Uncontrolled diarrhea after gallbladder removal surgery: Any advice?

Did they help you?

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!

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.

@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.

Have you been tested for EPi?

@mef51, thank you for the feedback! Sometimes medication with diet works for me most often not..fats seem to be the problem. Cholestyramine and multiple immodiun don’t help if I have eaten something to cause the FLUSH. I was hoping to be able to treat/cure/heal the cause instead of treating the symptoms (one can hope). Might need to try colestipol. So glad that you found a protocol that is working for you and that you are willing to share with others!!

I had horrible diarrhea after my gall bladder removal. What works for me is one serving of Metamucil mid morning, and 2 tablets of colestipol (prescribed) mid afternoon. You need to take the colestipol 1-2 hours after your other meds, or 4 hours before your other meds. Your pharmacist can help you with that. If I (rarely) feel a diarrhea episode coming on I take 1/2 an Immodium AD and it stops it. This method has changed my life for the better! Good luck!

I am new to this site joined because of this conversation. The last post I see is 2023. Fast forward to this year 2025. Is this conversation closed. Would like an update date from @thisisabattle. Did you find a protocol that worked for your specific issues?

It gets better in time but there are meds they can give you and a diet to follow..

Yes, Fecal Elastase.