@jkarmazin No I have not been tested for EPI. Crohn’s in remission- lactose intolerant. EPI never mentioned since prior episodes of diarrhea was from IBD. According to 2020 colonoscopy no signs of Crohn’s and asked why I still had diarrhea was told diarrhea was probably IBS. Eat fiber. Able to control with immodium. Then had gallbladder removed and the FLUSH is unstoppable.

If you want to see if you think you have it try taking OTC pancreatic enzymes and see if you feel a little better. That is what I did and then I asked to be tested.

I had diarrhea after almost every meal after my gall bladder removal. I had numerous tests to rule out all the potential diseases. Cholestyramine has completely controlled the diarrhea if I take it on a very regular basis, once a day. It has changed my life!

Colestid, cholestyrine are the best for bile salt diarrhea post gallbladder removal

Yes, I take two colestipol tablets at one time daily. They are very hard for me to swallow. I use a pill cutter to make several small pieces. Has anyone tried the powder form? It sounds like it is a bit more expensive.

It's possible that you caught "C-diff" in the hospital. Get it checked out.

@jfperrone That sounds dreadful.

My sister had hers out some years ago. No problems. One of her daughters had hers out recently on an emergency basis. No problems. I had mine out as part of cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC as part of my treatment for stage 4 appendix cancer. No problems.

It sure sounds like something else may be going on here.

I saw the possibility of c-diff mentioned. That’s the sort of thing you may need to look into. I didn’t get it but I have been shocked how many people do get c-diff in hospital as a result of surgery.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/c-difficile/symptoms-causes/syc-20351691

I had my gallbladder taken out April of 2024, Everything i eat seems to run thru me. I'm so tired of living like this. My stomach hurts and spasms on me a lot as well..has anyone else had this problem, if so what can i do to help the situation? Thanks

Here's an interesting Mayo Clinic article I found on diarrhea after gallbladder removal:

- Chronic diarrhea: A concern after gallbladder removal? https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cholecystectomy/expert-answers/gallbladder-removal/faq-20058481

I agree with the other person who said its probably bile acid malabsorption. Bile acid malabsorption (BAM), sometimes referred to as bile acid diarrhea, often occurs after gallbladder removal due to the disruption of bile acid regulation. Normally, bile acids are recycled in the intestines, but if they are not properly absorbed, they can draw water into the bowel and irritate it, leading to diarrhea.

I had the exact same thing. Gallbladder removal and then diarrhea every morning. Went on for years. I couldn't keep weight on. I finally found this condition bile acid malabsorption. I asked my Dr. for Colestid. She said take one with every meal. I ended having to take only one with morning meal and one with evening meal. Diarrhea gone! Also, I was drinking a pre-workout drink in the mornings and it made it much worse. I had to cut it out altogether. There are different medicines for it, similar to Colestid (which come in generic BTW). Medications like cholestyramine, colesevelam, or colestipol bind excess bile acids in the intestine and reduce diarrhea. These are often the first-line treatment. These medications are powders or pills and are generally well-tolerated, though they may cause bloating or constipation in some cases.

Good luck, I know how horrible it was. I was scared to leave the house, had incontinence, etc.