Ongoing Complications (1000+)

[DataCurator]

“pjik,

I had my gallbladder out over 15 years ago and did fine for several years and here in the past 5-6 years i would have these real bad attacks that you thought you would die. the pain would be in the upper front part of the admonin right there between the rib cage and at times would go around the right side or straight thru me like a knife to by back. Well I know how your mother feels I also thought i was going crazy but they finally put a stint in and that took care of the constant hurting off and on it did not matter what i eat sometimes if i just drink water it hurt. So I have had 4 stints they can only stay in there for about 3 months. I had my last one out the later of march 2009 and i just had another attact this past weekend so now what do I do I can’t keep putting in stints and taking them out every 3 or 4 months. But that being said the stint might help your mother maybe hers will stay expanded and want have to have more that one. After the stint is put in you will hurt (ache) for abour 5-9 days so expect that. If they did a ERCP once and I had the same thing that was backed up and that was early on with me it is still happing with your mother get her to a speclist. My gastroenterologist refered me to a specalist that specialilizes in the bile duct acually he is a surgen.I am currently looking to see what my next step will be.hope she can find some relief.”

[DataCurator]

“To: b-room queenI’ve had very similar diarrhea problems for over 8 yrs, but I’ve not had my gallbladder removed. So far I’ve just had 1 gallbladder attack, a few months ago, but I’ve had 8 yrs of constant diarrhea.

In my case, dieting and staying away from fats, spicy foods, meats, and even a bland diet of cream of wheat has not stopped my 3-8 daily bouts of diarrhea.

I’ve been to a number of Dr.s and been told it’s IBS and after an Endoscopy, last month, I was told it was just a little Colitis, but I have all the symptoms of a sludgy gallbladder, so I’m reasonably sure that’s what I have.

So I’ve give up for the most part believing in what the Dr.s have told me and I’m reading as many post as I can and trying to tie info together and find some answers that work for me…if we all do this, just maybe we can find some answers that work for us that the Dr.s have not been able to find. I’d suggest we do some research and look up on the Internet any other symptoms we have and see if anyone else with diarrhea also has those same symptoms and if they do, then post that information here. Hopefully that information will lead us to some answers or something that might lead to the actual cause of the diarrhea or at least help us slow down or stop the diarrhea. I feel at this point we all need to try to stop being victims of some problem that no one has found an answer for and be proactive and try and find our own answers.

I’ll start by asking if anyone has any other symptoms that don’t seem related. I’ve noticed that I often have a back ache in my mid to upper spine and that one of my vertebra hurts. So I looked this problem on the net and found that it’s usually about T4, where the nerve from the gallbladder inserts into the spine, here. So I’m looking that that aspect to see what the connection is.

I will tell anyone who wants to know that on another board I did find a med. that seems to control the liver bile so that the diarrhea slows down. From what I read on this other board, most of the people on it are living a relatively normal life. I’m currently working on trying get my Dr. to prescribe it. Sorry I don’t have the name in front of me, but it’s something like Welcol..maybe someone knows the exact name..but you can read about it on healingwell.com under the section on GERD or IBS ”

[DataCurator]

Your experience is similar to mine in that after the gallbladder surgery I experienced much of what you describe. The bloating and associated pain are most likely the gas you are pumped up with (excuse my rather crude explination, but I am not a physician), during surgery. After surgery this gas moves throughout your body until it disipates. This causes intense pain, and can be felt in your shoulders, back and stomach. As for the pain you are experiencing around the incision site, this I would have looked at. A normal healing incision may be slightly raised, and itchy and there will be some pain, but nothing like you are describing. As far as the bodily functions, that too may be something you have to get used to after having your gallbladder removed. Some people have lifelong constipation, or runny stools (kind of a c**p shoot as to which one you’ll get … no pun intended). If I could go back in time, I would have kept the old gallbladder and taken medication. I don’t think most people are given the down and dirty about having their gallbladders removed. Your body just doesn’t do well without all the pieces and parts.

[DataCurator]

I had my lap surgery to remove my gallbladder on Aug 16th it was very painful being rolled out of the surgery room and thru the night I was in alot of pain and kept the nurses busy I was in the hospital 48hour. I was able to take a 10hour flight from Houston-Amsterdam 6 days after surgery. I feel horribly bloated and can only eat very small portions of food in one seating. I feel lightheaded alot and feel like Im going to throw up. I would still have the surgery over again because the pain of a swollen gallbladder and stone blockling the bile was horrible !! I spent time in the ER in such pain it was the worst pain I ever had.. I hope this bloating will go away soon and I can ressume a regular diet

[DataCurator]

I had my lap surgery to remove my gallbladder on Aug 16th it was very painful being rolled out of the surgery room and thru the night I was in alot of pain and kept the nurses busy I was in the hospital 48hour. I was able to take a 10hour flight from Houston-Amsterdam 6 days after surgery. I feel horribly bloated and can only eat very small portions of food in one seating. I feel lightheaded alot and feel like Im going to throw up. I would still have the surgery over again because the pain of a swollen gallbladder and stone blockling the bile was horrible !! I spent time in the ER in such pain it was the worst pain I ever had.. I hope this bloating will go away soon and I can ressume a regular diet

[DataCurator]

It’s been two years from my surgery and the bloating is still bothering me. I’ve been to two different doctors and they’ve done nothing to help the problem. I can’t find any common denominator that causes it except eating ~ anything.

[DataCurator]

“I am 5 weeks post-op and I am still battling indigestion. My gastro doctor has put me on 80mg of nexium and it has helped a lot but has not completely rid me of the problem. I am happy to say that my back and shoulder pain has gone away. Some days I am constipated and others I have diarrhea. I have been eating a low-fat, high-fiber diet. No red meat. Mostly fish and chicken for protein. My gastro doctor has told me that my symptoms are atypical but when I read this thread, I find others with the same problems many weeks after having their gallbladder removed. I had an upper endoscopy and a scan of my abdomen. The endoscopy found a small polyp which was sent out for a biopsy. It came back fine and the scan found 2 gallstones. My original symptoms that sent me to the gastro doctor was that I was experiencing indigestion for several weeks and then it was followed by a week of severe reflux. Water would even bubble back up. I not really sure if my problem was my really my gallbladder or if I have a gerd/reflux problem. I have read that many people live with gallstones and never have any problems. I guess my doctor thought it was my gallbladder that was given me trouble but I still have the same symptoms that I had before I had it removed. I thought it was a good idea to schedule the surgery than to end up in the ER. I’ve been to a series of doctor.
I even had my heart checked. Not sure what I should do next. ”

[DataCurator]

I had my gallbladder removed when i was 16. I am now 24 and still have sever attacks, and have been in the ER many times. I am seeing a specialist that thinks i may still have stones, but my question is, with no gallbladder, how do i have stones? I even had a second surgery about 4 months after the original one, to enlarge my common bile duct because they assumed some stones had been left behind. I hate having this pain, it is identical to what i was feeling before they removed the gallbladder. So what am i supposed to do now?

[DataCurator]

“Hi! I had my gallbladder out 10/29 – I’m so relieved to see that I’m not the only one feeling like I feel! Am not excited to see that some of you are having problems 2 years after! My gallbaldder quit functioning, no stones, and I still have pain. I actually had a perferated appendix, it ruptured during surgery in April and ever since then I haven’t felt the same. I gained 15 pounds – from breathing I guess since I’ve no appetite, get reflux after eating, feel bloated after eating, no energy, same things you all have expressed. I never had any problems eating anything prior to appendix being removed – that seems to have triggered the domino effect. It’s like my metabolism quit. I can eat chicken, baked or grilled on the Foreman, most vegetables, however those high in fiber seem to make me feel bloated no matter how little I eat (I love broccoli, but find I can’t eat it anymore for this reason). I have resorted to making a bland vegetable soup, using frozen brussel sprouts, green beans, fresh cabbage (only about 1/4 head), carrots, celery, red and green bell peppers and onions in low sodium chicken broth, and add cooked chicken as I heat it daily. I eat this everyday, one batch lasts all week. My husband thinks I’m nuts, but this is the only thing I can eat that doesn’t make me want to throw up or make me so bloated that I feel like I’m going to pop. I gave up soda pop when I had my appendix out, so I only drink water and tea. I started working out at the gym 5 times a week (have done this since August) to see if I could loose some of this weight I gained back in April. Weight hasn’t budged since April. None of my clothes fit! Am walking 30 minutes daily, plus resistance training at the gym. I was off work 1 week after GB surgery, still feel swollen in that area, incision sites are still itchy – guess they are still healing?? Had one follow up with the surgeon, he dismissed me after that visit, said I could resume regular diet any time but had to wait 4 weeks to get back into the gym. Sugar free jello or fat free pudding are treats and don’t seem to bother much. Have even tried massage therapy to see if that would get the toxins out of my system – may try that new foot bath that draws out the toxins and cleanses the organs. Will have to check into that.

Didn’t mean to ramble so much, just glad there are others out there, it’s comforting to know you’re not alone!”

[DataCurator]

I’m so glad to hear I’m not the only one who feels bloated! I got my gallbladder out four weeks ago and several times a week I blow up like a puffer fish. Eventually I deflate, but it’s pretty uncomfortable in the meantime. Overall, though, things are better: no more vomiting or constant diarrhea, and the nausea is gone. I just HATE the constipation and bloating, though, and am keeping my fingers crossed it will go away

[DataCurator]

Had cholecystectomy 7 years ago due to sludge and severe inflammation and infection. Never felt good since. In the last year, have felt so much worse, almost constant irritation/pain in the mid-section and constant, voluminous, very foul-smelling diarrhea and gas. Doctors felt it was PCS and I was given bile salts. They helped sometimes. Could not go anywhere since I needed to be near a bathroom as far away from people as possible. I was exhausted all the time, couldn’t sleep, and I was a nervous wreck. Last week, I decided to eliminate grains from my diet. Almost immediately, I felt better. The diarrhea is gone, so is the gas, as well and the pain/irritation. I feel 100% better. I had no idea that celiac could have caused the gallbladder problem in the first place. Now I read that many other things that I have probably are related to celiac disease. I have not been diagnosed with celiac disease. I have the genes that predispose me to it, but I don’t see any point getting tested since I will never eat grains again. I wish that the doctors would have made the connection years ago.

[DataCurator]

I had my gallbladder removed nine months ago and I’ve found that after I eat any meats, or starches I have diarrea 5 to 30 minutes after I have eaten. I don’t go out to eat because it is so embarrassing to have to go every time you eat. I have lost over 15lbs and bloated all the time. The weight lost is not good since I am a small person anyway any suggestions

[DataCurator]

Absolutely identical experience. All started 6 months ago, had my gallbladder removed, then symptoms returned. Stomach pain moving to the back, nausea, occasional chills. Now told I have to have a test on the SOD. Not happy about this as I’ve read these tests can result in pancreatitis. I am a man but apparently this disease is more common in women but overall, medics are not sure of the cause of this complaint

[DataCurator]

Mine was removed 2 years ago. Soda was what triggered them. I started drinking a soda past couple weeks and am getting that pain again. Definitely staying away from unhealthy stuff. Wouldnt have had to get gb removed if i hadnt been so oblivious to my health.

[DataCurator]

“I guess I’m just looking for some comfort. I had my gallbladder removed on October 28 along with emergency ERCP to removed stone in common duct. Well, ever since, I’ve had burning sensation floating thru my chest, sometimes in stomach, sometimes on my back. Never goes away. I’ve been on Pepcid (worked for a week), Prilosec, Prevacid – also sucralfate and reglan. Nothing helps! Losing my mind – it’s like toothpaste or Vicks has exploded inside me. Drs seem fairly sympathetic, but I have to wait almost a week for my next appt. In the meantime I’m on Prevacid and reglan (doing nothing). Burning waxes and wanes at times, but mostly is pretty bad. I wake up with it, and it usually is very bad by evening – eating healthy, low-fat for the most part, not a ton of food. Anyone have similar problem? (I have no other complaints). My gastro dr said it’s not uncommon to have stones 10 years after gall bladder removal. So we never get rid of this misery I guess. I’m almost at the point where I think they missed a stone (s) – today I started having gnawing stomach ache – like I did before I had my gall bladder out!

Did you have the burning sensation before your ERCP or did it start after? I was told that because they are “”mucking around”” inside it kind of messes things up in our systems and takes a while to get back to normal. Supposedly the Previcid, etc. will “”heal”” it. I’m also starting to think hiatal hernias are common too, but I don’t know what they can really do for it other than try different medications.

This is so hopeless – as the days go on I feel worse with more symptoms!”