Jaundice, nausea and vomiting after Gall bladder removal

13 years ago my gall bladder was removed.  My only symptoms were nausea,stomach discomfort and vomiting a thick dark yellow/orange liquid.  I would feel relieved after vomiting or if I took a very hot bath.  I had no symptoms after removal for 1 1/2 years and then it all started again. 8-9 years ago my previous Dr said I had H Pylori and gave me meds, I didn't take them as directed but I was cured of that.  They did an xray before that and said they didn't see any more stones, but that didn't mean there wasn't any. I still have the same symptoms and have found that if I take prilosec or nexuim for a few days I will feel better.  I don't like to depend on medication to cure symptoms, I would rather know what is causing this and treat that. This will happen every couple of months or so, when it does my billiruben is quiet high.  I haven't been able to pin it on any certain food.   My current Dr doesn't seem to think anything is wrong but she hasn't done any tests either.  I am concerned because if my gall bladder was the problem and removed why and what is causing the same symptoms?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Further evaluation of the upper digestive tract can be done.  

An upper endoscopy would be the most comprehensive test.  

Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction may lead to your symptoms, and can manifest in greater frequency in patients without gallbladders.  You can consider a Sphincter of Oddi manometry for a definitive answer.

More specialized tests can include a 24-hr pH study and gastric emptying scan to exclude GERD and gastroparesis respectively.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patients education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com

[mikcin]

I just thought I would suggest that you ask for a referral for a good GI.  I like you suffered post GB removal.  Many trips to ER, hospitalizations, etc.  Turned out that I had impacted stones (results of CT scan) and had very HIGH liver enzymes, had ERCP to remove them, then had to have repeat ERCP because I had what was called sludge in my CBD which did not show up in any test.  It also could not be related to anything I ate.  I was told that elevated billirubin can be dangerous.  Hope this helps.