Bile Acid / Bile Salt Malabsorption

[Jimbob85]

Hello! I’m new here and really hoping there might be some fellow Bile Acid / Bile Salt Malabsorption friends around to talk to. I have been taking Colesevelam tablets for the condition which I was diagnosed with about 18 months ago following 2-3 years of typical IBS symptoms, but the severity increased drastically last year and I was signed off work for 4 months. After extensive tests I was given a diagnosis and can honestly say that the medication improves the condition around 75% of the time, however I am really struggling with the side effects. In particular the bloating which is hugely uncomfortable as well as the tummy noises. These are super embarrassing when I am in a meeting at work and everyone looks over assuming I am about to run off to the toilet! I am also slim so the bloating is very noticeable and I now wear much looser fitting clothing which isn’t my personal taste. I’ve started drinking peppermint tea but today found out that it actually stimulates bile flow!! I would be really grateful and interested to hear if anyone else is taking Colesevelam for Bile Acid / Bile Salt Malabsorption and what your experiences have been. Any advice or help would also be ace as I just want to have a happy tummy once and for all. Thanks everyone. J

[Hidden]

I don't suffer with this but hope someone that does comes back to you - sorry

[Jimbob85 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you!

[Hidden in reply to Jimbob85]

Best of luck

[Dunnlynne1]

I had my gall bladder taken out so my bile has been awful but they have me questran it changed my life but is terrible to take worth a go though

[kdhr]

I am taking Colesevelam for Bile Acid Malabsorption. I have suffered for 8 years after having my gallbladder removed and this seems to have settled the symptoms. I do not take every day - mainly due to forgetfulness - but find that when I have taken for consecutive days that I am constantly thirsty and have a dry mouth. I also need to wee more often, even getting up during the night which is something I never do. I haven't experienced the bloating but I haven't taken the prescribed amount continually since I was diagnosed. I have found that the symptoms have settled significantly since I started taking once or twice a week

[nz345276a13]

Alright Jimbob🙋‍♂️. I have had bam for 10 years now. Had the blood bile test done twice & both came back with high bile levels indicating the cause of my D.

I've recently tried my damndest of getting into a good regime with it but not had much joy. Like yourself, I get the bloating & gurgling😠

The one thing I found very helpful with the bloating was wind settlers. They contain a product called Simeticone. Make sure any that you get contain at least 100mg of this per capsule. I find it very relieving especially after food.

As for the Colesevelam. I'm not so sure about it's success. Likewise with all these diet fads.

Eating smaller meals is a definite good shout & I find that Lansoprazole in the morning & night help better. (Although I don't intend to stay on this forever).

I'm also waiting on a batch of L-Glutamine that apparently helps the lining of the stomach for the introduction of food & possibly good for better absorption.

Finally.... I am waiting for the wonder drug. I bet all of us that suffer bile problems are low in this hormone found in the blood.

FGF19. Google it!

So forget analysing all this diet jargon & driving ourselves mad.

We need a replacement to enhance this hormone & we'll all be sorted. I now believe it's as simple as that.

Stay strong & keep singing on the pan Jimbob✊

[Loolops]

Hi this is just about a mirror image of my journey I’m now taking questran light and what a difference it has made, though I still have awful bloating and being slim it shows even more!! I’m still trying to get in a routine when to take questran light if I take it every day I end up constipated so trying every second day , reading the posts the common thing seems to be gallbladder removal if I had my time again I’d never get it removed that’s when my problems started , gastroenterologist told me bile is meant to trickle but instead it gushes and you say you have diarrhoea but it’s not it’s actually bile, hope all this might help somebody, and if I can answer any questions just ask and I will try and help if I can