Bowel Problems After Gallbladder Surgery

[N. Solis]

I had my gallbladder removed almost a year ago.  I've seen comments posted about this in the forum, but no real answer or explanation as to why it happens.  Luckily, I suffered no pain after the surgery; I recovered well and I am VERY HAPPY that I do not suffer through those horrible attacks anymore (the last one made me think I was going to die and I ended up in the ER with the surgery scheduled shortly after).  Anyway, I have noticed that ever since the surgery I have a MAJOR problem during and after eating.  I have to RUN to the bathroom.  I, too, am familiar with a lot of public restrooms almost anywhere I go.  Unfortunately, sometimes I choose NOT to go somewhere or NOT to eat something because I'm so afraid of what will happen later.  Is there a real medical ezplanation for this?  I asked my PCP and all he told me was to ask the doc who performed the surgery.  I was given a lot of information before the surgery, but during my TWO follow up visits, nothing about this was mentioned.  I didn't notice it until a few weeks later.  I'm ashamed to talk to anyone about it.  Is there anything that can be done?  I hate to think that this is how I have to live for the rest of my life.

[Carlton Lynch- Elkview West Virginia]

Howdy Folks, I had my GallBladder removed Dec 1st. If I eat out in fast food joints, within 30 minutes I have got to go to the crapper. Certain fatty foods I eat, I can actually feel, and hear the liquid, going through my system. I mentioned this to my surgeon. He laughed. See ya!

[Chris Ratterree]

The doctor started me on "Questran" to stop diareha and it has been like a miracle. It is used to help your body absorb bile salts (Which are actually prescribed as a laxative) - I have had normal bowel movements for weeks.

Hope this help. See your doctor.

[Chris Ratterree]

Take Questran, it stops the production of bile salts which is causing people to get diareah after having their gall-bladder removed. (Bile salts are actually used as a laxative, explaining your problems)

Chris Ratterree
***@****

[derek]

I had my GB out twelve years ago. My dumping syndrome always caught me on the Tube going to work - I have a 45 minute journey. After three years of various forms of high excitement I know you all know the feeling, I discovered Questran. I take a Questran powder before going to bed and my dumping syndrome is under control for the next day.Rich foods like lamb,though are best avoided in my book. One word of warning though - gradually I have developed Tinnitus. I have a high pitched engineering type sound in my right ear and it never stops. During the day it is not particularly worrying but now as I type I can hear it clearly.Is it due to the Questran? When I looked up Tinnitus on the Internet I was amazed to see Questran listed as a drug which might cause a side effect of Tinnitus. Mind you there were loads of drugs listed with a possible Tinnitus side effect. As I now need to travel on the underground only three days a week thereby being able to relax at home in the knowledge that I could stroll to the loo, I have tried to cut out a daily Questran powder just to see if I can reduce the Tinnitus. I'll report back in a few months but I understand that Tinnitus doesn't go away. Having read all your comments perhaps I am one of the luckier ones anyway and noises in the ears are a small price to pay.

[Deborah M.]

This may be of some value....I too had my gallbadder removed about 5 years ago and is still having loose stools as well as pain simular to the gallbadder pain... Just resently I have be dianosed with a Hiatal Hernia with Inflammed Esophagusin

[DEA]

I have gallbladder problems today (as a matter of fact).  I called to schedule to have my gallbladder removed next week.  However, I have another complication that likely affected the function of my gallbladder.  I have Celiac Sprue Disease (CSD).  The doctor's aren't sure of the relationship between the CSD and gallbladder dysfunction.  My gallbladder works at about 19% efficiency.  Usually people with CSD will begin to re-generate the horomone (once the small intestine is healed) that makes the gallbladder contract, but that doesn't seem to be the case with me.

I was misdiagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome for many years, but finally found a doctor that took my symptoms seriously.  If you're interested in learning more about Celiac Sprue Disease, a very useful site www.celiac.com is my recommendation.  There are simple antibiody tests that can show if antibodies (characteristic of CSD) are elevated.  The final call is an upper GI with a biopsy of the small intestine to determine atrophy.  I tested positive with both.  A simple diet is used to control my problems (except for my gallbladder pain).  I encourage anyone with the "dumping syndrome" or IBS to have these tests.  The statistics are that 1:300 people have this disease.  Some people have symptoms, but some don't.  High fiber diets made me gravely ill.  Please be aggressive about your health care. 15% of people with CSD are likely to develop intestinal lymphoma (referenced on www.celiac.com).  Educate and take care of yourself!