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Is it my gallbladder? Pain and gas

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 1/23/2014 6:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi I am new to all this. I had ruptured my liver when 9yrs old and had major surgery. No real issues till bout 6 months ago I had pain and aching in right side below ribs. Had us and showed gallstones. Went to a specialist who did MRCP which again showed gallstones and slight enlargement of left liver lobe and mildly dilated intraheptic ducts but a liver specialist believes this is from surgery I had. Now I'm down to have gallbladder out in 2 weeks though specialist believes it won't get rid of my pain? And really doesn't want to do the surgery. I have pain under the ribs which burns sometimes. Abdominal cramps and gas. Pain lasts for hours / days . I am on low low fat diet which has helped a bit. Is this my gallbladder or something else? Just don't wanna be opened up for the pain to remain. Sorry for long story and thanks to any replies.
Posted 1/24/2014 1:04 AM (GMT 0)
Where are the abdominal cramps? All over? Lower right quadrant? Lower left? Abdominal cramping in the lower abdomen is not often associated with gall stones according to what I have read.

Is there any relationship between the pain and eating? Does the pain happen more often after eating? If the pain is associated with eating, then likely the gall bladder. If not I would be suspicious of it being gall bladder.

Gas - I have enough gas to inflate a blimp! It is all about what I eat. I eat a lot of gas producing foods. The following link goes to a site with a good explanation of various causes of excessive gas.
www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tc/gas-flatus-topic-overview
Posted 1/24/2014 7:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hi thanks for the reply.
The gas is mainly right side upper and lower . With a fullness feeling. Has a burning sensation too in upper right side under the ribs. After a day and night of it now my stomach feels strange like it's beaten inside though not painful to touch etc. I get very dehydrated as well. Been on a low fat diet and cut out white bread fatty foods etc. no specific foods seem to start it. Can have a few days without the pain but thens comes back . Bowel movements seem ok and going once a day really. Couple of times it's been a bitty iffy with colour being bit clay like and not dense enough to sink (sorry). After my liver surgery I did have a few issues with bowels sticking whilst digesting, but that was not really the feeling I'm getting now. Also have dark circles under eyes and red palms but had bloods which said liver was ok and tested for autoimmune diseases which again came back negative. Just really concerned about having surgery and it not helping. Though doc said it's the only real way to eliminate if gallbladder or not. Thanks
Posted 1/25/2014 11:21 PM (GMT 0)
The one thing you need to know is that a certain percentage of people that have their gall bladders removed then suffer from bile salt diarrhea. It causes diarrhea after every meal. It can be "managed" by taking a prescription medication that helps bind the stool.

I am sorry you are put in the position of making a decision that might not work. Have you though about getting a second opinion before you go through with the surgery? If I were in your shoes I would.
Posted 1/25/2014 11:40 PM (GMT 0)
Again thanks for the reply. Yes went to docs who said only way to eliminate the gallbladder is having it out.? I'm really starting to think its adeshions caused by my major liver surgery. Think my bowels are sticking. The only good thing is the surgeon said he will be able to see any adeshions when he does the surgery so at least I will know once awake after lol. Just a quick question if possible, has anyone ever felt sick and pain in lower stomach after BM? Have it every so often and wondered what it was. Makes me feel ill for bout an hour then fine . Was diagnosed with chronic prostitis years ago. Thanks again for listening and any input is greatly appreciated.
Thanks dakick101
Posted 1/26/2014 7:27 AM (GMT 0)
I just had my gallbladder out 13 days ago. I had no gallstones and my rejection rate was 96%. The surgeon said my gb was inflamed and it would take care of the issues I was having if I had it removed. Before going off of the saying only way to know is to take it out consider this... All of my tests for gb issues were negative, no gallstones etc.. I am now 13 days post op the pain was pretty much over by the fourth day. I ate like a champ the first few days after surgery, my stool was normal..... Then last Saturday (day 5) my appetite completely vanished. The drs now blame my loss of appetite on IBS, but I have NO symptoms of ibs. It's been a toss up for me about the surgery. All the horror stories I read made my anxiety skyrocket. Here is my understanding from all the research and talking to drs now... Unless you have gallstones or your gallbladder is not functioning (done by a HIDA scan), you are at a 50/50 chance of gallbladder surgery relieving your symptoms. The pain I had from the atypical gallbladder problems is gone, but now I'm dealing with a few new problems and I would rather have dealt with the rib and side pain, then no appetite and the Bile reflux now. Personally, if I had to do it again I probably wouldn't do it. I've lost 20 lbs which puts my bmi at 15.6, I have Bile reflux now, my GERD is horrific now, and the dr blames all this on ibs... Blah
Posted 1/26/2014 11:07 AM (GMT 0)
Hi chadj thanks for the reply. Sorry to hear the issues you now having. Mine is also atypical pain tough I definitely do have gallstones as showed in US and MRCP . So not sure it this makes a difference? I believe there is something u can take for the bile salt issues, which may help. Love the way docs just blame something else rather than test properly. I've never been diagnosed with IBS though sure they will say its that if my gallbladder op doesn't help . Hope you manage to sort your problems out soon.
Posted 1/26/2014 2:34 PM (GMT 0)
If it's gallstones than the surgery SHOULD alleviate your problems. I didn't have gallstones just was inflamed. I finally ate somewhat decent yesterday but paying the price for it so far today. I'm having to force myself to eat as my appetite has taken a major vacation. I wish you the best of luck.
Posted 1/26/2014 6:37 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks and best of luck too you too. Hope your feeling better soon. And yea hoping it is just the gallstones but will see. Just not the typical symptoms as the specialist said.
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