Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Bowel changes 5 months after gallbladder removal

1 reply

Tasha121 · 01/04/2025 11:56

I'm sure the general consensus will be I need to see the GP, but was hoping someone (anyone!) could reassure me this is vaguely normal.

My gallbladder stopped working properly in my last pregnancy, so I had it removed in Oct last year, so roughly 5 months ago. Had some vague issues right afterwards with acid reflux/pains where gallbladder used to be, but these symptoms have largely calmed down now.

In the last couple of months though, I feel like my bowel habits are all over the place! I swing back and forth between constipation and diarrhea, but even if I 'go' normally, I still get those awful pains and that desperate feeling you get before diarrhea! I'm still trying to largely stick to a very low fat diet as I got used to it whilst waiting for surgery, but it doesn't seem to matter what I do/don't eat now! I frequently have 'griping' pains all around my stomach and into my back as well, sometimes a bowel movement alleviates these, sometimes not. Occasional nausea for a couple of days at a time too.

I've looked up bile acid malabsorbtion, and it seems to fit except for the constipation? I've had more loose stools in the last 10 days or so, but usually tend more towards the constipated side.

I know I need to go to the GP, but been putting it off as no idea if they can even help! Struggling to know what to eat, exercise, everything really! I'd anyone has any advice I'd really appreciate it

OP posts:
Moier · 01/04/2025 20:31

Happened to me exactly same thing.. but with loads of pain.. about a 2 months after my gallbladder removal.
Turns out they had left some stones in my bile ducts along with bile sludge..... that had got inflamed and infected.. so back in l went to have a endoscopy to have them removed .. but it had effected my liver and that became infected too.. with lesions.. l was back in for 3 weeks on an antibiotic drip... until all was clear.
If it doesn't go.. ask for a CT scan to make sure your bile ducts are clear.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page