Possible IBS? Help!

Christian02

New Member

Joined : Feb 2006

Posts : 1

Posted 2/17/2006 12:37 AM (GMT -6)

I had my gallbladder removed about a year and a half ago. At first, things seemed fine, I never really paid much attention to my bathroom habits. But as of recently, I've been noticing some problems...

1.) Diaherrea can come at any time for no particular reason. Usually right after lucnh though. It seems about 30 minutes after eating lunch, I get bad gas pains, and usually have to visit the bathroom. I've tried keeping a food journal, but things that set it off, sometimes don't and vice versa. My doctor said this was to be expected in some cases. Fair enough

2.) I've been noticing mucus in my stool - off and on. Sometimes it's even present on the toilet paper. It's never a ton though - but enough to notice. I didn't have anything to eat at all today, except for dinner around 9:30 (worked way too late). So that might explain it tonight...but to my understanding, extra mucus is a sign of an inflammed colon, so I'd love to know why...

I never have massive pains (the occasional gas pains when I eat something - but nothing that doesn't go away rather quickly). No bleeding, no fever, no massive weight loss. I'll admit, my eating habits could use work. Would that be enough to explain the mucus? I don't know whether I'm being to paranoid or if I should get a test done. My doctor said the mucus could be a cause for concern, but not to worry unless it's accompanied by blood, or becomes nothing but mucus.

Basically I want to know whether or not I should submit myself to the "6 foot black snake of doom" (colonoscopy) or just eat better, and try to stress less...

dbab

Veteran Member

Joined : Jan 2004

Posts : 4151

Posted 2/17/2006 6:47 AM (GMT -6)

Hi Christian
Welcome to Healing Well! :)
I have never had my gb out however we have a few members here that can give you some insight on that. Many have found lots of relief from medications that bind the bile, its actually a cholesterol medication called Welchol and I think there is another one called Questran that you may want to ask your doc about. This may be the cause of your diarrhea because the bile goes straight through you since there is no storage per se. My husband had lots of problems with diarrhea for about 3 years following his gb surgery but has very minimal anything now.

Mucus is very normal for IBS and does not necessarily mean inflammation. Mucus is a normal secretion for everyone in the colon. Extra mucus in IBS is mostly caused by the intense spasms of the colon which cause extra mucus secretions. For IBD (not to be confused with IBS) sufferers, the mucus is from the ulcers (the ulcer pus).

There are many tests that you can get to rule out other causes however that would be up to you and your doc. He/she most likely will give you choices and it helps to read up on your options so you know what to expect. Besides a colonoscopy, you can get a barium enema (a.k.a. lower GI series). You may not need invasive testing at all depending on the questions your doc will have for you. I hope this helped you a little.

Please keep posting and keep us updated on your progress and your road to answers :)

_{Hugs, Des}

_{Co-Moderator ~ IBS Forum}

_{~My reality check bounced}

^{Please help Healing Well continue to help others by donating https://www.healingwell.com/donate}

lnape

Regular Member

Joined : Mar 2003

Posts : 185

Posted 2/17/2006 8:00 AM (GMT -6)

Christian02,

I have had my gall bladder removed and it may very well be the cause of the problems you are having. I have been able to control the attacks of diarrhea by taking calcium carbonate with each meal and if you want the info just send me an email and I will send it to you. I have been doing this for over 7 years now and it binds the bile to help give a more firmed stool and relieve some the the inflammation caused by too much bile in the intestines.

Linda

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