GallBladder Removal - Was it worth it?

[Kimberly]

I am a very frustrated 28 yr old female.  I originally went to the doctor almost 2 yrs ago due to excruciating painful attacks, usually after fatty meals and/or alcohol. These attacks were so painful they would cause me to haunch over, hyperventilate and would be at there worst pain just below the breastbone, over to the right. Then the pain would generate into my back, up to my sholders and sometimes down my arms. I would usually have someone take me to the ER. After a ultrasound, the doctors found about 7-8 stones in my gallbladder & I had it removed about 1 1/2 yrs ago. About 3-4 weeks after surgery, I had another attack. Very much like the gallbladder attacks I had before surgery. I am still having them periodically as of today. Just had another on 1/7. Again, precipitated by fatty foods and/or alcohol. In addition, stomach is usally tender & sore.I have had ultrasounds, bloodwork, 2 endoscopies. Test show no signs of gallstones in the ducts. Endoscopies did show that I developed bile gastritis. I was treated w/ sucralfate and Prilosec about a year ago. Months after meds stopped, developed burning pain (almost constant, sometimes worse when hungry) in the pit of stomach below the breastbone. No mention of uclers from doctors and there were no signs during prior endoscopies. Doc now says have acid reflux, although haven't had chestpains or heartburn a day in my life. Doc says LES valve is not closing/relaxed, but nothing comes up my throat. Am now back on sucralfate and prevacid. It's been a pretty painful process since my gallbladder was removed. Not only am I still have attacks, which is why the gallbladder was removed in the 1st place, but because it's gone, the bile that trickles has caused bile gastritis. I was pretty much told that bile gastritis can be treated, but not cured & I will take meds for the rest of my life. How will this affect me when I choose to get pregnant? Why am I still having gallstone attacks w/ no gallbladder? What is the constant burning in the pit? Life on a daily basis consist of pain & discomfort. Some days better than others. What else can I do? All these diagnoses & meds, yet the burning & attacks still exist???  Thank you for your time.

[michele]

Kimberly,
I was so happy to find your posting.  My experience is similar to your.  I had my gallbladder removed a year and a half ago after experiencing severe upper right abdominal pain and nausea for about six months.  Although I had no stones, My ejection fraction was only .6% (very little bile being ejected), so it had to come out.  A few months after my surgery, I started having pain similar to that before the surgery, and went back to my doctor for more tests.  The doctors told me it looked like everything was working just fine and I still must be having pain from the surgery.  Now, a year and a half after the surgery, I am having severe upper right abdominal pain and nausea, especially after eating.  I have had an abdominal ultrasound, which looked normal, as well as blood tests.  Today I had an endoscopy which revealed bile in my stomach.  I have been put on aciphex, which doesn't seem to be helping so far.  The only way to alleviate my symptoms somewhat is to not eat or eat something very light.  I am frustrated and sick of being sick, and am also womdering if it was even necessary or helpful to remove my gallbladder in the first place.  Maybe we can share information and help each other.
Michele

[Roslind Cavanaugh]

My husband has had his gallbladder out also 10 days ago.  Has a lot of pain around openings - loss of appetite.  More than that has been told they found a 2" tumor. We are wondering is this is self-contained or could it spread - that is my reason for in-
quiring about liver disease symtoms??
ANYTHING YOU CAN TELL US IN REGARDS TO THIS CONDITION WILL BE APPRECIATED.

[DJ]

Year and half after removal of gall bladder, never have a day without much discomfort.  Stomach distended extremely, look 8 months pregnant, can't eat full meal, can't wear clothing with elastic around waist, difficulty breathing after eating, checkups year ago led to nothing but doctors telling me to be patient.  Anyone else having tight, extended stomachs and great discomfort?

[ry]

I had my gallbladder removed last April.  After I had it removed I continued having pain...the same as before I had it removed.  I have had 2 CT-scans and everything is normal.  I have been referred to a gastro and will be going next month.  I wish I would have left my gallbladder alone.

[DR.RAGHU NANDAN]

suggestion for Ms.Kimberly;
From Ayurveda Herbal system point of view -Your case seems to be of increased Pitta,which is reflected in body by various digestive secretions and heat.This remains uncontrolled if not checked properly.
Do take 300 - 400 ml.of coconut water daily for atleast 40 days.
Don't take any raw vegetable ,even salads.
Reduce the intake of tea and coffee,Never take empty stomach.
Dip 4 figs and 7 currents at night in a cup of water,drink the water and eat it in the morning empty stomach.

[Terry]

and I thought I was going Crazy! I'm glad I'm not..
dj.. I had my gallbladder out in Sept.. and I still look pregnant.. my doctor says everything is fine..

I suffered for a year with Reflux and pains and waking up in the middle of the night doubled over followed by hours of diahrea before I finally cut out everything but tuna, parmasan, speggetti sauce  and pasta and a little margarine it was the only thing I could eat and not get sick. And sometimes even that made me sick if I put too much margarine or if I ate a brand of sauce that wasn't low fat.. after 9 months worth of tests and specialists .. upper gi.. ultrasound.. ucg.. a scope down my throat they finally checked to see if my gallbladder was functioning properly.. and
bingo it wasn't.. by then my cholesterol had sky rocketed!.. (which my surgeon said was common)

but I still have the problems with the reflux and heart burn and live on prevacid.. I'm going to try the whole husk psyllium like
Cynthyia recommended. my doctor said try citricell but it didn't help..

I wish I was losing weight like some of you are though.. I'm gaining like crazy.. I recently found something at vitamins.com that said prevacid inhibits the absorbtion of Vitamin B, which boosts your matabolism.. so I've tried adding vitamin B to my diet as supplement.

in the mean time I still have to eat a very low fat diet.. or I end up sick again..