On Going Gall Bladder Problems

Posted , 5 users are following.

Hi everyone

                     I had my Gall Bladder removed in 1997, 18 years ago, I am still having severe pains from my operation and nausea most days, I eat normally but always get bad stomach pains and feel really sick after each meal, and also have an irritable bowel which makes things worse, the pains I get can get so bad it puts me in tears, I have seen doctors, been back to the hospital and they say there is nothing wrong and there is nothing they can do about it, I find that really weird as there is something causing my discomfort, so now I have to put up with it for the rest of my life, is there anyone that is still experiencing the symptoms after many years since the surgery, any help would be great. Thanks for reading.

Eve

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Eve am so sorry you are suffering all this time. Are the pains were your gallbladder was? Have you been checked for sphincter of oddi? It's very rare but I think pain and nausea are some of the symptoms. Have you had scopes to rule out gastritis? Are you having diarrhea a lot and is it yellow bile and are you running to the loo? A small percentage of people develop bile salt malabsorption after the operation which causes yellow bile diarrhea several times a day. Have you tried any alternative remedies at all like digestive enzymes and probiotics? Some people find them good after gallbladder removal particularly the digestive enzymes as they help break down the food we eat. Unfortunately doctors don't tell anyone of the potential side effects of this operation which for most are short term but for others are life changing and long term. Did you have gallbladder disease or gallstones? X
  • Posted

    Hi Eve,

    Sorry to hear this. Did you already suffer from IBS before the op or did this start after the op. I was told by my surgeon that if you have exisiting problems with your bowel or have had any bowel operations you are more likely to have problems after,

    • Posted

      Hi Anita I hope your doing ok and feeling ok. Interesting your doctor Saying you are more likely to suffer problems afterwards if you've had any bowel operations. I was actually told the very opposite as I have had bowel surgery. I was told it would be very unlikely to have issues afterwards and that it was people who have their large bowel (which I don't have) that usually experience bowel problems afterwards. I have also spoken to several people that had the same bowel operation as me and most of them said their bowel function actually improved after gallbladder removal. It also depends on what bowel surgery you've had as bile is absorbed in the terminal ileum and mine is intact. Those who have Crohn's disease who've had part of their small bowel and terminal ileum removed are at increased risk. Hope this helps. X
    • Posted

      Hi,

      You are feeling better now. It seems each surgeon says something different, there should be consistancy if you are going to have any faith in them.

      I have my off days. It is the migraines that are giving me the most problems at the moment which make me feel sick and dizzy.

      I hardly have reflux and indigestion now and if I do it is usually something that I have not eaten before.

      Before the migraines came back I was going days without the dreaded nausea. I have medication for them but as they make me feel out of it I will only go back on them if it gets too bad.

    • Posted

      Hi Anita

      Glad to hear you are a little better except for the headaches. Is that connected to the gallstone do you think? Have you any hormone related issues? that can also be closely linked to gallbladder issues. I am a lot better this week. It seems the large cyst on my ovary was causing a lot of my problems but of course the doctors didn't admit that and wouldn't operate because of my bowel surgery. It partially ruptured early July and the nausea and vomiting abruptly stopped and felt better and then last week after my period it started again with awful pains but has stopped and am hoping the cyst has finally dissolved. Feel a lot better and am unfortunately suffering from terrible constipation which is rare with only having my small bowel left. I've been taking psyllium husk since March so might reduce that and see what happens. I think it was just unfortunate for me that I had the cyst as well as the stone which really made things a hell of a lot worse. Your so right about the doctors. There needs to be consistency Across the board. Only for my gp I would have been lost. She was right about everything and wasn't even told by the hospital that I had a 3 inch cyst! She couldn't believe it. I hope you continue to improve and avoid the surgery as none of us know how our bodies will react. My cousin has it done 37 years ago for gallstones and has had chronic diarrhea ever since and she's never had any bowel issues. Of course she didn't tell me this prior to my operation. My other cousin had it done and had no side effects whatsoever! They do now think that those who develop bile salt diarrhea are deficient in a certain hormone which I think they are in the process of developing at the moment. Anyway take care and hope you feel better. I often wonder how your doing. Keep in touch x

  • Posted

    Sorry you are still not well.

    I had my gallbladder removed at end of April this year.

    Still having stomach cramps and having to be careful what I eat.

    But atleast I have not got the pain in my right side that I had with the gallstones.

    I think it is just something I am going to have to live with.

    Could be a lot worse.

    Take care and keep in touch

    Love Sarah xxx

  • Posted

    Eve -

    I too have been going thru similar after many years post fall bladder removal .. I found a website that recommended mineral water and magnesium citrate and for some reason it does help me... God bless and I hope this helps ... Please let me know if it helps

  • Posted

    hi eve - what do you take - codine?  i cant take it post op - gives ,me the same pain as the gallbladder attacks did.
  • Posted

    Yes I had painful bouts for years and still have flare ups but when I drink mineral water it helps so much .. Hope it helps

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