Question to those with IBS-C

How would you describe your C?  What I mean is are your stool hard/dry and hard to pass or soft and mushy and the pipes just aren't moving?

Mine is the latter.  When I had my gallbladder out back in the fall I thought it would help with the C but not much luck really.  I still have the bloating, but up higher like I had prior to my surgery along with some mild pain at the surgery site.

I'm just not sure if I have IBS or a bile duct problem???  Once I do go to the bathroom it's tons of soft mush, not D or rock hard C.  Any thoughts?  I'm considering trying the Zelnorm again for this but the last time I took it (about 8 or 9 months ago) I got BAD D and then tremendous gas for two days after just taking one pill.

Runningrd, have you looked into a product called bile salts? It's supposed to be for people who have no gall bladder and not enough bile to keep things moving. It may not be of any help to you, since you have soft poops, you just can't get them to come out--sounds kind of like a motility problem that's separate from not having a gall bladder--but it's worth a try, I would think. I read about them online when I was having constipation after my GB removal. They're supposed to be an old-fashioned remedy for constipation. I didn't try any because once I came off my low-fat diet, I started having normal bowel movements again.

Well I'm willing to try anything.  But the only reason I don't think it would make a difference is because my stool isn't pale so that makes me think the bile is moving through.  But last night for example I had so much pain and bloating around the site where my surgery was done and belly button area.  It's not like the bloating I sometimes get lower in the abdomen from being constipated.  It also feels tender like I was hit in the stomach.

I'm going to look into trying the bile salts.  Has anyone here ever tried them?

My stools are usually dark, sometimes more of a light brown, but more so a dark brown.  Sorry for the details but does this sound like I'm not passing enough bile through my system?  Check out this site www.gallbladderattack.com - interesting -btw I have had my gallbladder out (last Sept)  I was actually hoping to get more regular after.  I checked out my local health food store but couldn't find any bile salts.  Any suggestions on a brand or store that carries them?  Anyone tried them??