Our BAM Stories

I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has shared their story with me to feature on my blog. I'm hoping that these posts can become a place for people suffering with BAM symptoms or recently diagnosed to find support. Our first stories are from Joanne and Emma. Joanne was diagnosed with BAM this year and Emma is undiagnosed but has been given the medication due to having all the symptoms and a lack of facilities locally for a SeHCAT scan.

Joanne's BAM Story

Age 48 | Diagnosed in 2025 | 

My symptoms started years ago most probably 20 plus. I always thought my issues was caused by endometriosis as it was stuck onto my bowl. My GP said it’s most probably irritable bowl syndrome which they had been saying g since I was 16 years old. That’s the doctors favourite saying.

I've always had issues with the urgency to go to the toilet since I was very young, most probably aged 9. My mum always knew if she couldn't find me I'd be on the toilet.

As I got older it got worse, I'd have to run to the toilet and could be up to 18 times a day, which affected my life no end. I'd panic when going out for meals just in case it didn't agree with my stomach. When I got to the point of actually shitting myself as I couldn't hold it in, that's when I knew I needed help. That's when my consultant said you need to go for a special scan. That's when it was confirmed I  had Bile Acid Malabsorption. Finally I can tell my GP I knew it wasn't irritable bowel syndrome.

I'm keeping it under control thankfully. Don't be gaslighted by your GP or doctors.

Emma's BAM Story

Age 43 | Medicated for suspected BAM | 

I had my gallbladder removed in 2023 (just over two years ago), this was caused by a rapid weight loss diet. I have had diarrhoea since but more severe in the last 14 months. My GP said it's probably IBS and gave me a FODMAP diet, I tried this for a couple of months, it did nothing. I tried lactose free, gluten free diets and still no better. I kept a diary of every time I went to loo, my near misses, to totally losing control and not making it to the loo in time. My GP said my bloods were find and they'd refer me to Gastro team at the hospital. Four months passed and not heard anything from the hospital and still feeling no better.

Early 2025, I called the surgery in bits, I couldn't cope with it anymore. Luckily, I had a new GP now and told them I didn't feel I was taken seriously. I was going to the loo up to 8 times a day, sometimes sprinting to the loo after just one mouthful of food. I was extremely sore down there too. I was also putting weight on, which was odd considering how many times I had diarrhoea. Just before I spoke to my new GP I found ThisLittleGutOfMine and found other people just like me. I put my suspicions of BAM to my GP. She got in contact with the Gastro team who said they do not offer the SeHCAT scan but I could try Cholestyramine as my symptoms were associated with BAM. This as helped but not every time. I still have the urgency and the pain and sometimes lose control. 

Cholestyramine gives me heartburn so I have to take Omeprazole. I've been given Laperamide and told I can take 16 a day for two days if I need to. I have only done this a couple of times as I feel I have a 'backup' of diarrhoea that can't get out. After taking these for two days I'm back to rushing to the loo. I do sometimes take them but it seems pointless sometimes as I still have diarrhoea when I take them. I've also been given Codeine, again this helps sometimes. I've recently been back to my GP as I am now vomiting, have nausea as well as the urgency to dash to the loo. She said she referred me earlier in the year but I still haven't been to the Gastro team. She said the system has failed me and has re-referred me. I'm still waiting.

I haven't formally been diagnosed with BAM, I am still waiting but I have all the symptoms - (this may be TMI) loose but thickish, yellow/green, sticky stools, sudden urgency to use the loo and even waking up in the night. Recently, it has been extra worse and has left me with piles that are so sore I cry when I have diarrhoea. At one point it was so bad the blood was pouring out me, I was worried and nearly went to hospital. 

It is affecting my quality of life. I'm always carrying spare clothes with me, just in case. I can't go out for long walks like I used to as I'm scared. Anywhere I do go I'm looking out for the nearest toilet. I live an hours drive from my work, luckily my mum lives half way and I often rush to hers if I need to. It's affecting my home life and the people around me, they are understanding and can see (and smell) what I'm like and how it affects me. It's affecting my work life, it's embarrassing going to the loo with your work colleagues in there too or after I've been in, even when using those little toilet sprays, it will not disguise the horrid rancid smell. It's debilitating and embarrassing having to tell my manager and HR of my condition. 

I'm still waiting for an official diagnosis but my advice would be, keep a diary of every time you go. I use the calendar on my phone and use emoji's, of when I've had diarrhoea, when I've been sick, when I've felt nauseous, when I've taken Laperamide etc etc etc. Show this to your medical team, it's a good visual. Keep on at your GP/medical team, you know your body better than anyone.

I'm still on my journey but hope my little story may help someone.

We are sharing our stories to help others recognise the symptoms and feel supported through their diagnosis and beyond. Please feel free to use the comments section on this blog to ask questions or start conversations with each other.