Is this IBS or gallbladder related? Advice please

[PlasticHorse]

I've NC But I promise I'm not the poo troll!

I had my gallbladder out 4 months ago and since then I've had some issues with diarrhea most days.

I need to go several times a day and with some urgency. I've had a couple of very near misses when out and about and it's starting to make me worried about going out.

I sometimes get sore cramps too. I've tried to monitor what I'm eating but it really doesn't make much difference.

I just feel mortified at the thought of seeing the GP but I feel like it's getting worse and I don't want it to effect everything.

And this really is probably TMI but I use a moon cup and this last period found it very very painful to remove. The pain was definitely towards the back and not usual cramps. Could this be connected?

Is there something I can take or do at home to help first?

[Sabriel]

It could be related to your gallbladder but it could be something else. You really need to get it checked out.

You will already be worrying about what it is but trying to ignore it isn't helping if you are having near-misses. It may be something really simple that your GP can clear up quickly.

OTOH when I first went to my GP because I was having to go more and more often with urgency it was because it seemed to be period related. It wasn't, and was cancer.

[OComeAllYeFaithBaby]

Chronic diarrhoea is a health concern that needs to be addressed by your GP. Trust me, they've dealt with it all before! Get yourself an appointment.

[WinklyVersusTheZombies]

Since I had my gall bladder out my digestive system has been fucked. About a month after the op I was taken to hospital with horrific abdo pain which turned out to be constipation but apparently the opposite is very very common. I still have bowel trouble, eg when I need to poo I really need to poo, meaning Right Now.

Do go see your doctor, it probably is.gall bladder related but they can confirm that, and maybe give you some dietary hints or meds to ease the symptoms.

[PlasticHorse]

Thanks for your replies.

I think I will have to make an appointment and just get it over with.

I really don't want this to get any worse as it's already effecting me enough.

Hopefully, it will just be because I've had my gallbladder out and they can suggest what might help.

[TapirAroundTheChristmasTree]

I had this after gall-bladder removal, go see your gp and have a chat about it - there are things that can help.

[PoppyWearer]

I've had my gallbladder out and nothing like you describe, just one bout of cramping (colic) after eating a particularly high-fat meal.

Good luck with it x

[4hoursanightisnotalright]

I had my gallbladder out 3 years ago and had the same thing for a few months following surgery, especially after eating fatty foods. I wasn't given any guidelines for food afterwards but I wish I had been as I still have trouble digesting too much fat (a fish and chip supper goes right through me). I have now been diagnosed with IBS and am trying to moderate my food somehow to avoid it as much as possible. I think the general rule of thumb is to try and stick to a fairly low fat diet as much as possible, especially following your recent surgery as your body is no longer able to process fat as efficiently as it could with a gallbladder.

[yousmell]

gluten problems?

[PlasticHorse]

Thanks for the replies/.
lisad123 - I think it may be related to fatty foods and cutting them is fine but fruits and veg too? I thought things would be better after my gallbladder was gone diet wise.

The surgeon never ever mentioned this as a possible side effect. I asked and was told everything would be fine after a month or so!

yousmell - I'm not sure about the gluten thing. I guess I could try and eliminate it and see if it makes a difference.

I will make an appointment for next week.

[NanaNina]

Glad you are making an appt with GP PH - my GP told me that they want to know about diarrhoea that lasts longer than 5 days!!

[TapirAroundTheChristmasTree]

As I said above, I've had this problem.

Found that fatty foods go right through me, but that cutting out lots of fibre means I get terribly constipated. I've also found that some things have become harder to digest, like onions and pork, so I stick to a very low fat diet and avoid those things that I have problems with.

I did get gluten tested, but it came back negative, and have had other tests done with the same result. My consultant stated it was post-cholecystectomy syndrome (with low level chronic pancreatitis as a bonus).