Recurrent gall stones in the bile duct after gall bladder removal

[brigitte425]

I had my gall bladder out in 2003.  Since then I have had recurrent gall stones that get stuck in my bile duct and have to be removed by ERCP.  It didn't happen until 2005.  Then it was close to another year and it happened again.  Since then I have had to have this done 1 to 2 times per year.  I have gotten pretty sick a couple of times, but mostly my doctor schedules me in time before that happens.  He is very much trying to convince me to have an operation that attaches my bile duct to my intestines.  He says that he is almost certain that will solve the problem.  I have tried every supplement and homeopathic remedy known to man to stop the stones from forming without any long-term success.  The ursodial I take 600 mg 3 times per day slows it down a little, but doesn't really fix the problem.  After having the ERCP I usually feel pretty goood for about 5 months then I start getting symptoms again and have to have it done again.  There is no real explanation as to why it keeps happening.  Now they are saying it must be genetic.  The problem I have is that the operation is major surgery and there is still no guarantee that it will work.  I met with the surgeon once and he told me that it won't stop the stones but they will be able to move through easier and more directly.  He said that if they get stuck after the operation, the only way to get them through would be to stick something through my back and push them through that way.  It seems that so far the ERCP is a better alternative.  I have had difficulty finding much information on this operation.  My stones are all cholesterol stones and everything else is normal.  Does anyone have any information on this re: is there any way to stop the stones from forming, is the operation the best option, how I can get more information on this happening to people and how they made out if they got the operation, etc.  Thanks for any help you can give me.              

[Den515]

Hello...if anyone is still active on this thread, I  would love to hear if you have found solutions. I had my gall bladder out 20 yrs ago. Three days later i was in the ER with the severe “attack” pains in my chest, upper back, right shoulder. I was told I had sludgy bile. Not too long after that I was diagnosed with Sphincter of Oddi Disorder. That began a snowball of events over the past 20 yrs. Now my pancreatic sphincter has been involved & I now have had 17 ERCP’s with many sphincterotomies (with stents) of both the common bile duct Sphincter of Oddi & pancreatic sphincter. The causes were sludgy bile, scarring with stenosis from previous sphincterotomies, stones, and biliary spasms. I have also had the biliary bypass (or Sphincteroplasty) 15 yrs ago. I have temporary relief from the ERCP’s & surgery but the “attack” pains come back. I’ve also had pancreatitis many times after ERCP’s and from blockage in the duct. The pancreatitis has now turned to Chronic Pancreatitis which requires frequent hospitalizations.
Anyone who reads this can understand the pain & frustration that arises from diagnosing & treating this problem. It is also isolating as no one else can understand the pain, especially those times when it may not be obvious that there is real problems: like when lab values don’t elevate right away or xrays & scans look normal. So, would be great to chat with anyone who knows the pain and may have some ideas to help. Thx .

[Den515]

Hello...I know this is a long shot as this was posted 10yrs ago. But, I was searching for info for my bile duct problems and your post popped up. My symptoms are exact to yours and I did have the surgery to reconnect the bile duct so stone could pass through. So, I’m wondering if you had the surgery or how you feel now. Thx!

[JamericanDread]

My sister had the same problem after gall bladder removal. Twice s year she had ERCP done. Last year she figuered out why it was happening.Now she is pain free and stone free and no more ERCP. The answer for her is taking her cholesterol meds. Hope this helps!

[sling74]

What cholesterol meds is your sister taking?   How is she doing now?

[Stacey4208]

brigitte425, I am so glad to find more people like me.  I had my gallbladder removed in 2014 and since then I have had 8 ERCPs over the last 3 years for biliary duct stones.  I have tried low sodium, low fat, low cholesterol diets and nothing seems to help.  I take milk thistle, aloe vera gel, krill oil, and digestive bitters.  Nothing helps.  Does anyone have any recommendations?

[DrmzRWkd]

I had my gallbladder removed in February of 2017. Had 3 ERCPs done. August, November and December of 2017. The first ERCP, I ended up with Pancreatitis. Doctor doesn't know why I keep forming stones. If I keep getting them and keep having ERCPs, I'm gonna ask my doctor about having the bile duct removal surgery.

[Naturalnatalie]

I am a colon Hydrotherapist I suggest you try colonics I have gotten out pancreatic and gall stones out of my clients via he viewing tube (Brunelle method closed system) and they have formed wth stool around them on the colon walls especially along transverse (under your ribs) and descending and gather around sigmoid and can block so badly you only have a bowel movement every week or more. The stones are painful to pass however combined with stone target specific fasting, enema's and colonics you can remove all stones from the body without surgery or painkillers I also suggest taking olive leaf extract for a period of 3 -4 weeks as that will kill any infection present. I have photos as a client of mine had the speculum physically pushed out by these Boulder like stones covered in putrefied stool matter and thick mucus. I went through the matter on the table (there was an explosion) and found pancreatic stones the size of almonds they bounce when you drop them. She had 6 clustered in her sigmoid blocking her from having bowel movements we have since cleared the blockage after a long haul of fasting and back to back colonics we managed to clear two blockages in her sigmoid and descending colon. Visible distension in her middle lower abdomen reduced significantly after 2 treatments where the blockages were cleared. Before her tummy was hard and bloated very swollen and distended. Now it is soft and she has lost inches from that area. Good luck

[Amylscsw]

I have had this problem for a long time.i have had 6 ERCP's. the symptoms are recurring at shorter intervals and now they want me to try ursodiol. I have been resistant because of the cost and because it may not work. I just can't see taking this med forever but if it does work I guess it would be worth it. Anyone else taking this med?