Had my gallbladder removed May of this year (2009)

[whiskeykitty]

Back in Oct of '08 I had what was to be believed as the stomach flu. After a month the symptoms never really went away. Always feeling nauseated along with all the other fly like symptoms. As I didnt have insurance at the time I did a phone consoltation with my PCP. I was treated for GERD. The meds seemed to have worked but for only a short time. Once I again had insurance I went to my PCP who refered me to a Specialist. After a few tests and more meds it was discovered that I had gallstones. I then made the appointment to have the gallbladder removed on May 7, 2009. All seemed to be well with the occasional adjustment in diet as I had battles with upset tummy and diarreah for a time being. 2 Weeks after my surgery it seemed as though I was in the clear. WRONG! I have been to the ER at least 2x and been on the phone and had office visits with my Drs and have gotten no where. With nothing that I can relate to triggering it I get flu like symptoms every 2-3 weeks that can last for just a few hours to days. Nausea (sometimes vomiting or dry heaves), diarreah, chills, slight fever, pain (sometimes accompied with a burning sensation) and discomfort in the right part of my abdomen. Blood test have been run and everything comes back normal every time. This last time I was in the ER, July 12, 2009, I also had a ultra sound that came back normal also. So I was lead here by a aquaintence of mine who also had her gallbladder removed and has symptoms of the same liking as mine. She told me that it was possibly "Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction". Could this be it? As I can't really find any symptoms listed for this disorder. What are the symptoms? Are they what I'm describing at all? Any answers or tips would be greatly appreciated as work is starting to get frustrated with me as much as Im frustrated with "this".

[erikamesh]

Wow, it's almost scary how many people there are out there with these very same issues post gallbladder removal. I too have been suffering since having mine taken out on 5/12/09. It's been hell just trying to get someone to understand my life has been completely interrupted. I haven't been to work since a week before my surgery. So far my boss is being understanding but for how long? I have had every test under the sun and everything has come back normal. The only thing that hasn't been was I had a slight dialation of the common bile duct. How can I be this sick and in pain if everything is normal? Most recently I had an ERCP which confirmed that the pressures around my biliary sphincters were very high, a classic sign of sphincter of oddi dysfunction(SOD). They did a sphincterotomy which seemed to help for a few days but now I'm sick AGAIN! This disorder is very misunderstood especially when you don't have any abnormal labs. Have you had any problems with dialated bile ducts? Along with all the symptoms of a gallbladder attack, there is usually dialation of one or more of the bile ducts. This can be found most of the time through MRCP. If you haven't had one of these ask your doctor to order one. If they find something there the next step is ERCP with manometry to check the pressure in the bile ducts. A sphincterotomy is done if they find high pressures. This works for most people but unfortunately not all as I am living proof of that.  I am still struggling to find the answers to my illness. One doctor told me to suck it up and learn to deal with it because this is how my life is going to be. I refuse to accept that. I was fine before April and I won't rest until I have my life back. It would be definitely worth a shot for you to be evaluated for this problem. You need to find a good GI who know's about this disorder. Ask your primary to research doctors for you and give you a referral. I am in the process of getting a second opinion myself since no one can figure this out. I wish you luck and hope that some of this has helped. If you ever need to talk more please contact me. I try to check this every day as I have found alot of support. It really helps to talk to someone who understand what your going through because they are living it too.

Take care,
Erika