I had problems for years with diarrhea after my gallbladder was removed My doctor said it happens to 1 in 4 there was nothing that could be done. I had cramps, would have to run to the bathroom every time I ate, never could eat out. Could not travel. The diarrhea took my life away from me. I had to get a job where a bathroom was very close. Until a PA friend looked into it contacted a specialist and found what was causing the problem and gave me a prescription. I am back to normal after 8 years and can eat anything. (((Here is what is causing the problems,,,After the gallbladder is removed the bile is flowing into your system instead of the gallbladder. Once the operation has passed and your body has healed the body has the ability to absorb the bile back into the body and there is no problems,,,,,,,,BUT!!!,,if there is a lot of scar tissue then the bile can't be absorbed back into the body and it causes your system to be flooded with bile,,,loose stool and diarrhea forever. ,,,,THE CURE,,,,, There is a medicine that is in a powder form and this powder is(((((((Cholestyramine))))))))))))called Questran. The powder absorbs the bile and will return your life to normal. Let me know if you have any questions,,,,My email is dmcphatter@iwon.com

KC,

At what point during the meal do you take the betaine? What brand? Do you have to use pancreatic enzymes?

Thanks,

John

Just read your post from 3 months ago concerning diarrhea after having the gallbladder removed. I suffered with extreme diarrhea for two years following my surgery. I took the normal recommended products, bran, psyllium, etc. with poor results. What I have found that really works well is calcium citrate tablets. I take 3 150 mg tablets twice a day. This has returned me to normal function, as long as I take the tablets everyday. Another thing I have found that helps are nuts. I eat a handful of cashews, almond and pecans several times a day. I would not have had my gallbladder removed if I'd known the extreme diarrhea I would have to suffer until I had exhausted other alternatives. Good Luck.

I too, am in the pre-removal stage of my gall bladder with a consultation with the surgeon on Thursday. I too, have had diarrea for years but it has gotten worse and caused me to stay home most of 2004, yes the whole year; no dinners out, working very little because I can't be more than 10 feet from a bathroom. Some days are ok but I have no way of knowing what days are ok. I'm in total anxiety and fear everytime I leave my house. I've had several emabarrasing situations. It's all VERY depressing. I'm on my third doctor trying to find out what's wrong. I've tracked exactly what I eat for months, track BM, tracked, tracked to no result. I have not had any pain associated with the immediate, urgent diarrea UNTIL I started going to doctors and taking medicine. Previously I have been prescribed and have taken cholestyramine (stopped the diarrea but made me very sick) then Nexium (worked ok, not sure, but still had the raging diarrea). Since starting the medicine I have been in so much pain, pressure under my chest for 4 to 6 hours at a time. I begged for pain medication but doctors would not give me any--oh that's what the Nexium was suppose to help with. After days and days of sickness, I was referred to another doctor, who states she does not know what is wrong. I have had countless tests in the hospital and out. The only thing they found was 5 small stones in my gall bladder; other than that there is no thickening or signs of disease in my gall bladder. The new doctor has scheduled a surgery consultation and a scope procedure where they put the scope down your throat to see what's there. She also changed my medication to Pancrecarb MS-4 with each meal and Aciphex each morning. I stopped the Pancrecarb the third day due to raging diarrea. The past few days, the Aciphex seems to be working ok. The excruiating pain has not come back. When I eat anything, my stomach becomes very gassy and noisy. So, I wonder what you dwcided to do and how it all worked out. Any insights would be greatly appreciated as this is a big decision on Thursday.

EILEEN

I HAD MY SURGERY DONE IN MAY 14,2003. I'VE HAD PROBLEMS EVERY SINCE. THE HOSPITAL SENT ME A BOOKLET, THE THING IS YOU HAVE TO WATCH WHAT YOU EAT. NO MAYO, NO BUTTER AND NO FATTY FOODS. MY BOYFRIEND'S SISTER SAID THAT IT TOOK HER BODY A 1YR TO ADJUST TO EATING. EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT SO. I'M GOING TO CHANGE MY EATING HABIT'S A LITTLE AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

Questran Powder Helps - I had my gallbladder removed in 1991. The only way I can function (Job & social life) is to take 1 tsp. of Questran powder first thing in the morning. It allows for 1 ot 2 normal Bowel movements. Without the Questran I cannot be away from the bathroom.
A doctor did tell me I would "Adjust" without it. I tried for 2 years - no success. I want to Add that Questran acts to reduce cholesterol. Some of these agents can produce Depression in some people. Questran also has Nutrasweet added to it. I do not want to injest any Nutrasweet products so I am looking for a alternative. Any ideas.