Dealing with symptoms after Gallbladder surgery

Yes, I am trying to find someone else that will take my insurance.

I developed bile salt malabsortion after removing my gall bladder. It causes almost constant diarrhea and stools are orange.I live on diarrhea pills. I have to stay away from fatty foods.

I am 4 months post op and I am still struggling with diarrhea. I am afraid to eat anywhere but at home. I basically have it controlled by diet, but there really isn't a whole lot I can eat without worry and sometimes even "safe" foods are not so safe. What medication do you take? Is it prescription?

Tasha, first I would like to say that everyone does not have the problem with bile salt malabsorbtion that I do and there are different degrees of it. Your system might settle down eventually. I have suffered for years now and took loperamide diarrhea pills to even feel safe going anywhere. I would bloat up to 6 inches difference from morning to night. About three years ago I started losing control of my bowels occasionally and became afraid to leave home without a portable toilet in the van.
I have been very careful about my food if I eat too much roughage I just about die from pain and diarrhea. after seeing different gastroenterologist that could not help at all my new primary care doctor said lets try Nortriptyline. He said even though this drug is an antidepressent they found out that people on it had their bowel issues go away. so now they give low dose amounts to people with IBS etc and it is working pretty well.
I have to say it has changed my life. I now take 25mgs a day and every other day only one half of the diarrhea pill. I was mad that no one else had told me this. Now I feel safe to leave the house unless I screw up and eat something that I know I should not. I am lactose and frutose intolerant all my life. and even though green vegies are good for most people they are not for me. I wish you luck and just remember that fat is not your friend after your gall bladder is removed. If you read up on how the pancreas and gall bladder work you will understand why so many of us suffer with these problems.

Thank you for responding. I have tried every drug the doctors have thrown at me. And everything makes me worse. I was afraid to take the nortriptyline because my system does not handle anything. And I get horrible side effects to antidepressants. But I will ask my GI about it again. Thank you so much for sharing your story and for all of the information ❤️

I’m many years without a gall bladder and have issues ever since.
Many visits to my Gastroenterologist left me exactly the same. Some said they didn’t believe it was gallbladder related.
Finally found another doctor who prescribed Welchol and I can take up to six a day. It’s helped a lot.
It’s worth a conversation with your Doctor

I also am very sensitive to all medications, I can't drink or take pain killers . everything makes me nauseated etc. I have only had one antipressent in my life when I was depressed because of breast cancer and I only took one pill and had such a severe side effect that I swore I would never take another. That was 12 years ago so like you I was skeptical about trying the Nortriptyline. I started with 10 mgs and slowly worked up to the 25mgs. In the beginning I was a little woosy in the mornings and was worried about feeling sedated. My body did ajust and now I might be a little slower for the first 30 minutes in the morning but I have my coffee and get on with my day without side effects. It has sure been worth it to me.

Thank you. I’ve now had my 3rd ERCP dye to a common bile duct structure. Trying to rule ot cancer. I am still having liver pain and nausea. Do you know any doc at Mayo that would see me for a 2nd opinion

Thank you.

I’m sorry, I do not know of any Doctors at Mayo for this problem.
I was seen at Borland Groover.