Post Gall bladder removal issues

[chelytoad]

Hi all. Just wondering if anyone out there had their gallbladder removed for biliary dyskinesia NOT caused by stones only to have things get worse? My doc ordered a HIDA/CCK scan prior to the surgery and it showed that my gallbladder was not functioning (ejection rate was 7%). It obviously had to come out and i don't regret that--I did have a whole month or two of feeling well but not so much anymore.

Now I am throwing up (sometimes bile) and having yellow diahrrea much of the time. I was put on Questran (4x/day) by my PCP and told that some people just don't adjust to surgery as well as others. Based on what I have been reading, the Questran won't ever really solve the problem but is just binding the bile and now making me extremely constipated. Plus, my insurance doesn't want to cover it.

Has anyone else out there had similar experiences after having their gall bladder removed due to disease NOT caused by stones? Seems we are at a reduced likilihood of thing not working out after surgery but seriously...is this it? Either take a drug that induces hemophilia (via Vitamin K absorption) at the dose I am on or throw up/poop out bile non-stop? I don't buy that. I am hoping to hear something positive from someone out there. :)

Thanks!

[ddbiscuit]

had mine taken out in september and overall have been much better. I do have what seem to be new symptoms mixed with old ones now. I still take Phenergen every day for nausea and now the CT scan shows my liver is enlarged (wasn't before) and is causing lots of discomfort in my abdomen. I have consistent bouts of pain by the bottom of my right rib that seems to be exaggerated when I feel stressed or angry, etc. These bouts can be so bad and I feel like I cannot breathe and it shoots through the middle of my back. It also feels like a vice is around my entire front and back right under the breast area. I went back to the doc over a month ago and have had liver panels and a CT scan and still I know nothing. Going back Monday and I am sure I will go home once again still not knowing what is wrong. I wish we could all help each other out and get on with our lives. I recommend that if you have severe pain and nausea and the docs are sure that it is the gallbladder then I would get it taken out. I still have problems, but they are not as bad as before my surgery.

[stnktn]

Wow that makes me worry a little. My surgery is scheduled for Tuesday to have my GB removed due to basically biliary dyskinesia and a rate of 17%. I know I have to have it removed but I certainly hope none of that happens to me later on! My doctor has already stated he will be using the dye to check the duct for stones while he is in there.

I certainly hope you improve soon. Is there any way you can get the doctor's office to write a letter or something to the insurance company stating you have to have the medication?
Take care

[Banned1]

Yep, I'm another one of the horror stories.  My HIDA was 81% but, given the severity of my symptoms, we decided it was worth a shot.  I was in so much pain and so nauseous, I was pushing for the surgery.  I was willing to try anything and everything.  I've learned so much since then.  I now have medication for my nausea (Domperidone) and pain (Oxycontin) while I wait for a diagnosis and treatment plan.  

I'm really sorry you are suffering.  I'm not a doctor and I know next to nothing about this stuff but I'm learning through my own illness.  Your current symptoms could be SO many things including sludge/stones in the CBD, gallbladder/Post-Cholecystectomy Syndrome, Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction, Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth, pancreatitis, etc.  

There are some less invasive tests such as the Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) and MRCP-S (Secretin) which can image the pancreas and ductal system.  The EUS does require sedation and is similar to an upper endoscopy.  Right now, EPISOD studies are being conducted in the United States which might be a way to get to the bottom of your symptoms without the cost if you qualify and can't afford health care.  

Metamucil or a similar daily fibre product is a great help for MANY people with abdominal pain.   It does not make you go, it makes you regular by adding fibre to the watery stools, making them firm.  

Many people have great success with digestive enzymes and pancreatic enzymes.  This is something you can talk to your primary Doc about.  I'm told that they won't do any harm so really - unless you have side effects - there's not a downside to trying them.  Your Doc might even have samples.  This is something you can do now and it reduces the amount of work the pancreas has to do which will also reduce any damage to the pancreas.  You can get them at the health food store, too, but make sure they only have proteases, amlyase and lipase.  The ones with Papain and Bromelain are acidic, I'm told.

A low-fat, fibre-rich diet can make a big difference.  Eliminating fried foods from your diet and starting with bland foods, you may get to a point where you have no pain.  Then you can add new items to see how you feel.  Less than 30 grams of fat per day is a great starting point.

It helps to keep a journal or a blog and your welcome to read my first entry if you want but I write a lot (can you tell).  :)  Medhelp.org has a free journal on everyone's profile page.  It's a great resource and it helps you review your situation objectively and identify patterns in your foods, symptoms, medications, bowel habits and pain level.  Hindsight is 20/20 and keeping a log might help you look at things more objectively over the longer term.  Also, if you go into Emergency, you can say, this has been the pattern...

You are not alone!  Try to stay positive and reach out for support when you need it.  Talk to your Doctor, family, friends, co-workers, church or social service volunteers or anyone you feel safe with.  

Search yahoo! groups for "Sphincter", you will find quite a few groups.  Both Maddi's and Michele's are worth joining.  There is a lot of great information there that might help you.

When you do find answers, it would be wonderful if you could let us know the root cause(s) and how you got rid of your pain.  It gives people on this site hope to hear success stories.

Take care of yourself.  Good luck and Godspeed.  All the best,

Sam