zero cokes, go figure? I have also learned that if I eat 3-4 small meals a day rather than one large meal a day helps -- I think it is less stress on my tummy.
All I know it is a pain in the you know what because for me personally I never know when the cramping is going to happen (after a meal before a meal shopping, sleeping, whenever) and of course it is NEVER a convenient time or place.

They don't tell you when you get your gallbladder out that you can have so many problems afterward. I am new to the board, 19 years old, and had my gallbladder out aug 2004. I now have IBS. same thing as what you described.

Kelly...that is so true! My niece, now 16, had her gallbladder out about two years ago. She has problems, not to the extent of ours, but has not been diagnosed with IBS. I had no choice but to get my gallbladder removed. I went to the ER around 10 PM, by 3 AM (after ultrasounds) the Dr. confimred that I was "loaded with stones". Then I was given pain meds and around 7 or 8 AM...I was in surgery...and to make it even worse, it was my birthday...I can even make it worse! The surgery was on a Friday and I was scheduled to go to Jamaica on Monday...Oh well, I guess everything happens for a reason.
River...Garlic does not agree with me either. My tummy does not appreciate foods that contain olive oil or Chinese food :dizzy: But I am like you...sometimes food that usually bothers me, won't. It's crazy, not to mention very frustrating. It's funny...I used to watch what I ate for weight reasons, now I watch what I eat because I don't want end up on the "pot" for half of the night!

I agree with the doctors not fully explaining the side effects that are possible after removing the gallbladder however I was in so much pain before mine was removed I guess I'll take the IBS :confused: Sorta like when I had my hysterectomy and didn't realize some of the issues I'd be dealing with after that surgery. Ohhhhhhhh the cost of getting old, lol. But wait I'm not old am I?? :jester:

The anti spasm medicine does seem to help so I'm glad about that. I have a true test tonight when we go to this new Italian restaurant :eek: I'm hoping to be able to eat and stay seated throughout the evening. Keeping my fingers crossed.

I am new to this board but have posted MANY times on the Digestive Disorders board. I had my GB removed in March of this year after the dr. told me it would solve all my problems--nausea, pain, and diahhrea (not as severe as now). Well here I am 9 months later still suffering the same symptoms x10. It has come to the point where I don't leave the house or if I do I avoid eating anything until I get home because I can count on having "D" within 30 mins. Like someone else said, why do these dr.s not tell you this will happen if they remove your GB? If I would have known then I would have avoided having it removed and stuck to a low-fat diet for as long as possible!! :confused:
Anyone else feel nauseous while on the "throne"? Everytime I have the cramping and run to the bathroom I get sweaty, nauseous and have to grab the garbage pail just in case. I have lost alot of weight (and I am not a big person to begin with--105 lbs now from 130) as I dread eating because I know what happens when I do.
Anyhow, sorry to rant but this "disease" is really taking a toll on me! :rolleyes:

Donna