Sphincter of Oddi Diet

About a year ago (Aug 2009) I was diagnosed and treated for Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction type 3. A couple months before that they removed my gallbladder thinking that was the problem. Since then I have had severe issues concerning bowel movements. It seems like I have a problem if I eat too much fat, or not enough. I can't seem to get my diet right in order to correct my system. It seems like what I eat has an effect but I can't seem to predict what is going to work and what won't. Has anybody else had this issue?  Any suggestions on how much fat to eat? I'm desperate for my body to equal itself out.

Thanks for your help,

Kris

[Snickers27]

Hi there kris.  I'm curious to know what treatment was done for your SOD type 3?  Did they do something during an Ercp?  Did you get pancreatitis from it, as so many others have?  As far as fat intake goes, i'm not sure.  From what i read its different for everyone.  Some people can tolerate more than others.  I've had gallbladder associated pains for about a year when they removed my gallbladder 2 weeks ago.  Pre-op, no stones were detected, so i'm assuming my gallbladder was just malfunctioning.  Well i still have the same symptoms i had before the surgery, and i think it may be SOD that is causing the problem.  I'm scared to have an ercp done, but i've read that its the best diagnosis method, but high risk.  Does everything you eat cause pain?  I've noticed that i can toletate Glucerna snack shakes pretty well, and it gives me some of the nutrition i'm lacking from hardly eating.  Maybe that's something you could try.  I get the ones in the can because they have less fat.  Any advice you have would be so greatly appreciated. Thanks.      

[KrisMcNulty]

Hi Snickers27,

Yeah, they did an ERCP for me and went in and cut the muscle. I didn't get pancreatitis. I was completely out of pain when I woke up from the surgery. It took a while for it to come back. It sounds like we had similar problems. I had no stones in the gallbladder but had the pain afterwards. It took 14 different doctors to not know what was going on before I got fed up and went to the MAYO clinic. They were awesome and there was only one doctor there that could even preform the surgery.
I thought at first that everything I ate caused the pain. Since I last posted I think I've gotten a handle on what does and does not cause it. I've figured out that any time my body processes fat I have pain. So even if I eat really healthy, if I don't have enough calories for the day my body processes the fat that's stored and I have pain. Right now I'm on a little diet and am trying to very slowly slim down and tone up but it's a painful process. I'll try the Glucerna snack shakes though. I'm open to anything that can help.

The ERCP wasn't bad for me at all. I highly recommend the MAYO clinic. They are so good at what they do and if you do end up having a complication they are the right hands to be in. I happen to live in Arizona where there is one but I would drive anywhere in the county to be under their care for this again. I almost had it done at the University of Michigan but I'm glad I waited and went to Scottsdale. My throat was very sore for about 2 days after the surgery but it was worth it 100%. I was to the point where I just wanted me life back and I was willing to take the risk to have the surgery. It ended up very well for me.

I hope this helped. Please let me know if there is any other info I can give you. Best of luck getting out of pain. I know, it's no way to live.

Kris

[DeeDeeDash]

I have SOD.  It took 10 years of going from Dr. to Dr.  I was told it was Reflux, gallbalder, so they took that out also.  I had no stones and I was fine for about 1 year.  Then the pain was back!  My Gastrointerologist sent me to Milwaukee, WI. to see Dr. Joseph Geenen.  He is a specialist in the Oddi Dysfunction.  He knew right away what my problem seemed to be.  He did an ERCP and was fine for a couple of years, then the problem returned.  I see him at least once a year for a checkup.  I did have to have the muscle cut once, and have had at least 3 ERCP procedures.  Dr. Geenen is one of the best gastrointerologist in the Midwest, offices are at St. Lukes in Milwaukee, WI.  I never worry when I see him.  He's one of the best!  Diet is also important.  Too much fat makes me ill, so watch out for that.