Excess bile in my stomach 10 years after gallbladder removal

[gerter]

10 years ago I had my gallbladder removed a few months after the birth of my daughter.  Of course things have never been quite right as far as my digestive system goes since then.  However, I now have a new set of problems.  Since January I have been waking up with severe stomach pain, nausea and vomiting.  And once I vomit, which is nothing but bile, I usually feel slightly better although have no appetite for a few hours.  I have lost some weight which is OK because I am overweight, however this is really not fun.  I am worn out!  I went to a Gastroenterologist last week and he has scheduled me for an endoscopy.  He did mention that because I have no gallbladder, that perhaps excess bile is backing up into my stomach.  Does anyone else know what I am going through?  Is there a speical diet I should consider to help myself?  

[JW1023]

Did you ever findout what was wrong? I am having these EXACT symptoms right now. I just had some blood drawn this morning for lab work and am waiting for a Gastroenterologist referral as we speak.
Thanks!

[PoohBear6105]

Hope this might help. I had my gallbladder out in 1985, but that was NOT the problem.  Pain still was horrendous! Went to see a Billary Specialist. He diagnosed Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction.  The tiny muscle that allows bile from the gallbladder/liver/pancreas to empty into the intestines. This tiny sphincter muscle freezes closed and the bile backs up into the stomach, pancreas and liver (no gallbladder) Dr performed an ERCP and took a laser to the muscle to open it and I could feel the draining immediately.  10 years later, symptoms, another ERCP now 9 yrs later I have symptoms.  Dr told me it would grow back or scar every 10 years. I am trying to get another one done before I lose my insurance 12/31/16.  If left untreated the bile in the stomach will cause it to bleed (Friated? Stomach) pancreas will be damaged and it will cause pancreatitis due to C. Diff, could cause death. After having this sphincter cut it was total relief!! I did get pancreatitis that took 3 weeks to clear up.  I am now on enzymes to help pancreas digest food. Good luck to all and Merry Christmas.

[MotleyChick]

Why didn't they give you medicine for that my doctor did too make my stomach stop hurting I had my gall bladder out 17 years ago and I just started getting sick too my stomach I was not afraid to get that done either. I had the scope done bile is in my stomach and that doctor prescribe me a medicine for that it is hideous at first but after being on it for over a week and a half I am use too it stay away from the spicy foods and fried foods and fatty foods go more healthier than that.

[cass626]

Hi, I realize this post is a few years ago. but if there is any chance you check back here, I thought I'd share my problem. I had my gall bladder removed a month after the birth of my daughter, felt good for 6 months, then became chronically ill with nausea, fatigue, bloating, diarrhea, constipation. I saw several specialists and some just told me I was stressed or pretty much crazy. I have now had two Endoscopies and one Colonoscopy. Both Endoscopies found a puddle of bile in my stomach and my colon had a bacterial infection (possibly unrelated). Right now I am on Cipro (for infection), a specific Probiotic, and an ulcer medication (which is supposed to coat the stomach to protect from bile). The last eight months have been horrible. I had to have my Gallbladder out due to the excruciating pain but this is ridiculous!!! I have had to become very aggressive with doctors about my care, because for many of them, if they can't diagnose it, they don't know how to help you. Be your best advocate and don't let them push you around.

[IMJUSTAGALL]

cipro and levaquin drugs is pretty dangerous and has last year gotten an FDA warning (2016) USE ANYTHING ELSE unless there are NO other options

[IMJUSTAGALL]

SO true about this. the doctors are absolutely awful if they dont immediately have the and=swer. they wont look

[mowielee]

Hi there, did either of you figure out what's wrong? I have been taking care of a friend who had her gallbladder removed. About 3 months later, she started experiencing severe pain in her right side just under the rib cage. Sadly, xrays, ultrasounds and CT scans have not revealed everything. Blood work comes back normal, but she is in severe pain. She has had an endoscopy, showing bile in her stomach.

The gastroenterologist prescribed some medication for her stomach, but the pain and burning in her right side have not subsided. Do you have any suggestions or recommendations on what to do?

[SewHelpMe]

Don't know if I'llread this so long after your post. Your friend's symptoms mirror my own. From online research, I will be talking to the gastroenterologist about the possibility of either bile duct blockage, sphincters not working properly and/or liver disease (scarring was found on my liver during my gallbladder surgery).

[IMJUSTAGALL]

could they see the damage to the liver before that surgery?

[Christopher R Watters, MD]

Typically bile reflux gastritis produces pain in the center of the upper abdomen rather tan the right upper quadrant. Biliary type pain afer removal of the gallbladder should be evaluated. The studies that you mention have largely ruled out the structural problems but leaves the functional ones. It is entirely possible that the pain is from dysfunction of the sphinter of Oddi. It doesn't sound like this has been considered. The unfortunate thing about alkaline reflux gastritis is that there are no trustworthy tests for it. Seeing bile in the stomach after the patient has been placed left side down, sedated, and a scope rammed down their throat is far from diagnostic. This is important because failure of medical therapy would indicate surgery to disconnect the duodenum from the stomach. This makes it very difficult for any bile to make it backwards to the stomach and allow the stomah to heal. You clearly don't want this if bile reflux gastritis isn't really the problem.

[steph649]

Ok, so I had my gal bladder removed when I was 18, a few months after I had my daughter. Like everyone else I was having major stomach pains and my doctor finally listened to me (when I threw up in his office). It took my body years to recover at least 4! I had diarreah, pains in my stomach, bloating, and so on. After those 4 years I have been fine with much monitering to my diet. I do not eat fast foods at all, unless I really have to because I don't want the nasty side effects.
Anyways, after my 2nd pregnancy (2 years ago) I seem to be having issue's again. Really after I stopped nursing I would get bloating, diarreah, and stomch pains. I stopped nursing 8 months ago, but now for the last month I have been feeling like I need to vomit, but nothing comes up. I just sit in pain for a few hours feeling like crap.
Any ideas of what could be going on? I'm thinking it's bile build up in my stomach. I don't know, but I hate it. Having diarreah and this stomach pains just ruin my days (not all but a lot). I haven't been doing anything different either.

[Christopher R Watters, MD]

Bile reflux gastritis is one thing that could be causing your symptoms but there are several other possibilities. It would be wise to see a qualified gastroenterologist to help find an answer.

[jcannontem]

I have had my gallbladder out 6 months, I have pain on right side upper abdominal under rib cage, pain in center at sternum, mucus and loose stool, regurgitated food, Had a sonogram and found enlarged spleen w/ fatty liver, blood work, prostate normal.CT scan done normal with no kidney stones,growths or masses. This has been going on for a month and it's starting to freak me out, also starting some discomfort on the left side upper abdomen but mostly right side, anyone have some ideas

[Christopher R Watters, MD]

About 10% of patients continue to have pain after gallbladder removal. The majority have an identifiable problem. These range from a retained common bile duct stone to sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, peptic ulcer disease and bile reflux gastritis to name a few. A thorough evaluation is in order by a good gastroenterologist.

[chsrkim]

I would like to know what needs to be done if you have this problem with excessive bile in your stomach? My Dr. Did the upper GO and also the bottom end because they found blood in my stool sample after physical. He said my stomach was terribly inflamed and that's where the blood was coming from and biopsy's were good, so he figured it was from excessive bile in my stomach causing this! So what is the next step they should do? I have been having the pain in my upper center area like you mentioned. This seems to be a setups problem!

[Christopher R Watters, MD]

The problem with bile reflux gastritis is that there isn't a good diagnostic test to detect it. Treatment usually is sucralfate which coats the stomach and allows it to heal. If this fails, one can surgically disconnect the stomach from the duodenum but this is always a tough decision when based on a presumptive diagnosis. In your situation, a gastric emptying study would be a good idea as well as some patients with gastroparesis would also have these endoscopic findings due to stasis of gastric contents.

[Roxbox17]

I had my gall bladder remover over 10 years ago and just now I have been in intense pain for 1.5 months now.  After an EGD I was diagnosed with bile reflux gastritis and prescribed sucralfate and actigall.  Neither are helping as much as i would like.  I am very puzzled because my Mom, Dad and Brother also have had their gall bladders removed as well and i am the only one dealing with this.  I can't eat much that doesn't cause excruciating pain and i have lost 20 lbs. during this time.  I feel i cannot win i am always hungry but when i eat i am in pain.  I also cannot sleep and when i do i wake up with my stomach on fire.  Something has got to give i am getting frustrated and hopeless.

[robertc110]

My Gallbladder was removed 1.5yrs ago and a few weeks back I started experiencing pain in my abdomen and severe digestive issues. Got scoped today (both ends - ughh) and the gastroenterologist said I had a considerable amount of bile in my stomach. He thinks I may have contracted a virus or infection which caused things to get "backed up" and put me on Cholestyramine. Hopefully there will be some improvement

A bit of a relief since my concern was a blockage of the bile duct leading to my issues.

[cheriee]

Help Please. I definitely have bile in my stomach backing up after it was removed on Sept. 10, 2000. The pain is every morning around 4 am and wakes me up with a level 10 pain. It is exactly in the center of my epigastric area. I take Carafate and Methadone. I have been suffering for 13 years and saw your post about redirecting the bile into the colon. I would fly to you specifically for the surgery if it will take away this daily debilitating pain. I also will call your office on Monday 6/3.

[veronica0511]

I had my gb removed 2 years ago. Since then I have severe pain in the RUQ that wakes me up at night. I wake up dreaming I have been stabbed and covered in sweat. I get up, eat a few saltine crackers and drink a glass of water and the pain is GONE immediately. I am also chronically constipated but have been all my life. I have been scoped and checked for ulcers and the only finding is that on CT my bile ducts are dialted. This can be normal so I'm told after gb removal surger.
My theory is that at night (or anytime the the stomach is empty)when our stomach is completely empty the constant drip of bile into the bowel (no holding station, ie the gallbladder) the bile irritates the smallbowel. So when we eat something bland it soaks up the bile.
I refused an ERCP because I am an RN and have seen to many patients develop pancreatitis from the ERCP. I am currently taking bile salts and a digestive enzyme. I just started the supplements a few days ago I will update on how they help!
Any input is greatly appreciated. These are just my thoughts after much research. Doctors are not miracle workers, we have to help them when we can. Write down what triggers it, when it's worse, what helps. and for goodness sakes we have to stop allowing surgery for everything. I certainly learned my lesson!

[arkell38]

Okay along with taking Dr. Watters advice on here I will share my story and hopefully help some of you.  Had my gallbladder removed in August of 2009. Within 3 weeks I knew something was wrong when I'd go number two it looked like I peed instead.  It's now 2013. Let me start by saying no diet helps this.  Liquids don't start the process but. .. the first bite of solid food I swollow no matter what it is begins the process.  It starts as a achy feeling where my liver is because that bite of food just threw my liver into overdrive.  Then come the cramps then comes the running to the bathroom like someone gave you an enema and they want you to hold it,  not gonna happen,  lol.  Gotta laugh too not cry.  I at times can dump a cup full of bile at a time, like I said peeing bile out the butt, lol.  But seriously I had a good doctor who told me,  well your one of the 20% of unlucky souls who no longer have a shutoff switch for the bile to stop producing.  Your gallbladder was a storage tank and once it was full your liver stopped making it.  But for you the liver I'd in panic mode because nothing is telling it to stop anymore.  Some folks bodies adjust within 3 years and others like me is gonna be a lifelong problem.  There are only 2 drugs in the market that help us.  One is called questrin the other is welchol. The first is a powder you mix in water and drink an hour before you eat so that when you do eat it helps soak up the extra bile so you can have normal bowl movements again and so racing to the bathroom.  The second is a pill that is supposed to do the same thing.  I'm getting ready to try the pill because after 4 years on the powder within 10 of drinking it now a get severe heartburn.  Hoping the switch to the pill will help that.  Regardless nothing eliminates it all the time if you have it as bad as I do it will work about 75 percent of the time which is better then nothing.  I'm currently mixing 2, 4mg. Packets of the questrin twice a day.  Switching to 1, 625mg pill of welchol twice a day.  Wish me luck and best of luck to you all.  Wouldn't wish this on anyone.

[Fran2850]

Welchol works wonders.  I had the same problems 10 years after having my Gall Bladder removed...suffered for 2 years, went regularly to Gastro. but she could not find anything.  I felt like it was excess bile because it burned coming out...lol  I looked up excess bile after Gall Bladder removal or something like that and It talked about Welchol...I went to my Gastro, she prescribed it and it is a miracle pill.

[samaglo]

Please let us know how the pills work.
I- too- am a human juicer.

[teacherteacher39]

I have suffered with debilitating diarrhea and pain, as well vomiting bile since my gallbladder surgery in 1997.  It caused me to also develop anxiety and panic disorder because I was afraid to go anywhere or eat away from home.  I started out on Questrain every morning, but if you have ever taken it then you know how unpleasant it is.  Though it is still much better than the symptoms we suffer without it.  Now I take welchol, 2 pills in the morning and it works really well for me.  When I do not take it, the symptoms return and I am very weak and tired all the time.  

[Kajas01]

Hi, can anyone offer me some advice, I have just been very ill over last four weeks with what seems like bile reflux. I had the worst ball of pain in my upper abdomen, in between my ribs and a gnawing pain round my belly button, I have been bringing up acid and bile in the morning feel nauseous every morning and i have also had a pain under my left rib. My doctor has informed that I have a stomach ulcer and I am on omeprazole to reduce the stomach acid and help heal the ulcer but I read that bile reflux needs to be sorted as it can lead to other problems. Does anyone know of any medication that can help sort this or is an operation needed to move the bile duct? If so, has anyone had this done and was it successful?

[spiritedpony]

I've been on Cholestyramine for about 6 months, gallbladder removed 3 years ago. Cholestrymine is a grainy powder mixed into liquid or apple sauce. For me, after much experimenting, it seems to work best if I take it at bedtime (if I remember).  If I miss a dose, the next day is just like you mentioned. I can get liquid diarrhea and spontaneous vomiting all at the same time. Vomit is all bile liquids. Just lovely.  It isn't a very pleasant medication, but it works 90% of the time, I have much more freedom to go ride my horse and have a lunch break when out on trails, without problems. I do have some off days, but it's not a daily occurrence any more.  Good luck!

[tflyons]

Cholestyramine saved me.  I had my bladder out about 10 years ago. About 5 years ago I started to have what I call crap attacks,  I crapped myself 3 times at work - it was very embarrassing.  My doctor finally came up with cholestyramine.  I take it with breakfast and dinner.  My bowel movements are now solid and are like the ones before I had my gall bladder out.  I was close to quitting my job - cholestyramine saved my job

[Mel369]

I had my gallbladder removed almost 7 months ago because of extreme fatigue, nausea after eating, and a hida scan said it was only functioning at 8%. My stomach is so much worse now. I have am nauseous every day and my stomach is very bloated , which I can't seem to get relief from. Fried foods have the opposite effect on me and they stop me up and caused my stomach to ache. I don't get diarrhea from any food. I have tried changing to all fruits and veggies, no breads or wheats in my diet and it seemed to work for a little bit, but it has stopped. I still get pain all along my rib cage at times and there are a few tender spots in my belly. How can I get my bowels regular and get rid of this bloat? My stomach is so puffy and I haven't gained weight. Thanks!

[Savox1]

I have the same problem. My doctor told me that I have celiac disease. So I cut out those foods according to celiac diet research I've done and for about a year it was working but now no matter what I eat is bad for my system. I am bloated with no relief at any time, pain in my ribs and abdomen and this past month or so I constantly throw up in my mouth all day long. Not even half the day is over and I've thrown up 8 times in my mouth already. I'm so tired and fatigued. I'm starting to battle a depression and helplessness feeling. I just can't seem to eat or drink anything that helps. I started taking gluten cutter and ate gluten free food and a year ago it worked but nothing is working now. I'm in pain all day every day! Any help is appreciated. Thank you!

[socrates2012]

13 July 2014 - just joined after searching for 'excess bile'...  I would like to share some *solutions* hoping to help someone else.

Our adult son had intense pain (10/10) just below his ribs, center.  Vomiting, nausea.  Soon, just bile.  He had this in a much milder form for *years* - many tests, many doctors later ('nothing wrong', it just passed, no help) - now he has this intense attack.  They kept saying stress or anxiety…

Thankfully, my brother instantly knew it was the same thing he had a few years ago.  Same pattern - many doctors, ER, tests, 'everything looks fine' - until one doctor mentioned 'gallbladder' and wanted to remove it.  Even though the pain was also 10/10 (he said it brought him to his knees) - he went home to research.  He found this book, "The Liver and Gallbladder Miracle Cleanse" by Andreas Mortiz.  Amazing!!  So many things are solved by cleansing our own organs.  MUST read this cover to cover first.  At least skim it - there's a lot of important information outside the instructions for the cleanse.  Please read the *book* - there are many modified cleanses on the internet and *wrong* information!!  We got the Kindle version instantly and carefully followed instructions.

Please note - whether you have a gallbladder or not, stones can develop and block ducts in the liver.

The 'normal' process takes a week (or longer, if you do the other cleanses first).  The pain is due to blockages in ducts (some gallbladder, perhaps, mostly liver.)  This cleanse is painless, and many 'stones' are passed.  Both my brother and  our son had relief the first day (they jumped right to the cleanse.)  My brother has never had another episode.  He continues to cleanse the liver and gallbladder twice per year.  Our son, however, while he had much relief from the intense pain, still had vomiting, just in the morning.  By the afternoon he would be fine and could eat normally.  We know he has to do another cleanse, but we must wait a minimum of 3 weeks between cleanses.

NOW for the vomiting bile part - we found that, due to frequent vomiting, the ring of muscle between the stomach and the small intestine (which usually keeps things separate!) weakens and now bile, which *should* be in the intestine, now backs up into the stomach.  The remedy for this is to consume *soluble* fiber which binds to the bile and lets it pass normally.   Internet searching reveals what foods or juices have highest amounts of soluble fiber, including legumes (beans, peas, etc), oats, apple, pear, grapefruit - etc.  Much more.  In our case, we found 100% apple juice (26g carbs - 22g sugars = 4g fiber) and because it is *clear* liquid, no solids, it is *soluble* fiber.  (Insoluble fiber is 'roughage' - not absorbed at all, passes through, the 'scrub brush' for the digestive tract.)  Eating whole fruit is good, if your stomach can tolerate it.  Fruit, legumes, grains contain *both* types of fiber, of course.

There are also powders that provide more soluble fiber.  The recommendation is to check with a doctor before taking these.  We are still trying to find the right amount necessary to ease the vomiting in the morning - then our son will have some relief before the next cleanse.

I hope this helps someone else.

[still_lost_at_sea]

Thank you so much.  This is the most help I've received yet.  Finding a doctor that will listen to this concern is not an easy task.  I came about finding this while diagnosing liver disease.  Every test or MRI required a fast and I kept telling everyone I can't fast.  As soon as I am on empty I get extremely ill.  I don't get the pain like everyone else but I first get all the symptoms of hypoglycemia, sweating, shakes, become pale, then dizzy.  That is when I begin to vomit yellow bile and have almost clear diarrhea at the same time. This lasts for about 30 minutes and I can finally leave the toilet and make it to bed and immediately go to sleep for several hours.  When I wake up it takes me 2-3 days on water and clear soda before I can even think about eating.  Then I start with soda crackers.  All together it takes about 2-3 weeks to recover as best I can.  

This only happens when my stomach is empty.  But thank you for letting me know its not just in my head or an oddity to my system.  You've given me a reason to reach out to another doctor.

[hair4u]

I have had the same thing going on for about a year , and lost 37 pounds since then . I had a Ercp done and found  that I had sphincter of odi dysfunction and still I'm in pain and had a EGD done and I still  had 100 ml of bile in my stomach and I said to the Dr. isn't that to much bile in the stomach ? He said actually he would be more concerned if it was more like 1 liter . I told him that there wasn't supposed to be that much bile in there in the first place that its supposed to be going into the small intestine I realize that some bile is normal to be in there but not that much . There doing a Fluoro upper GI w/SBFT and then I don't know what after that . I'm so frustrated cant hardly eat anything without getting sick and having extreme pain on the right side where they did the surgery . I don't think these dr. know what to do , and I think there needs to be more research on this problem ! What do you think ?

[Arikostinaal]

I need some help. Mum (73) had her GB removed 10 years ago and for the past five years, she's suffered from sporadic sickness preceded by vomiting.

She has lots what looks like acid reflux with lots of burping. She's had every test known to man and the last endoscopy she had a month ago showed she had some inflammation in her stomach (of which currently nothing has been done)

She's now down to seven stones and she's literally dying before our eyes. I firmly believe this is resolvable, but no one's doing anything.

When she's sick it's almost always bile, and lots of it.

Can anyone advise? I've read this forum and it sounds like Bile Reflux Gastritis, but how do we get a specialist here in the UK to even consider this as the last time mum saw the specialist,she said "I'm surprised you see you" (meaning she expected her to be dead as they pretty much sent her home to die at Xmas last year).

Need help. Time is running out and it would appear none of the doctors are doing anything

[someguy50]

I've had GI problems since my gallbladder was removed 6 years ago, but it's gotten progressively worst in the last year and a half and the result is very severe IBS. Anyway, I've tried lots of medications, supplements, etc. and nothing has had a lasting, noticeable effect. A month ago my doctor prescribed Welchol, its a medication for cholesterol, but it binds to bile in the stomach, and many people that have had their GB removed have reported remarkable improvement in their IBS after taking it, and I have noticed a significant improvement for me as well. I still need to make some real lifestyle changes to know if I'm really cured. But anyway, I am not a doctor, but maybe try asking your doctor about Welchol and give it a try if its safe and appropriate for your Mom's situation...good luck.