6 years post gallbladder removal - side effects

[Bigoldhag]

N/c because i find this all so humiliating.

I had my gall bladder taken out in 2015. No regrets on this - I spent a year almost suicidal over the pain.

However from around 1 year post op, I’ve been struggling with dioreha daily. Its had an impact on how i live my life, including jobs and how I travel because I cannot predict what will trigger it. If I have to travel or be out all day, I usually eat nothing to avoid issues.

I’ve tried a low fat ‘healthy’ diet. Some days this serves me well and I toilet like a normal human, other days it makes not a blind bit of difference.

Some days I eat badly ( I also struggle with picky eating - which I have made some progress through but not perfected yet! I also have binge eating disorder, again, not manageable yet) and 3/4 of the time I have the inevitable rush to the toilet, repeatedly, some days no issues.

So, I am incredibly frustrated. I cannot pinpoint what trigger foods are making me unwell. Yesterday I had a cup of tea with a dash of milk - i had to go to the toilet twice!!

This is also hindering my attempts to work through my eating disorder - I find I get so frustrated that I just bloody give up and binge because it seems so pointless.

Has anyone else suffered like this and can they help? I visited the gp about two years post op and was just told ‘cut out fatty foods’. But its not enough, and it doesnt work!!!

I’d love if anyone had anything to offer me, its such a humiliating problem and it combined with eating problems its just making me feel more and more isolated.

*diarrhea

I had my gallbladder out in February, since then I sometimes have to go to the loo urgently. It's not a problem right now as I'm wfh but I want to change jobs and also re-start my walking for exercise, and I'm worried that I will not be able to.
Also long car journeys or anything that takes me away from a nearby loo.
It's much worse than a leaky bladder as obviously it would be totally humiliating even if I had a pad on.
The doctor told me everything would be much as before, but I'm slightly disabled now.

I understand this must be so difficult OP.

Well I know that tea can make you ‘go’

Are you possibly also lactose intolerant?

Are you doing a food and symptom diary?

Are you sure it's related to the gallbladder op though, OP? It could be a food intolerance, a different digestive disorder (ibs?) or could it be related to your binge eating disorder? Unless it's directly related to consumption of fat, is it actually likely to be gallbladder-related?

I had my gallbladder out about 5 years ago. I very occasionally get diarrhoea after a very fatty meal, but had no other problems for the 4 years following the op. I have had digestive issues over the past year, however, which are under investigation (possible ibs or intolerance).

I really sympathise over not beung able to work out what your triggers are though- it's a nightmare and so tedious. Have you tried keepibg a food diary? How about taking a probiotic to help your gut?

I'm no expert OP but I don't think this is the result of your gallbladder op.

I've had mine out, and have had the occasional pain, but nothing like this.

Go back to your GP again and get this looked at properly.

Good luck OP. Sounds awful :(

For some people the upset tummy stage doesn’t settle down. There is medication that can be prescribed. You do need to go back to your GP.
You might find support and advice here:

healthunlocked.com/tag/gallbladder-removal

I’ve been referred to have my gallbladder removed. The Dr said to think very carefully about it as I could be left with chronic diarrhea, but he did say it could be treated with tablets for life.

Hi @Bigoldhag, sounds like BAM (bile acid malabsorption) which can be caused by gall bladder removal. Prescription bile binders may well help you (I think the generic name of the medication is cholestyramine but there are several brands) - you need to speak to your gp and if they won’t prescribe then demand a referral to a gastro (as they should assuming they’re a decent one!).

Do you take digestive enzymes? I'm waiting on gallbladder removal but my quality of life has improved no end since starting to take them.

I have exactly the same issue op, I now only eat in a 4 to 6 hour window and have tried to limit dairy and completely cut out bread which has seemed to help.

As @Blinkingbatshit says, very possibly bile acid malabsorption. You can get a SeCHAT scan to diagnose this, and there are medications that work well for the condition. It is a recognised occasional problem after cholecystectomy.

My stomach was bad for a few years after gall bladder surgery, but it did settle down eventually. Taking vitamin D really helps me, removed cow's milk from diet and don't wait more than 4 hours to eat. Milk in the morning was a definite no no for me. Eat before going to bed. I think that bile dripping into stomach, rather than being held by gallbladder and released when needed, is the issue. Food soaks up the excess. You may benefit from digestive enzymes, you can buy over the counter, or maybe ask doctor for something stronger if those don't work, people who can't process fat often take Creon, but that has to be prescribed. Good luck, I hope you feel better soon x

Forgot to add, fasting definitely upsets my stomach, little and often, with good mix or carbs and enough fibre seems to work for me. In the past when I didn't eat enough fruit and vegetables I definitely felt worse x

Thank you, everyone. I feel better knowing I am not alone.

I’ll try a few of some of the suggestions and then will look to go to the GP (and find some courage to do so!)

Hi Bigoldhag- did you go to gp regarding this . I had my removal 15 years ago and I also have suffered from diarrhoea. Most of the time I manage it ok , use Imodium when needed but occasionally it’s really difficult . Not eating for 12 hours before a flight etc , needing to know the location of ever toilet when out and about . Think it’s time to go to gp but really tricky to get appointments x