Ibs bam

[Netbet22]

Hi i am new to this group for years i have suffered with ibs am borderline ibd i have recently been diagnosed with bile acid malabsorption it has had me ill for the last 2_3 years all doctors use to say is that its your ibs playing up before i got diagnosed with bam any one else suffer with bile acid malabsorption gastro said that my ibs and bam overlap each other it literally takes over my life any advice

[sugarplumferry]

Hi netbet, yes I have BAM after having my gall bladder removed some years ago. If you’ve been diagnosed I guess your trialing cholestyramine? If you don’t get on with that there is colesevelam to try. I didn’t get on with the cholestyramine and didn’t fancy the colesevelam as it’s quite a large caplet/capsule and I have swallowing difficulties. I manage with loperamide, that I get on prescription and psyllium husk. Check out BADUK and GUTS. BADUK have a FB group that you might find supportive, it’s specifically for folk like us! I really hope you’ll be able to manage this condition soon. It certainly impacts our lives in a way that few understand. Best wishes.

[Netbet22 in reply to sugarplumferry]

Hi am on colesevelam 3 tablets a day it does help apart from the constipation but have dietician appointment next week so hopefully her advice will help it , i had my gallbladder out 8 year ago but its only been the last few years i have been ill with bam. Can i ask you wat symtons you get with your bam

[sugarplumferry in reply to Netbet22]

You may find reducing your dose down to two a day will help, it’s really trial & error. The psyllium husk might help you too, it helps to normalise our tummy issues. It’s a soluble fibre that forms a gel and helps smooth they way! Without loperamide and psyllium husk I had diarrhoea three to five times a day. Cholestyramine made it worse - artificial sweeteners for people with diarrhoea - you couldn’t make it up! I must stress that what works for one won’t necessarily work for others, we’re all different. The BADUK FB group is really supportive, it’s where I found out about psyllium husk.

[Joymas]

Hi, Netbet 22. I sympathise with you, it does take over your life. Sorry I haven’t got any real advice for you. I have BAM after Radiotherapy, also IBS and Diverticulitis. I was prescribed Colesevelam but I usually only take 1 tablet a day as I take other medication and Colesevelam has to be taken 4 hours before or after other meds which can be a pain. I use Loperamide every day and try to watch what I eat but it is a struggle.

[Sarah090174]

Hiya, I have just recently got a provisional diagnosis of bile acid malabsorption after being originally diagnosed with post infective IBS. Unfortunately the medication for post infective IBS didnt work and I became extremely ill will chronic diahorrea in March and April this year. I was referred for a second urgent colonoscopy but am still awaiting the results of the biopsies taken as well as a small bowel study MRI. Since April last year I have had chronic diahorrea and loose stools plus my calprotectin the inflammatory marker has been raised all this time. When I will really ill in March and April this year my calprotectin went sky high, the highest it has ever been in over a year. I am still waiting for a test for bile acid malabsorption as the waiting list is 9 months and this was requested urgently in December 2022. I have been started on Cholestyramine twice a day which controls my symptoms a little but still suffer with urgency and unpredictable bowel movements. I only ever occassionally form or pass a proper stool even with the medications. Most of the medications I have trialled so far for different conditions are supposed to constipate you but I have yet to notice this but I guess everyone is very different. I am still experimenting with what I can and cant eat, I have found I just have to avoid pre-packed and processed foods. I have tried low FODMap but it is a little hit and miss for me, so try to stick to it if at all possible. I feel that his condition has ruined my life since April 2022, I am unable to go out and enjoy what I used to. I am unable to go out anywhere or if I do I try not to eat or drink anything as I may need to be near a toilet and I am not happy with going in public due to the way my stools are once passed. I often find that if I dont eat or drink then my bowel appears to be settled but as soon as I eat or drink then I start to need the toilet again. I have in the past been to the toilet up to 10 times a day or more both day and night with this condition. I also have no real idea what I can eat if I went out as I keep myself on a pretty strict safe diet when at home. I take build up drinks as I have lost so much weight and they also help to supplement my reduced diet. I have been unable to work due to this condition and feel I have lost all contact with the world. I find it all so life limiting and extremely upsetting. I just hope that I can get some results soon and find out exactly what is wrong with me whether it be post infective IBS, Bile Acid Malabsorption or Microscopic colitis. I am currently being treated by my GP, Gastroenterologist and a Dietician reasonably regularly. I have found all the replies on this thread really interesting as I sometimes struggle to tolerate the medication for bile acid malabsorption plus it is difficult to take medications at regular intervals for other conditions that I currently take. I just hope that I get some answers soon plus a proper management and treatment plan. I will continue to follow this thread as it has been really helpful to read as I have struggled to find many people suffering with similar conditions. Take care everyone and I hope you all start to manage your symptoms to enable you to have a near normal life. At least now I don't feel so alone with this condition and its terrible symptoms.

[Netbet22 in reply to Sarah090174]

Thanks for the advice it is a horrible condition but just to take everyday as it comes. I will keep following this group as the information is good people who dont have this condition dont fully understand wat battles we go through on a day to day basis. Wish everyone well

[Harley1020]

Hello, I have also recently been diagnosed with BAM and prescribed Colesevelam, 6 tablets, 2 times a day. I still have some episodes but not so many.

I also take a Dioralyte sachet which appears to slow the diarrhoea down, sometimes taking more sachets if not stopping. I do not drink all at once, only sipping slowly. Hope this helps.

[Netbet22 in reply to Harley1020]

Hi the colesevelam has stopped the diarrhea but i am the other way now i only take 2 _3 tablets a day and that seems to help but i still dont feel 100 per cent , could u tell me if u get joint pain and fatigue with your bam as i just feel worn out with it all

[Harley1020 in reply to Netbet22]

Hello, taking my 6 tablets a day has made me constipated but I’ve not experienced any joint pains or fatigue. The only time I get tired is when I have an episode due to the constipation. When I do have a bowel movement, I have a lot of loose stools all at once but take a Dioralyte sachet to slow it down. Sometimes, I have to take more than one sachet but it’s the only way I can control my BAM. Hope this helps.

[Netbet22 in reply to Harley1020]

Yes colesevelam make me constipated due to the point where its almost a blockage i do take laxido for it but the stomach pains are horrific pain above belly button rids and hips i can live like this as i am a carer for my son who has special needs back to docs i go on Thursday to get more answers bout the bam and why i just dont feel right

[Harley1020 in reply to Netbet22]

Hello, consultant recommended taking one Fybogel sachet a day in afternoon which I’m still experimenting with. Also I take 2 dates in the morning on an empty stomach. The ‘eat me’ Deglet Nour pitted dates are available in Tesco, lovely and sweet with no stones. I’ve read on line that Lactulose is good for constipation as well but have not tried it yet. Hope this helps.

[Netbet22 in reply to Harley1020]

Thankyou

[Napaliz]

I get fibromyalgia pain with bam episodes, it’s miserable.