Gall bladder removal after affects

[darlenekate1982]

I had my gall bladder removed in July 07; I new that after the surgery it would take some time to get back to normal (being able to eat and not have diarrhea). However, this is not my case-my diarrhea is if anything worse and more frequent.  No certain foods cause it- one day I can eat something and have diarrhea, the next day eat the same thing and nothing.  Sometimes it occurs immediately after I eat (before I've even finished my meal) and then other times it occurs the following morning. It's very aggravating and hard to go out and eat (not sure what's going to happen). Does anyone else have this problem since having their gall bladder removed? If so, any advice? Thanks!

[bettyblue79]

hi, i had my gallbladder out in august 07 and i have had nothing but trouble since, my bowels are slow, i'm either backed up or the opposite, and in severe pain a lot. i have been on demerol off and on, and although it only masks the problem i'm told, it helps. i'm off it now, and still struggling, i have lost my job over this and have had all the major tests except a colonoscopy, which may be next. i was a healthy girl before this, it's very frustrating.

[darlenekate1982]

Another thing  I might add, is lately I've started itching (first we thought it was because we are remodeling and had new insulation) but that was over a month ago (i never had any contact with it). The itching is mostly on my feet, arms, and hands. Even when I went on vacation for 4 days it did not go away. It hasn't diminished at all, but is a constant; no creams or anything helps.  Heard that itching is caused by Liver disease, which is some cases happens after gall bladder removal. Not sure though. Any thoughts?

[Sickboy61]

One of the most popular drugs used for this purpose is Questran (Cholestyramine), it dows the same as Welchol.

The problem probably is that you are sometimes having too much bile in your system.  When this happens, it moves quickly to the large intestine where it acts as a laxitive causing diarrhea.

[onedaymore]

Ask your doctor about Welchol; it's a cholesterol medicine that binds bile salts. I had mine taken out in February of last year and tried to "tough it out," but after a doctor put me on Welchol, I rarely ever get sick after eating.