8 months since nightmare began

Susan thank you for your comments and I am so glad that you were one of the lucky ones who've had no problems. As you say every surgery has its risks and not having the surgery also has its risks as you've pointed out. I agree we tend to come to these sites when we have problems but I can tell you that out of 6 people in my family who've had it done only 1 didn't have any side effects at all. The others can't eat certain things and drink red wine and one cousin has had diarrhea for 38 years since hers was removed when she was 21. Not being able to eat certain things and drink red wine are minor inconveniences in my opinion but living with vomiting nausea and diarrhea has been life changing for me. I'm not trying to scare anyone here but just want to let people know this is what happened to me. I'll never know what would have happened if mine wasn't removed but it's likely things would have gotten worse over time. I have spoken to so many people since my operation and so many had dreadful side effects some for 6 weeks some 6 months and some 1-2 years. In fact out of 20 people only 2 didn't have any side effects! What really needs to be found is a way to remove the stones without removing the gallbladder and also looking at the cause of gallbladder problems and addressing that. It's sad when we see 22 year olds posting on these sites with problems after this operation and also very worrying. Take care x

I guess that's why I put it off. My first ultrasound showed no stones but was contracted like I'd eaten but I'd fasted since the night before. The surgeon wanted to operate. I asked how sure he was it was my gallbladder he said 70%. That wasn't good enough for me. 6 months later repeat ultrasound after I had to call an ambulance with excruciating pain and still no stones! I really wanted a 99% certainty even though Dr's don't like to give that. My 3rd ultrasound 5 years later showed loads of stones and I'd researched myself to know what to look for during the scan so could see for myself. So I was more convinced this time but only that there was now a strong possibility the pain was from my gallbladder.

Focus to this year I had an appointment for my gallbladder and another with a gastroenterologist and I told the gb surgeon I didn't think it was my gallbladder still because the pain would start in the middle just below my ribs and travel left! He said ok fine. The gastroenterologist ran lots of tests for my stomach and found nothing. Forward on 3 months the pains were daily lasting hours and I couldn't cope. I was getting worried if it was my gallbladder that it could rupture or something as painkillers weren't working now. so I called the hospital and asked if I could see the gb specialist again without going through my GP. He saw me within the week and said I could have the op. I had my pre op assessment there and then and waited for my appointment date.

As I've not had the pain since I'm kicking myself I didn't do it earlier but maybe leaving it so long also benefitted me in some way

Susan have to add something here about perspective and outlook in Life. I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at 22 and had my bowel removed 5 months later as I nearly died. I had a bag for 2 years which gave me my life back. I was grateful to be alive and to feel well. I have always had a very positive outlook on life and always look for the good in things and people. However I didn't expect to have an operation to take my pain and suffering away only to end up a hell of a lot worse off and affect my daily life. It's easy for people to say have some perspective when it's not happening to them. As I said I'm glad you had a successful operation and your feeling well. I wish you continued good health. Take care x

I know that the site of the pain doesn't always seem logical, with respect to where the GB is sited.  My pain was always central chest behind and below the sternum and it radiated both sides around to my back, where it seemed to lodge behind my spine.  This is because it is referred pain.  That means the nerves affected are on the same pathways as the gallbladder.  Another reason that pancreatic cancer often shows itself first with back pain, or appendicitis usually starts with pain on the left hand side of the abdomen.

After my first attack, my GP did say that I might never have another one, but I did, a month later, then I went 9 months before the next one (you can tell how each event is still etched into my brain!).  But after that they settled down to one every one to two months, each lasting longer than the one before.  First one was about 2 hours. Longest one over 12 hours. It was after the second attack that I had an u/s scan which confirmed, "several small stones".  I was never able to find out how many "several" was, nor the size of the stones.

My attacks did not seem to be related to what I ate, and I was on a low fat diet anyway because of family history of heart disease.  I suspect just eating in and of itself sometimes caused a stone to move into the duct as the gallbladder did its usual thing of contracting to move the bile into the gut.

This is a horrible condition,and until I came on here I did not know of anyone who had the worst after effects.  It always seemed to be a success story.  I wonder if Ace's family share something genetic that makes them more prone to the negative effects.  Seems likely with so many of the family having problems.

I find I can no longer handle alcohol since the op, and I no longer have even a drizzle of cream on any desert, but I see that as a small price for relief from the pain.  I know I am one of the fortunate ones, believe me, first for having no bad reactions to the op and for getting to my mid 60s before my gb played up.

I do wish you all well.

I am very sorry to hear about that.  It may explain why you are having bad gastric repercussions now. I do hope things do settle down for you sooner rather than later.  x

Thank you Susan. The funny thing is that when I saw the top gi doctor here in Ireland he told me it was very rare for someone with my history to get diarrhea after gallbladder removal. He said it was more common in those with their large bowel. I have spoken to people who had the same surgery as me and most were ok after the operation with very few after effects. Was your gallbladder inflamed too or just full of stones? Anyway all I can do is hope my body will adjust sooner rather than later. Xx

Diarrhoea was the one after affect I heard about that put me off!! I was doing a class in physiology and anatomy and the tutor said in Brazil they have gallbladders out like have teeth out and all suffer diarrhoea!! Dr's are always economical with the truth! Who would have anything done if they weren't!!

What is your diet like Ace? I've been looking at this website against all grain by Danielle walker! She has UC too and changed her diet so that no longer has problems. I was looking at her site and reading her book. It may be a combination of everything that's the prob and not only the GB removal.

I don't know the stats on people who do well or who don't. But why should anyone suffer with or without a GB. Good luck x

Renee diarrhea was the one thing I was worried about. My surgeon told me it was uncommon. The sad thing is my other family members who had it done weren't honest with me prior to the operation. One cousin has the diarrhea for 38 years and she looked at me straight in the face and told me she had no issues! I rang her a few months ago and then she told me the truth! Her daughter also had it removed last year and she hasn't diarrhea but can't drink wine and gets terrible wind! I stuck to a low fat non dairy no gluten diet for many years and only last year started eating gluten again. I eat very plain food and have always been careful with what I eat. I am hoping this cyst is a lot of my problems as I didn't have nausea and vomiting for 8 weeks after the operation. I have spoken to a number of people who have had ovarian cysts and a lot of them had nausea and the other symptoms I've been having. What's really upsetting me is that the cyst was found in October when they found the stone and I wasn't told until after my gallbladder was removed. I've since been told cysts can actually cause pain under the ribs!! I didn't feel well before the operation and definitely had some hormonal symptoms but put everything down to the pain from the stone. I have a good friend who had his gallbladder removed 30 years ago and he has had no issues. He had stones and developed pancreatitis. He keeps telling me I was right to have the operation. How are you feeling now? How is your appetite? It's great to not have that pain anymore. You've been suffering for a long time. I've no doubt you'll make a full recovery. Was your gallbladder inflamed too? X

The surgeon reported that my GB was inflamed, with thickened walls and several stones.  I asked for my stones but was told they weren't allowed to do that because of, wait for it, "health & safety"!  😏

Ha ha that's gas!! They used to give rh

Ha ha that's gas! They used to give them to you. I didn't get my 1 stone either. I didn't have thickened walls but my surgeon said that the gallbladder was inflamed. I'm not convinced of this as he told me after the operation my gallbladder was ok. It's only when I was in the hospital for the vomiting that he said it was inflamed. I'm wondering if that's why I've had such a bad reaction as my gallbladder was ok?? Most people have inflammation too although there are some who have stones and no inflammation. My cousin who had the 1 stone like me didn't have any inflammation and didn't have any side effects! Did you get any of the side effects in the first few weeks? A lot seen to get the diarrhea for a few weeks and then it goes. X

Yea I asked for mine too. Nope H&S! Pfff

I'm ok. I think cream is a no no so far. I don't have diarrhoea but was badly constipated before so now i'm just going normally. I think the only downside is I get a bit tummy ache before I want to go.

I'm really surprised there is no follow up appointment though. You're just left too it. They should at least check your incision points!

It's early days Renee. That tummy ache is normal. It's just your body adjusting. Delighted you haven't the diarrhea. That's a good sign. X

Renee am so glad your feeling better. The problem for me was I only had the pain for 6 weeks And my surgeon said it was best to take it out as it would only get worse. I'm so sorry you've suffered so long. I saw a gynaecologist in hospital and he was going to remove the cyst But he spoke to my surgeon and as I've had previous bowel surgery they felt it would be too risky. The cyst was 3 inches and is now an inch. I asked the gynaecologist if the cyst could be making me sick and he didn't answer me. My surgeon at one stage thought I had a brain tumour! When I saw the gi consultant he said it was a side effect of the operation and was very surprised I got diarrhea!! He told me it would settle down but that was in March! Although a nurse in the hospital did say to me it could be the cyst. I cry everyday for my old life and to feel well again. It's hard living like this. Nausea is a dreadful thing and nothing gets rid of it. I didn't have it for a few weeks and thought it might be because the cyst partially ruptured but have it again that last few days. It's very hard with a 4 year old to care for too. You know I've had many things happen to me in my

Life but this is by far the worst. At least if you have a disease you have a diagnosis and there is treatment but with this there's no knowing what will happen. I do know a woman who also had hers removed due to loads of stones and she had vomiting and diarrhea pouring out of her for 8 months and it was only then she started to get better. It took another 4 months until it fully stopped and she's ok now. I can only hope that this will be the same for me. I wish you well in your recovery. Watch the fats for the first 6-12 weeks and take things easy. Give your body a chance to adjust. Take care and keep me posted xx