fatty stools

[Mascot68]

I have had IBS(D) for more than 40 years , with many flare ups along the way ! I have had numerous CT scans , bloods , colonoscopies and gastroscopes over the years all normal apart from a bit of diverticulitis ! However in the last 4 weeks I have developed an inability to digest fat , and have lots of diarrhoea with fatty stools ! I also have pain across the top of my stomach going into my back and under right and left side of my ribs ! Was just wondering has anyone else developed these symptoms after all these years of IBS ! Would appreciate any help thanks

[Fibro2021]

Hello. Your complaints of fatty stools and pain across the top of your stomach going into your back and under right and left side of your may be associated with an exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis. Typically, in such situations, the level of lipase, pancreatic amylase and C-reactive protein in the blood and elastase in the feces are checked. An ultrasound examination of the abdomen can provide some additional information.

[Mascot68 in reply to Fibro2021]

Thanks so much for your reply , will have those checked out

[Misspomfrey]

The pains you describe are very similar to what I experienced many many years ago prior to my gallbladder removal. I couldn't digest fat either and since it's been removed, l have to keep to a very low fat diet. Have you had your gallbladder checked?

[Mascot68 in reply to Misspomfrey]

Yes , I have had a gallbladder problem for years , intermittent attacks and pain , maybe I will need to have another scan and stay on a very low fat diet.

Thanks so much for your reply

[Fergie53 in reply to Mascot68]

Yes I’ve also had gallbladder issues and I know I have gallstones and last year I had a scan that confirmed gallstones but my GP said not infection /inflammation so basically told unless you get severe pain you’re okay but that worries me as I obviously don’t want severe pain!

[Psyllium1]

Hello, sounds like pancreatic insufficiency, go to your Gp and request a faecal elastase test to be undertaken to rule out / confirm this.

[Penny1215]

Hi, I have diverticular disease too but when I developed fatty stools and a similar pain to what you’re describing it was thought to be a problem with the gallbladder and one stone was found.

Hope you get to the bottom of your symptoms.

[Mascot68 in reply to Penny1215]

Thanks so much Penny. Maybe need another scan ,have had intermittent attacks of gallbladder over the years . Going to start low fat diet today, you know how long it takes to organise these tests !

[hamsterlobster]

it sounds like Bile Acid Malabsorption. You can ask your doctor for a trial of binders to see if that’s what’s causing the problem.

[Mascot68 in reply to hamsterlobster]

Yes I thought about this as I have read on this forum that quite a lot of people who have IBS D for a number of years sometimes develop this problem ! Thanks for your reply

[Mascot68 in reply to hamsterlobster]

yes I will ask the doctor for a trial of these ,which may help and also have a very low fat diet ! Thanks for your reply

[edwangy]

Gall bladder

[Mascot68 in reply to edwangy]

Thank you

[Edgar77]

Have you looked into BAM (Bile acid malabsorbtion) it causes diarrhoea and pale stools.

[Mascot68 in reply to Edgar77]

Yes , I asked a GP about that a few years ago , but was fobbed off and told I just have to live with IBS !

[TedsMum247]

Hi Mascot, I have had IBS-D for several years, however, I have also experienced the pains you described several times over the last three or four years. I went to my GP and was told it was my gallbladder, she never mentioned pancreas. It usually starts around two hours after I've eaten my evening meal, I never get it at any other time of the day. But it doesn't happen every night, I can go for weeks without it bothering me then it will happen again.Like yours, it starts under the bust/top of ribs, then moves to my right ribs area.

My GP prescribed Buscopan and Codeine to be taken together as necessary, up to four times a day. But as I said, when I get the discomfort/mild pains it's about two hours after my evening meal. The discomfort will start around 10pm and last for several hours, six hours usually. By the time I waken the next morning it's gone thankfully.

I only ever need to take two Buscopan and two Codeine to shift it. I noticed someone replied suggesting pancreatic problems, I hope it's not this. The Buscopan and Codeine is stemming my problem so far. Let me know how you go.

[Mascot68 in reply to TedsMum247]

Thank you for your reply , am going to arrange another scan and start a low fat diet !

[1373]

I have gallstones but they are not in the ducts I don’t get the pain but I suffer from the fatty stools a lot

[Psyllium1]

yes it could also be BAM another test is needed to check this!

BAM cause watery diarrhoea with some fat in them and are often yellow/ green in colour.

Pancreatic insufficiency causes fatty stools, which are foul smelling and yellow/orange in colour!

Getting test done will help indentify which it is, if any, IBS can be triggered from a high fat diet as well but remember, if trialing binders be careful these can cause constipation.