Gallbladder/IBS & Diarrhea issues
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| Sun, 07-23-2006 - 10:36pm |
Hi I am new here and I would like to hear from anyone who is dealing with this and how they are coping since this is ruining my life - I can't work, can't leave the house and since it's been 9 months and no change I do not believe that this will resolve itself in a year (it would be a miracle I believe). Here's my story:
Last September/October I had three surgeries. The first removed my gallbladder, the second removed adhesions around my small intestine and abdominal wall and the third was for a small bowel resection because of bowel obstruction. I was in the hospital the third time for 17 days including 2 days in the ICU for blood pressure/heart rate problems. Since that surgery I have consistent persistent diarrhea - average is 10-25 times a day but I have had as many as 32 times in one day. I had vomiting for about 6 months but that has passed. I have lost over 80 lbs because of this and now am unable to eat most days. I have had numerous tests including a colonoscopy, barium upper and lower GI studies, blood work. I don't have anything apparent (Crohn's, diverticulitis, etc) and the GI doctor believes that I have the diarrhea because of the bile from the liver being passed into the intestines. I have had IBS for about 20 years but always tended towards constipation, not diarrhea. I am having a problem also with keeping potassium - I have been hospitalized for IV fluids and potassium because of this problem. Medications we have tried Lomotil (2x), Immodium, Colestid, Cholestrymine powder, pamine forte and opium tincture. Also have tried every fiber combination out there (benefiber, metamucil, etc) and all of them cause intense pain and worsening of diarrhea. I am either allergic to or have no results (diarrhea continues regardless) from them except the opium which worked but caused hives. My GI doctor called on Monday to tell me that he is out of treatment options for me.
My questions are - why is this happening (is it common for bile to do this)? Will this correct itself or am I dealing with a life long problem? How can I make sure that I am not dehydrating and doing damage to my body when I cannot keep anything in my system (water and food passes very quickly)?
thanks.
Meg

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It seems logical to put a person with kidney stones on a low calcium diet, but that actually encourages more stone formation.
Exactly and that's why I try to get as much dairy as I can. Calcium from food is not shown to increase
Thanks for all the replies.
Here's an update: My GI diagnosed me with Microscopic Colitis and started me on Entocort which I had a reaction to so he took me off of that and is admitting me to the hospital tomorrow. My diarrhea has changed it's frequency and timing but now it's harder to predict and I have incontinence alot of the time with it. More gas and pain as well.
Linda - Thanks for the calcium info. I did try it a few months ago when I found your post on another board. It didn't stop my diarrhea but I wasn't hopeful since I "dump" everything that goes in very quickly.
Here's hoping that my docs can find an answer and that everyone who suffers with this can find relief.
Meg
Colitis can be scary, but once you are in the hospital, it should be easier to get a handle on it. Please come back and update us when you can.
Hey Meg - Sorry to hear about your health problems! I was recently diagnosed with gall bladder disease and I am looking into getting surgery to get my gall bladder removed. Could you pls. share your experience of this surgery...
Thx
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