GASTROENTEROLOGY COMMUNITY
Gallstones? Even after its not there anymore?

Gallstones? Even after its not there anymore?

I had my gallbladder removed in August of 2006 and I was told that I was FULL of gallstones. Since March, I have been experiencing the same symptoms as when my gallbladder was full of stones before it was removed. I went to a Gastroenterologist today and he said I may have gallstones again. How is this possible?
Related Discussions
3 Comments Post a Comment
Blank
Avatar_m_tn
You may have gallstones in the duct through which bile flows from the liver to the duodenum. The disorder is officially caled choledocholithiasis. Sometimes it can be confirmed by ultrasound. Stones can be confirmed during endoscopic retrograd cholangiopancreatography (search for "ERCP") and usually also removed during the procedure.
Blank
Avatar_f_tn
i have had gallstones since i was in my twentys, which back then they hurt me so bad i would have rather gone through labor! then they stopped hurting for about 25 years...then last motnh i had an attack so bad it sent me to the emergency room..by the time i got there about 15 minutes later the pain stopped...so i went and had an ultra sound and my doctor said the gallbladder had to go., anyway i had the surgery and the gallstone was as big a golf ball....plus i had a bunch of small one also...i had a good recovery..but now it seems like everytime i eat i have to run to the bathroom...also it seems like i still have my gallbladder..like a phantom gallbladder..is this possible?
Blank
Avatar_m_tn
After gallbladder removal you still have bile ducts. If by feeling the gallbladder you mean feeling the same kind of problems as before, they may be caused by small stones or biliary sludge sticking in the bile duct...

After gallbladder removal, bile is constantly flowing into your intestine, and sometimes not all can be re-absorbed in the distal part of the small intestine, so it reaches the colon and irritates it. This can cause diarrhea. To prevent this, you can try:
- dividing mealsin small portions
- avoiding fat-rich foods
- adding some fibres like Metamucil or Citrucel to meals. Fibres bind some bile acids and prevent irritation of the colon.

If above doesn't help, you can try low-fodmap diet:
http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/118248?personal_page_id=801


Blank
Have a Gastro question?
100,000+ doctor answers
Post a Comment
To
Comment
Post A Comment
Go
Blank
Gastro Tracker
Log symptoms & treatments
Start Tracking Now
Blank
Food Diary Tracker
What are you eating?
Start Tracking Now
MedHelp Health Answers
Submit
Top Digestive Answerers
Avatar_n_tn
Blank
CalGal
Avatar_f_tn
Blank
mammo
Cincinnati, OH
Avatar_f_tn
Blank
patient915
CA
1728693_tn?1332168862
Blank
Kaneda2112
Bowmanville, ON
Avatar_f_tn
Blank
Sechmeth
Christchurch, New Zealand
168348_tn?1333651418
Blank
ChitChatNine
RSS Expert Activity
1741471_tn?1336957856
Blank
LIVE WEBINAR TOMORROW!-SUPER BODY, ... Blank
May 22 by Michael Gonzalez-WallaceBlank
2126606_tn?1335910182
Blank
Fibromyalgia Awareness
May 11 by Clare Waismann Kavin, RASBlank
2126606_tn?1335910182
Blank
Opioid-induced hyperalgesia reduces...
May 03 by Clare Waismann Kavin, RASBlank