Re: Results of Gallbladder surgery

Posted By Kathyw on November 24, 1998 at 16:18:06:

In Reply to: Re: Results of Gallbladder surgery posted by HFHSM.D.-rf on November 22, 1998 at 08:07:38:






I just recently had my gallbladder removed after having atypical symptoms until recently.  The gallbladder was full of black stones and extremely inflamed.  The report said it looked like ulcerative colitus;  the surgeon said that it had taken a long time to get that bad.   I was diagnosed with chronic cholectysitis.   I had felt really bad for a long time--ran low grade fevers and had atypical pains attributed to reflux with an occassional sharp pain in my upper right abdomen.  I posted here about 3 weeks ago before my surgery and mentioned that 2 years ago I had a burning pain under my right ribs and severe itching in the middle of my upper abdomen.  Then I broke out in 5 linear red spots in that area (actually more to the right.)  I have since read that this kind of itching could be ascribed to biliary infection. I've also read that pigmented stones are usually a result of infection.  Does this sound consistent with my diagnosis?  I really need to make sense of all of this because I was sick so long and went to many
doctors who couldn't help.  By the way, I have felt much better since the surgery.  
________
Dear Kathy W,
Pigmented stones are the result of bilirubin deconjugation or excessive bilirubin in the bile. These types of stones can result from hemolysis (excessively rapid breakdown of red cells).  You are also correct that in some parts of the world (Orient), infected bile is the cause for the pigment stones.
If your symptoms of pian etc do not recur, then this finding is presumptive evidence that the cholecystitis was the cause for your problems.
This informationis presented for educational purposes only.  Always ask specific questions to your personal physician.
HFHSM.D.-rf
*keywords: gall stones
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