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Gallbladder

I have been diagnosed with colonic inertia and lazy stomach.  Now doctor says that the gallbladder is function at 9%.  I have been reading about removal and tons of people indicate that they have gained a ton of weight after this.  What can anyone tell me about this.  Also, has anyone had gallbladder trouble with lazy stomach too?  Doctor says gallbladder is not related to the colon but maybe a little to the stomach trouble.  With so many other things going on just leary to remove the gallbladder now without knowing the whole story.
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Avatar universal
I also have a lazy stomach, and a lot of gallbladder-like symptoms with it. Had an ultrasound and a hida scan, gallbladder is functioning normally. So Dr. said only other option is to remove my gallbladder and "maybe" the secondary effects of the removal will help my lazy stomach issues.  i am scheduled to have it out next week and am hoping it helps otherwise i will be on a liquid diet for life...bummer
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Avatar universal
I feel 100% and more. Today I ate a crazy size meal and I feel great. It looks like my gallbladder was causing all my problems. I also do garlic enemas and I think those help too.
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Avatar universal
I had my gallbladder out 2 weeks ago and I feel great in every way! Not only that all the upper right quadrant pain disappeared, but I can eat like a pig and digest it all. I had a lazy gallbladder working at only 12% and it caused me many simptoms for the last 15 years. I was really worried about all the negative comments on the post surgery simptoms, however, I think those people who feel bad afterwards are just a small fraction. Actually, my doctor told me that I have a small chance of feeling any improvements in my condition since I've been having these simptoms for 15 years and most people only feel good if they have a gallbladder with gallstones removed. He told me that I only have a 30% chance to feel any better. The only thing that I know is that all doctors that I talked to were wrong all the way and because of my persistence I got rid of a great source of pain which bothered me for the last 15 years. My suggestion is to have it out and try to keep a positive outlook for the period after the surgery and you'll feel 100% in no time. Don't listen to all the people who tell you that gallbladder removal is terrible, because they are a very small percentage from the 700,000 people in US who have the surgery every year. Be smart and make an educated decision before you read all those negative comments. Good luck! I'm no longer a member of the right upper quadrant pain club and I enjoy every moment of it! Hope you'll join me too soon!!!
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Avatar universal
I was constipated years ago, I know that may cause quite some pain.

Your body obviously produce a lot of connective tissue (keloid). This connective tissue maybe appears in the colon wall...

You've said you're not prepared for surgery, maybe you feel that still something can be done? Something comes into your mind, something to change or solve in your life?
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Avatar universal
I am 24, 130 pounds.  Last March (2007) I had an "attack" of some sort.  Symptoms: Extreme stomach pain, sweating, diaherra (at least three movements), lasted for over an hour, AND it happened in the middle of night.  I finally ended up just passing out cause the pain took the life out of me.  Next morning woke up fine but not that hungry.  Well, I had at least four of thses attacks ONLY happening in the middle of the night.  The pain so bad I just cry and bent over.  Well, finally in the middle of night I was with some of my friends Jan (2008), and I had an attack and decided to go to the doctor a couple days later.  All results turned normal (flex CT and ultrasound-both performed one month after my last attack) except for my HIDA Scan, I was at a 26 % emptying rate.  I also had abnormal results of Amylase levels  (not in the normal range my doctor said) and that is why I was ordered a HIDA Scan.  Also, after the HIDA Scan I have had a localized mild but annoying pain in lower right part of my rib cage, towards the middle of the two ribs cage coming together.  If you asked me where my pain was when I had these attacks, I could not tell you because I never thought I would go to the doctor because they happened only in the middle of the night and less than five times last year.  This time I was embarrassed because i was with my friends.  Also, I had my period four days after my HIDA results...does that affect the number?

The doctor suggested I get my gallbladder removed.  Does anyone have anyother suggestions?
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Avatar universal
I had the first hernia repaired in 1989.  In 1990 I had plastic surgery to reconstruct the scar because it was raised and red.  It appears that i have keloid cells and that I always have (scratches, cuts, etc.) and always will scar poorly.  The second hernia was repaired in 2004 and they entered from the old scar.  As for the colon, I have never had regular movements since college.  It used to be once or twice a week with a lot of struggle.  Then eventually nothing without laxatives.  I tried fiber, saw an herbal expert, etc.  Then in the last couple of years just no relief at all.  I would get so impacted that I would have to do colon preps then we started warm water enemas every other day.  This prevents severe impaction and I get relief.  The small bowels appear to work well but when the solids reach the colon they arent pulled through because the muscles dont pull.  So I need help getting it to the colon.  Since laxatives are so harmful to the system we switched to the enema.  I have been on amitiza, mirilax and two experimental drugs.  Until they have something that attacks the muscles there is nothing.  Zelnorm supposedly did that but apparently it didn't work for anyone b/c it was pulled off the market fast.  My doctors said its coming back but that it has not changed at all, they just redid paperwork for FDA approval.  I did read about experimental studies placing a pacemaker in the colon.  I am definitely waiting for surgery for a long time, years.  Removing the colon even without a bag is huge and i am just not ready for that leap.  I did the barium study on the small bowelson the 7th and it went well with minimal cramping but they don't think they have any kinks.  The cramping resulted when the bowels were so full and they think it was a gallbladder attack again.  That only functions at 9% so it is coming out but my schedule for March is packed business wise.  No traveling in April so I will do it then.  If I can hold out.  I feel like ****.  The stomach is getting a little better with the domperidone so I believe it is digesting better.  my doctor said it was not drastically slow, just slower than average so staying away from red meat is helping, the gallbladder too and now i just eat small meals all day long to digest better.  I am only 35 and i feel like i am 75.  Do you have the same things?
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Avatar universal
What is your surgery history and your bowel problems history, especially when did your stomach and colon "become lazy"?

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Avatar universal
I have done diet, exercise, all medication, even experimental trial.  Went through extensive testing via defogram, etc.  We go no reaction to colon muscles.  They are completely motionless.  Saw two colon specialists for this so going to Mayo clinic in  a couple of months for 2nd opinion on surgery options for colon.  The barium test is checking for scar tissue or mesh slippage due to the two hernias that I have had repaired in the stomach.  
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Avatar universal
"Extreme constipation" may cause severe pain, you probably know that. When did this pain start? Is your pain related to meals (occurs after the meal), and does the pain radiate somewhere from the stomach?

If barium investigation won't show nothing, it only means there's no big changes in the bowel, but there could be small changes, seen only by endoscopy. And if endoscopy will show nothing again, the pain still may come from the intestine - functional pain due to your constipation. I'm saying this to be aware that gallbladder removal won't necessary cure your pain.

It would be of great help, if you can solve your constipation first and see, if pain will stop. This could be quite a challenge for you, an experienced dietitian could maybe advise you about diet, fluid intake and exercise...
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Avatar universal
You are right.  I am 35 and only weight 120 now because I do eat right and work out and stay active so I feel good about that.  Just upsetting to know that the gallbladder being removed will not help most of the other problems that I am having.  Surgery is still a big deal but I know it has to happen.  Thanks for your input.  

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Avatar universal
You are right.  I am 35.5 and weight 120.  I do work out and eat right so I dont think the weight gain will happen.  My doctor said the same thing, the gallbladder isnt working now anyway so it isnt filtering any fat anyway.  I dont eat a high fat diet anyway.  My doc also says with the extreme constipation there really isnt a chance that will have a lot of diarrhea.  Guess I will do it soon after all the other tests are completed.  Would like to only "go in" one time if there are any more problems.  Thanks for your help.  Nice to know someone else has problems.  My husband is healthy as a horse and I feel like I am constantly complaining to him.  
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Avatar universal
Well we did an ultrasound and there weren't any stones.  You are right, everyone is a little "baffled" by the muscle issue.  On the 7th we I am having a small intestine barium strace to check out if the small ones are "broken" also.  I am in so much pain with the gallbladder that I can' really wait any longer.  Thanks for your input
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82861 tn?1333453911
Having your gallbladder removed does not equate to weight gain.  If people gain weight after gallbladder surgery, it's because they are finally able to eat normally again.  Sometimes people go overboard on the food with successful gallbladder surgery.  "Successful" meaning that all symptoms are resolved.

Your ejection fraction is so low that it means your gallbladder isn't doing much of anything.  Sometimes it's due to stones.  Without stones, it usually means your gallbladder isn't functioning because is inflamed and/or infected.  It needs to come out.
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Avatar universal
Your problem sounds a lot like what I'm going through. I also have a very low gallbladder function 12%. I've been struggling with digestive problems since I was 13. Now I'm 28 and this dysfunction of the gallbladder doesn't seam to improve in any way. I'll go for surgery in one week and I'm actually excited about it. Don't worry. People who say that they have gained weight after the surgery should actually be very happy. That is a sign that their digestive systems are working at full potential again. I know that gaining weight is a bad thing, but the thing is that nobody gained any weight without eating too much so I guess you don't have to be a genious to realise that if you exercise at least 3 times a week and you maintain a healthy diet (healthy food without overeating) it is practically impossible to gain any weight. The problem with most Americans is that they use food as a drug so it is quite hard for most to watch their food intake. My belief is that if you are smart you can control most addictions. I quit smoking, overeating and alcohol in about a week each. All you need is the right strategy. I don't want to sound too cocky but this is the truth. Like that add: "impossible is nothing". Good luck with your problem and don't be affraid. You'll feel much better after the surgery. I about 3 months you'll be a new man.
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Avatar universal
Try to discuss with the doctor if any organic cause of gb problems were found (stones, inflammation) or it is "only" a functional problem. The question here is, if gallbladder is affected by the same layziness as your stomach (and obviously yaour colon).
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