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dealing with symptons of having gallbladder removed

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 7/23/2011 11:52 PM (GMT 0)
I am 35 years old and had my gallbladder removed 1 1/2 years ago. I dealt with problems with IBS before surgery, but since surgery my life seems to revolve around my digestive issues. I take Welchol for the constant diarrhea, and it seems to help.  I still have to plan my meals around the bathroom though. Regardless of the type of BM I have horrible pains with my BM's. I have even had a few incidents of passing out from the pains I am having. The doctor says this is probably just a vagal response, but says the pain is normal after having gallbladder removed. I cannot explain how intense the pain is, and find it hard to believe that it could be normal. It feels as if someone is ripping my insides out, and comes on without warning. My husband is afraid to let me drive because he has seen me when during these episodes. I cannot eat before I go anywhere because I am scared of having an episode. Does anyone else out there have this type of post surgery experience. I am tired of my life revolving around my tummy!!! Help!!!
Posted 7/25/2011 2:58 PM (GMT 0)
I am not a doctor but the pain from gal bladder is different pain in upper tum and back. Pain with bowel motion is on the sides and lower. I did have to stop and curl up in drivers seat post gal bladder removal but that was to do with the bowel being trapped with gassy D. The pain is unbelievable but different to pre op but just as bad. But do know that it takes a time for the tissue to heal after surgery and scar tissue is not pliable. Gas and distention can play on scar tissue giving lots of pain. I have only recently come on here and am shocked at how you and others are describing my symptoms. together we might find the answer. PS my British doctor will not prescribe me the welchol alternative but will keep trying.
Posted 7/25/2011 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hey portaloo...thanks for responding. I was begining to think I was alone in this as I feel. The pains I am having are different from the pain I had from gallbladder but 10x's more intense then I ever had before with IBS. I have had a couple of episodes since having gallbladder out of what they say are ghost pains, but that was early on. Now I deal with battleing constant D, and the Welchol has been a wonderful help with that. I hope you can convince your doctor to give it a try. It is a clean drug and does not absorb into the blood stream it stays in the gut. The pain I have been describing is in my lower gut in the bowel area. It comes on without warning, and is so intense that I break out in cold sweats and it nauseates me. I have had 4 episodes of passing out during these episodes. They are always followed by a urgent BM. I do not know if it is normal for sufferers of IBS to have this kind of instensification in pain after having their gallbladder out, or if I could have something more serious going on. My doctor acts as if this is normal. My life is anything but normal. It revolves around my digestive issues. I also do not know if anyone has anything they have found that will help with the pain. HELP!!!!!
Posted 7/25/2011 6:22 PM (GMT 0)
I have found through this site that calcium (chalk) helps. the calcium did not do anything for me tablet form. However I am currently experimenting with heartburn and Indigestion liquid. I bought some entrocalm which you can buy off shelf or from amazon and have had more solid stools, mostly, and less acid and bloating, no pain. It is quite safe to take but if you take anything else consult your doctor or chemist. Funny enough in the early stages of this the doctor gave me peptolac which is similar, but I did not use it regular to get any benefit.

You could give that a go. Read the section on here on Bile salt diarrhea. It is enlightening.

I too have passed out during the beginning stages of this once collapsing into the hall. You really go unconscious as if the body was in shock. But I found that cheese and lactose did that to me and It was body shock, heart beating irregular and sweating Dr called it DUMPING as he was called once when he was close by, and all systems in shock. Pulse races, dizzy, hot, tearing clothes off, loud echoes, hit floor. Now I get little warning just couple of Min's to go to loo, but I don't go unconciouse so much. dont think the change helped at that time too.
If you get the ok to take the indigestion suspension, with every meal or before I hope it helps stop some of the pain from you. at least it might stop a bit of swelling and stomach gas, although makes you trump. hope you get relief soon. x

Ps  do you get terrible aching in your muscles after a bad attack.  dont know whether that is dehydration?

Post Edited (portaloo) : 7/25/2011 1:41:02 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/26/2011 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for the advice. I will talk to my Dr. and see if I can give it a try. I will let you know. Ready to try anything at this point. My niece has celiacs disease, and my sister has been after me to get tested. I am overweight, and felt like there was no way I could have something like that. After reading some articles on this sight I think I am going to insist on testing. In answer to your p.s. yes I often have muscle aches and feel drained of energy after an episode. My Dr. says I have to be very careful about dehydration because of the frequent BM's and D. So drink plenty of water!
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