Hiatal Hernia Operation and now Gallbladder Issues

Hi Jenlyn, I've had something similar going on. I had gallstones seen on a scan 10 years ago when having the scan for other reasons. At the time as I was not surpirsed as I had terrible heartburn and indigestion, but the other matters took precedence and nothing was suggested to be done re the gallstones. Then last year, after a lot of health troubles, and suffering concussion, my digestion went into crisis. Again I had a us scan, gallstones still there, as the symptoms went quieter, Dr said watch & wait. By Nov, I was very unwell and had a CT and gastroscopy when the HH & a diverticula were noticed. Gallstones were blamed for the pain and bloating, nausea etc. I also had palpitations, dizziness, could not eat or sleep and ended up in A & E a couple of times as so severe. Also had terrible migraine at the same time.

The best they could suggest was to remove the GB to see if this would help matters as it was not working well, liver enzymes were a little raised. But the drs did not reckon my smallish HH could be causing the trouble. As I've seen on these groups that HH can cause symptoms similar to GB I was unsure whether to go ahead and have surgery on GB as you hear some very negative after stories.

I also felt I may have a small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) due to the extreme gas and bloating and this has improved a tad with taking various supplements. It does not seem uncommon to have both conditions with or without other digestive issues.

Have any of your symptoms changed due to the HH operation? I'm STILL waiting for GB surgery, that is too long a story which I have posted previously. This has been one of the worst years I have ever had and my heart goes out to anyone with these conditions, they are so debilitating and seem difficult to diagnose or resolve for some of us. I have since heard of someone who had both ops HH and GB done at the same time, not sure if this is very frequently done.

I don't know that any of this can be of help to you, other than that you will know you are not entirely alone having had both conditions. Most people on groups find the actual GB surgery relatively easy - they say - some do really well after, others not so much, but then the ones with ongoing issues are more likely to report them, the others just are living their lives.

Are you thinking of having GB surgery? In the meantime you will know that some foods, esp fats may cause bother - we all have different triggers to avoid it seems. For me, this means nearly everything! It has been so difficult but I have managed - well, no choice really.

There are things which may help, like buscopan and cider vinegar which some swear by, others use digestive enzymes and bile salts etc. Again it is trial and error mostly.

I hope things will go well for you, take care.

Hi Jen.  

I have had the same symptoms. Had the gallbladder removed but I also have a mild hiatal hernia too. Drs weren't that concerned about the mild Herina. The hard pains were better right after my gallbladder was removed but then started having the wierd symptoms.  The something is not right symptoms.  I have a burning feeling too in my Nose,back of throat and eyes. Back pain too.  But no reflux that I can tell.   Maybe my Herina has gotten worse. I go back to the GI Doctor for upper and lower GI work up again.  I wish you luck with the gallbladder issue. 

 

I had, and still have all the symptoms you had, starting in January. Went to ER also, was diagnosed with Gerd and gallstones. Had gallbladder removed in March, no change in symptoms. I'm still sick everyday. So, not your same diagnosis, but I have multiple issues going on. Doctors are puzzled, and no definitive answers. I am supposed to be having a ct of my abdomen/pelvis, this Friday, but blood work just came back as being pre diabetic, so don't know if they will go ahead with it now. Also waiting for a lumbar MRI and a date for a D&C. Trying to figure out why I've been so sick since January. I hope we find some answers to this misery. Keep me posted on your outcome. 

I still have bloating, bouts of diarrhea and constipation, some back pain, nausea, right side pain and some back pain. The hernia,repair was not an option since my stomach had moved up.

Some days are better than others and agree that all these digestive issues do suck I agree.

Jennifer

I had an open HiatalHernia repair 1992, then in 1994 incision ripped open they closed softball size hole but my HiatalHernia procedure slipped, now my scarring and adhesions are so bad i cannot get it repaired ....July 2014 was extremely sick, had gallstones for years found accidentally, but no issues...suddenly had pain,vomiting,nausea ...I got so dehydrated and malnurished i got rushed to ER out of 6 months i was in hospital over 5 weeks...they couldnt decide if they should do HiatalHernia surgery and gall bladder removal at same time and wanted to do 8 hour procedure... I had laparascopic gall bladder surgery 2015..which is usually an easy thing, my husband had open version,but due to my adhesions and scarring,they had to cut through, it was extremely painful and i had more issues than a normal person,it was 5 days of crying,spasms,migraines and terrible pain...glad i had it done but i still have very bad chest pain and nausea from HiatalHernia which cannot be fixed...ask/tell me ANYTHING....i totally understand!!