Gallbladder Problems

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Ueropa
Ueropa Posts: 73
in Chit-Chat
Maybe 4-5 months ago I started waking up some nights with pain in my stomach, vomiting, this pain under my right rib cage, and these horrible burps that taste like rotten eggs. My doctor summed it up to being gallbladder attacks. He told me I could fix the problem with healthy eating. So lately I've cleaned my diet up, I've been eating really good and I was doing pretty well as far as the attacks go.. they aren't happening as frequently. After eating nothing but healthy wholesome foods yesterday I woke up last night again with all the symptoms. The gallbladder attack now goes into the day, where I feel like I can't eat or I'll chuck, the burps, and the pain. My doctor doesn't think surgery to remove my gallbladder is necessary but this is getting old quickly. I'm training to run a half marathon May 5th and these attacks are starting to screw with my training. Not to mention I'm a stay at home Mom and managing my house is difficult when I feel like crap.

Has anyone had a similar problem with their gallbladder have any suggestions? How did you cope? Live your life?

Replies

  • ericmessier
    ericmessier Posts: 235 Member
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    Take it out. You don't need it.
  • littlebeardedlifter
    littlebeardedlifter Posts: 790 Member
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    Im dealing with the same issue. I just seen a stomach specialist yesterday and had a hydro scan on my gall bladder. what the finding was that my gall bladder is over active. from all my years of eating and when i changed my diet it still in shock and doesnt know how to react. He is doing a scan of my stomach tomorrow to look for an ulser just to make sure i dont have one and if i dont my gall bladder is coming out
  • Vain_Witch
    Vain_Witch Posts: 476 Member
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    I had mine out about ten years ago. Mine went bad because of extended antibiotic treatment. I went to the hospital from SEVERE pain about 5 times in one year. They told me after the ultrasound that I had some stones and it would have to come out but that if I changed my diet it would extend the time I had before I had to do that. Two days later I was back in the hospital and they took it out in an emergency surgery. What they couldn't see on the ultrasound was that it didn't just have stones, it was full of what they called "sludge" and was literally about to explode when they got it out.

    Don't mess with it! It's a completely useless organ and I felt IMMEDIATELY better after getting it out of my body. The surgery recovery was less painful than keeping the organ.
  • ashleyoh33
    ashleyoh33 Posts: 85 Member
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    2 days before Christmas I had my first gall bladder attack. I had another one month later and then found out that I have multiple gall stones. Gall stones are made of cholesterol and they cause you an issue when they block the duct that bile travels through from the gall bladder to the liver. Bile is sent from the gall bladder to the liver to assist in the break down of fats. So, for me, I simply have to avoid fatty foods. If the gall bladder doesn't need to expel bile, my stones aren't in the way of anything, and I don't experience an attack. Unfortunately, when I do experience an attack it is severe pain that lasts for 2-3 days without relenting.

    Unfortunately there is nothing you can do to "cure" the issue other than removal. If it is a diseased gall bladder they must remove it. If you have stones (like me) they cannot be broken up, but must be removed. I have been able to control my attacks by eating a fairly low-fat diet (low-fat dairy products, lean meats, no fried foods). However, if you're finding that diet is no longer sufficient to control the issue, you should have it removed. It's a simple out-patient procedure that is typically done laporoscopically and requires little recovery time.
  • teresadownumdavis
    teresadownumdavis Posts: 7 Member
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    There are ways to cleanse your Gallbladder google them. DONT have it taken out unless you absolutely have to! The gallbladder is very important to the body providing bile for digestion. I had mine out and regret it daily, it has caused major digestion problems and weight gain. I started taking Ox bile as a replacement, and it is helping so far, just had to get over the whole it's ox bile thing. Try doing a cleanse before doing anything surgical.
  • LisaMarie8713
    LisaMarie8713 Posts: 310
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    I would get a second or third opinion from a doctor, not MFP. We're no doctors and can't give medicinal advice, though we all like to think we're experts!! lol Good Luck!
  • wikitbikit
    wikitbikit Posts: 518 Member
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    After eating nothing but healthy wholesome foods yesterday I woke up last night again with all the symptoms. The gallbladder attack now goes into the day, where I feel like I can't eat or I'll chuck, the burps, and the pain. My doctor doesn't think surgery to remove my gallbladder is necessary but this is getting old quickly.
    Have you spoken to your doctor since it started waking you at night and went on through the day? It seems that if it's becoming more frequent and lasting longer, maybe the circumstances have changed.

    I had four or five attacks, had no idea what it was, just assumed it was really bad gas or something. I was just recently divorced and happened to be at my mom's house when one happened, and she drove me to the doctor; he immediately referred me to an emergency room and within a couple of days I had it removed. It had evidently gone necrotic... but when my mom insisted on taking me to the doctor, I was pretty sure she was just being a crazy mom, even though I was like 35 years old, heh.

    Hope you feel better soon.
  • Luvmichnata
    Luvmichnata Posts: 186 Member
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    I agree with getting the 2nd opinion. Each person's case is different, some can manage the gallbladder while others have to have it removed. I was misdiagnosed with anxiety for a year until I got a new md who ordered the ultrasound. When to see surgeon on a thursday and was in having surgery the following Monday. Get the 2nd opinion and go from there.
  • jsiricos
    jsiricos Posts: 338 Member
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    See a different Dr, if you can without a referral, a specialist.
    Had mine out years ago! I didn't.. well I guess I did.. have pain like you but pretty mild, till I collapsed on July 4th at a friends, and everyone (this is what happens when you play with medics and Firefighters) thought I was having a heart attack, Hospital included!

    One bag of marbles later (this was right before keyhole surgery) and everythings good with the world :)
  • Ueropa
    Ueropa Posts: 73
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    Thanks everyone! I have made an appointment for Monday with a different doctor. I will update when I see her :)
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
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    Maybe 4-5 months ago I started waking up some nights with pain in my stomach, vomiting, this pain under my right rib cage, and these horrible burps that taste like rotten eggs. My doctor summed it up to being gallbladder attacks. He told me I could fix the problem with healthy eating. So lately I've cleaned my diet up, I've been eating really good and I was doing pretty well as far as the attacks go.. they aren't happening as frequently. After eating nothing but healthy wholesome foods yesterday I woke up last night again with all the symptoms. The gallbladder attack now goes into the day, where I feel like I can't eat or I'll chuck, the burps, and the pain. My doctor doesn't think surgery to remove my gallbladder is necessary but this is getting old quickly. I'm training to run a half marathon May 5th and these attacks are starting to screw with my training. Not to mention I'm a stay at home Mom and managing my house is difficult when I feel like crap.

    Has anyone had a similar problem with their gallbladder have any suggestions? How did you cope? Live your life?

    Time to find a new Doctor. As someone who has suffered...and I mean suffered with Gallbladder attacks on and off all of my life I know that you're always one meal away from your next attack. AND...controlling your diet will not prevent attacks...it's not that simple. I had mine out 3 years ago laparoscopically. No regrets!! It was day surgery. I was back at work 5 days later. I would definitely find another Doctor!!!
  • shytrevoak
    shytrevoak Posts: 95 Member
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    I had this same problem like 8 months ago, WHILE 7 mo pregnant. Sounds like a gall stone to me. I had to deal with it until baby could be born. (PAIN!)

    I would use an ace bandage and wrap it around my lower rib cage to put pressure on it. But then I don't know if that would work for you. Since I was big and prego, and between my son pushing up on my gallbladder and my ribs, it hurt like hell. And I needed some kind of relief! It helped.

    And no acidic, greasy foods. Once you have it taken out, it's best to keep to a healthy diet. Hope you figure it out!
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
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    There are ways to cleanse your Gallbladder google them. DONT have it taken out unless you absolutely have to! The gallbladder is very important to the body providing bile for digestion. I had mine out and regret it daily, it has caused major digestion problems and weight gain. I started taking Ox bile as a replacement, and it is helping so far, just had to get over the whole it's ox bile thing. Try doing a cleanse before doing anything surgical.

    I disagree. There is NO WAY to cleanse your Gallbladder through a special diet. Don't believe all you read on the internet. I'm sorry your surgery was not a success. Occasionally..as with all medical procedures there as exceptions to the rule. I wish you good health in the future.

    OP - see another Doctor!! Don't listen to us bozo's in the internet (self included :wink: ). And for godsake...don't do any cleanses that you find on the internet:flowerforyou:
  • shytrevoak
    shytrevoak Posts: 95 Member
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    There are ways to cleanse your Gallbladder google them. DONT have it taken out unless you absolutely have to! The gallbladder is very important to the body providing bile for digestion. I had mine out and regret it daily, it has caused major digestion problems and weight gain. I started taking Ox bile as a replacement, and it is helping so far, just had to get over the whole it's ox bile thing. Try doing a cleanse before doing anything surgical.

    I disagree. There is NO WAY to cleanse your Gallbladder through a special diet. Don't believe all you read on the internet. I'm sorry your surgery was not a success. Occasionally..as with all medical procedures there as exceptions to the rule. I wish you good health in the future.

    OP - see another Doctor!! Don't listen to us bozo's in the internet (self included :wink: ). And for godsake...don't do any cleanses that you find on the internet:flowerforyou:

    I completely agree with you lizziebeth. I was told by my doctor that once you have a gall stone, you are more at risk for them even if you get it to pass. And there is no 'cleanse' to solve it. If you have a problem with your gall bladder, or you think you do, get a second opinion. I went in and had an ultrasound and the tech found a marble sized stone. There are ways to tell.

    YES, you can have digestion issues after having it removed. Meaning, if you don't eat CLEAN you WILL be running to the bathroom. When you don't have a gall bladder, you don't have that extra bile to help with digestion, so fatty, acidic foods will tend to go right through you. (I'm unlucky and have this problem) BUT some people have had theirs removed and can continue eating whatever, it doesn't effect them.

    I have a hard time believing that having your gall bladder removed caused your weight gain. People tend to LOSE weight once they have had it removed, because they have to eat healthier to avoid the bathroom calls! I lost weight.

    AND all of my information I just provided what from a DOCTOR, not the internet. :)

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