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Feeling frustrated after nearly one year after gallbladder removal. Supplement advice? Desperate!

Posted , 7 users are following.

sarah45077
sarah45077

Hi everyone!! I had my gallbladder removed almost one year ago. Since i have tried just about every supplement advised and switched around my food but i am still having pain and nausea about 60 % of my days. The pain is usually up between my ribs or in my lower abdomen. Nagging nausea but no actual vomiting. I am so frustrated! I am active and have full time job and 5 year old. I would love to hear of ANYTHING that helped anyone. My dr. Just perscribed me questeria...but i havent picked it up yet...anyone have feedback. Currently taking a 50 billion womens probiotic a enzyme specific to brake down fats and betetine. Help please !

0 likes, 21 replies

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  • lynda20916
    lynda20916 sarah45077

    Posted

    Well, look at your probiotic and make sure that it will survive your stomach acid and make it to your small intestine, where it actually will work for you. There are many, many on the market, but lots of those don't even make it past the stomach and are essentially useless.  You could also research the best cultures for women.  You want a variety.  Gut bacteria lives in a "balance" of good and bad. You can easily make things worse by buying one of the more popular supplements, than only contain one or two bacterial cultures.    

    Why are you taking digestive enzymes?  Most people have sufficient enzymes. But that's not what enzyme selling people will tell you.  Nausea can often be caused by excess stomach acid, and bile acid backing up from your small intestine. What your doctor prescribed tells me he thinks you have excess stomach acid.

    I don't know what the other supplement you're taking is designed to do, but will look it up and comment further, if that's okay. xx    

      

  • lynda20916
    lynda20916 sarah45077

    Posted

    Okay, if what you meant were that you were taking betaine hydrochloride, it used to be included in over-the-counter products as a “stomachacidifier and digestive aid.”

    A US law that went into effect in 1993 banned it from use in over the counter products because there wasn’t enough evidence that it worked or was safe.  It's available only as a dietary supplement whose purity and strength can vary.

    Sellers claim that some health conditions are due to inadequate stomach acid, but this claim has not been proven. Even if that was true, betaine hydrochloride doesn't help. It only delivers hydrochloric acid but does not itself alter stomach acidity.

    Found the above in my research.  This is why consumers have to be careful, and do their own research before purchase.  The companies selling this stuff will tell you it works, but the key is that they're the ones selling it.  Hope this helps.  xx

    • sarah45077
      sarah45077 lynda20916

      Posted

      Lynda!! Thank you so much for taking your time and caringsmile yes betatine hydrochloride is what i am taking as well. The person whom i askef for advice at the local vitamin store said 'i feel if dr are not prescribing this after gallbladder removal they should be sued for malpractice ' so it sounds like i have got some bad info and totally on the wrong path sad have you had your gallbladder out? Can i ask what has helped you specifically? Perhaps i am creating a problem where there is none by over medicating with these supplements? ? Your info is so helpful! I cant tell you how much i appreciate it. Maybe i should stop all supplements and see what happens? Also taking magnesium at night

    • lynda20916
      lynda20916 sarah45077

      Posted

      Hi, Sarah, glad to help!  Got my gallbladder out in 2009. 

      Magnesium can also act as a laxative in large enough amounts.  That will upset your stomach, too.  If you think you could benefit from it, the best way to get it is to get a lotion for your body.  The magnesium is then absorbed through the skin--you don't need a lot.  But, before you try the lotion do some research on line to see if you think you need it.

      After gallbladder surgery, bile drips into your small intestine and can back up into your stomach via the duodenum.  

      And, as for your diet.  Lots of folks say to eat low fat.  But fat, healthy fats, are easily broken down and good for you.  I use coconut oil, olive oil or organic butter from grass fed cows for cooking.  I eat chicken mostly, but also grass fed, organic beef.  I eat eggs, too.  Over the years, I've learned what works for me.   

      Most mass produced low fat foots contain lots of sugar to make them more palatable. Eating those are worse (in my opinion) than just having 2 teaspoons of turbinado sugar in your tea each morning.

      The way I think of things, would be that your body is its own best natural healer.  Most people do very well after gallbladder surgery.  Sites like this are great for people who have lingering problems afterwards.

      As for supplements, etc. It's not true that people who don't have their gallbladders need digestive enzymes, supplemental ox bile, stuff to clean out their livers or anything like that.  It's just, as they used to say, "snake oil."  The worst part is, most of them don't seem to care if someone gets hurt by their product--they just want to sell it.  

      Best to you! xx

    • sarah45077
      sarah45077 lynda20916

      Posted

      So my doctor had mentioned that my body was probably having problems getting rid of the bile so prescribed me the questeria. ..which is supposed to act like a sponge and soak up the bile and then removed by my bowel movements. I tried to get info on the stuff but everything is so agenda based i cant sift through the bs! Are you taking any supplements or medications that are helping? You are an earth angel thank you for answering all my questions...hard to find time to find the right answer with 5 year old wink. I think i may sched appt with a naturopath
    • lynda20916
      lynda20916 sarah45077

      Posted

      Leave the naturopath, for a bit, why don't you?  You're charging down many paths at once, trying to seek help.  I take cholestyramine, which is similar to what you were prescribed, and have since 2009.  It works well. Try the medicine first. It is the simplest way.  

      Give it at least a week to work. Take it consistently, as directed, and don't give up!  The average time it should take a meal to pass through your digestive system (on a good day) is about 3 days. People with excess bile experience nausea, as well as rapid intestinal transit.    

      That's why you need to be consistent and take things steadily for a while.   Your body thrives on consistency and routine. There is no easy or quick fix. If you try lots of things at once you won't know what works or fails.xx  

    • sarah45077
      sarah45077 lynda20916

      Posted

      Sounds like a good plan! So try the Questran? I think thats what my heart and gut...lol...are telling me. And you are so right...too many things all at once...my head is exploding! Thank you so so so much lynda! I will keep you posted!
    • lynda20916
      lynda20916 sarah45077

      Posted

      Please do.  Cholestyramine was originally developed for cholesterol. But it absorbs so many things, so well, that it has other medical applications, now.  You might look up bile acid malabsorption. xx 
  • judy13495
    judy13495 sarah45077

    Posted

    Hi Sarah.   My gallbladder was removed 15 years ago and I am STILL having problems.   Just went through process of finding new gastro doctor who has helped me more than most others.   Had been in constant pain in the gallbladder area for 2 months so he did a scope and ended up removing 50 cc of bile from my stomach.   I was really shocked to learn my pain was caused from acid indigestion caused by the bile.   When your gallbladder is gone, the bile "drips" into your stomach and apparently, my body doesn't do a good job getting rid of it.   He prescribed omerprazole 40 mg, which is a time-released capsule.   He said I have lots of inflammation and this should help me heal.   He thought I would only need for one month but i am going to ask for an additional month.   You can purchase the same drug over-the-counter...only not time-released.   Suggest you try the 20 mg omerprazole 2 or 3 times a day before meals.     I used that the week before he did the scope and it helped a lot.   Of course, not eating fat is the key, and I hate constantly thinking about what I cannot eat but the pain is enough to keep me on track.   Good luck.

    • sarah45077
      sarah45077 judy13495

      Posted

      Judy thank you!! So wonderful that people still care about people. It means the world that everyone has taken time to read about my issues and give me some much needed insight. I believe that my problem is the same as yours that my body is making bile thats dripping in my stomach and not able to rid itself of it. My doc prescribed me questeria?? It is supposed to soak up bile like a sponge and then leave through bowel movements. Have you heard of this one? I just have so many reservations about taking it. I dont know why?? All research ive done on it says its used as a cholesterol drug. Thank you again for your time
    • sarah45077
      sarah45077

      Posted

      Its Questran is the name?? Has anyone tried charcoal supplements?
  • judy13495
    judy13495 sarah45077

    Posted

    Sarah, please don't hesitate to take cholestramine...only use when you have diarrhea but IT IS A LIFE CHANGER, when you are having it!   Will not hurt you in any way.   Yes, it was developed for high cholesterol but they found it works great for this issue!   Honestly, please try it!

    • lynda20916
      lynda20916 sarah45077

      Posted

      Yes, but you can't take it just when you have diarrhea.  Taken once a day, it won't constipate you, and will help regulate your bowels.  xx

    • monika26647
      monika26647 lynda20916

      Posted

      I had my gallbladder out 2 yrs ago. I have days where I have multiple bowel movements in a 2-3 hour time period. It is not diarea though.  Sometimes it is accompanied by severe pain and vomiting. I usually have a bowel movement everyday, so I don’t know why this is happening. I’ve had a colonoscopy and an endoscopy, but they only only found a few polyps and inflammation in my stomach. I’m scared to really eat veggies or fruits, not knowing if this is the reason for this. Any suggestions or info?
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