Is it BileReflux

My husband had his gall bladder removed in 1999. He has been battling diarhea (diarrhea) and abdominal cramping ever since. Frequent loose yellowy stools.....for all these years. We have tried everything right down to going gluten-free. He produces large amounts of bile. According to tests, he does not have Crohn's, IBS, ulcerative colitis, etc. A recent endoscopy says it's acid reflux, but he has never had the same symptoms I experience with my gerd. The doctor put him on prilosec. His loose stools aren't quite as frequent, but they still exist. He has become a prisoner in our own home as he is too afraid to leave for fear of an "accident".....we have tried the Colestid, the Questran...the diet modifications, etc......the doctor says he doesn't have Celiac's, but we are still keeping him gluten free as the abdominal bloating has diminished. I want him to see another doctor but all we ever do is fight about it anymore. I'm desperate for some answers. Can ANYONE help?

[Carol20107]

I had the bile salt diarrhea after my gall bladder removal 2 years ago.  I used a product called Align which my doctor gave me a sample.  It's a probiotic and it's over the counter.  It really helped with the urgency and made my stools formed.    
Also I used calcium carbonate and Vit D3 taken together.  Calcium carbonate causes gas at first so it's best to start with a low dose and take it with a meal for absorption.  500mg of calcium is about all you can absorb at one time so I wouldn't take more than that.  The Vit D3 helps you absorb the calcium.  If you google message boards you will find people using this method.  I did it with two meals but some people do it with 3 meals a day.
Taking a natural fiber supplement can help diarrhea and constipation.  I use Acacia fiber and I started with a very low dose because it does cause some gas but not as bad as psylium for me.  Natural fiber may help absorb the bile but I'm not sure if there are studies proving this yet.  I would also look for a really good GI who knows the medicines, it took me four tries but I finally found one.  Take care, Carol

[Carol20107]

It just occured to me that men don't require as much calcium as women so I would check with your doctor on the amount.

[dee1357]

Thanks for the advice. Guess we could try it. At this point I'd have him try anything. Oh...he did try the Align for about 3 months. Didn't help. REad somewhere that Citrucel with Vit C helps too. We're just at a loss after all these years. Thanks tho