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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
GallBladder Removal - Was it worth it?
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/ Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
GallBladder Removal - Was it worth it?
by Kimberly, Jan 11, 2000 12:00AM
I am a very frustrated 28 yr old female. I originally went to the doctor almost 2 yrs ago due to excruciating painful attacks, usually after fatty meals and/or alcohol. These attacks were so painful they would cause me to haunch over, hyperventilate and would be at there worst pain just below the breastbone, over to the right. Then the pain would generate into my back, up to my sholders and sometimes down my arms. I would usually have someone take me to the ER. After a ultrasound, the doctors found about 7-8 stones in my gallbladder & I had it removed about 1 1/2 yrs ago. About 3-4 weeks after surgery, I had another attack. Very much like the gallbladder attacks I had before surgery. I am still having them periodically as of today. Just had another on 1/7. Again, precipitated by fatty foods and/or alcohol. In addition, stomach is usally tender & sore.I have had ultrasounds, bloodwork, 2 endoscopies. Test show no signs of gallstones in the ducts. Endoscopies did show that I developed bile gastritis. I was treated w/ sucralfate and Prilosec about a year ago. Months after meds stopped, developed burning pain (almost constant, sometimes worse when hungry) in the pit of stomach below the breastbone. No mention of uclers from doctors and there were no signs during prior endoscopies. Doc now says have acid reflux, although haven't had chestpains or heartburn a day in my life. Doc says LES valve is not closing/relaxed, but nothing comes up my throat. Am now back on sucralfate and prevacid. It's been a pretty painful process since my gallbladder was removed. Not only am I still have attacks, which is why the gallbladder was removed in the 1st place, but because it's gone, the bile that trickles has caused bile gastritis. I was pretty much told that bile gastritis can be treated, but not cured & I will take meds for the rest of my life. How will this affect me when I choose to get pregnant? Why am I still having gallstone attacks w/ no gallbladder? What is the constant burning in the pit? Life on a daily basis consist of pain & discomfort. Some days better than others. What else can I do? All these diagnoses & meds, yet the burning & attacks still exist??? Thank you for your time.
Doctor's Answer
by HFHSm.D.-Gastro-rf, Jan 20, 2000 12:00AM
Dear Kimberly,
I can appreciate the frustration that you have because of the persistence of symptoms. I can only surmise that the persistence of symptoms suggests another problem in addition to the gall stones. Abnormal function of the sphincter of Oddi (opening of the bile duct) can sometimes cause pain that mimics gall bladder pain. Whether the bile gastritis is a contributor to the pain is less clear. Although one doe snot like to prescribe medications to pregnant women, the Sulcrafate is safe. When you are considering pregnancy, discuss whether there any medication risks with your obstetrician
I can appreciate the frustration that you have because of the persistence of symptoms. I can only surmise that the persistence of symptoms suggests another problem in addition to the gall stones. Abnormal function of the sphincter of Oddi (opening of the bile duct) can sometimes cause pain that mimics gall bladder pain. Whether the bile gastritis is a contributor to the pain is less clear. Although one doe snot like to prescribe medications to pregnant women, the Sulcrafate is safe. When you are considering pregnancy, discuss whether there any medication risks with your obstetrician
I first noticed pain one day in August/97, it came on so fast I fell to the floor...it felt like very bad hunger...just below my breast bone...this continued for about a half hour and then I got another one. The next day I went to the Doctor and she said it was an ulcer...without doing a blood test first! She wanted to start me on medication...but I wanted to wait for the test. It came back negative.
In September/97 I had another 5 attacks, I went back to the Doctor and she said it was stress....hmmm, I thought...ok...it could be. So I took anti-stress seminars...didn't help! Then the attacks started to last several hours at a time. They were very intense, no highs or lows, and it was difficult to breathe, walking made it worse, so I sat at the kitchen table for hours, praying for it to go away. Stress???
So I went back to the Doctor again in October...she said it was stomache acid! ok...I thought. I avoided chocolate, alcohol, tomatoes, citrus etc. still it didn't help. She finally sent me for an ultrasound in November/97. It came back positive for multiple gallstones. She said it's minor surgey and not to worry about it!
So when I went to see the Surgeon in December/97 he asked me how many attacks I have had so far...I said 19 (I didn't think anything of it) he was astonded and ordered surgery asap! That didn't take place until Feb/98!
I did learn finally at the time of seeing the surgeon, that fat causes the pain....I lost 22 lbs before the surgery. I was terrified of eating anything, as everything gave me pain. I was scared to go out anywhere for having the pain in public.
After the surgery, when I was at home...I must say that the incisions (4) were REALLY sore! It took me 2-3 months to be able to sleep slightly comfortable. It was very sore to walk, laugh, reach up, down, turn door knobs, sit on the couch...getting up from the bed or couch was a real chore!
That was nothing, until one day in March when I had my first post-surgery gallbladder attack! Yes it can happen afterwards! The surgeon didn't believe me...come back when you have had 5 attacks....!!! 5 came and went...he did nothing... I was really mad at this point...I'm not waiting months again for someone to do something....
He sent me for an ultrasound...but it was negative.
I ended up visiting the ER MANY times throughout the next 2 months. I had another 16 attacks....these all lasted 4-5 hours each! They finally refered me to a Gastroenterologist, he did an ERCP after many weeks of waiting on the list on May 27/98. It came back negative!
The Gastro Doctor told me that ultrasounds do not pick up objects that are surrounded by liquid. If a stone is stuck with liquid wrapped around it...it doesn't show up. He also said that ultrasounds miss 60% of stones that are stuck in the bile ducts.
Since then it has taken a long time (Aug.99) to be able to eat anything I want to. I have no pain, no attacks, no cramps, and no diarrea. I had several months of heartburn and reflux...but everything seems to be fine now!
Hmmmm.....how delectible brownies are again!!!!
***@****
massive cysts and liver enlargement (Polycystic liver disorder).
They removed my gall bladder when they removed a 60 lb cyst. I
have not had 1 day of heartburn, acid reflux, or any other stomach disorder since surgery. The cyst has now grown back to the original size; but my freedom from other digestive disorders is still in place. I think the removal of my gall bladder did the trick....sounds like you might have been given an incorrect opinion. Good Luck
I am an American and am on engineering assignment in Canada. My wife had Laproscopic Cholecystectomy in Toronto, Ontario, about 5 weeks ago. The bile