Gallbladder removed now have worse digestion. NEED ADVICE

[AJC - Australia]

Can anyone offer advice here.
I have had 3 x resections and now been on infliximab for 8 years and it works for me….I was fine until recently when the gallbladder had to be removed. Since then the D has gone from 2-3 times in the morning to 5-6 times and it is really wearing me down. I am not digesting my food properly and am losing weight and the fatigue is obviously just as bad.

Below is what I have found on this forum and I am going to try Questran asap.

I am 39 and this was the last thing i needed!!! A downturn in my wellbeing from a gallbladder removal….I would have put up with the gallbladder pain if i knew it would stuff up my guts!!!

sad.

In severe cases of diarrhea, or diarrhea that does not subside, anti-diarrheal medications are often warranted, such as Imodium AD (Loperamide).



- Medications such as Locholest, and Prevalite reduce the laxative-type effect of bile.

- It may be necessary to supplement certain Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies in Chronic cases of Diarrhea.

Questran (cholestyramine) helps a lot of people for just this problem after gallbladder removal.

if you do get your gall bladder removed and find that diarrhea becomes an issue that won't go away because your body no longer absorbs the bile salts (your gi tracts basically becomes a greased slide), talk to your doctor about putting you on Welchol (650mg). It will make a huge difference.

I forgot to mention with my gallbladder removal that I also take lecithin. And I think I got that idea from Patrick Holford's book called The New Optimum Nutrition Bible. I'm pretty sure it helps.

 

[2thFairy]

Questran should help...definitely give it a try. I say SHOULD, because it has helped many people after having their gallbladder removed, but it didn't help me. I stayed away from BBQ, greasy foods, and super sugary foods like pancake syrup after my gallbladder surgery. After a few years, the diarrhea slowed down a bit.

 

[D Bergy]

Once your gallbladder is removed, the bile is no longer regulated. It just dumps from your liver at random times. So you have bile going in on an empty stomach, which can be irritating, and when you eat a large meal you do not have enough to break down fats.

Some people take ox bile before meals to help digestion. Basically giving your stomach what it needs to do the job. It might also help to eat many small meals during the day instead of fewer larger meals.

My wife had her gallbladder removed some years back. Coffee makes her stomach worse but overall it seems to have improved over the years.

Dan

 

[scottsma]

I am due Gall bladder removal (due to polyps) and have my pre. op. assessment next month.I have been taking digestive enzyme tablets for a while,in preparation.I have found an improvement in my usual digestive problems.I am careful with my fat input,and don't eat big meals.Having recently been diagnosed with borderline diabetes,I am also being careful with sugar.I'm not a saint hahaha,it's difficult,but worth it.I will have to see how things go after my op.figers x'd.I hope you get some relief soon.(I also use Loperamide if and when needed.It's been a great help for nearly 10yrs.)

 

[D Bergy]

For diabetes check out black seed oil.

Dan

 

[JMC]

I am 39 and this was the last thing i needed!!! A downturn in my wellbeing from a gallbladder removal….I would have put up with the gallbladder pain if i knew it would stuff up my guts!!!

Unfortunately keeping the gallbladder was not an option, you might remember I was admitted to hospital with obstructive jaundice which can develop into ascending cholangitis which has pretty frightening mortality statistics (about 30% if I remember correctly. It had to come out.

I had bile acid sh!ts for a bit, but it does calm down. Choose what you eat carefully, nothing fatty, but get plenty of calories in. It will get better.

 

[AJC - Australia]

thanks everyone for your support/comments.
I am starting Questran and hope it helps.
It is great that there are drugs and things you can take that might help these sort of side effects of crohns.
Feeling pretty weary though after 5 weeks of 'toilet time'…the fatigue is so depressing.
cheers

 

[The Real MC]

Since my gall bladder was removed I have had to reduce foods high in saturated fat. I cut way back on fried and greasy foods, and had to reduce the butter. Had to cut out uncured bacon entirely because it would go right through me. Haven't had any problem with sugars. The D isn't as bad if you control your diet, and I have needed zero medicine or supplements.

 

[JMC]

It is now two years since I had my gallbladder out and it has no impact on my diet, I can eat fried food without issues (but generally choose not to).

 

[Lacyguitar]

I've had Crohn's disease since 1980 and am scheduled to have my gallbladder removed Tuesday, outpatient -laparoscopic. The CT scan showed thickened walls of the gallbladder and a lesion on the liver. US and HIDAscan diagnosis is adenomyomatosis. Recommendation is removal and testing of gallbladder. But my pain is more centered, stomach location and burning in my mid-back. The infrequent attacks have be going on for several years, but have recently worsened and sometimes relief only comes after vomiting. This is different from Crohn's inflammation. I'm hoping gallbladder removal cures this sick feeling after eating. I'll deal with the diarrhea. :stinks:

I've had an ileostomy since 1992 because of extreme thickness of intestinal walls and blockage. This is the only surgery I've had with no take down desired.

I'm 58 yo and wondering if anyone else has had a similar case....?

Drugs? Only if it's bad (antibiotics, prednisone-low dose). Vit B-12 injections, liquid Vit D-5000iu, probiotics. Low-residue diet, juicing, steaming, and healthy food selection.

 

[ronroush7]

thanks everyone for your support/comments.
I am starting Questran and hope it helps.
It is great that there are drugs and things you can take that might help these sort of side effects of crohns.
Feeling pretty weary though after 5 weeks of 'toilet time'…the fatigue is so depressing.
cheers

I am so sorry. I hope the Questran helps.

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