problems following gall bladder removal
Posted , 6 users are following.
I had my gallbladder removed two weeks ago - and to my horror yesterday I had another attack just like the ones I had before. I rang my consultant and he told me I have to go to his clinic for some tests but he thought there may be some stones in the duct (assume he means bile duct) Has anyone else had this problem ? Don't know what to expect now.
0 likes, 17 replies
alistair95425 brenda22164
Posted
sorry to hear of your returning pain. Yes there could be some stones left behind, There will be others on the site who can give you better advice, I have been fortunate no stones just a bad GB.
Hope your man sorts you out quickly.
brenda22164 alistair95425
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sarah87162 brenda22164
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I had my gallbladder removed 6 months ago. Still have a bit of pain. GP thinks either I have IBS or a stone stuck in bile duct.
Have endoscopy on 4th December so hopefully that will show up anything.
Keep off fatty food.
It's my Birthday today so I am treating myself to a Gurka meal and a couple of my favourite chocolates. Hope I don't suffer too much tomorrow!!
Hope this settles down for you.
Take care and keep in touch
Love Sarah xxx
sandynan sarah87162
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brenda22164 sarah87162
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Happy Birthday and hope you enjoy your meal with no pain :-)
sandynan brenda22164
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brenda22164 sandynan
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olwen09733 brenda22164
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brenda22164 olwen09733
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olwen09733 brenda22164
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Mrs.Nicks brenda22164
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I went through the exact same experience you described. So a lot of sympathy for you as I know the frustration and pain! Firstly, don't let them tell you it's just surgical pain and to ride it out. I was continually not taken seriously and basically told to stop being a wimp and let it all heal. After several attacks post-surgery I finally got to see the gastro specialist at my hospital and he was pretty convinced I had "Sphincter of Oddi Disfunction". Quite rare, some Doctors haven't even heard of it, but it is apparently very common in patients after a Cholysectomy. A good description of SOD can be found on Wiki - so I won't go into all that detail on here.
There is a specific test for SOD which is a ERCP. However, this test does carry a risk of getting pancreatitis, so it's worth weighing up your options and deciding if the flare ups are bad enough to take that small risk to move forward. I felt it was!
Medical treatment would be antispasmodics and analgesics. Surgical treatment is Botox in the Sphincter, or in some cases a splint can be inserted to decrease the spasms.
I hope this can help you in some way. I always think it is worth sharing my experience just incase it can benefit someone else and save them a lot of time!
Best of luck
Hannah
Mrs.Nicks brenda22164
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I was also checked for this several times and while that was happening, was put on a medication called Ursofalk. It is supposed to help break down any small stones/grit.
Again, I like to share just incase it can help someone else!
brenda22164 Mrs.Nicks
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Mrs.Nicks brenda22164
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My diet hasn't really had to change much luckily. I know this isn't the case for some people. I just have to be careful I don't over do it on the takeaways as I know I would suffer from it! The only things I would say I can't eat is cheese, only in very very small amounts, and pastry is a big no. I tend to stay away from very fatty meats too like duck and pork (sausages/bacon) Luckily I am ok with wine. I know others that really struggle if they drink it.
I always know, if I decide to give in to something fatty, I will pay for it with pains in my right upper quadrant and nausea. As we have no gallbladder to moderate the amount of bile used to break down fat, the bile duct goes into overdrive trying to deal with a lot of it and those pains are from the sphincter going into a spasm from over working. That is basically what SOD is and why it is so common on patients who have had their gallbladder removed.
brenda22164 Mrs.Nicks
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thanks again
sarah87162 brenda22164
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Had my gallbladder removed at end of April.
Better than I was but still not completely settled down.
GP thinks it is either IBS or a stone may be stuck in my bile duct, though she thought that was unlikely.
How common is it?
Hope yu continue to feel better
Sarah
brenda22164 sarah87162
Posted