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.              

[orcasitas]

I took advil and then motrin for a very long time. It is probably what caused my microscopic cholitis for a variety of pain issues. My naturopath agrees that marijuana helps and has fewer side effects than long term than usaids. I only use it before bed though as I really need to be able to function during the day.

My gallbladder was taken out in 1984 & now 5 weeks ago, June, 2016 I have had acute pancreatitis with an 8 day hospital stay. The stents will be replaced or removed in a few days, depending on if they find an residual stones in the common bile duct. I had NO idea that stones could form without a gallbladder. I had gallstone symptoms for a while before I went in with the pancreatitis. This time they also did a sphincterotomy. We need every duct, organ and muscle in our bodies & they will be affected when you don't have them...even tonsils and appendix! The latter are part of your immune system. But removing or cutting is always better than to risk dying, so do your research & get the best docs you can!

[orcasitas]

I took advil and then motrin for a very long time. It is probably what caused my microscopic cholitis for a variety of pain issues, so get a lot of advice before using nsaids for long periods.  My naturopath agrees that marijuana helps and has fewer side effects than long term than nsaids. I only use it before bed though as I really need to be able to function at peak levels during the day.

My gallbladder was taken out in 1984 & now 5 weeks ago, June, 2016 I have had acute pancreatitis caused by stones formed in the common bile duct with an 8 day hospital stay. The stents will be replaced or removed in a few days, depending on if they find an residual stones in the common bile duct. I had NO idea that stones could form without a gallbladder. I had gallstone symptoms for a while before I went in with the pancreatitis. This time they also did a sphincterotomy. We need every duct, organ and muscle in our bodies & they will be affected when you don't have them...even tonsils and appendix! The latter are part of your immune system. But removing or cutting is always better than to risk dying, so do your research & get the best docs you can!

[doglady2]

I had my gall bladder out almost a year ago.  Since then I have had 4 or 5 attacks that feel like a gall bladder attack. Went to the ER several times, my liver enzymes were double.  Five days later normal readings, sometimes I feel like some of the medical community do not believe me and it is so frustrating. I did have an upper endoscopy  this week because of other stomach issues.  I was telling the surgeon about these attacks and he is only the second professional that believes me.  He said if they  continue he would like to do an ERCP. I do feel somewhat better knowing there are other people out there dealing with the same thing, at least now I don't feel like it is all in my head.

[tr22]

I'm so glad I found this post.  Last night I had what I can only describe as a gal bladder attack, even though my gal bladder was removed back in November.  I occasionally have had muscle spasms in the area where the gal bladder used to be, but this is the first time it felt like an attack.  When my gal bladder was removed, I had a 2nd emergency procedure to remove stones from the bile duct.  I wonder if they have returned.  I wasn't going to call my doctor, but now after reading about everyone else's stories, I think I will.

[Exupsgal]

I would call your doctor see if he can do an endoscopy and a possible ercp. I am having this done in the next couple of days and my doctor is going to play for stent in my bile duct which opens up the passageway to let the stones flow through now and in the future. Good luck with it I had my gallbladder out 2 and have been in severe pain at least 5 times

[backpainnomore]

I've had my appendix out, my gall bladder out, and now my recurring problem is kidney stones.  I wish I hadn't been so hasty to have my gall bladder removed because before my surgery I found that I could eat whatever I wanted as long as I drank plenty of water.  I know I've flushed out kidney stones.  I've figured out that the cause of my kidney stones is high fructose corn syrup in some of my favorite foods like fig bars which I've given up.  I would not be surprised if that had something to do with my gall stones.

[craighardie]

my kidney stones stopped after I began to drink at least two liters of water each day. I am large so i try to drink three liters... after starting this in june within two weeks I passed a large stone and haven't been bothered again.  a lot of water daily helps a lot of things.

[Dawnie1979]

I had multiple stones form in my bile duct AFTER gb removal, my bile duct was cut open during open surgery at the time of gb removal, so there was no chance the stones were left behind, i actually made more in the bile ducts, ercps to remove them were all unsuccessful, so i was given 2 choices have more surgery to cut open ducts and remove stones, BUT expect this surgery everytime i produce more stones which could be every 1-2 years !! or have a biliary bypass, i chose the biliary bypass, so now when i produce stones they pass straight in to my bowel and dont block anything.