Gallbladder removed 7 mo's ago- now what ? - Gallbladder Message Board

snowcountry · 02-20-2004, 02:18 PM

Hi
I am at a loss what to think- or who to see next. I had my gallbladder removed 7 months ago.
It started having a problem 3 ? months later that I seem to at least once a day( but only once a day ) I get a bad stomach ache - I wonder at times if I will make it to the bathroom, I feel finished, then within mintues I am back in the bathroom- this happens at least 2-3 times before it turns into direharra. Then I feel fine, other than other complaints- bones hurting- aching- shoulder pain- and fatigued more and more everyday.
I seen my physican the other day- all he said was he thought my hormone pill needed to be increased, I had him decrease it a while ago- he said the body needs the estrogen and didn't think I was getting enough, he said that plays a factor in my other complaints also- he did suggest for me to take metasuil - or fiber con ( I did that today, no relief as of yet, still the same ) he also suggested that maybe I need to have a stool sample done to check for parasites ? ewwwwwww - the thought of that makes me cringe ! And I haven't a clue how would I have got that, I am a cook, I can't even tell you how many times a day I wash my hands. If it was something I ate, wouldn't my family members got it too ? and if it was at work, the same ?
I am not eating any differant than before, anyone have any advise what might be causing this ?
thanks and hope your doing well

Harry · 02-20-2004, 11:56 PM

Hi Snow-- person,

About 5% of people that have their Gallbladder removed have diarrhea cause by too much bile. It usually happens right after surgery but evidently your's is a delayed reaction.

If bile that is normally re-aborbed in the last part of the small intestines(illium) ever reaches the colon --- it causes a watery /very loose stool.

It is usually greatly helped by a drug that absorbs excess bile& fats-- Queastan or Colestid. They are normally used to reduce cholestrol but a side effect for normal people is constipation.

You will have to get it from a Doctor by perscription and adjust the dose very carefully or else you'll get constipation too. I know several people that it causes them constipation in cases just like your's. But,it has helped many people that have bile salt diarrhea problem.

You may want to try taking a water soluble fiber supplement like Metamucil before you discuss it with your Doc. Psyllium in Metamucil is really a stool bulking agent and is safe to take daily. Just drink enough water like it says on the container. And it does cause gas when you first start so begin with a low dose. The gas will go away as your system gets use to it.

I wish you well---Harry