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Bile reflux, gall bladder removed

Posted , 9 users are following.

kim69253
kim69253

Hi everyone. I am writing to see if anyone can help offer some advice. Three years ago I had my gall bladder out due to it being inflamed. At first I had a little diarrhea and bubbling sensation on the right side around my rib cage, but eventually I felt better if I avoided fried food. Earlier this year I had to get a tetanus booster shot and a week later was given Medrol. A week after that I was not the same. I couldn't eat or swallow, my throat burned, my mouth burned, I felt nauseous. I developed yellow soft stools, and have something that refluxes up to my mouth. I developed laryngeal neuropathy which causes bad throat pain and the reflux sits in my throat and burns. It's three years after surgery and I am truly miserable. I have lost 50lbs, am dehydrated all the time.. I have been to three GI Dr's and they said it's possible I have a dysmotility issue, but no real answer. I wish that I would have never had surgery. Has anyone else had these issues? Anyone get better? I am so miserable I am just broken.. Feeling like my life isn't worth living. Lots of prayer gets me through each day. But I could really use some support.

Thank you

4 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

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  • patricia_11100
    patricia_11100 kim69253

    Posted

    Oh Kim that is so horrible. I just wanted to express my sadness that you are going through this. I can't help you. I wish I could. I too had my GB out and I've never been the same. I've gone doctor to Doctor no answers. I hope you get someone to help you figure this out.

  • lynda20916
    lynda20916 kim69253

    Posted

    Hi, Kim,

    I'm so sorry that you're experiencing these problems.  Have you been offered any medication? I think that the difficulty may be that your liver is constantly releasing bile into your small intestine, which is backing up into your stomach and up into your esophagus. There is a medication available that can absorb the bile.  

    I think that the doctors you saw were fobbing you off, and had no desire to help you, because I'm pretty sure that a doctor who was interested could find out a solution or help you achieve relief. My suggestion is that you start seeking out additional GI doctors. For instance, If you attend church, ask members of your church.  

    I sincerely hope that you don't give up and continue to search out solutions!  xx

    • kim69253
      kim69253 lynda20916

      Posted

      Thank you so much for your reply. I'm now seeing a new GI who seems to care more to help me. He wants to start by doing another EGD. Can you tell me what test I need to find out if it is bile causing my symptoms?

    • lynda20916
      lynda20916 kim69253

      Posted

      Hi, Kim and a belated Merry Christmas to you!  Bile is a caustic yellow substance.  You will get a burning sensation in your throat and mouth.  If you have an attack of diarreha, it will be in and surround your stools and your anus will burn as well.  It is almost impossible to neutralize.  I take a medication that binds the bile to it.  

      If the acid you were experiencing was stomach acid, acid reflux medication should work to minimize the amount of acid being released.  This isn't happening.  That's why I think what's causing your problems is bile acid. I don't know of any test specifically designed to differentiate among all the acids released, but if your doctor truly cares about you, he'll think of something to do.  

      Good luck to you, and let me know how you do!  xx

    • kim69253
      kim69253 lynda20916

      Posted

      Merry Christmas to you and thank you for your time and knowledge! I'm definitely going to ask my doctor for that medication to see if it helps me.

    • lynda20916
      lynda20916 kim69253

      Posted

      Ok, here is the name in small letters, if I print any caps, my reply will be monitored.  cholestyramine...

      Happy New Year, too1

  • heatherc70
    heatherc70 kim69253

    Posted

    Wish I had something to offer, I still have my gallbladder and I'm doing everything I can to keep it. I don't know how successful I'll be. The one thing I do know is that if you're not getting answers from your doctor, keep searching for one until you get one that listens !!! Sending out prayers for you !!

    • kim69253
      kim69253 heatherc70

      Posted

      Good luck to you and thank you. I believe the reason my gall bladder got inflamed to begin with was because of my diet. I didn't used to eat very well. I'm hoping this new GI doctor will help me and have an open mind.

      Happy Holidays to you and thank you

  • gill21655
    gill21655 kim69253

    Posted

    Sorry your still having problems... It has been sometime since it was removed so that must have been a shock to feel the same ...

    Good luck with getting things sorted.

    I am only 18 days post op... and i must admit i thought i would feel better than this by now xx

    • kim69253
      kim69253 gill21655

      Posted

      Hi Gill

      Not everyone has a bad reaction to GB removal surgery. Maybe you will be fine as soon as you heal. I felt OK right after surgery, it was about four months later when I noticed my throat burning. I'm assuming it's bile reflux. It was after the tetanus shot and a steroid that I got worse. Interestingly though, a family member of mine had the same issue and they found out he had sphincter of oddi . Sometimes your bile duct can leak or be spastic. My heart goes out to you and all others suffering from this nightmare.

      God Bless

    • Leni75
      Leni75 kim69253

      Posted

      Hi I had same issue with reflux just a week after my surgery. I took a lot of different PPIs and none worked controlling my symptoms. I've never had any problems with reflux so bad before surgery. Since last week, almost 3 years after surgery I'm feeling sore throat, lump in my throat, a bit heartburn. All over again. I don't see any doctor in hospital anymore. I know if I see a GP will give me  PPI and I'll see if it doesn't control symptoms I know it's the bile. 

      I read that sucralfate can protect the stomach/ throat so maybe you can try this. I probable will have to pay again  and see a gastro I've seen twice before to see if he knows about any other medication. 

      I know how you're feeling. Need to keep up the hope we can control this. The EGD is a good first step to see what's going on inside. Please keep in touch about results. 

  • kim69253
    kim69253

    Posted

    Hello everyone

    I wanted to update my status. I had an EGD today(again), but I have a new Dr so he wanted to look. A lot has changed since June when I had the last one. He found that I have grade B esophagitis, blood in the gastric Antrum and my duodenum is inflamed. He did biopsies and says it's dysmotility. I also had the pH impedance probe placed.. And wow this is Very unpleasant... He wants me to take Reglan and baclofen and I am not sure how I feel about this.

    • patricia_11100
      patricia_11100 kim69253

      Posted

      Will your symptoms go away? I would imagine you were relieved that they found something. What were your symptoms? I sure hope you feel better.
    • kim69253
      kim69253 patricia_11100

      Posted

      Well if it is gastroparesis there is no cure only medication to help make your stomach work better., but there are side effects. I have to say I feel pretty discouraged. My symptoms are acid burning up to my tongue, throat, stomach, unable to eat much food, yellow diarrhea(gross sorry)., I've lost 50 pounds in 8 months..

      Thanks for asking.

      Bless you

  • Goran1983
    Goran1983 kim69253

    Edited

    Hi Kim!

    I am having very similar problem and I don't know what to do! It first started with reflux, but now I have soft yellow stools as well.

    Were you able to fix your problem?

    Mine is getting worse each day and quality of life is at lowest point possible.

    Hope to hear from you soon.

    Goran

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