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Abdominal Pain after fatty foods-Post gallbladder removal
I am a 33 year old female, and I just had my second child 6 months ago. I had my first painful attack of severe epigastric pain (presumed to be a gallbladder) attack about 2 months ago (which was 4 months after my birth of my second child). At the time of the attack, I went to the ER where I had sonogram and blood work taken. However everything seemed normal. Upon leaving ER, tentatively diagnosed with Gastritis, however GI cocktail did not stop the pain. Since this time, I went to see a gasteroenterologist, he tentatively diagnosed me with gallbladder problems and ordered a CCK HIDA scan. The HIDA scan an revealed a gallbladder ejection fraction of 22%. Based on the ejection fraction, the Dr indicated my gallbladder was bad and instructed me to contact a surgeon to have it removed. I had my gallbladder removed a couple of weeks later. Prior to my surgery, I did not have any more episodes of pain. However, I did note I was unable to properly digest fats, symptoms included: Nausea, gurgling of stomach & diarrhea. Therefore, remained on a minimal fat diet until surgery was performed. Pathology from my cholecystectomy indicated my gallbladder had chronic inflammation of the gallbladder and think yellow-green bile. After the surgery my ability to digest fats properly seemed to get worse. My symptoms included a more severe case of a gurgling of stomach and severe diarrhea after ingestion of fatty substances. In order to get around this problem, I resorted to elimination of fats from my diet, although I still had a few problems with diarrhea and GI indigestion. My doctor also prescribed Colestid and Metamucil, and this seemed to also help, but the problem did not go away if I ate very fatty foods. I have had an MRI and an ERCP (where they were specifically looking for a choledochal cyst). It turns out I do not have a choledochal cyst, but I am not sure they were looking for other problems that are related to my other GI issues. Now, about 2 months post gallbladder surgery and 2 weeks after the ERCP, I had my second episode of severe epigastric pain after eating the chicken (not the skin) from fried chicken. I again went to the ER where they ran blood tests and gave my the GI cocktail, again nothing worked (but pain meds) and did not see anything unusual in my bloodwork. My question to you is, what else could be causing this epigastric pain? Is it possible it could be pancreatitis or IBS? Would this have been evident in the ERCP, even if they were not specifically looking for it? (I think they may have only been focused on the bile duct) What is causing this fat indigestion? Is this normal post gallbladder surgery, what else could it be? Can you suggest any addition tests I could have done to rule out other problems? Thank you in advance for your help!!!
A related discussion, Gallbladder removed was started.
A related discussion, STOMACH CRAMPS AFTER EATING POST GALLBLADDER SURGERY was started.
I thought I was the only one who had this problem. I started having intense pain in my stomach. I couldn't breath it hurt so much,the very first time it happened I was driving and had to pull over I couldn't see straight. I went to the doctor after months of pain and diarhea, he scheduled me for a hida scan which showed I had a 3% injection fracture. I had surgery
and healed very quickly and went back to school quick. I still have persistant pain and diarreah which I take welchol for I will take this probably for the rest of my life.
and healed very quickly and went back to school quick. I still have persistant pain and diarreah which I take welchol for I will take this probably for the rest of my life.
A related discussion, Gallbladder attacks after surgery was started.
A related discussion, anybody else have this problem? was started.
A related discussion, After Surgery was started.
A related discussion, Gallbladder was started.
i have just been released from hospital after spending 3 nights there for severe pain in my abdomen just above my tummy button and below my chest was given very strong pain killers and a scan which showed nothing was wrong did anyone who has had gall stones suffer from this before the stones were eventually discovered
My mother had her gallbladder removed on 7-19. It was supposedly an easy removal. Her gallbladder was adhered to her liver which made the procedure a little more complicated with some extra cauderization of the liver necessary to stop the bleeding. We were told this is not uncommon. She spent 5 days in the hospital following the surgery complaining of "in my opinion" to much pain. I took her to her follow up appt. approximately one week later. She was still complaining of pain, running a high fever (around 102) and was completely uninterested in eating anything. My concern led to insisting on her having a repeat CT scan to see what was going on. That was done on 8-1. It turns out she had a bile leak which thankfully had walled itself off so it was not leaking into her abdomen. The leak had turned into an abcess and was extremely infected. She was admitted to the hospital that night to have a drain put into the abcess. This was an extremely painful procedure - she was given no sedation and the procedure took about an hour and a half. I have never seen my mother in the kind of agony she was in. Well here we are today 8-9, 3 weeks after her surgery and 8 days after having the drain put in, she is finally feeling some relief. She is expected to be discharged tomorrow going home with the drain still in. The bile leak is expected to heal itself but if not them she will undergo an ERCP to have a stint put in. Her appetite is improving but who knows how she will feel once the drain is removed. This has been a horrible experience for my entire family especially our mother. I can't imagine anyone having to go through what she has been through. I pray that she will continue to improve but you can imagine her anxiety about having the drain removed.
Has anyone experienced anything like this? If so, how painful is it to have the drain removed?
Thanks for any help.
Desperation
Has anyone experienced anything like this? If so, how painful is it to have the drain removed?
Thanks for any help.
Desperation
I had my gallbladder out a week ago and was told that I could go back to my regular diet....well I did and it ended up with me violently vomiiting and 10 boughts with diarriaha (sp??) and me going to the ER....Ok, granted, I should have had a steak (they did say I could eat what ever I felt like), but the reaction was insane...They did an Xray (to see if I had any obstructions, non found) another MRI to see if any stones migrated (none found), gave me IV fluids (I was dehydrated from the diarriaha), and did blood work..(elevated liver enzyemes). The ER doctor told me that I had gastrointeritis and that the surgery left my immune system weakend and I got the stomach bug....
Funny thing is now, I don't wanna eat, PERIOD. Since the week prior to my GB surgery to current I lost 14 lbs...I guess you can say that I am a non-intentional anorexic....Nothing feels ok when I eat..
Does anyone have suggestions on what to eat and how to control this attacks...I thought that if I got my GB out, I would go back to normal....I don't have the stabbing pain in my shoulders like I did, but the nausa and diarriaha is worse...
HELP!!!!
Karen
Funny thing is now, I don't wanna eat, PERIOD. Since the week prior to my GB surgery to current I lost 14 lbs...I guess you can say that I am a non-intentional anorexic....Nothing feels ok when I eat..
Does anyone have suggestions on what to eat and how to control this attacks...I thought that if I got my GB out, I would go back to normal....I don't have the stabbing pain in my shoulders like I did, but the nausa and diarriaha is worse...
HELP!!!!
Karen
I had my gall bladder out about three weeks ago. I'm getting better since the surgery, but I'm getting frightened by getting side and back pain after eating a meal. I have cramping as well, and the sense that I'm going to have diahrrea, but haven't had it for a week or so. I'm just concerned about the discomfort and pain after eating. I'm not vomitting or naseus, but I have this terrible bloated feeling and again, discomfort in my right side and back.
Has anyone experienced this?
Has anyone experienced this?
what
I, too, had my gallbladder removed. It definitely has not been the most pleasant experience. I didn't do much research before the removal and wish I had chickened out of the surgery. I had one gallbladder attack that left me in so much pain that I could hardly breathe. I went to the ER and they performed an ultrasound which showed my gallbladder was inflamed and gallstones were present. They recommened that I have it removed. I had a c-section 5 weeks prior to the gallbladder surgery. Afterward, I had pressure in my sternum area and they thought I had acid reflux and prescribed me medication. I suffered from diarrhea and didn't want to eat because of it.
Someone recommended that I take acidopholus or multidopholus and since I started taking it, my diarrhea has subsided. I eat pretty much whatever I want but in moderation. I notice if I eat a lot at one time it upsets my stomach. I also learned that the nerves in your spinal column can effect how your organs behave. I found out that the vertebrae between my shoulder blades were out of whack and that I desperately needed an adjustment. Well I also found out that it's the nerves in that part of your spine that controls your digestive system. So, for those of you who have not had your gallbladder removed, and even those who have, you may want to start visiting a Chiropractor, and not just any chiropractor. Try and find a chiropractor neurology office. Also, if you still suffer from diarrhea, you might want to get your electrolytes checked. They just draw blood. My potassium was slightly low, but enough to effect me. My neurology chiroprator also suggest bile salts. It helps to break down the fat so your body can digest it more easily (according to him and what I've read about it).
As for whether or not I regret the surgery, it's hard to say. I am now 6 1/2 weeks post-op and am still recoving from both the gallbladder surgery and the c-section. I wish I would have done more research first, yet at the same time, it could have been much worse. I could have passed a stone that would have gotten lodged in the bile duct and became extremely sick. So there's always a plus and negative side to any decision one can make, especially when it comes to surgery.
Best wishes to everyone.
Someone recommended that I take acidopholus or multidopholus and since I started taking it, my diarrhea has subsided. I eat pretty much whatever I want but in moderation. I notice if I eat a lot at one time it upsets my stomach. I also learned that the nerves in your spinal column can effect how your organs behave. I found out that the vertebrae between my shoulder blades were out of whack and that I desperately needed an adjustment. Well I also found out that it's the nerves in that part of your spine that controls your digestive system. So, for those of you who have not had your gallbladder removed, and even those who have, you may want to start visiting a Chiropractor, and not just any chiropractor. Try and find a chiropractor neurology office. Also, if you still suffer from diarrhea, you might want to get your electrolytes checked. They just draw blood. My potassium was slightly low, but enough to effect me. My neurology chiroprator also suggest bile salts. It helps to break down the fat so your body can digest it more easily (according to him and what I've read about it).
As for whether or not I regret the surgery, it's hard to say. I am now 6 1/2 weeks post-op and am still recoving from both the gallbladder surgery and the c-section. I wish I would have done more research first, yet at the same time, it could have been much worse. I could have passed a stone that would have gotten lodged in the bile duct and became extremely sick. So there's always a plus and negative side to any decision one can make, especially when it comes to surgery.
Best wishes to everyone.
I had my gallbladder removed about 7 years ago. Like many of you, I've also had difficulties with my digestion after I eat since the surgery, specifically severe cramping and diarrhea. I also had problems (less frequently) with severe abdominal pain (burning knot of pain) and intense vomiting.
These symptoms have gotten worse over time. What I've noticed after observing my diet closely is that my digestive system acts up when I combine refined sugar and fats, especially high levels of sugar (e.g., 3 glasses of coke and a cheeseburger). When I suggested this to my doctor, she poohed-poohed me and said the cause was the levels of fat that I was ingesting. But I had carefully separated the two items in my diet, and fat by itself didn't cause the problem; sugar did.
About 18 months ago, I went on the Atkins diet (low carbohydrates, no sugar; higher fat) and no longer had any digestive problems after eating as long as I stayed on the diet. When I ingested sugar--too much, too fast--my digestive problems returned. Levels of fat don't seem to affect me--except in combination with sugar.
These symptoms have gotten worse over time. What I've noticed after observing my diet closely is that my digestive system acts up when I combine refined sugar and fats, especially high levels of sugar (e.g., 3 glasses of coke and a cheeseburger). When I suggested this to my doctor, she poohed-poohed me and said the cause was the levels of fat that I was ingesting. But I had carefully separated the two items in my diet, and fat by itself didn't cause the problem; sugar did.
About 18 months ago, I went on the Atkins diet (low carbohydrates, no sugar; higher fat) and no longer had any digestive problems after eating as long as I stayed on the diet. When I ingested sugar--too much, too fast--my digestive problems returned. Levels of fat don't seem to affect me--except in combination with sugar.
Hello everyone, I came by this site researching doing the Atkins diet without a gallbladder.
I had my gallbladder out in '96 after years of chronic problems that had made life really awful for me. I was 23 at the time, and I had terrible pains in my shoulders which at the time I thought was bursitis. I had gotten cortisone shots and was considering surgery, I was nearly disabled. I had no idea that the problem was related to my gallbladder. In fact, at the time I didn't even know what a gallbladder was! I started having random episodes of stomach pain. It wasn't always after eating. I associated it with drinking diet drinks sweetened with aspartame, for lack of a better theory. I was on a diet at the time called Nutri-System and had lost 20 pounds. I had always been forty-odd pounds overweight and since high school had always been on some crash diet. The stomach pain came and went, as did the shoulder and upper back pain, and I just dealt with it and thought I would have to deal with it the rest of my life. Then I got married and the stomach pain got worse. I remember one night we ate fondue and I thought I was going to die! I still didn't see a doctor about it since I thought it was just a result of being overweight and eating the wrong things; and I was tired of being told to lose weight when I had tried and tried and couldn't. My doctor finally did do some tests to see if I had ulcers, and it turned out that I had a hiatal hernia, and I thought that explained it. I was given lots of tagamet and cimetidine (prescription antacids) and thought that would take care of the problem. But it didn't. It got worse. One day I was in so much pain I thought maybe I had pancreatitis or something. I read on the internet that people can die from that so I went to the ER. They did an ultrasound and found a big fat gallstone about the size of a robin's egg lodged into my gallbladder. I didn't hesitate to get my gallbladder out. It was infected, and my liver was affected by it. I should have had it out long before.
The procedure was laproscopic, and I had very little pain afterwards. For about two weeks my muscles were sore, but I recovered well and I have not had any problems since then. I have been taking a supplement that contains ox bile (I know it sounds gross!) I got from a nutritionist. Basically, he explained that the gallbladder provids an extra squirt on demand of bile when you need it, which is when you eat fat. I'm supposed to take the supplement with each meal. I did it for awhile, but I don't like taking supplements in general and so I don't always take it. But I'm still okay. I don't really notice any digestive issues, and all my shoulder and upper back pain is gone.
I've discovered the Atkins diet, which I think I actually have a prayer of staying on, but I was curious as to whether not having a gallbladder would slow down weight loss. Has anyone else noticed this? If the fat just goes "right on through" then the body might think it's not getting enough fat and it seems like that would skew the carb/fat ratio Atkins talks about. Maybe eating small amounts of fat throughout the day might help?
I don't regret having my gallbladder out at all, in fact I regret not having it out sooner. Actually, what I regret the most is the misinformation I got when younger about low fat dieting. There were times when I ate absolutely NO FAT for WEEKS and did not lose weight-- in fact I gained some! Although I felt like I was STARVING TO DEATH! If I were more paranoid I would think the whole lowfat diet thing was a plot invented by skinny people to torment those of us unfortunate enough to be genetically predisposed to putting on pounds.
So far, I've been on Atkins for 3 weeks, and I've only lost 8 lbs. I'm just wondering if it's been slow because of my gallbladder.
I had my gallbladder out in '96 after years of chronic problems that had made life really awful for me. I was 23 at the time, and I had terrible pains in my shoulders which at the time I thought was bursitis. I had gotten cortisone shots and was considering surgery, I was nearly disabled. I had no idea that the problem was related to my gallbladder. In fact, at the time I didn't even know what a gallbladder was! I started having random episodes of stomach pain. It wasn't always after eating. I associated it with drinking diet drinks sweetened with aspartame, for lack of a better theory. I was on a diet at the time called Nutri-System and had lost 20 pounds. I had always been forty-odd pounds overweight and since high school had always been on some crash diet. The stomach pain came and went, as did the shoulder and upper back pain, and I just dealt with it and thought I would have to deal with it the rest of my life. Then I got married and the stomach pain got worse. I remember one night we ate fondue and I thought I was going to die! I still didn't see a doctor about it since I thought it was just a result of being overweight and eating the wrong things; and I was tired of being told to lose weight when I had tried and tried and couldn't. My doctor finally did do some tests to see if I had ulcers, and it turned out that I had a hiatal hernia, and I thought that explained it. I was given lots of tagamet and cimetidine (prescription antacids) and thought that would take care of the problem. But it didn't. It got worse. One day I was in so much pain I thought maybe I had pancreatitis or something. I read on the internet that people can die from that so I went to the ER. They did an ultrasound and found a big fat gallstone about the size of a robin's egg lodged into my gallbladder. I didn't hesitate to get my gallbladder out. It was infected, and my liver was affected by it. I should have had it out long before.
The procedure was laproscopic, and I had very little pain afterwards. For about two weeks my muscles were sore, but I recovered well and I have not had any problems since then. I have been taking a supplement that contains ox bile (I know it sounds gross!) I got from a nutritionist. Basically, he explained that the gallbladder provids an extra squirt on demand of bile when you need it, which is when you eat fat. I'm supposed to take the supplement with each meal. I did it for awhile, but I don't like taking supplements in general and so I don't always take it. But I'm still okay. I don't really notice any digestive issues, and all my shoulder and upper back pain is gone.
I've discovered the Atkins diet, which I think I actually have a prayer of staying on, but I was curious as to whether not having a gallbladder would slow down weight loss. Has anyone else noticed this? If the fat just goes "right on through" then the body might think it's not getting enough fat and it seems like that would skew the carb/fat ratio Atkins talks about. Maybe eating small amounts of fat throughout the day might help?
I don't regret having my gallbladder out at all, in fact I regret not having it out sooner. Actually, what I regret the most is the misinformation I got when younger about low fat dieting. There were times when I ate absolutely NO FAT for WEEKS and did not lose weight-- in fact I gained some! Although I felt like I was STARVING TO DEATH! If I were more paranoid I would think the whole lowfat diet thing was a plot invented by skinny people to torment those of us unfortunate enough to be genetically predisposed to putting on pounds.
So far, I've been on Atkins for 3 weeks, and I've only lost 8 lbs. I'm just wondering if it's been slow because of my gallbladder.
Hi everyone. I am just baffled by how many people have the very same symptoms post gallbladder removal and do not have the answers they need in order to feel better. I too have had my gallbladder removed... when I was 21. It was weird-- I didn't have any "attacks" or pain, I just couldn't evacuate any food for a period of 2 months.
Anyway, I was treated for everything but the gallbladder then finally, on a whim, the doctor mentioned having my gallbladder checked out. Sure enough, the scan and tests prescribed revealed a diseased gallbladder....
4 years later, food digestion is still strange. I have gone from craving and only eating potatoes to craving FAT to feeling bloated after almost every meal. There is not a day that goes by that I don't have discomfort after eating.
As of this summer, undergoing a lot of stress, my stomach became agitated and lead me to begin a new diet. One thing that has helped me is eating every couple of hours and very small meals. Luna bars are my favorite and are gluten free, dairy free which make digestion easier. High water consumption and eating low amounts of carbohydrates helps, also...low fat. I also have been trying to put back the "good" bacteria in my stomach (acidophilus & metagreens-oasis product).
Maybe these things will help... and I wish you all better health.
Anyway, I was treated for everything but the gallbladder then finally, on a whim, the doctor mentioned having my gallbladder checked out. Sure enough, the scan and tests prescribed revealed a diseased gallbladder....
4 years later, food digestion is still strange. I have gone from craving and only eating potatoes to craving FAT to feeling bloated after almost every meal. There is not a day that goes by that I don't have discomfort after eating.
As of this summer, undergoing a lot of stress, my stomach became agitated and lead me to begin a new diet. One thing that has helped me is eating every couple of hours and very small meals. Luna bars are my favorite and are gluten free, dairy free which make digestion easier. High water consumption and eating low amounts of carbohydrates helps, also...low fat. I also have been trying to put back the "good" bacteria in my stomach (acidophilus & metagreens-oasis product).
Maybe these things will help... and I wish you all better health.
Hi everyone. I am just baffled by how many people have the very same symptoms post gallbladder removal and do not have the answers they need in order to feel better. I too have had my gallbladder removed... when I was 21. It was weird-- I didn't have any "attacks" or pain, I just couldn't evacuate any food for a period of 2 months.
Anyway, I was treated for everything but the gallbladder then finally, on a whim, the doctor mentioned having my gallbladder checked out. Sure enough, the scan and tests prescribed revealed a diseased gallbladder....
4 years later, food digestion is still strange. I have gone from craving and only eating potatoes to craving FAT to feeling bloated after almost every meal. There is not a day that goes by that I don't have discomfort after eating.
As of this summer, undergoing a lot of stress, my stomach became agitated and lead me to begin a new diet. One thing that has helped me is eating every couple of hours and very small meals. Luna bars are my favorite and are gluten free, dairy free which make digestion easier. High water consumption and eating low amounts of carbohydrates helps, also...low fat. I also have been trying to put back the "good" bacteria in my stomach (acidophilus & metagreens-oasis product).
Maybe these things will help... and I wish you all better health.
Anyway, I was treated for everything but the gallbladder then finally, on a whim, the doctor mentioned having my gallbladder checked out. Sure enough, the scan and tests prescribed revealed a diseased gallbladder....
4 years later, food digestion is still strange. I have gone from craving and only eating potatoes to craving FAT to feeling bloated after almost every meal. There is not a day that goes by that I don't have discomfort after eating.
As of this summer, undergoing a lot of stress, my stomach became agitated and lead me to begin a new diet. One thing that has helped me is eating every couple of hours and very small meals. Luna bars are my favorite and are gluten free, dairy free which make digestion easier. High water consumption and eating low amounts of carbohydrates helps, also...low fat. I also have been trying to put back the "good" bacteria in my stomach (acidophilus & metagreens-oasis product).
Maybe these things will help... and I wish you all better health.
Hi everyone. I am just baffled by how many people have the very same symptoms post gallbladder removal and do not have the answers they need in order to feel better. I too have had my gallbladder removed... when I was 21. It was weird-- I didn't have any "attacks" or pain, I just couldn't evacuate any food for a period of 2 months.
Anyway, I was treated for everything but the gallbladder then finally, on a whim, the doctor mentioned having my gallbladder checked out. Sure enough, the scan and tests prescribed revealed a diseased gallbladder....
4 years later, food digestion is still strange. I have gone from craving and only eating potatoes to craving FAT to feeling bloated after almost every meal. There is not a day that goes by that I don't have discomfort after eating.
As of this summer, undergoing a lot of stress, my stomach became agitated and lead me to begin a new diet. One thing that has helped me is eating every couple of hours and very small meals. Luna bars are my favorite and are gluten free, dairy free which make digestion easier. High water consumption and eating low amounts of carbohydrates helps, also...low fat. I also have been trying to put back the "good" bacteria in my stomach (acidophilus & metagreens-oasis product).
Maybe these things will help... and I wish you all better health.
Anyway, I was treated for everything but the gallbladder then finally, on a whim, the doctor mentioned having my gallbladder checked out. Sure enough, the scan and tests prescribed revealed a diseased gallbladder....
4 years later, food digestion is still strange. I have gone from craving and only eating potatoes to craving FAT to feeling bloated after almost every meal. There is not a day that goes by that I don't have discomfort after eating.
As of this summer, undergoing a lot of stress, my stomach became agitated and lead me to begin a new diet. One thing that has helped me is eating every couple of hours and very small meals. Luna bars are my favorite and are gluten free, dairy free which make digestion easier. High water consumption and eating low amounts of carbohydrates helps, also...low fat. I also have been trying to put back the "good" bacteria in my stomach (acidophilus & metagreens-oasis product).
Maybe these things will help... and I wish you all better health.
Hi everyone. I am just baffled by how many people have the very same symptoms post gallbladder removal and do not have the answers they need in order to feel better. I too have had my gallbladder removed... when I was 21. It was weird-- I didn't have any "attacks" or pain, I just couldn't evacuate any food for a period of 2 months.
Anyway, I was treated for everything but the gallbladder then finally, on a whim, the doctor mentioned having my gallbladder checked out. Sure enough, the scan and tests prescribed revealed a diseased gallbladder....
4 years later, food digestion is still strange. I have gone from craving and only eating potatoes to craving FAT to feeling bloated after almost every meal. There is not a day that goes by that I don't have discomfort after eating.
As of this summer, undergoing a lot of stress, my stomach became agitated and lead me to begin a new diet. One thing that has helped me is eating every couple of hours and very small meals. Luna bars are my favorite and are gluten free, dairy free which make digestion easier. High water consumption and eating low amounts of carbohydrates helps, also...low fat. I also have been trying to put back the "good" bacteria in my stomach (acidophilus & metagreens-oasis product).
Maybe these things will help... and I wish you all better health.
Anyway, I was treated for everything but the gallbladder then finally, on a whim, the doctor mentioned having my gallbladder checked out. Sure enough, the scan and tests prescribed revealed a diseased gallbladder....
4 years later, food digestion is still strange. I have gone from craving and only eating potatoes to craving FAT to feeling bloated after almost every meal. There is not a day that goes by that I don't have discomfort after eating.
As of this summer, undergoing a lot of stress, my stomach became agitated and lead me to begin a new diet. One thing that has helped me is eating every couple of hours and very small meals. Luna bars are my favorite and are gluten free, dairy free which make digestion easier. High water consumption and eating low amounts of carbohydrates helps, also...low fat. I also have been trying to put back the "good" bacteria in my stomach (acidophilus & metagreens-oasis product).
Maybe these things will help... and I wish you all better health.
Hi everyone. I am just baffled by how many people have the very same symptoms post gallbladder removal and do not have the answers they need in order to feel better. I too have had my gallbladder removed... when I was 21. It was weird-- I didn't have any "attacks" or pain, I just couldn't evacuate any food for a period of 2 months.
Anyway, I was treated for everything but the gallbladder then finally, on a whim, the doctor mentioned having my gallbladder checked out. Sure enough, the scan and tests prescribed revealed a diseased gallbladder....
4 years later, food digestion is still strange. I have gone from craving and only eating potatoes to craving FAT to feeling bloated after almost every meal. There is not a day that goes by that I don't have discomfort after eating.
As of this summer, undergoing a lot of stress, my stomach became agitated and lead me to begin a new diet. One thing that has helped me is eating every couple of hours and very small meals. Luna bars are my favorite and are gluten free, dairy free which make digestion easier. High water consumption and eating low amounts of carbohydrates helps, also...low fat. I also have been trying to put back the "good" bacteria in my stomach (acidophilus & metagreens-oasis product).
Maybe these things will help... and I wish you all better health.
Anyway, I was treated for everything but the gallbladder then finally, on a whim, the doctor mentioned having my gallbladder checked out. Sure enough, the scan and tests prescribed revealed a diseased gallbladder....
4 years later, food digestion is still strange. I have gone from craving and only eating potatoes to craving FAT to feeling bloated after almost every meal. There is not a day that goes by that I don't have discomfort after eating.
As of this summer, undergoing a lot of stress, my stomach became agitated and lead me to begin a new diet. One thing that has helped me is eating every couple of hours and very small meals. Luna bars are my favorite and are gluten free, dairy free which make digestion easier. High water consumption and eating low amounts of carbohydrates helps, also...low fat. I also have been trying to put back the "good" bacteria in my stomach (acidophilus & metagreens-oasis product).
Maybe these things will help... and I wish you all better health.
I had gallbladder surgery 6 weeks ago. Have had no negative effects since then. I was very ill with high fever, chills, severe pain, and an elevated liver count when I arrived at ER. I am so sorry to hear of all of you still having symtoms, but for me removal of the gallbladder was a life saving decision. I hope that you all find relief from your pain and/or symtoms.
thank you, thank you, thank you !!!
You said it the best. There's nothing like having other
people in this world to relate with. Best luck with
your daughter.
You said it the best. There's nothing like having other
people in this world to relate with. Best luck with
your daughter.
Hello everyone!
I've had gallbladder pains since December of last year. I opted not to have surgery, and so far, I am doing much better. I started taking digestive enzymes a long time ago, and lately, I added some herbs and vitamins that support the gallbladder and liver. A couple months ago, I had SEVERE gallstone attacks once a week to 3-4 days a week, but lately, I've only had one every few weeks. I feel much better. So far, I'm glad that I haven't had surgery.
I've had gallbladder pains since December of last year. I opted not to have surgery, and so far, I am doing much better. I started taking digestive enzymes a long time ago, and lately, I added some herbs and vitamins that support the gallbladder and liver. A couple months ago, I had SEVERE gallstone attacks once a week to 3-4 days a week, but lately, I've only had one every few weeks. I feel much better. So far, I'm glad that I haven't had surgery.
Haven't visited this site much since Jan '03 following my 19 year old daughter's gallbladder surgery. Wanted to maintain contact with those that were so helpful to me, but with the change in format to allow the "dr" to respond to everyone questions first, they limited the questions/new comments to only 2 per day..sorry...but most people posting here have already been to too many doctors with no accurate diagnosis.
Anyway...in response to the surgery or no surgery debate..let me first say that my daughter had no stones & no sludge in her gallbaldder. She had 2 EGD's including biopsies of her small intestine and a bile sample taken from her gallbladder. She had a small bowel follow though series done and 2 HIDA scans at 2 different hospitals. She saw 2 family doctors, 2 gastroenterologists and one surgeon. The first HIDA said 32% ejection fraction, the 2nd one 6 weeks later said 8%. The surgeon informed us that with no obvious problem with the GB that the surgery success rate is not as good as if you have stones, etc. We agonized over what the right thing to do was. It seemed that the people that posted here still had problems folling GB surgery & then the problem was worse. I just know that by the time my daughter finally had her surgery ( a year and a half from the first doc visit) she was unable to eat anything with pain. Who wants to live like that?
It has now been 9 months since her surgery. she is a junior in college & IS better...but does have part of her digestive system gone...& she still has reactions sometimes to things she eats. Stress plays a major role in her digestive system. ( Hmm.. college=stress) She would tell you that she is glad that she had the surgery, but would have been happier if it hadn't stopped working in the first place. since we don't really know why it quit, something else could rear it's ugly head in the future.
The best part of this site is all of the contributors...those that found solutions and those that haven't yet. There is nothing like being able to talk to someone who has been there, done that. Best of luck to those of you still searching for answers.
Anyway...in response to the surgery or no surgery debate..let me first say that my daughter had no stones & no sludge in her gallbaldder. She had 2 EGD's including biopsies of her small intestine and a bile sample taken from her gallbladder. She had a small bowel follow though series done and 2 HIDA scans at 2 different hospitals. She saw 2 family doctors, 2 gastroenterologists and one surgeon. The first HIDA said 32% ejection fraction, the 2nd one 6 weeks later said 8%. The surgeon informed us that with no obvious problem with the GB that the surgery success rate is not as good as if you have stones, etc. We agonized over what the right thing to do was. It seemed that the people that posted here still had problems folling GB surgery & then the problem was worse. I just know that by the time my daughter finally had her surgery ( a year and a half from the first doc visit) she was unable to eat anything with pain. Who wants to live like that?
It has now been 9 months since her surgery. she is a junior in college & IS better...but does have part of her digestive system gone...& she still has reactions sometimes to things she eats. Stress plays a major role in her digestive system. ( Hmm.. college=stress) She would tell you that she is glad that she had the surgery, but would have been happier if it hadn't stopped working in the first place. since we don't really know why it quit, something else could rear it's ugly head in the future.
The best part of this site is all of the contributors...those that found solutions and those that haven't yet. There is nothing like being able to talk to someone who has been there, done that. Best of luck to those of you still searching for answers.
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