Can't eat anything

[Lizjiggs]

I am a 35 year old female and had my gallbladder removed in 11/2012.  I still get pains where my gallbladder was and all food causes pain, bloating, face tingling.  I have had two endoscopes, digestive emptying test, swallow test and a cat scan of my abdomen. All the tests have come back normal. The doctors have no clue why all food gives me problems. Also, when I eat food that bothers me, it prevents me from exercising, b/c I have these attacks where I can't breathe and feel like I'm going to pass out.  
If anybody has had something similar and can give any advice I would be very grateful.  I am so miserable. I don't have a life b/c I'm in pain most of the days.
Felling desperate,
Liz

[Toffee123]

Hi Cass

you must not eat anything made with flour for two weeks. You may eat rice or corn, as much as you like. So you get your carbs. This takes away pains, cramps,sweats and all the symptoms we know so well. Thinking it is the Gallbladder, it is Gluten intolerance all the time.

[annelie1980]

Hi cass...how are you traveling now? Have you had any relief?

[cass2786]

What does ERCP stand for? I would like to know as i am seeing my surgeon on the 12th may and would like to mention it to him. When i saw the surgeon who removed my gall bladder in clinic after the operation i asked her why i was still suffering with all the same symptoms as before i had mine out her reply was " i dont know look i removed your gall bladder it hasnt relieved your symptoms and im not willing to do anymore about it" im now a year on and still suffering everyday i cant cope anymore

[annelie1980]

Im due to have my second ERCP in 2 1/2 weeks....i have to say i cant wait!! Its what im getting for my birthday this year and im cool with that (having ERCP the day before my birthday) fingers crossed this one doesnt land me in hospital for three days....dont think the nurses sing happy birthday on their rounds ha ha!
I wish everyone good health and even better outcomes with their treatments. Hope you all start feeling well soon. Keep hounding those docs til you do :)

[capsitan]

yes, the OP poster sounds exactly like what is SOD, or Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. I still have my galbladder, but I know it is SOD because my symptoms are completely aligned with SOD. I can't drink caffeine, eat fatty foods, take narcotics, or drink alcohol. Even spicy foods irrates it. I would ask your doctor for an anti-spasmodic such as bentyl or levsin. They helped the issue but I cannot tolerate the side effects. I am in pain every day. I'm waiting to get in ERCP.

[annelie1980]

Hi liz...i too am 35 and have had similar issues. The issues you have most likely stem from the cholesystectomy, especially if done laparoscopically. Quite often damage is done in surgery but often doesnt show up til sometime later. You may need an ERCP to check for a stricture or more likely sphincter of oddi dysfynction...do yourself a favour and read up on it! ERCP is essentialy a xray guided endoscopy that goes a little further round to the biliary duct. I had my gall bladder out feb 2014 after they finally found a 2cm stone. I was ok for a couple of months then the pain returned...big time. I became more effected by things i ate and drank, i couldnt tolerate exercise, was bloated. Scans and bloods ALWAYS came back normal. In November 2014 i had an ERCP where they found a benign bile duct stricture, a narrowing of the duct caused by grit that slowly gets covered by scar tissue , and sphincter of oddi dysfunction. This is when the sphincter that regulates the flow of bile is either too stiff or doesnt open or close when it should causing a build up of bile. It causes the pain, reflux, bloating much like the original gall bladder attacks. Treatment for this is a cut to the sphincter then temporary stent to hold it open while it heals ensuring a wider opening. Unfortunately for me my stent was unsuccessful and landed me in hospital and it becoming blocked, even then scans and bloods 100% normal...so cannot rely on these alone. Only way to diagnose is to go in and look. Im currently waiting for another stent to be put in...so pain is once again my best bud :(

so liz i totally empathise with you and hope this has been a little helpful x best of luck....would be interested to hear how you get on.