Cholecystectomy Post-op Problems

[MJ84NC]

I had my gall bladder removed in June 2003 when I was 18 years old.  Since the surgery, I've had nothing but problems. I have followed doc's directions and even consulted nutritionist.  Eating the right food will not stop my problems.  My weight fluctuates between 100-115 lbs, I cannot put on any more.  My stomach is always full of acid, for which I have been prescribed many different types of anti-acid medications, none have worked.  I also have terrible stomach pains every time I eat, followed in minutes by painful diarrhea. I also have nausea/vomiting at least 3 times a month. I have tried the anti-diarrheal Rx med Cholestyramine which fills up my stomach to the point where I am no longer hungry anymore.  The only thing I have found to help is Immodium otc. I have to take triple the recommended dose about an hour before I plan to eat for it to work.  This medicine doesn't help with the pain either, and I end up feeling cramped and bloated.  You would think that after 5 years I would have found some type of magic medicine, my parents are both doctors and neither have been able to to solve my prob.  The only other med that I have found to help are painkillers.  After a car wreck I realized this, when I took the pain med and was able to eat with no pain and a more normal bowel movement afterwards.  I'm just wondering if anybody else is in this situation, if there is anything else to do. I am also wondering about the pain meds, if they have helped anybody else?   Also I can't go back to the Dr. who diagnosed/operated on me, bc she died of breast cancer a few months after my surgery.  I have seen a lot of Drs, some friends of my parents, and none prescribed any med that helped.  Any suggestions on finding a Dr who actually cares, and will listen to my whole story? Please let me know if anybody knows anything more about this topic.

[ohiogirl]

You may consider doing some research on a condition called Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction (SOD.)  It's where the SOD muscle which connects the small intestine to the pancreas is not functioning properly and causes pain much like gall bladder attacks.  It is most common after gall bladder removal, even if the surgery has been years ago.

There are meds you can try to see if it relaxes the SO, one is a muscle relaxer called Levbid and another commonly presribed med is called Elavil which is an antidepressant which helps control pain.

There are three types of SOD, types I and II are more easily identified when liver or pancreatic enzymes are elavated through a blood test.  Type III does not have any elavated levels and can be dx'ed by symptoms and ERCP with manometry only.  

Good luck!

[MJ84NC]

The pain is very sharp, and it comes in waves usually when I have eaten about half my food.  I have always thought it was my stomach (I've always had a weak stomach)  but I am not sure.  The pain is a couple inches below my belly button, and is located in the middle, and spreads out almost to my sides. I think I might have had my enzymes checked before my surgery..I had so many tests done I can't remember them all. I have not had any tests done post-op, drs seem to think some medicine will fix it. I will try to read about the liver and pancreatic enzmyes, and see what I can do. Let me know if you have any other ideas..and thanks for responding!

[CalGal]

What type of pain are you having? Where is it located? And just how bad is it? Have you had your liver and pancreatic enzyme levels measured?