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.              

[Galled]

I had my gallbladder removed 16 years ago. I have had pain for the last couple of years which got worse last year.Been taken to hospital 3 times with suspected heart problems sent home twice evan though liver function tests up the creek. On the third occasion I was admitted saw a gastric doctor who diagnosed the problem straight away and it was confirmed by MRI. ERCP done - after a week or so felt great for about 5months now probs starting again.Pain and very yellow wee. Been back to my GP and he has referred me back to hospital and arranged blood tests. I was told that this was very unusual bit from this site it would appear not!

[LEAgirl]

I know you take ursidiol but maybe a daily intake of bile salts

although it may conflict with the medication, but I'm not sure.

I have gallstones too and they want me to have surgery

but after reading all these stories sometimes

I would rather have my gallbladder

Sometimes I take apple cider vinegar pills

you may want to strengthen your liver with

don quai or milk thistle


good luck

[SarahSunshine82]

I am in the same situation. I was getting sick and having pain every few weeks on and off for a year. It got to the point I was passing out and went to the er. This is 2008. I was told my gallbladder was about to rupture and it needed to come out. I had surgery and was discharged a day later. The next day I started throwing up and turned yellow. I was taken back to the hospital and told I had stones in my bile duct and had to have a stent put it. I was in the hospital for about a week. I felt moderately better and symptom free until around 2010 when I started feeling like I was having a gallbladder attack again. I went back to the er and they were surprised to find I still had a stent and no one had done a procedure to remove it. They removed the stones that were stuck in my bile duct and the stent and I was discharged about a week later . A month or two goes by and same symptoms return I am back in the hospital with more stones and have another ERCP. I have changed to low fat diet but nothing helps. I have severe heartburn daily that is only calmed by 2 protonix twice a day, There is little I can eat with out developing symptoms. The stones came back again in 2012 and now in 2014 I have the same issue and I am waiting on new insurance to go into effect so I can go have them out again. Every time this happens they marvel that they have come back . No one can offer me any solution and I am so discouraged on how to live with this .

[Oktoberfest]

Have you tried Gluten Free diet?

[saffron263]

I had my gallbladder removed 5 months ago and my gallbladder had practical disinter grated so was very messy and two stones were left behind. The were fine I. The small duct but moved into the main duct and caused horrendous  pain again. One stone was removed by endoscopy but the other one is stuck fast and has  to be 'blasted'. This is sing done in a few days time, so it seems this is the problem you have.

[meglaulanmar]

My doctor essentially told me in almost all cases they are stones left behind ....especially when the gall bladder has sever infection and has exploded or something like mine did.  He said he wouldn't even run a test ...he would go back in....because most people suffer a long time due to tests not showing a LARGE percentage of stones so he wouldn't waste his time.  He said if I felt like it was one...it was.  That is not a feeling I could ever forget or wonder about!

[chrisr24]

I had my gall bladder taken out in 95,was fine for a few years and then had problems again. Many ercps done. Got pancrantitis twice from it. Had the surgery done with the intestine thing like someone else was talking about. Am still having issues now. Nothing bad enough for me to go to the hospital, but still have pains. I wish I could find out what I can do to stop this pain forever!anyone have any advice?