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.              

[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

[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!

[slwp]

Are you still active on this site. I am going through the exact situation and would love to hear from you.

[Christopher R Watters, MD]

Hard to believe that you suddenly developed a stenosis in two months time. The number one cause of non cardiac chest pain is reflux, gallbladder disease is probably next. A second catheterization without any evaluation for other causes definitely falls short of the mark. You are now in a situation shared by a growing number of patients. They have had coronary stents placed where there is little or no data demonstrating any increase in life expectancy and on a medicine that increases their risk of bleeding. The drug eluting stents were initially covered with Plavix for six months like the bare metal stents had been previously. Unfortunately patients started to die from the stents plugging up with clots. So now the patient has to remain on the medicine forever. This becomes a significant issue for the rest of their lives because there is now no such thing as minor surgery. I had a 42 year old patient that worked as a groundskeeper at a local university. A very hard working guy. He noticed right upper quadrant pain after eating and was sent to a local cardiologist for evaluation. He subsequently underwent a cardiac cath and was found to have normal coronary arteries. When he again went to his PCP with the same complaints a few months later he was again sent to the cardiologist "just in case they missed something." He had ANOTHER cardiac cath which was again normal before he finally had a simple ultrasound which showed his gallstones. As a non-cardiologist, it has become quite frustrating.

[jackoooo]

gallbladder removed 15 years ago. 2 months ago an attack and in hosp for 5 days.  Heart cath shows no blockage no stents.  I know its a stone.  Same symptoms as gallbladder attack.  Last week another 3 days in hospital.  Nurse tells me of yellow eyes and skin, STONES likely.  Another heart cath and this time they put in stent with out consent.  I get mri the next day and they find stone.

Now I have a problem.  With stent I must take meds and I can't get operation for the stone because of the meds.  Did I really need a stent, only 2 months earlier I didn't.

Before this I took no meds at all and very healthy 62 yr old male.

Any comments or thoughts.

[momma92775]

Bridget, I am having the exact same problems. Had an MRCP in Oct 2011 stint and stones removed, ERCP on Jan. 26, 2012 stones and bile removed, ANOTHER ERCP done on Jan 31, 2012.....My live counts go sky high, jaundice, orange urine, etc.   My gallbladder was removed in March of 2011.  I ALSO need to get to the bottom of this mess.  I can feel it starting up again. Please let me know if you don't mind what your dr. is telling you.
Thanks
Laurie