Diarrhea after Gall Bladder removal?

Since I have had my Gall Bladder removed in 1998 I ssem to have diarrhea and had been diagnosed with IBS. I notice that generally it occurs after fasting or if I eat a high fat content diet. I am wondering if I could have a form of dumping syndrome? I know that IBS can come any many shapes and forms but I rarely ever have constipation with it just diarrhea. Since here recently it has gotten to the point that everytime I eat (generally after fasting or eat a high fat contenet diet) I have diarrhea. It has become hard to go anywhere after I eat because I have to run to the bathroom let alone trying to go to work after eating. Any suggestions or I deas as to if I may have dumping syndrome, I know you are generally here for advice but if you can help me and point me in the right dircetion I would appreciate it.

[mermaid26]

My mother was prescribed "Questran" spelling? powder to mix in with juice to bulk up her stools and help with this type of problem.  Sounds like it is worth the trip to a Gastro for professional advice.

[BMW_Girl]

Hello there - I had my gallbladder removed this past April and I seem to have the same symptoms as you have. Huh, I was starting to become concerned when I was having the sudden urge to go shortly after eating if I were fasting that day. Also the high fat meals are causing me to have the diarrhea as well.

Just to put you at ease, I went to a Gastro doc in August after having these diarrhea problems and he did a colonoscopy and then I was diagnosed with IBS. But, I would still go to a Gastro doc if I were you - just to be safe, "When in doubt - have it checked out".

[momshome]

I have had my galbladder removed on this past thursday (have gotten my period on monday which always gives me dumping so I don't eat for those few days)but  my family is prone to crones disease and colitus as well as ibs I was starting to this was just me but I can't even leave the house if i've eaten ANYTHING not just high fat my house hold dosn't eat alot of high fat we eat buffalo because it's extremly low in fat and I make sure we eat a well balance diet, fruits and veggies and i've been told fiber but we get fiber PLENTY. so iI don't know.

[Vickie Dee]

Oh yeah... and I can eat anything now! Except okra... I hate it! :)  Again... try the Questan!  You be glad you did.

[Vickie Dee]

I have to tell you that I am very tired of having to explain to the medical community when asked... WHY I take Questran???  That medicine has vastly improved the quality of my life!!!  I had my gall bladder out in 1991.  Only five days after my surgery... it hit!  I would not even get the last few bites of my meal down, and the terrible cramps would start. Then I would end up in the bathroom with horrible diarrhea.  After the awful pain, sweats, and wiped out feeling... all I wanted to do was lay down. I actually lived like that for two years... then finally after keeping a food diary and eating no or low fat diets, I went back to the doctor who did my surgery. He kindly told me... NO, I wasn't crazy and explained about the build up of bile in the small intestines and... put me on Questran!  A scoopful of this wonderful powder in a cup of water each morning an hour before I eat, and I am good for the day!  If it were an illegal drug... I would go on the street to buy it.  It has made that much of a difference in my life.

[laryssabeth]

Sounds like postcholecystectomy syndrome. Very common actually.

Questran (powder) or Cholestid (pill) is usual treatment.

You might also try Fibercon. I know that most people associate using fiber with constipation, but it can also be useful to bulk up the stool - therefore decreasing the diarrhea.

[SUPERLENE]

COLESTAD AND QUESTRAN CAUSE ABNORMAL BLEEDING, I EXPERIENCED THIS FROM COLESTAD. HOW ELSE CAN I CONTROL DIRRHEA FROM HAVING MY GALLBLADDER REMOVED?

[mkue]

I have been having the same problem also!  But with my case, I had the gall stone attacks off and on for about five years.  I also had pancreatitis, because the gall stones got stuck in the bile duct that connected my gall bladder to my pancreas!  Anyhoo, right after I had my gall bladder removed I started having loose stools all the time.  After my first meal of the day, whether it's breakfast or lunch(sometimes I don't have breakfast), I get cramps and have to use the bathroom.  And my stools are always loose, sometimes even mucousy.  So could this be, because there's no more gall bladder to store bile so it builds up in the intestines?  

[wabbitswife]

What did you do about work Vickie if you down and out for two years?  Were you able to work with all that going on?  Reading all of this is scarey to me, because I'm pending some of this.  I'm up for the HIDA test next week.  At this point in my life I need my job.

[Keru]

My husband had his gall bladder out in March and he can't seem to eat without having to run to the bathroom immediately.  Do you have to have a doctor prescribe questran or can you you buy it over the counter?

[Tinkahell]

In November 1996 i had my gall bladder removed and since then anything i eat fatty or not goes straight through me and everytime i eat something i have to run to the toilet at least twice 5 minutes after eating and when im out with my fiancee and we eat something at a cafe or restaurant or whatever i sometimes cant even get half way thorough a meal and i have to stand up and excuse myself and run to the toilet...

[cat33]

I had the same problem for many years. Then my  younger brother and nephew told me about Questran problem solved. After years of looking for the nearest bathroom before I did anything. My older brother took Qustran along with Fibercon. My mother never had that problem. Guess we were chosen. But now after taking Questran for so many years, I don't need it anymore. BecauseI have the opposite problem  can't win

[daedreem]

I had the same issues, post gall bladder surgery.
I KNEW the surgery caused it.. the onset was that sudden and that severe.

I went to multiple doctors, and FINALLY told this one young man I WAS NOT LEAVING HIS OFFICE UNTIL HE GAVE ME SOMETHING THAT WOULD HELP. :)
(pardon the screaming, but that's how insistent I was... LOL)

Right in front of me this young man went throught his RX catalog repeatedly, back and forth, with a puzzled look...
then laughed and prescribed Questran.. (I think... I had to later ask for a pill, because I'd been prescribed it 3x a day, and it was tough to take at work.)
The difference was phenominal. I went from 1-2 hours of constant severe cramps and diarrea (diarrhea) after every meal, or even snack if I tried to skip the meal and just go with SOMETHING on the stomach... to EVERY NOW and then, I get sick for a little while.
I take Cholestid now, and any time I go to a new doctor (medical plans change) I have to explain yet again why I'm taking it, and that they better NOT try to not renew that RX.. :) (I'm usually not an isistent or threatening type either.. LOL)
I take one first thing in the AM, sleep for another hour, then get up and have a NORMAL day... I only take the one a day, even though my RX says 3 times.
Every now and then I might get diarrea (diarrhea) still, but I take an OTC fix for it, and I'm fine again. I still consider it a 100% success, and I think it's criminal that doctors advise the gall-bladder removal and tell ou there are 'No adverse side effects' to it's removal, even after you come in WITH those side-effects.

[daedreem]

Oh...
One thing I only recently found out, but is VERY important to know about Cholestid...
It severely inhibits your bodys absorption of vitamins and other drugs, so NEVER take another medicine at the same time.
You have to take things either over 1 hour BEFORE taking it, or FOUR hours after.

I finally figured out that was why my migraine medication didn't do the trick...  I took it at the same time as my AM Cholestid.
I take any other vitamins now at nighttime, and just suffer through my morning migraine when I get it until lunch when I can take something for that.

[QUAT]

I'M A 54YR OLD FEMALE AND HAVE CROHNS SINCE I'M 21...ABOUT 5 MONTHS I HAD MY GALL BLADDER REMOVED. I'VE BEEN ON QUESTRAN SINCE 1989.. I HAVE CONSTANT DIARRHEA.  NO MATTER WHAT I EAT THE CRAMPS AMD DIARRHEA STARTS. WENT TO MY GI AND GAVE ME LOMITAL...DOESN'T HELP EITHER... I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO...CONSTANTLY IN THE BATHROOM..HELP

[swanny328]

I had my gallbladder taken out 8years ago the only thing i have been able to tdo about the diarrhea is run for a bathroom nobody would listen or care thanks to all of you i will check into questran or cholestid and with any luck i will get my life back again thank you all !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!                                                                                                                                                                                                           swanny328

[kuntryqtpi]

Hello, I'm 34 and had by gall bladder removed in Feb 2009.  Since having the surgery, I get diarrhea with everything I eat no matter what it is.  My surgeon gave me Whelchol.  I was prescribed 6 pills a day but do fine with 3 pills in the am only. It's actually a cholesterol medication but works wonders for intestinal issues.  No more diarrhea!!!  So side effects.  They only way to see if your body has adjusted is to skip the medication and see what happens.  So far, I still need the medication and I'm wondering if I will always need it.  I'm just thankful it is available and I have a normal life again.

[pain666]

i just had an ultrasound done to look at my gallbladder but i was wondering if anyone has had this problem because of gallbladder stones or anything

the most recent was 2 days ago i had really bad stomach pain with really bad diarrhea  the pain came and went like contractions and the pain was so bad i wanted to die but nothing would have been fast enough its the worst pain in the world i would rather be shot the pain would be there when i had to push then i would go and the pain would stop for a few seconds then start again this went on for over 4 hours straight i had NOTHING left in me at all
i am having panic attacks because i am so tarrafide to eat because i may have this happen again the pain is so bad

[Raiine]

Did the ultrasound show that you did have gallstones? I had gallstones, and yes, that pain is SO terrible, you just wanna stay in your curled up ball and never move again as to not want to feel the pain. I don't reckon the diarrhea is associated with the gallstones (if you have them; you didn't exactly state if you did or not -- unless im blind) but you might have just had something really bad to eat that didn't mix well with something, or you might have an early case of IBS, or a stomach flu. Have you had any diarrhea since 2 days ago? Please tell me you're at least eating a little something. I know the pain is horrific, but jell-o or crackers or even lightly buttered toast may help decrease the cramping. If you have gallstones, and have an attack where it hurts so bad, let someone call 911. Morphine works like a charm :)

[blotiator]

Like you, I started taking Welchol 2 years after my gall bladder removal.  It certainly does help.  I have tried to go off of it just to see if I could do without it.  I take my 2-3Welchol pills EVERY DAY!   I went two years with chronic diarrhea and finally went to the doctor.  After being referred to a gastro-doc, going through an endo and colonoscopy, the doctor found a large cancerous polyp!  So in many ways I was thankful for the terrible diarrhea.  You just don't find something like that in a 35 year old woman with no history of colon cancer!  

I still have issues with GI disorders.  No cancer though!  I'm working on cutting out gluten again.  

[jonah37]

I have the exact same problem... Except I'm a 19 year old girl who recently had gallbladder removed (About 2 months ago now due to bilary dyskinesia). I eat breakfast and straight away (after a few bites even) I'm needing to rush to the loo. Should probably go and see my doctor I guess! Thanks for the posts on here, thought I was alone.

[lilmissconfused]

hi, i had my gallbladder removed on the 15th june and i suffer from watery yellow stools after eating i looked it up and apparently its called steatorrhoea look it up eating less fat and things can help :)

[anaylor]

I had my GB out last year. Ive had the same problems. But instead of meds, I added more cheese (low fat) to my diet, also peanut butter. Seems to really help and i can tell on the days I dont eat it. Id rather find natural ways . I didnt have stones, my GB didnt work. I did control how I felt for a year with what I ate. I know this day and age its hard Not to eat fatty foods or fast food.... But believe me, if you can do it, its better than pills and more meds!! good luck to all

[anaylor]

I had my GB out last year. Ive had the same problems. But instead of meds, I added more cheese (low fat) to my diet, also peanut butter. Seems to really help and i can tell on the days I dont eat it. Id rather find natural ways . I didnt have stones, my GB didnt work. I did control how I felt for a year with what I ate. I know this day and age its hard Not to eat fatty foods or fast food.... But believe me, if you can do it, its better than pills and more meds!! good luck to all

[jojobean1815]

i had my gallbladder removed 5 years ago and i know all about the fatty foods, the grease, the stress , but somtimes, it wouldnt bother me, but then out of now were , in the last few months i get these violent attacks. Somtimes they happen in the middle of a bowel movement . at the beggining or at the end of one.... sometimes the food dosent even digest and stomach acid along with broken up feces comes out ....also just before these attacks happen my kidneys hurt until it travels through my bowels.....the really bad ones make my anal area feel like im turning inside out ......i found a stringy film yesterday in the toilet after one of my attacks....chroans runs in my family aswell as diverticulitus...im going to set up a colonoscopy soon but i fear for the worst...seems that here latley no matter what i eat after a few days i have an attack and they happen more frequently.....i was 29 when the gall bladder was removed but ive always had stomach problems...im not sure what i have?

[idzrvit]

I had my GB a little over a year ago. I was great for the first 2 months then the diarrhea started. I suffered from gallbladder attacks for 15 years until a smart gastro doctor determined what the deal was. I am 39 , 5'10" and 138 lbs. I totally did not meet the criteria for GB issues. But mine didn't work so out it came.  I am in outside sales so I am on the road all day. Having one of my "stomach issues" daily after eating has caused me to just eat a few crackers to suffice until I can get home. The extreme urgency diarrhea is soooo embarrassing when I am with a client.  Although it's great for your bikini figure it sure is tough on my attitude.  I am a hag when I'm hungry and I seem to stay hungry nowadays.  I had heard of the pills (cholestid). I am going to search for a doctor that will prescribe them for me.  My other doctor gave me the "magic sand" to drink.  I just can't get it down.  My husband asks me if getting my GB was worth all of this. My answer is YES!  My pain from the GB was way worse.

[Bizob]

Happy to see I'm not alone in this world with this "crappy" problem! I had my GB taken out Oct. 2011 thanks to the wonderful stones that created so much pain I awoke from a dead sleep. Went to the ER got checked out they told me  they had to take it out and set up surgery for the next day because my heart rate was "too low".Did they ever think that I just might now how to relax better than most people? Went through it all had an easy recover thanks to the laprascopic surgery. I thought everything was all good afterwards until I quit taking the pain meds. Then I was introduced to HELL! like everyone else I could be half way through a meal or right at the end and not even 3 min after it would strike. Never in my life have I ever had to plan a route with multiple bathrooms along the way just in case. So since I run a delivery route I had to get this fixed ASAP. Went down to the GI doc and told him the problems and he was like "oh yeah it happens to 15% of people. didn't the surgeon go over this with you." HELL NO I wasn't told about anything. So what's done is done. He wrote me up an Rx for cholestyramine and I gave it a shot. WOW is all I can say! I went from up to 7 runny ones a day to 1 normal one a day. Not to mention the Rx is pretty cheap. I think retail no insurance is about 30-40 dollars but luckily for me I've got the coverage! A little note from experience, if you get the cholestyramine get nothing but the one made by Sandoz. it is a fine powder thats orange flavored and is by far the best tasting one I have tried.  Steer clear of the prevalite!!  I wish they would really educate people on this because the after effects are just absurd, what can ya do though! 29 years old with my appendix out in 06' GB out in 11' diagnosed with gluten allergy among others GERD and EE of the esophagus! Still going strong!

[Christopher R Watters, MD]

I make a point to see patients back about a week postop and specifically inquire about diarrhea. If it is consistenty watery, cholestyramine is immediately started. The vast majority of patients will increase the dose to effect and taper off the medication over two to three weeks as their GI tract adapts. I have observed that delay in initiating therapy makes it much more difficult to control and requires longer term treatment. Research has shown that bile salt delivery to the colon results in more rapid transit of stool through the colon and secretion of fluid resulting in a "secretory diarrhea." the resin binds the bile salts so they don't irritate the lining of the colon.

[Tessa129]

I had my gall bladder out in October 2011.  I recovered fantastically and have been feeling great since about the week after the surgery.  But, for the past 6 weeks or so I have begun to experince diarrhea and it has become more frequent.  Is it uncommon to start to experince this so many months after surgerywhen I had been feeling so good initially?

[MRSGBLUE]

OMG after two weeks after my gallbladder was removed it hit me real bad diarrhea.  It was with any kind of food I ate.  I didn't want to leave my house it was so bad.  Sometimes it was so watery nd sometimes it was yellow and the smell is so terrible.  Luckily my cousin told me about a medication this powder to take that her doctor proscribed to her. Tried one and I was finally free to leave the house and not get diarrhea.  Thank God for CHOLESTYRAMINE FOR ORAL SUSPENSION.  

[TamzUK]

I had my gall bladder removed full open surgery in Sept 2011, I have been absolutely fine up until a month ago. I could eat what I wanted when I wanted, had no problems whatsover.

But since about the beginning of Sept 2012 I havnt had a solid bowel movement, sometimes it just explodes from me not long after eating, it is often very bright in colour and the smell is foul! (sorry to get graphic), I dont have a high fat diet and I was told post op that some foods might cause this so at times I've expected it.

I have a dull ache in my right side just under my right breast where my scar is and sometimes it burns (not connected to eating patterns) in fact it was this pain that caused me to look these symptoms up and brought me here.

From what I'm reading this doesnt sound unusual :(

[jwhatever]

Try cooked rice in the AM, usually does the trick.
Remember the BRAT diet if someone had diarehha .....
B is for bananna
R is for rice
A is for a fresh grated apple
T is for toast
The rice works and also take your Caltrate, with Vit. D and minerals.
The calcium supplement is up to you and how much you should take.
But I take 2 - 6oo mg. / cut them in 4 and take them after each meal.
It is not meds and works so far.  The rice is a binder for the stools.

[EmeraldSkys]

I had my gallbladder removed last February I had the same problem. I also gained a lot of weight since I was eating mostly soups and plain carbs as that was all I could eat without feeling sick. I have since been experimenting, speaking to a nutritionist and working on a healthy diet for weight loss and for getting rid of this horrible "flushing" of my system. It's not perfect and sometimes I still get these symptoms but in general I am much improved. Here is what I've learned.
1. STOP EATING HIGH FAT FOODS: this is key, and it's hard. No more fast food, fried foods or anything with a lot of oil or cheese. Many times this is the worst part. I don't eat out often, and if I do it's usually a salad. It ***** when going out with friends to eat and I find I can't eat anything on a menu... but I'd rather munch on veggie sticks than feel awful.
2. CUT OUT GLUTEN: There is a lot of research on gluten and why it's not great for anyone's health. But I find I'm no longer able to digest it properly and therefore I get the symptoms everyone on this page has been describing. Cutting out gluten had the added benefit of teaching me how to eat and helped me lose weight.
3. NEVER EVER FAST: Eat small meals often. When you don't have a gallbladder your body still produces bile in the liver, but instead of being stored in the gallbladder it is released directly into your digestive system. This means if there is no food to digest then that bile (essentially acid) travels through your system, burning, causing cramps and diarrhea. There is also some suggestion that this burning of your intestinal tract could lead to other problems like IBS, ulcers and maybe even cancer.
4. DRINK WATER: the more water you drink the more you dilute the bile and the less harmful it will be for your intestinal tract BUT
5. DON"T DRINK LIQUIDS WITH MEALS: you no longer have a backup supply of bile. You only have the little bit in your digestive system at the exact moment you eat, so DON'T dilute it when you need it to work to digest your food.
6. GET IN SHAPE: Working out helps to regulate your system. The better shape you're in, the better your body works.
7. LOTS OF FRUITS AND VEG: it has the natural fibre you need and the nutrients your body needs.
8. EAT HEALTHY LEAN MEATS: Your body needs protein to function, stick with lean cuts, but don't skip the protein.

I hope this helps any one who is suffering, it's been a great help to me. I also take probiotics at night before bed, take DGL (licorice extract) before meals to help coat the intestines and prevent bile burn and I will take a bile supplement and a digestive enzyme for any large meals.

All this has helped me get fit and feel good about 95% of the time. I still slip up and eat things I shouldn't and my body reminds me that that is a terrible idea and then I'm back on track because I never want to feel that way again.

Best of luck.

[alexisE2013]

use "FiberCon" (I got mine at Wal mart) I know its a fiber laxative but it works!!!!!!!!! had my gallbladder out in 1993 and had diarrhea almost every morning(20 years!!) :-( its now 2013. My daughter had hers out this year and I had her to ask her Dr. and he said for me to take FiberCon but not as directed!! you need to take 2 in the morning and just drink enough water to swallow the pills and eat like you normally do. and if 2 doesn't work use 3....(2 worked for me). And the Dr. said if you get constipated don't stop taking the pills just drink more water...I hope this helps..I know how it is when your on a family trip and not being able to eat because you know It will send you straight to the bathroom.

[alexisE2013]

use "FiberCon" (I got mine at Wal mart) I know its a fiber laxative but it works!!!!!!!!! had my gallbladder out in 1993 and had diarrhea almost every morning(20 years!!) :-( its now 2013. My daughter had hers out this year and I had her to ask her Dr. and he said for me to take FiberCon but not as directed!! you need to take 2 in the morning and just drink enough water to swallow the pills and eat like you normally do. and if 2 doesn't work use 3....(2 worked for me). And the Dr. said if you get constipated don't stop taking the pills just drink more water...I hope this helps..I know how it is when your on a family trip and not being able to eat because you know It will send you straight to the bathroom.