Daily diarrhea 2yrs after gall bladder removed - Gallbladder Message Board

HondaGirl4Life · 12-22-2003, 03:55 PM

Hey everyone. I'm new to this board and don't really know how this works....if a doctor will answer my question or if it is just normal people....lol.
I am a 25 year old female and had my gall bladder taken out due to severe inflamation and gall stones back in March of 2002, 3 weeks following a c section...almost 2 yrs ago.
But my problem is I have diarrhea when I have a BM everyday at least once a day and hardly ever have a normal BM. And I almost always have to go to the bathroom within 10 minutes of eating. I knew I would have this problem immediately following surgery but this has been almost constant since the gall bladder was removed. I don't have insurance and haven't been to the doctor about this but mainly because it hasn't been a severe enough thing to warrant me going to see anyone about it. I am just curious if this is an occasional normality after having the gall bladder removed or is this something I should get checked out that might be serious or dangerous to continue having constant diarrhea. I have lost some weight but I was overweight to begin with and am working out and trying to lose the weight. So I don't know if the exercise and better diet has caused the weight loss or if it is due to constant diarrhea.
Anyone that knows what my problem may be or something I can do to remedy this please reply. Thanks.

~Jeanna~

Harry · 12-22-2003, 10:42 PM

Our expert on this subject is Katie and she is probably on vacation right now. She would have answered. So, you'll have to settle for my answer!!

Some people ,about 5%, that have their gallbladders removed produce too much bile and since you don't have a GB it causes diarrhea if it reaches the colon-- called bile salt diarrhea.

It can be controlled by a mecication-- like Questran or Colostid that binds with the bile. This medication is used to control cholestrol but a side-effect for normal people with GBs that take it is constipation.

You can discuss it with your Doctor about using it! It does work according to many people that use it.

I wish you well---Harry

HondaGirl4Life · 12-23-2003, 04:51 AM

Figures I would be the one in that small percentage,lol.
Ok so if I don't take any meds for this will it harm me to continue producing too much bile? Do I need to take meds for it? Just wondering. Cuz if not then I can deal with it. Can't really afford any meds at this point. I just didn't want it to be causing any problems if I did nothing about it.
Thanks.

~Jeanna~

Harry · 12-23-2003, 06:44 AM

Hi Jeanna,
As you may guess having diarrhea is not healthy. It will deplete alot of vital nutrients from electrolytes to vitamins and minerals all that you need for your body to work properly.

You can develop all kinds of disorders because of mal- absorption problems.

You can have diarrhea for a short time but not on a continued basis. You need to correct the problem.

God Bless---Harry