Bile acid malabsorption experiences

[magicstar2020]

Hi
TMI poo talk warning…
I’ve suffered from sudden diarrhoea episodes that come on usually a hour or less after eating, for about 5 years. Happens once every couple of weeks and each episode lasts around 2-4 hours and I’m probably going every 20 mins. Usually feel nauseous and have a funny feeling in stomach but wouldn’t say painful. I had a scan/test can’t remember what it’s called, but moderate BAM was diagnosed following this.
my questions are - is this a normal experience of BAM or is mine mild? (I don’t really want to take the medication)
also anyone taken the medication and what’s the effects been?
I hate it and it makes me scared to leave the house but at the same time the medication sounds mega… would be useful to have advice xxx thanks so much xxx

I don't have personal experience, but a close friend is suffering from this after having her gallbladder removed. She has started the medication. She said its the most vile stuff she's ever had to drink in her life. But she is managing to take it twice a day. So far she's not experienced much change. She also gets very bloated in her upper abdomen after eating

Try psyllium husk. I have found its made a huge difference. My issues started after gallbladder removal also

There are tablets you can take if you can’t tolerate the drink. I think you might need a gastro Dr to prescribe them initially though, rather than a gp. They are called Colesevelam. My gp was happy to add to my repeat prescriptions after my gastro started me on them for my BAM.

@PudgeJudythank you. I'll pass this on.

Take the tablets, mine started like yours quite mild but got worse over the years…pooing myself on the way back from the school run and having to hose the pavement for about 3 houses was a particularly low point🤦‍♀️. There are various tablets, drinks and doses so finding the right one before it gets worse is important. Also food triggers. I take 8 tablets a night during a flare up but normally only need 2 a night. I probably have one major flare up a year as opposed to the once a month I was at.

Also keep an eye on vitamin levels especially, iron, vit d and b12. Don’t let gps fob you off as most have no idea what BAM is. Also regular colonoscopy’s and endoscopy’s as the acid can cause damage and bleeding.

Hope you have a good gastro department as they make all the difference.

I had cholestyramine - worked like a charm!