6 years of diarrhea

[nikki21b]

I have had constant diarrhea for 6 years. Other than when I was preegnant with my now 4 year old. It started about 3 months after I had my gall bladder removed. I've been to a GI specialist, had a colonoscopy, all types of blood test. And this was after I lost about 25 pounds. Which when you start at 115 pounds is alot. I was almost hospitalized because I couldnt keep any food in me long enough to gain any weight or get any vitamins from it. I never received a diagnosis, other than them telling me what it wasnt. Not Crohns, not IBS, not Celiac. I finally stopped going when the doctor told me he had no idea what was wrong and he thought it might be an eating disorder. Why would I go to the doctor and tell him i was concerned about my weight loss if I had an eating disorder?! I don't enjoy looking down and being able to count my ribs. But anyway, it went away for about 2 months this past year. I put on some weight, felt better because I actually had energy and could play with my 4 year old daughter without having to force myself. Well, now its back. In the last 2 weeks i've lost 5 pounds. I stopped eating almost all types of food and am drinking about 8 boost a day, because in addition to this problem I also have TMJD so eating is not only incredible painful going in but going out as well. I also have severe cramp-like pains in my lower abdomen as well as in my lower back. I am hoping that maybe someone has some idea what this is. Maybe a few ideas in regards to what I can do to stop it or at least slow it down. Thank you

[TrudieC]

Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity can cause this.  Ask your doctor to run a blood test to test for it but don't change your diet or anything until after the test.  A gluten free diet may help this immensely.

[nikki21b]

No, that hasnt been mentioned to me by any of the doctors that i've seen. In fact the GI specialist I saw flat out told me that he's never heard of any cases of diarrhea connected to gall bladder removal. Because that was the first thing that I asked him only because I had never had the problem prior to that. Like I said he was convinced that it was an eating disorder and I dont think that he was willing to accept any other answer. Do you know of anything I can do, in regards to changing my eating habits or anything else really to make it better? It sounds like cutting out fats would help but its hard to be so skinny and have to explain to family and friends why i'm doing this. They've all at some point insinuated that its an eating disorder as well. I wish people understood how painful this is and embarrasing. I cant eat out at restaurants because halfway thru the meal I have to use the bathroom. And usually even if I go right home I have to stop on the way and use the bathroom again. Thank you for your help!!

[gregusmeus]

Having your gall bladder removed can reduce your ability to digest fats, as that's what bile, which is produced in the gall bladder, helps with.  Undigested fats can cause diarrhea.  Haven't your doctors already mentioned this to you?