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STOMACH CRAMPS AFTER EATING POST GALLBLADDER SURGERY

THIS IS MORE OF AN ANSWER THAN A QUESTION, I TOO HAVE HAD MY GALLBLADDER OUT ABOUT 6 YEARS AGO AND UP UNTIL ABOUT A MONTH AGO MY STOMACH WOULD CRAMP AFTER ALMOST EVERY MEAL I ATE, SO IT WAS HARD FOR ME TO GO OUT AND EAT AND ENJOY MY FAMILY. WELL I STARTED TAKING TUMS AND ROLAIDS BEFORE I WOULD EAT AND IT HELPED FOR A LITTLE WHILE SO THEN MY HUSBAND IS PRETTY COMMON SENSE SMART AND HE BOUGHT ME SOME "MULTI-ENZYME" PILLS AT WAL-MART IN THE VITAMIN SECTION, ITS FOR DIGESTIVE HEALTH AND IVE BEEN TAKING 3 PILLS BEFORE EVERY MEAL AND I DONT HAVE MY CRAMPS ANYMORE WHEN I TAKE THEM BUT THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES I FORGET TO TAKE THEM AND MY STOMACH CRAMPS WORSE SO IT SEEMS LIKE ONCE YOU START ITS SOMETHING YOU WILL HAVE TO DO FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. I HOPE THIS HELPS, I WAS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR ANSWERS TO STOP THE PAIN AND I WANT TO SHARE IT WITH OTHERS WITH THE SAME PAIN, CAUSE I KNOW ITS A BIG INTERFERENCE IN ONES LIFE.


This discussion is related to Abdominal Pain after fatty foods-Post gallbladder removal.
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Avatar universal
While I respect everything said above, I have to state an alternative I've found to work. I am an international airline pilot who was on the verge of loosing my job. After my gall bladder was removed, I would have nearly  immediate explosive diarrhea after every meal. The episodes included yellow bile with each bowel movement(wipe). I found a note on the internet to try Questran. (the generic is "Cholestyramine fo Oral Suppression") It is a "bile binding agent", normally prescribed to reduce cholestreol(sp) levels. It absorbs the bile, which elimiates the explosive diareaha after eating. I realize this only fixes the symptoms, and does not find the cause. I've had lots of inconclusive tests to find teh cause.  However, I've resumed a completely normal lifestyle and have been flying continuously for over 10 years. Remember,  I had been within days of loosing my job and  had not been able to have any social life with my wife and kids for over a year. Lastly, you have to keep a little Cholestyrmaine in your digestive track at all times. So I take half a packet mixed in a glass of water in the  morning, and the other half at night. It takes about half a day to get it established within your intestinal track, but then it should work. You'll have to experiment to find what works for you. I can't suggest this enough for folks who've had thier gll bladder removed, but are experiencing explosive diarrhea (with excess bile) after eating. It might cure stop the symtoms while yo search for the cause/cure.

Helpful - 1
2 Comments
Thank you i have the exact same symptoms I have. I have the cholesterimine stuff. Thank you for the tips with that cause Im not sure how to take it. I wont eat all day cause when I do i get so sick. I one day was sick with bile diarea and vomiting. Its even if I eat grapes. I hate it cause I have ibs and Im also hypothyroid. Im having lots of issues.
Are you better??
Avatar universal
after mine was removed i was on pain meds for other issues for years this meant constipation over the last few weeks its been diahrrea its very dark almost black, i have some pain arund the ribs but nanely my back this was my primary issue, i was concerned there was no follow up but the nhs does these kind of procedures as day patient then buy buy get on with it.  positive i dont have the attacks negative the diarreah i am looking into my diet and survive mainly on fluids but fish steamed pts veg ect sets it of
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for all of your posts.  Although I have not read about my EXACT symptoms yet, I find this information very helpful.

I am a 41 yr old female 1 week after lapriscopy.  There was no option for me as far as I was concerned.  I started having cramping/PRESSURE in my upper abdomen a month or so ago (before the surgery). However, the most severe symptom was a hard "pool table ball" feeling in my upper right abdomen pressing on and under my chest and ribcage.  Of course I was concerned it might be my heart.  Everything is kind of a blur.

After my 3rd trip to the ER and after bloodwork, xrays, and CT Scan the ER Dr saidbthat CT Scans do not always catch a gall stone.  He sent me for ultrasound.

Sure enough, I had a "large" gall stone and was referred to a surgeon.

After one week eating strict low fat (pretty much no fat) diet, I tried to add a lowfat frozen meal to my diet.  About one hour later the pressure started up again (squeezing) and lasted severely for 4 hours.  Pacing with my hands over my head was the most comfortable position.  The next morning, today, I have terrible soreness in the upper abdomen.  I ate a no fat yogurt for breakfast and hope the dairy is ok.  ( I've been eating dairy with no problem, but only no fat dairy).

I guess I am "lucky" that I have occasional irritable bowel attacks and this is NOT irrittable bowel pain.  (my irritable bowel was always the same... Terrible gas pain, had to immediately lay on my left side and try to relax until the BM starts... First years constipation, last years diahrrea.). It was over in a couple of hours with not mych lingering sorness at all.

This post op issue is the same as I had before surgery, but without feeling a "pool table ball" in my upper right abdomen/chest.

This week was a relief.  The day after surgery was terribly painful, then no pain killer needed.  I had indigestion and gas sporadically for a few days, then nausea for a couple, but nothing "severe".  Then this happens.  

I am begging someone to answer these questions:

1.  Did anyone have this same problem after surgery?

2.  Did it get better, what steps did you try?  What worked?

3.  If it did not get better, what did you do?

Since I know it is not IBS, I have ordered bile salts because it makes sense that my liver does not "know" how much bile to release or I am somehow not getting enough...too thick?  Stone in duct?  I pray no more surgery.  I really believe fat in food is causing this to recur, since that is the only thing I increased yesterday for the first time.

4. Does your liver have a "learning curve" with no gall bladder regulating the bile?  I pray this is the reason and it will eventually get better!!

5.  Has anyone used bile salts ( too thin your bile) with good results after similair symptoms?  

Thanks so much in advance.  I enjoyed my first full day of no pain or nausea or indigestion with my 9 yr old daughter!!  I need to continue being a better mom!!
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
How are you feeling now and how long did it take? What did it end up being? I just had my gallbladder removed a week ago and have been back to the ER because of the same pain you mentioned above and all tests come back negative.
Are you better???
Avatar universal
Just an observation.

I have been noticing an abundance of people who claim to have problems after having their gall bladder removed. The symptoms ranging from simple gas to severe diarrhea and everything in between.
The solution I have also noticed for these people is to immediately rely on one form of medication or another to allegedly make life more tolerable.

I had my gall bladder removed in 2005 and for the first year  afterward I was in the same boat as everyone else where severe symptoms were concerned especially after eating higher fat foods.

HOWEVER....That was then, now I have absolutely no problems nor symptoms of any kind. I can eat whatever I want without any concern whatsoever.  I have no pains, I have no irritation. Bear in mind I am a male and I don't know if there may be a physiological difference between male and female where this is concerned. In addition to that I was 26 when I had my gall bladder removed, so maybe that has something to do with it as well.
In my "pseudoscientific" opinion I have to say, that given the known facts that the human body is far more resilient to stress than most people give it credit for, it may be in the best interest of those people from which a gall bladder was removed to regard the following.

I was in a third world country at the time I had my surgery, and afterward for a year I was symptomatic as everyone else. Not having the resources available to me at the time to medicate such symptoms I was forced to cope with it. After said coping I found that the symptoms slowly subsided and eventually disappeared entirely.

I suggest that relying on yet another pharmaceutical grade poison to further quail the bodies natural resilience is a very bad thing. Further more it would behoove those living in first world countries to consider the current trend of the pharmaceutical companies and their unwitting lap dogs the MDs.
Who it seems nowadays are looking to give away a free sample of the latest quick fix med being pushed by a corporation that never had your best interest in mind.
Medicating the population is not a sign of health, it's a sign of drug dependence.

Do yourself a favor,( and when I say you I'm speaking to everyone.) Let your body take care of itself, and stop relying on Pharma to mother you, because they really don't know best and dollar signs are their interest NOT your health.

I have according to my latest check up, great blood pressure, low cholesterol, and great overall health. While i practice body building and good nutrition I do often partake in a diet that consists of fatty foods, where 30% of my diet is protein and fat.

At any rate something to consider.
Regards
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
I just found this site and have been reading all these posts. I had my GB removed 22 years ago this month. I have had stomach/bowel problems this entire time and have lived with it. Until 2/11/22. I woke up, couldn’t get out of bed without screaming! My husband came home and I was on the floor sobbing from the pain. After a trip to the ER, which they referred me to a gastroenterologist and a surgeon, which scared the heck out of me! My doctor just informed me on Monday that my bile ducts, the head of the pancreatic duct, and another duct are two to three times the size of what they should be, and that there is probably “sludgy stuff” in there…the same sludgy stuff I’ve been telling doctors about for 20 years. I have lived with it, but now…the pain is more than I can stand! So please, don’t preach just because you’re from a 3 rd world country.
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