Anyone ever have gallstones or have their gallbladder removed?

[88keys]

About a year ago I was having some really sharp pains in the middle of my back (direct opposite of my sternum) and the only way to relieve it was by sitting down and hunching over and it would last for about 5 - 10 minutes.
I got it checked out and they did an ultrasound and they found out my gallbladder was swollen but I had no gallstones, and that I had high levels of bilirubin. The problem did eventually go away and it was assumed that I had a stomach ulcer of some sort.

Last month the pain has returned along with abdominal cramping and frequent and sometimes severe constipation. This seems to coincide with some changes I made in my diet which involve cutting out alot of the fat and sugar throughout the week.
The pain insn't quite as severe this time but it always occurs after a meal regardless of what it consists of.
On the weekends I'll have, burgers, fries, and steaks and other greasy foods in moderation and what I find strange is that it also seems to be when I get some relief from my symptoms and my bowel movements return to normal. However the pain after meals still persists but to a lesser degree.


I saw my doctor again this past friday and he's referring me to a different gastroenterologist this time and he says that he suspects that I could have Chron's or IBS but that it's really hard to tell because so many gastrointestinal conditions share the same symptoms.

I kind of lean toward my gallbladder causing the problems because I have lost and gained extreme amounts of weight in the past and I understand that is hard on your gallbladder and mine has most likely been through hell.

I mentioned this to the doctor and he said that he's not ruling it out but there are symptoms that contradict gallstones or other issues. Mainly being that I have no acid reflux (I don't remember the last time I had heartburn to be honest) and that fatty greasy foods seem to alleviate my symptoms to a certain degree.

FWIW: I am experiencing weight loss, but it is intentional and it's only 1-2 lbs per week.

 

[ImpulsE69]

My wife had severe abdominal pain and had really brutal vomiting too. This went on for 2-3 years. She visited the doctor a few times in a few years and they didn't know what was wrong. Finally one said it was her gall bladder, and had her go in for surgery and it was pretty bad.

She never had acid reflux either. She had tried to cut out a number of different foods to no avail though.

 

[ControlD]

I had gallstones, and for me the attacks felt like what I would imagine a heart attack feels like. My doctor told me oftentimes people will think they are having a heart attack when in fact it turns out to be gall bladder issues. The pain was almost unbearable. It hurt in my chest and radiated all the way through my back. On average an attack would last like 4-6 hours, and there was no position sitting or standing that would provide any type of relief.

I went in for an ultrasound and they found gallstones. I had my gallbladder removed not long after and everything has been great since (about eight years ago). I have had zero issues since then. I also haven't had any dietary problems adjusting to life without a gallbladder if you are worried about that. I still eat pizza and wings with no issues at all.

 

[Murloc]

I also haven't had any dietary problems adjusting to life without a gallbladder if you are worried about that.

I've heard that fat doesn't get digested much anymore, but I guess YMMV.

 

[ControlD]

I've heard that fat doesn't get digested much anymore, but I guess YMMV.

I heard that as well, and some people have issues with fatty foods after getting the gall bladder removed. Fat will still get processed by the liver, but you no longer have that extra bile storage available from the gall bladder. My diet has always been somewhat decent, so perhaps the adjustment for my body wasn't too severe.

 

[ImpulsE69]

My wife has never had any issues either after they ripped hers out and she's never changed her diet in that sense.

 

[Nograts]

When you say direct opposite your sternum do you mean it feels like it might be like heart attackish?

I saw a doc about three months ago about back pain, right in the middle of my chest (I told him I couldn't tell if it was my heart or my back, it was like smack in the middle).

Just curious because I have yet to identify my pain, never heard about gall blader stuff though he just took X-rays and said I was fine. Back pain comes and I can't tell if it's back or chest, been happening about a year now. It's scary.

 

[ControlD]

When you say direct opposite your sternum do you mean it feels like it might be like heart attackish?

I saw a doc about three months ago about back pain, right in the middle of my chest (I told him I couldn't tell if it was my heart or my back, it was like smack in the middle).

Just curious because I have yet to identify my pain, never heard about gall blader stuff though he just took X-rays and said I was fine. Back pain comes and I can't tell if it's back or chest, been happening about a year now. It's scary.

That sounds about like what I was experiencing. I had a hard time localizing my pain as well because it sort of radiated from my middle chest through my back.

I believe the typical way of diagnosing gall stones is with an ultrasound. You might ask your doctor if he can schedule one. It takes about half an hour.

 

[purbeast0]

my dad had his removed and was fine afterwards. my nephew actually had his removed last week (he's only 13) after having very bad abdominal pain and about a week of no one knowing wtf was wrong, and so far he seems fine.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

I had my gallbladder out a few years ago. Started experiencing attacks of what I thought was extreme heartburn/acid reflux. For a few months they happened infrequently. Then they started coming more frequently and started lasting a LOOOOONG time. As in 4-5 hours. Could not get comfortable in any position. Eventually the pain became so bad it caused me to throw up. Went to the doc the next day - liver enzymes were 3000% above normal. Had an ultrasound which showed large numbers of gallstones. ERCP was performed the next day, and then I had my gallbladder out 3 days later.

FWIW - I would recommend that you try to AVOID having your gallbladder out if at all possible. There are alternatives to a cholesystectomy in many cases and, contrary to what docs say, your gallbladder is not something to remove ad nauseum (e.g., like the appendix). It plays a (in my experience, pretty important) role in digestion and you CAN experience really bad side effects from having it removed. Take it from someone who suffered from near daily diarrhea for the better part of a year, and who still suffers from it from time to time (though medication has helped greatly with that issue). You should also count on having to figure out what you can and cannot eat.

Also - classic symptoms of a gallbladder attack include abdominal pain just below the sternum and towards the left side of the chest under the rib cage. Pain may radiate to other parts of the body, including the back, and may cause nausea. In many cases the pain is coming from the fact that the patient is experiencing acute pancreatitis due to partial or full obstruction of the common bile duct by one or more gall stones.

Good luck.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

I've heard that fat doesn't get digested much anymore, but I guess YMMV.

Fat gets digested. The issue is that the function of the gallbladder is to concentrate bile salts from the liver and regulate their introduction into the small intestine to facilitate fat digestion. When the gallbladder is removed, the common bile duct leads directly from the liver to the small intestine. As a result when the liver produces (relatively unconcentrated) bile, it is introduced directly into the small intestine. In some patients the liver continuously produces some amount of bile, which means that it is being constantly introduced into the small intestine. This can irritate the small intestine and provoke bouts of really awful yellow/orange diarrhea. Also because the bile salts are not as concentrated, the body may have more difficulty fully digesting a fatty meal - again leading to the runs.

Sorry for the graphic detail. Just want to let the OP know what to expect. Many people are fine after having their gall bladder removed. But the few that have negative symptoms are miserable. Thankfully my symptoms seem to have largely worked themselves out.

 

[gooseman]

Had mine removed back in April. Since the surgery, I have been able to eat pretty much anything I want, just not as much of it as I used to. It does seem to increase my bowel movements but other than that, no problems.

 

[KentState]

About four years ago I lost roughly 65lbs. Stopped eating red meat and stayed with chicken or fish. Went out for a work lunch and had really greasy mac n' cheese w/lobster. That night I thought I had what felt like a hear attack. Sharp pain from back to front, followed by severe vomiting. Pain slowly went away and the doctor I saw completely misdiagnosed the issue.

For about three weeks I found that anything slightly greasy would set it off and forced an ultrasound. The readings came back and my gallbladder was full of stones. Also exacerbated an inguinal hernia which caused it to become pronounced. Scheduled the surgery and had to eat very lean (salad and fruits) for a couple weeks.

Not a fun surgery as I had both problems corrected at the same time. Basically twice the number of holes, but that was the safest way to not cause infection. Took about three weeks to feel normal again.

Since then, I can eat anything within reason, but a lot of fatty food can just linger in my stomach.

 

[sandorski]

Had mine removed 14ish years ago. The most noticeable food issue I had was with Mayonaise. It took years before I could eat it without issues, but eventually I was able to eat it again.

 

[olds]

I didn't read the OP because it was too fucking long.
I've broken bones, torn ligaments and cartridge, smashed body parts and been married. Gall stones were the worst pain I've ever had. Intense burning pain with vomiting.
The first time, I rode it out in the guest bedroom so as to not disturb my wife. The second time, I drove myself to the hospital because I didn't want to wake my wife up.
When I called at 4 AM for a ride home (all drugged up and hospital wouldn't let me leave on my own) she saw my number on her phone and wondered why I was calling her from inside the house. She was not impressed with me trying to not disturb her.

Got the gall bladder out and don't miss it.

 

[Imp]

No, but had a scare a few years back cause I had elevated levels of something related to the gall bladder in my blood work (bilirubin?).

My conclusion from the research I did was that having a gall bladder is probably better than not having one.

 

[sandorski]

No, but had a scare a few years back cause I had elevated levels of something related to the gall bladder in my blood work (bilirubin?).

My conclusion from the research I did was that having a gall bladder is probably better than not having one.

Ya. That's how I found out I had stones. My bile duct became blocked and one morning I woke up and my skin was a bright yellow. I had been feeling a bit nauseous for a couple days leading up to then.

 

[Imp]

Ya. That's how I found out I had stones. My bile duct became blocked and one morning I woke up and my skin was a bright yellow. I had been feeling a bit nauseous for a couple days leading up to then.

I think I just had a bad test or my body is just off the average because I never showed any signs of jaundice. My blood work was a check-up too, not issue related.

 

[dtgoodwin]

I had gallbladder issues for 4 years before they finally took it out. My first attack was just like everyone else's here - indescribable pain that for me, bordered on extreme nausea. I didn't take anything except for some gasx which did nothing. I finally learned that I would be guaranteed a paid episode if I ate anything with much fat in it. A surgeon finally agreed to remove it. Even though they didn't see it clearly on the MRI, I had stones and sludge in it. I've had zero problems since having it removed. I don't have a high or low fat diet - just average.

I also learned, that despite what it can do to your stomach if you have an ulcer or true nausea, that Ibuprofen worked tremendously well at relieving the pain. I'd take 2 and 30 minutes later I was mostly free of pain.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

I think I just had a bad test or my body is just off the average because I never showed any signs of jaundice. My blood work was a check-up too, not issue related.

Folks with gallbladder issues do not always present with Jaundice.

 

[festa_freak]

Christmas 2014 I had a pain in my solar plexus that I had never experience before. I was at a friends house with my finace and we had a nice turkey, potato, peas, etc. kind of meal. Nothing greasy.

So the pain lasted about 5 minutes and wasn’t too severe, probably 4/10.



Fast forward through the whole year and a couple times a month I would get this pain ranging in severity and length. Sometimes for only 10 minutes and sometimes for an hour. Usually the pain was a 6-7/10. Moving around constantly helped alleviate the pain. I’d lie down for 5 seconds and have complete relief but then it would hit, harder it would seem and I’d have to stand and walk, again giving relief but it would come back in 5 seconds.



I asked my doctor what it could be and he said indigestion. I don’t get heartburn or acid reflux and thus never experienced it but it seemed to be different than what my dad experienced. First, I felt like a good fart would relieve pressure but no gas came, nor did I need to poo. I would pop a few out on the can including gas but it did nothing to ease my discomfort. I tried tums and the baking soda in water trick, the first time it worked, but it was coincidental and this did not work again.



Fast forward again to my honeymoon. We had a lovely time in the rockies in Alberta and BC and we were on our way home to the prairies and in moose jaw saskachewan I felt the feeling as we were finding our hotel. This one ended up being the big one. For an hour I was pacing the hotel room while my new wife was helpless to do anything. We walked the hotel numerous times to try to ‘loosen’ whatever was happening. I lay down, I stand up, I sit, all accompanied by I’d say 8/10 pain. It was terrible. She suggested I go to the emergency room to get checked out and I said “On our honeymoon! No way! That’s a terrible way to spend the last bit of honeymoon.



Well, an hour later I succumbed to my pain and we went to the ER. It was great service. The doctor poked my side and it really hurt. He said my gall bladder was inflamed and would most likely have to be taken out. Blood tests confirmed this.



4 days in the pediatrics ward (reg. hospital was full so I got N64 and movies! Watched ‘the brave little toaster’ for the first time in a long time) and much pain for a few weeks. They removed my gall bladder and for almost a year I have not had that pain again.



It was a very hard pain to diagnose. I would scour the internet for solutions and all I would come up with was IBS or heartburn or stomach ulcers or cancer, which was terrifying. It was a scary time of not knowing what was wrong with me.



BTW, I also used to be 260 lbs at my max and at the time was around 180 lbs.. I lost the weight very healthily, through diet change and exercise. Running, cycling and being more active. My diet was pretty much the same but I tried to minimize the greasy and processed foods while increasing veggie intake. I attribute my gall bladder failing to my weight loss, even though it was done correctly.

Also, my pain was always in my solar plexus, never in my back or side. Right under the centre of my lungs.


Good luck on your journey!

 

[MongGrel]

I had my gallbladder out a few years ago. Started experiencing attacks of what I thought was extreme heartburn/acid reflux. For a few months they happened infrequently. Then they started coming more frequently and started lasting a LOOOOONG time. As in 4-5 hours. Could not get comfortable in any position. Eventually the pain became so bad it caused me to throw up. Went to the doc the next day - liver enzymes were 3000% above normal. Had an ultrasound which showed large numbers of gallstones. ERCP was performed the next day, and then I had my gallbladder out 3 days later.

FWIW - I would recommend that you try to AVOID having your gallbladder out if at all possible. There are alternatives to a cholesystectomy in many cases and, contrary to what docs say, your gallbladder is not something to remove ad nauseum (e.g., like the appendix). It plays a (in my experience, pretty important) role in digestion and you CAN experience really bad side effects from having it removed. Take it from someone who suffered from near daily diarrhea for the better part of a year, and who still suffers from it from time to time (though medication has helped greatly with that issue). You should also count on having to figure out what you can and cannot eat.

Also - classic symptoms of a gallbladder attack include abdominal pain just below the sternum and towards the left side of the chest under the rib cage. Pain may radiate to other parts of the body, including the back, and may cause nausea. In many cases the pain is coming from the fact that the patient is experiencing acute pancreatitis due to partial or full obstruction of the common bile duct by one or more gall stones.

Good luck.

Sounds like a issue I've currently had awhile now...

 

[WilliamM2]

I had gallstones, and for me the attacks felt like what I would imagine a heart attack feels like. My doctor told me oftentimes people will think they are having a heart attack when in fact it turns out to be gall bladder issues. The pain was almost unbearable. It hurt in my chest and radiated all the way through my back. On average an attack would last like 4-6 hours, and there was no position sitting or standing that would provide any type of relief.

I went in for an ultrasound and they found gallstones. I had my gallbladder removed not long after and everything has been great since (about eight years ago). I have had zero issues since then. I also haven't had any dietary problems adjusting to life without a gallbladder if you are worried about that. I still eat pizza and wings with no issues at all.

This sounds exactly like the symptoms I had before having mine removed. It's been over 20 years, and the only issue since, is that I get heartburn often. Tums fixes that.

Even then it was lathroscopic outpatient surgery. I was released in about 6 hours.

 

[ControlD]

This sounds exactly like the symptoms I had before having mine removed. It's been over 20 years, and the only issue since, is that I get heartburn often. Tums fixes that.

Even then it was lathroscopic outpatient surgery. I was released in about 6 hours.

Yeah, the surgery was really easy. They made me take two weeks off from work and after about two days it felt like vacation. Three little holes was all it took. Amazing stuff.

 

[olds]

Yeah, the surgery was really easy. They made me take two weeks off from work and after about two days it felt like vacation. Three little holes was all it took. Amazing stuff.

They went through my belly button for mine.