Bile Acid Malabsorption

[applecat]

Hi, is there anyone here that has been diagnosed with bile acid malabsorption? As I have kind of burning acid diarrhea as I would call it and have to go frequently. Just wondering if it's worth going to the gp to check out.

[Ernest2]

Dear Applecat,

Can you say how long you have had this for ? And what you have tried so far to get it to go away ?

Best wishes,

Ernest

[applecat]

I have had it for about 5 years now. I've tried lots of different things such as the low fodmap diet, all the way to trying anti anxiety medication. But it just kind of makes sense that it could be bile acid related as it seems to fit the description. Thanks for the reply!

[BabsyWabsy]

Does this happen shortly after you have eaten? If it is BAM it is treatable with a sequestrant, but you will need to see your GP and quite possibly explain what the condition is because many GPs seem to lack knowledge. As a result BAM is under-diagnosed.

[applecat in reply to BabsyWabsy]

Thanks for the reply! I haven't noticed it's directly bad after eating, but didn't realise it was a symptom. I have a problem with urgency and my bowels kind of burning when I go. And seemed to fit the description for the symptoms in general.

[BabsyWabsy in reply to applecat]

It might be 20 minutes to an hour after eating, especially something fatty, and it will be urgent. It is common in IBS but doesn't often get picked up. Worth investigating. There is a Secaht test where you swallow a radioactive capsules that measure the amount of bile at the start and then again after a week. That is how my bro got a diagnosis.

[Hidden]

Of course you should go to your gp, nobody on here can tell you what it is.

Book an appointment now.

[applecat in reply to Hidden]

What a useless, arrogant opinion. Do not comment here again.

[Hidden in reply to applecat]

Or what?

Nobody on here can give a diagnosis to you, you asked was it worth going to a gp, why ask a question when the answer is obvious?

[applecat in reply to Hidden]

You're a bit strange aren't you Jimmy. Can't figure out how to block. So I'll just let you figure it out for yourself.

[Hidden in reply to applecat]

When you are with the gp, ask them to give you some medication that might help you to grow a brain cell or two, then maybe you might learn a bit of sense.

[Ernest2 in reply to Hidden]

Dear Jimmy,

You are right that healthunlocked is no substitute for talking to your qualified medical team, GP's, specialist nurses, consultants etc.

However please go easy on other posters.

I have to thank Applecat for posting about BAM, that I'd never even heard of.

It doesnt sound like an easy thing to get diagnosed on, nor treated.

If you are not educated you cant have an intelligent conversation with your GP team who in these days of 15min appointments are under extreme pressure.

Now silly Q - can I ask what brings you to IBS network ? Could you write your own post to say what's on your mind, then may be others could help point you in the right direction.

Best wishes,

Ernest

[Bellacat21]

I got diagnosed after having a SEHCAT test .. I take colesevelam after every meal now and has helped loads .. get your doctor to arrange a SEHCAT test

[applecat in reply to Bellacat21]

Thanks for the reply! I'm going to message privately to find out more

[jbrking]

Yes I have been diagnosed recently after years (nearly 30) of suffering. Wasn’t too bad to begin with - the odd dash to the loo - but over last year or so I was also being sick. About 20 mins after eating my stomach would gurgle and I would have bad pains and loose bowels and it didn’t seem to matter what I ate. I started keeping a record as I was up in the middle of the night, sat on the toilet for up to 2 hours a few times a night and being sick. But this was only started once a month then was getting to once a fortnight then weekly over a year. I lived on anti diarrhoea tablets for years. Annoyingly not losing weight either! So dr finally took me seriously and referred me for tests. As another mentions the test is simple, not invasive. Just a tablet and scan then another scan a week later. The consultant said it is often misdiagnosed as IBS. And bile production is worse at night hence why my nights started to get affected. I’m on questran sachets now which bind the bile. Make a note for when it’s happening, what you’ve eaten, symptoms etc and see your doctor. Good luck.

[applecat in reply to jbrking]

Thanks very much for your help! I will be sure to track what's going on. I've noticed that mine is mainly bad in the mornings and gets a bit better in the evening. So may not even be it. But is definitely worth tracking

[EOLHPC]

Am glad you’ve got some helpful replies

Which type of consultant diagnosed you with BAM?

My husband has BAM due to his crohns disease. He is prescribed the sequestran Questran (colestryamine) for BAM which helps a lot.

If you are diagnosed with BAM and the treatment plan your consultant has you on isn’t stabilising your symptoms, you do need to discuss this with both your GP & consultant

🍀🍀🍀🍀 Coco

[applecat]

Thanks for the reply ! I am just asking to see typical symptoms to see if mine match everyone else's.

[EOLHPC in reply to applecat]

Good idea! I get it! Am glad you posted cause am especially interested in BAM treatment at the mo cause my husband’s sequestrant is currently unavailable so we’re looking at alternative BAM treatments

[Denisemurphy in reply to EOLHPC]

Hi, I take colesevelam for BAM it's the tablet version of questrian sachets. I don't have any problems getting hold of them from the pharmacy, not easy getting doctors to do the prescription tho, hope your husband gets sorted soon.

[EOLHPC in reply to Denisemurphy]

Thanks denise! V helpful!

Were you on questran before colesevelam? If you were, did you make the transition without probs?

Was it your gastroenterologist who prescribed the colesevalam originally?

Have you had any colesevelam supply issues?

We’ve been imagining his GP will tell my husband that he will have to be re-referred to his long-time gastro clinic because it had discharged him years ago (when the crohns went into remission after 40 years of surgery + daily pred) & left him to his GP’s care. Of course re-referral will mean months of waiting for an appt, during which his BAM would go untreated unless a GP prescribes colesevelam & he finds it ‘agrees’ with him...

[Denisemurphy in reply to EOLHPC]

Hi, yes I took questrian first, to be honest I couldn't take them, so my gastroenterologist prescribed the tablet version. I had no problem moving from the sachets to the tablets at all, in fact I think they work better for me. Try and ask the GP some will give them and some don't. I have mine on repeat prescription now, but took a letter from my consultant to get them to prescribe it. I have never had any supply issues, although pharmacys don't stock them, so you do wait a day or two for them to be ordered. I really hope your GP can help and you don't have to wait for the referral. Take care

[EOLHPC in reply to Denisemurphy]

Brilliant! Many thanks again! V encouraging!

[sweetsusie]

I haven't been diagnosed with it, but I think I had it. Chronic diarrhea every single day for years...would mess myself out in public, etc. It was awful. I convinced my doctor to prescribe: Welchol for me...then Colestipol (because it was less expensive). There's also Questran. These are bile acid sequestrant drugs and stop diarrhea in its ugly tracks!

[applecat in reply to sweetsusie]

Thanks for the helpful reply :)! It's really helpful to see the symptoms that everyone else had/has.