New Diver with no gallbladder - nervous

[viridian1]

Hi Everyone,

I am new to the diving world. I am completing my NAUI certification and will be going on my check out dive next month. This will be my first time in open water and I'm a little nervous.

About 2 years ago I had my gallbladder removed. Since that time I have been fighting with daily bouts of diarrhea after eating. My GI doc says this is normal after gallbladder surgery as the bile is now flowing into my digestive system constantly. This is upsetting my intestines and causing the diarrhea. It usually happens after I eat. Therefore I usually avoid eating when I need to go somewhere. (I don't think this would be a good practice when diving for hours in the hot sun.) My GI doc has me on Elavil 25mg – it’s an anti-depressant that helps quite down my digestive track. I am also taking calcium supplements (calcium can cause constipation) and have found that works very well for me.

Here is my question. In scuba class we have been discussing how pressure will affect our lungs and organs. I'm wondering how my overly sensitive intestines are going to handle the pressure at 60'? I'm assuming I won't feel much different than normal. I was just wondering if there were any other divers out there with this IBS-D type of problem and how they handle diving.

[ASUPaula]

I'm a brand new diver with no gall bladder. I have frequent IBS symptoms and have had zero problems during the 25 dives in a quarry and off the Florida Keys I've done since May 20.

[Fitzy]

Hi Everyone,

I am new to the diving world. I am completing my NAUI certification and will be going on my check out dive next month. This will be my first time in open water and I'm a little nervous.

About 2 years ago I had my gallbladder removed. Since that time I have been fighting with daily bouts of diarrhea after eating. My GI doc says this is normal after gallbladder surgery as the bile is now flowing into my digestive system constantly. This is upsetting my intestines and causing the diarrhea. It usually happens after I eat. Therefore I usually avoid eating when I need to go somewhere. (I don't think this would be a good practice when diving for hours in the hot sun.) My GI doc has me on Elavil 25mg – it’s an anti-depressant that helps quite down my digestive track. I am also taking calcium supplements (calcium can cause constipation) and have found that works very well for me.

Here is my question. In scuba class we have been discussing how pressure will affect our lungs and organs. I'm wondering how my overly sensitive intestines are going to handle the pressure at 60'? I'm assuming I won't feel much different than normal. I was just wondering if there were any other divers out there with this IBS-D type of problem and how they handle diving.

Giday,

Im a relitvly new diver as well (25 dives) I had my gall bladder out apx three years ago. I have been diving for 10 months and havent had any problems at all. I dont recall suffering from what you are experinicing.

There is a good story about intestines and diving in this months scuba world mag. It discussed the issues you are asking about. The aricle is called " do you have the guts to dive". It could be quite helpfull to you.

Good luck.

[DocVikingo]

The effects of barometric pressure on human organs during recreational scuba only pose a problem when air-filled spaces, e.g., lungs, trap gas that cannot readily be released as it expands during ascent. The pressure itself will do nothing to harm generally healthy organs.

There typically is a substantial amount of gas in the normal intestine and this does not discomfort or endanger the diver provided that it is free to compress, expand and move along during the pressure changes inherent in scuba.

The diver who is years post-cholecystectomy and continues to have daily bouts of diarrhea after eating will want to take common sense steps to make himself comfortable and safe during scuba. These would include managing diet, meal times and medications so that uncontrollable urges to evacuate do not occur during a dive and maintaining hydration and electrolyte balance at appropriate levels despite fluid loss due to diarrhea.

Any individual with a medical condition that may adversely impact on safe scuba will of course wish to seek clearance from his physician before commencing diving.

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.

Best regards.

DocVikingo

[DandyDon]

Had mine out 30 years ago, as did my wife and mom, and I'm happy we didn't have this problem. Understand your concern, though. I always get up 2 hours early on dive dives, and try to ensure that my downloads are done before putting on the suit. Don't like most dive boat heads - of the ones that have them.

PS - next day: I remember now that for a few years, Tex-Mexican food would give me horrible stomach cramps, about like what I had before the G-bladder was pulled. Two things have changed since then - the restaraunts stopped using lard in their food, I think, and the duct that used to transport bile from my G-bladder expanded to take its place.

Based on that memory, I'd suggest avoiding bacon, sausage, and anything else that aggravates your condition, and looking forward to better years after you body adjusts. Good luck... azzler1:

[schnags]

Hi, im a new diver also and i had my gallbladder out like 3 years ago also and have problems with my stomach and stuff since but my gi doctor put me on cholestyramine for oral suspension, its a powder thats also used for high cholosterol and it works like a charm. I usually have to go right after i take it or wake up and once i take it im usually fine for the rest of the day. Ocassionaly some things will still cause more problems but its much more like before, its a pain mixing it with orange juice and doenst taste the best but i dont know what id do without it!

[miketsp]

I had my gall bladder removed about 70 dives ago. Didn't notice any effect diving.
Just gave me a couple of nightmares in the beginning as I kept imagining the metal clips being forced into the surrounding tissues under pressure. Of course my doc assured me this was just my imagination and nothing actually happened.

As commented above there is a tendency to download immediately after a heavy meal especially if it's greasy.
But when diving this is not normally a problem as the main meal is normally dinner with just a light breakfast & lunch.

[Corigan]

Hi, im a new diver also and i had my gallbladder out like 3 years ago also and have problems with my stomach and stuff since but my gi doctor put me on cholestyramine for oral suspension, its a powder thats also used for high cholosterol and it works like a charm. I usually have to go right after i take it or wake up and once i take it im usually fine for the rest of the day. Ocassionaly some things will still cause more problems but its much more like before, its a pain mixing it with orange juice and doenst taste the best but i dont know what id do without it!

I was about to mention this! It's also called Questran. It removes the acids from your intestines that create the runny bowel movements, thus getting rid of your diarrhea. This stuff works like a charm as mentioned by Schnags. Usuaully when I take anti-diarrhea medication (Immodium and drugs of the sorts) all it does is plug you up and let that diarrhea sit and churn in your intestines which causes severe discomfort and bloating. Questran doesn't just plug you up, it kills the diarrhea and lets you form proper stools. It also can be used to help some liver problems as well as it lowers your choloesterol. I also take the cholestyramine for oral suspension (generic name for questran) and it is a lifesaver! I am also one who has had my gallbladder removed 5 years ago. My Sister who is also diagnosed as having IBS with D has been put on this powder and it has helped her immensly.

Matt

[RDP]

Had mine removed; 25ish dives since. No problems.

[cowprintrabbit]

The effects of barometric pressure on human organs during recreational scuba only pose a problem when air-filled spaces, e.g., lungs, trap gas that cannot readily be released as it expands during ascent. The pressure itself will do nothing to harm generally healthy organs.

There typically is a substantial amount of gas in the normal intestine and this does not discomfort or endanger the diver provided that it is free to compress, expand and move along during the pressure changes inherent in scuba.

The diver who is years post-cholecystectomy and continues to have daily bouts of diarrhea after eating will want to take common sense steps to make himself comfortable and safe during scuba. These would include managing diet, meal times and medications so that uncontrollable urges to evacuate do not occur during a dive and maintaining hydration and electrolyte balance at appropriate levels despite fluid loss due to diarrhea.

Any individual with a medical condition that may adversely impact on safe scuba will of course wish to seek clearance from his physician before commencing diving.

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.

Best regards.

DocVikingo

What he said!

I haven't had my gallbladder out, but have severe IBS and dyspepsia that I manage (mostly) through medication & diet. Both my gallbladder-less sisters have compared it to right after their surgeries.

I find that I am OK diving if I have yogurt, whole wheat toast & fruit for breakfast that morning, and only fruit and Gatorade on the boat.