Gall Bladder

[sinply46]

Can I ask a quick question. How many of the people posting here have had their gall bladder removed? Thanks

[1660tpd]

I have when I was 38 years old and still suffer ibs at 78years old

[Eastbourne11]

Hi i had mine removed 40 years ago. No other treatment - i've never felt any different. Hope this helps.

[one-n-den]

I had mine removed at 64, now 67, no particular extra issues with IBS, which was diagnosed when I was in my 20’s.

Which isn’t to say that I don’t have several digestion-related issues!

Do you have specific symptoms since having yours removed? Happy to help if I can.

[quby2 in reply to one-n-den]

I had mine removed many years ago but various symptoms getting worse now. I have been surprised at how many people have had gall bladders removed and then suffered problems. I've been down the 'colo-rectal' route and am about to see a gastroenterologist. Wondered if anyone has been diagnosed with 'malabsorption' problems.

[KirstieG in reply to quby2]

Hey there.

I've been suffering with IBS and chronic poo problems for about 30 years now (I'm 47). I had my gallbladder removed 15 years ago now... didn't sort anything out really, apart from the gallbladder pain...

I was diagnosed with Bile Salt/Acid Malabsorption (BSM/BAM) 3 years ago, following a SeCHaT scan. I'd recommend asking for the test if you have chronic IBS-D symptoms and can't stop the urgent and frequent diarrhoea... GPs are not gastro specialists, and few have heard of the condition which is often diagnosed as IBS-D.

There are drugs available which bind bile salts in the gut and can relieve some of the urgency symptoms... cholestramine and colesevelam are two of them.

Sadly, these haven't worked for me, and I have to manage (or rather, just about cope) on a daily basis with an extreme gluten free, low fat, low sugar, food free, taste free, enjoyment free (low-fodmap) diet; omeprazole to control the stomach pain and a dose of codeine if I need to leave the house.

[301246 in reply to quby2]

I have lost over 4 stones in weight which I believe is due to malabsorption . I was diagnosed with SIBO. Why do the medics do this test and then not act upon it. I am all skin and bone and only given Oramorph for pain. I need to absorb nutrients so why can't they give me something for that? I'm an IBS constipation sufferer.

[clivepratt12]

I was 43 when i had my gallbladder removed,i am 74 now and have not had to many problems other than flatulence which does cause a great deal of humour,and i am possibly getting more episodes of burping.But the phrase of "better out than in" is essential ,as a result i do not suffer any ongoing discomfort...except from the wife.

[marshamclean]

Me

[Peanuts17]

Had my gallbladder removed at 25.

[PoopeyMcPooperson161]

I heard you can't go to heaven if you have your gall bladder removed. Something about God's organ?

[marshamclean]

Sorry, mine burst and before they caught on my body cavity was filled with gangrene. That was 20 yrs ago. My severe IBS started 6 yrs ago and continues to worsen. I take pain meds for residual pain from auto accident, therefore suffer very intense I suffer severe fibromyalgia, as well.

[Lonhaugen]

Had gallbladder removed 13 years ago. Did experience mild diarrhoea since then and in the last couple of years it has become worse

[Choleoout]

Had gall bladder removed in 1978 when I was 41. Not too much trouble until recently. Am now 80! But life had got increasingly difficult with explosive diarrhoea etc., Having been recently diagnosed with Bile Acid Malabsorption, the Cholestyramine (Questran) seems to be doing the trick, so it is worth investigating.

[sinply46]

That's what I spoke about to the gastro consultant this week. Now having to go through the same process I did when I saw the colo-rectal consultant. Colonoscopy first and in the meantime possible medication to deal with bile acid production. I think our organs just become more inefficient as we age. My gall bladder op was in the early 1970s and I'm now 71. Problems became more frequent about 9 years ago. Hopefully I can now get a proper diagnosis!