Scheduled for colonoscopy & upper endo with biopsy for chronic diarrhea & weight loss...any ideas??

[jerseyot]

i'm scheduled for a colonoscopy as well as an upper endoscopy with small bowel biopsy in 4 days.  i've had chronic watery diarrhea and unintentional weight loss (about 15lbs - was 138lbs now 123lbs) following gall bladder removal.  The GI tested me for c-diff and stool fats b/c he thinks it might be a malabsorption issue.  All other bloodwork has been negative.  Anyone have any ideas on what it could be?  Or what your outcome was following the same procedures with the same symptoms?  THANK YOU!

[iris986]

I have been through all the testing and they never came up with anything. Hope you have better luck!

[jerseyot]

thanks iris986 - i saw a GI last Thursday and he was very concerned by the amount of weight i've lost as well as the chronic diarrhea issue.  He said it wasn't as common as people think to have this happen and that he wanted to get to the bottom of it (no pun intended!)  he mentioned that an increase in bile salts might have something to do with the chronic diarrhea as the gall bladder is no longer there to filter the amount of bile being pumped thru my system (and as such, those bile salts act as a laxative).  So he have me Questran and that seems to have helped somewhat.  Ironic that i have to stop taking it though b/c i need a colonoscopy on Thursday...one binds you up, and the prep for the colonoscopy cleans you out!  We'll see i guess.  thanks again for your thoughts.

[iris986]

Having diarrhea and unintententional weight loss after having your gallbladder removed is normal. It took me 13 years after gallbladder removal before it stopped. You need to stay away from eggs, greasy foods and tomato sauce as they cause the diarrhea.