Katie G

Hi denbabes. Having suffered from IBS-D for 20+ years, and then with a worsening of the "D" after gall bladder surgery, hopefully I can provided advice for you. I had frequent bouts of diarrhea for many years due to IBS-D, but some formed stools as well. However, after gall bladder surgery in '97, my "D" worsened to daily after almost every meal or drinking liquids. Things seemed to level off to tolerable until GERD surgery in 2001, when all h*** broke loose.

Basically I had daily, explosive watery or soupy stools first thing in the a.m. after a cup of coffee, again at lunch or supper, and throughout the day. Eating seemed to trigger the need to have a BM, and it was always an urgent matter to find a bathroom. I often had accidents to my frustration and humiliation, and would have to call in sick to work or leave with the excuse of the "flu." The diarrhea was painless, but the urgency was most evident after eating or drinking. I found this board in 2001 after feeling almost suicidal because of the shame of fecal incontinence. I found out about Questran (powder) and Colestid (pill) on this site. I had already been taking increased fiber and calcium supplements to promote formed stools with no success. My doc had prescribed Bentyl for me as an antispasmodic, but my problem wasn't pain - it was uncontrolled BM's! I went back to my doc with internet info on bile salt diarrhea and people's testimonies about Colestid. He agreed to try it for one month, and if it didn't work, I was going to have to undergo colonoscopy to rule out IBD or Crohn's.

Thank the Lord - the Colestid was heaven-sent. I have been on it for a year, and have had only 3-4 fecal incontinent episodes total (versus everyday before) in that time. I have formed stools (1-3 a day) every day or every other. The urgency to go is still there due to my IBS, but I can get to a bathroom in time. I still take calcium supplements and increased fiber for my bowel health as well.

Some ways to tell if it's your GB removal causing problems - is this a change in bowel habits for you since GB removal? Chart when the diarrhea occurs - during or right after a meal? (up to one hour). Have you tried typical anti-diarrhea drugs like Immodium or antispasmodics like Bentyl that don't work? It didn't matter how much Immodium I took I would still have attacks of urgent uncontrollable diarrhea. Are the attacks fairly pain-free, and seem to occur as as act of the digestive process?

I can't tell you how much my life has improved since the onset of Colestid. Harry and I have corresponded for a quite a long time regarding my IBS, and he knows how much I swear by Colestid. I told one poster once that even I found out Colestid causes cancer (it doesn't), I would continue taking it - it gave me my life back. I can go to work, out socially, or to the mall and not have to be close to the bathroom at all times. I don't have to take extra changes of clothes with me anymore for "accidents." I was only about 40 years old when all this happened, so couldn't just call it old age. Colestid has been proven safe to take, and you will not need to take the high doses necessary for cholesterol reduction. I have normal cholesterol levels, and I take 2 Colestid each a.m. every day.

It is the wonder drug for me and I recommend anyone with GB related diarrhea to try it. Do some web searches on bile salt diarrhea, and see if the symptoms fit your problems.

I wish you well and keep us posted,
Katie G