1. Community
  2. Liver and gallbladder
  3. Gallbladder Problems

Reflux and heartburn after gallbladder surgery

Posted , 59 users are following.

Leni75
Leni75

Has anyone  suffer or has suffered from  bad chest pain with heartburn after gallbladder removal? Iam eating a very low fat diet, in fact no fat at all, and I still get most times pain in chest with burning. I would like to hear from anybody that has the same and if anything helped to treat it beside PPIs.they don't work for me. I am really worried because it might be damaging my esophagus and throat is sore from the reflux.

has anyone was told by doctors that it might be just a symptom until the body adjusts to not having gallbladder and that's why medication doesn't work? Please share your thoughts and experiences. I am worried and confused why my body started having reflux issues after this surgery. 

8 likes, 151 replies

151 Replies

Prev Next
  • barry64736
    barry64736 Leni75

    Posted

    Leni- I just wanted to share an observation about acid reducers/blockers (specifically PPIs but this may apply to H2 blockers as well) that I've learned from other people and now I have experienced this myself.  You commented that PPIs did not work for you.  I have a theory that what's really going on with people who don't get adequate relief from a PPI is that they have too much acid in their stomach.  OK, keep reading; I know this sounds weird and counter-intuitive.  Aren't acid blockers/reducers taken to combat excess acid?  Why would anyone take an acid reducer if they did NOT have too much acid in their stomach?  It sounds like an oxymoron, similar to "The only people you can safely loan money to are those who don't need it".  The dosing instructions for most PPIs say that they are to be taken on an empty stomach with a full glass of water first thing in the morning 30 to 60 minutes BEFORE you eat any food.  The assumption is that this is the time when your system would have the least amount of acid and most of the drug (most are enteric coated) will make it through to your small intestine where it is absorbed.  Unfortunately, a lot of people don't follow these instructions and, even when they do, they STILL have too much acid in their stomach at that time and the result is they get spotty to no relief from it.  The makers of Zegerid recognized this issue (i.e. "too much acid") and combined the active drug with sodium bicarbonate.  The sodium bicarbonate neutralizes the acid first which allows the drug to be absorbed.  Otherwise your stomach acid will destroy most of the drug before it reaches your small intestine.  Since getting back on Prilosec 8 days ago I've had 2 days in a row of spotty relief (i.e. I had break-through symptoms of heartburn during the day and the drug didn't last a full 24 hours).  I read a few stories of people who experienced problems when they didn't follow the dosing instructions and then recalled that on the first of those 2 days I had a bit of acid indigestion when I woke up in the morning and also didn't wait the full amount of time before eating breakfast.  The next day was a carryover from the first day, in other words it snowballs if you don't take steps to fix it.  To fix this issue I popped a couple of Tums the next morning to neutralize the acid I had in my stomach first, waited a couple of minutes, then I took the pill with a full glass of water and waited a full hour before eating anything.  Since then I've had 2 days of very good relief from the drug.  Maybe this will help you, and if not, perhaps others will read this and be helped by it.
    • Leni75
      Leni75 barry64736

      Posted

      Hi Barry

      Thanks again for another good advice. It's always good to know about something that helped others. I stopped taking anything about 2 months ago more and less and I am feeling slightly better. I think everyone is different and what might help one person might not another. But it's always worth a try. You sound like you been dealing with this problem a while and experimenting different ways to make yourself feel better. I really hope you do find relief and that will be for a long time .All best x

       

    • paulx2
      paulx2 barry64736

      Posted

      OK, this sounds interesting. So I may just have been lax with the way I take PPI's in the past? This is possible, I just assumed they were not working but thinking about it it I may have not been taking them at the right time. My assumption was that they would sort of just work.

      I haven't tried them for so long now, may be I should give them another go and be more regimented about how I take them and really stick to the plan. How would you recommend taking them? I get or have had very little guidance from my GP, but now if I go back and get a prescription I would be keen to follow your advice (obviously I know you may not be a pro doctor but it seems you give better advice than I have had to date and seem to explain and know much more that the docs I have been too!).

      Let me know what you think. I have previously had omaprozole, ranatidine but I was taking these in conjunction with domperidone, the doctor told me to take both, would taking one affect the effects of the other?

      Cheers again

      Paul

    • barry64736
      barry64736 paulx2

      Posted

      Hi Paul-

      As you so rightly pointed out, I am not a doctor.  However, I've done some research and it appears that PPIs (and maybe H2 blockers as well) work best if you take them with 6 to 8 ozs of water on an empty stomach first thing in the morning 30 to 60 minutes before eating anything.  Furthermore, if you are just starting to take them, or feel you might have some acid in your stomach (even first thing in the morning), or just want to be on the safe side, before you take the PPI pill, chew a couple of calcium carbonate pills (e.g. Tums) or take 1/2 teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate mixed in (a separate glass of 6 to 8oz of) water.  Wait 5 minutes for the acid to be neutralized, THEN take the PPI pill.

      This approach will allow the drug to be absorbed in the small intestine instead of being destroyed in the stomach.  Result: a full 24 hours of effect.

      Best wishes,

      Barry

  • Leni75
    Leni75

    Posted

    Hi everyone

    Today I finally saw my surgeon about the ph and manometry tests I did last January and to my surprise they can back normal. He told me that I am experiencing spasms in my gullet ( which I knew already) caused by the vagus nerve been excited by the GB surgery. He also said that it should improve but I'm lying here with a terrific pain in my chest and back. I'm so tired of this pain. I just hope that it gets even better in time like he says but who knows? 

    • Acejohnston
      Acejohnston Leni75

      Posted

      Hi Leni good to hear from you. That's very interesting because I had a scope 2 weeks ago which showed my stomach was in terrible spasm too and was also told it would settle down. I am back in hospital as the vomiting got worse, but had stopped now with all the drugs. Still have violent nausea too. Seeing gi doctor tomorrow but have met a few people in here who experienced problems for a long time after surgery but did get better. The only thing I can say is that I know what your going through and I hope we will get better soon. Take care of yourself x
    • Leni75
      Leni75 Acejohnston

      Posted

      Thanks again for your reply. May I ask you if you take something for your spasms? I am going to be prescribed a spray ( don't know the name yet) for the spasms which apparently is for people with angina. Surgeon told me I can't use it for  too long because causes headaches. 

      Sorry to hear u still have such bad nausea, it must be horrible. I really hope we all get better in future x

    • Acejohnston
      Acejohnston Leni75

      Posted

      Hi Leni my surgeon wants me to try Xanax the anti anxiety medication to see if it relaxes everything down. Not too keen on taking to though. Am seeing a gi doc today and am hoping for answers. The good news is I met a woman here who had the gallbladder Removed 4 years ago and the same thing happened to her vomiting nausea dry heaving. It lasted 6 months and then stopped. Also spoke to other people who experienced problems like us and it settled down eventually. Please God we will feel better soon. Take care. X
    • lori73442
      lori73442 Leni75

      Posted

      Sorry Leni! Things have been crazy here.  

      I'm sure you are sick of doctors and the pain by now.  I don't know anything about the gullet.  Glad you got answers but what are you suppose to do about it.  

      I wonder if there is a doctor who takes care of spasms in the gullet. Like a physical therapy or a chiropractor might help. I get muscle spasms and it helps seeing my chiropractor.  

      I was really hoping you were over this lousy pain by now. Hang in there.  Have you tried doing a search about spasms in the gullet?

      I hope you and your little one are doing well otherwise.

      Keep me updated.

      Lori

    • Leni75
      Leni75 lori73442

      Posted

      Hi Lori  I've been feeling much better. Still have bit of heartburn but better with the spasms, thank god! 

      My LO is doing fine. Thanks for your post

      take care x

    • lori73442
      lori73442 Leni75

      Posted

      Glad you're finally doing better.

      I haven't had a chance to see about your spasms but will. Never heard of it and and just want to learn more about it.

      Daughter and I are doing okay but hard lately dealing with things we can't fix. Trying to figure how to get both of us happy again. Life was easier when I had my gallbladder taken out in November. I rather have that pain back then the pain I'm having now.

  • Acejohnston
    Acejohnston Leni75

    Posted

    Hi Leni just checking to see how your doing? Any improvement at all? I hope your ok. I'm still not great at all and still vomiting and have the nausea too. It's a nightmare. I am

    Just wondering if you got that spray and if it made any difference because I think that's the reason I'm vomiting. My stomach is in complete spasm all the time. I know it will settle down as I have now heard of more cases. You will be ok too. How many months since your surgery? I'm 4 months this week. I hope your baby is doing well too. Take care

    • Leni75
      Leni75 Acejohnston

      Posted

      Hi  Sorry for the delayed reply, I havent been in the site for some time. I've been feeling much better, but I haven't used the spray yet. I need to get it from my GP. I felt burning in my  throat the other week like I used to , and the heartburn I still sometimes . Today I couldn't resist chocolate and ate a bit too much, so probably will be feeling a bit sick now. 

      I'm six months post op precisely today. I do hope you'll feel better too very soon.  My baby is doing well. Thank you and take care.

    • Acejohnston
      Acejohnston Leni75

      Posted

      Hi Leni that's great news and gives me some hope that things do settle down themselves over time. Delighted your doing much better. Please God I'll feel better soon too. Take care x
    • lori73442
      lori73442 Leni75

      Posted

      Glad you are finally doing better Leni!!

      How's that Sweet baby?

      I'm doing ok with no gallbladder. I have lost a lot of weight and still losing it.

      Lori

Back to top
Prev Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.