If the IBS-D is Gallbladder related, would the "what to eat when you can't eat anything" diet work??
#88011 - 07/08/04 05:56 PM
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raindew01
Reged: 07/07/04
Posts: 75
Loc: Toronto, Ontario - Canada.
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I'm so confused. Or just not knowing.
I just got Heather's "The First Year: IBS" book. And on the third page there's this part about if you had your gallbladder out, and IBS sypmtoms are D, then it's likely that the IBS symptoms are from malabsorption of bile acids, not IBS.
Sooooo. I had my gall bladder out 7 months ago. Started having major IBS-D symptoms 3 months after surgery. BUT I *think* I've had IBS symptoms all my life. As a kid, I was definitely C. Then as a teen until now, I've had recurring bouts of D and nausea and abdominal pain. I used to think that all that was related to me being a trauma survivor. Then I thought some of it had something to do with being lactose intolerant. Then I found out about my gallbladder, and thought a lot of it was bc of that. Then I had reactions after my gallbladder, found out about IBS, and thought it fit me too well.
And, on this fourth day of the IBS diet, I see definite improvement. No liquid D. Some D, but it's more formed. Definite improvement. Would it improve from the IBS diet if it's the gall bladder???
Ug! I just don't know. Definitely confused. Any feedback? Anyone experience this? Know about this?
I do have an appointment with a GI specialist later this month--which is good. But I definitely try to avoid any invasive tests. And, I recently went to the gallbladder surgeon, and he didn't even mention anything about bile acid...but that could mean he just doesn't know about it.
Or it could be IBS.
Confused, for sure.
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I was diagnosed with IBS-D over 20 years ago. Then I got my gallbladder out and I seemed to get worse. No one including the specialist told me about a drug called Questran that helps bind the bile acids for people without gallbladders. I got on Questran Lite and it helped me quite a bit, BUT I still had my IBS problems off and on to deal with. I just recently got off of the Questran because I was having some side effects to this drug. Not everyone has problems taking it, but I developed some and couldn't unfortunately continue with Questran. I would definitely talk to your doctor about it. The way I discovered Questran was by doing a search on the internet for people having problems after getting their gallbladders removed. I came across one site that had a message board and you should have seen ALL of the complaints about diarrhea problems after their gallbladder was removed and how most doctors don't tell you this can happen.
Good Luck!
Diane
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Heather is the Administrator of the IBS Message Boards. She is the author of Eating for IBS and The First Year: IBS, and the CEO of Heather's Tummy Care. Join her IBS Newsletter. Meet Heather on Facebook!
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You could also have both. It wouldn't be unusual. A mild case of IBS that you've had all your life like that could be made MUCH WORSE by an "insult" to the gut like having your gall bladder out or by trying to digest food without a gall bladder. Therefore the IBS diet would definitely help the way you describe. Also, I have both lactose intolerance and IBS. I can't just treat one or the other to feel better, I have to manage both. (Of course Heather says no dairy at all, so that's easy!) And of course the trauma survivor issues don't help as I well know from personal experience.
Hope this helps.
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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I had my gallbladder out in 99. Was on Questran NOT for IBS, but for bile salt diahhrea-different from IBS. I do have IBS though - NOW on Welchol for bile salt diahhrea, and that helps the symptoms of THAT...but IBS is different and I keep it under control with careful eating...mostly avoiding the bad stuff (excesses of triggers) and mostly doing okay. Questran is for bile salt diahhrea. Symptoms of that are explosive and unpredictable burning and stinging diahhrea, extreme weightloss/electrolytes get messed up - enormous PAIN inside - totally WATERY diahhrea, dehydration etc etc...these symptoms continue regardless of diet (unlike IBS) and begin immediately after gallbladder removal. If you have your gallbladder removed and have these symptoms EVEN THOUGH you are following this diet - please ask a gastroenterologist to consider bile salt diahhrea. Welchol is better than Questran (even questran lite)...I have to take 6 pills a day, but the burning, stinging, pain and extreme dehydration is over --- now I just deal with IBS - some symptoms that only raise their ugly head when trigger foods are eaten. Strange though - LACTAID 100% lactose free milk doesn't bother me at ALL...but cheese and all other dairy - even nonfat plain yogurt does! Must be the lactose.
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Thanks so much for the responses, everyone. It helps so much to hear stuff back, get feedback. I've found so little on the net (and still waiting for the GI doc appointment).
Sooo...it does make me think I have IBS, since my body's repsonded incredibly well to the diet, and since I didn't have major continuous D until 3 months after the operation (and had it recurring all my life). Or, I may have both, as LauraSue and others have said.
LauraSue, what you said made a lot of sense to me. Thank you.
DianeU, thanks for sharing your experience. It helps to hear from others! It does fit that the D got worse after the gallbladder operation.... I will talk to my doctor...though I still want to avoid a drug, if I can. i did take it seriously, though, what you said, and reading it in Heather's book, and Heather's comment here. I just have an aversion to drugs.... but we'll see. The diet is helping! If the IBS diet solves it completely for me, I'm just going to stay on it.
And sweetpea, it helped to hear your experiences. I don't think my D is quite the same...I haven't really had weightloss, or not much since the D, until this IBS diet, and then it's been up and down. So, perhaps it doesn't fit me. Anyway, it's good to hear all about it.
Thanks, you guys. It helps so much to hear stuff, to know I'm not alone, and just the support on this board.
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You're welcome, sweetie!!
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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Interesting....I have never heard of Welchol. My GI told me that Questran was the only drug for bile salt diarrhea. Now I'm sure my IBS-D is my main problem, but Questran sure did help me until I started having side effects from it. I was never comfortable with taking it knowing that it had aspartame in it.
Raindew01- I agree with you, I too like to stick with anything that is natural.
Diane
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