Had Gallbladder Out

[debmidge]

I had high liver enzymes last week and got so nauseous and gallbladder had to come out.

I had diarrhea about from 7/24 to date gallblader was removed 8/16 and still have it after the gallbladder was removed. Additionally I still have no interest in food - no appetite - I have to force myself to eat . The gastro said that the diarrhea had no connection with the diseased gallbladder and he was correct. I told this gastro that I felt I was dying and he said I wasn't going to die. (I know a few of you mentioned that I should be tested for celiac and I'll talk to gastro about that).

Now I need a colonoscopy asap to find out what is wrong. I didn't know that there was an over week long wait to have a colonscopy done. I thought people were avoiding colonoscopies .and the wait should be short then? right? ...

I have come to realize that our medical system in USA is already working like national healthcare would with delays, running to get tests and waiting to see doctors, etc. We are already there (at a system resembling national healthcare). I am ready now to take the plunge into national healthcare as the damage is done with the system already. But I digress.

Anyway, my Cat scan of 7/31/07 stated that I have no adbominal masses, no lymphadenopathy, no ascites. Does this sound like a stomach or intestine cancer anyway? I am besides myself and feel like I am dying slowly - like I won't be here after November.

I want to know what's wrong with me and will I be alright. I also need to be on disability while going thru this as I have no energy, can't drive until end of August due to surgery, I won't be able to concentrate on work at all and could end up making mistakes.... and then lose my job and my private disability coverage.....I am scared, nervous and full of anxiety.

[jmd3]

I am so sorry that you are feeling this way, and you are still feeling ill.

I too felt the way that you are explaining - feeling like you are dying, from experience, please take one day at a time. Also, it helps to know that people around you care about you, and also family needs you.

You have received some very good news with the cat scans, try to think about that. See if you can do a bit of relaxing, it will help with alot of things, even try and take short naps, your system sounds like you are in overload. See if someone will take a leisurely walk and talk. Please try and think about something else, it will help your mind to rest.

I will say some prayers for you, and please keep us posted. You can always pm me if you want to talk, believe me, I have been where you are with your feelings.

[jerseyangel]

Deb (hug),

I've been wondering how you were doing. I'm so sorry that you're upset, sick and scared. Try to take this thing one step at a time. The gallbladder is out. The CT scan was good (very good news!). The colonoscopy is coming up soon (I had a month wait for mine and I was quite sick at the time) and that will hopefully give a clue as to what's wrong.

I know that feeling--thinking I was slowly dying. I said that to my husband more than once. Deb, it's going to be all right. It's a matter of figuring this thing out, but the steps that have to be taken can seem like they are taking forever.

I'm glad you're going to bring Celiac up, even it that's not the problem, the testing might turn something up.

Have you discussed the capsule endoscopy? I'm thinking if the trouble is at a place they can't reach any other way, this might be an idea.

Know that you are in my thoughts--I know it's hard, but try not to get too far ahead of yourself. When we don't know what's wrong, the imagination is a very powerful thing with the "what if"s". Having been there myself, you know that I'm not trying to diminish your feelings, but to put them in perspective

[Judyin Philly]

AH, DEB...I'M SO SO SORRY YOUR STILL SO SICK.

THANK GOD, PATTI, OUR CALM VOICE OF REASON, GAVE YOU SUCH GOOD ADVICE.

I HAD TO WAIT 3 1/2 MONTHS TO GET MY COLON/ENDOSCOPE DONE...BUT I WASN'T AS SICK AS YOU...AT THAT TIME...HAD BEEN BEFORE.

YOU ARE SURE A 'TAKE CHARGE GAL' WHO I SO ADMIRE...WE'LL HELP YOU FIGURE THIS OUT.

I DON'T HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR YOU RIGHT NOW BUT MIGHT THINK OF SOMETHING AND, OF COURSE, WILL POST IF I DO. SO HAPPY THAT SOME BAD ONES WHERE RULED OUT...THE CAPSULE TEST MIGHT BE A GOOD ANSWER.

ONE POINT I JUST THOUGHT OF...AFTER MY COLONOSCOPY, AND HAD A 'CLEAN' COLON....MY 'D' WENT AWAY AS DID THE FIBRO, AND I HADN'T FELT THAT GOOD FOR 2 YEARS. MAYBE A BACTERIA IN THE WHOLE INTESTINAL TRACK??? I'M SURE THEY'VE DONE ALL THE STOOL TESTING THO TO RULE THESE MOST OBVIOUS OUT.

GOSH IT JUST GETS SO CONFUSING...I'M SO SORRY FOR YOU PAIN.

MAYBE I CAN HELP GUIDE YOU THROUGH GETTING SSD PAYMENTS ...I GOT MINE ON MY FIRST TRY..B/C MY RHUMY AND PRIMARY AND CHIRO ALL HAD REAMS OF DOCUMENTATION...AND I HAD ..HONESTLY...A FOLDER 7" HIGH FOR PAST DOCUMENTATION SINCE I WAS FIRST SICK IN 1976 BUT EVEN BEFORE THAT...HAD THE 'GOOD OLE' IBS DX.

PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP..DEB!

...WE KNOW THERE WERE TIMES WE ALL WANTED TO DO THAT.

WE'RE HERE FOR YOU!

JUDY

[Phyllis28]

No advice, just hope they find out what is wrong and you have a quick road to recovery.

[debmidge]

Well I am not doing much better. My liver enzymes are elevated and gastro is checking me for hepatitis....stool test came out negative. I have to take immodium to stop diarrhea.

I have to have endoscopy and colonoscopy on 9/6 and at this point Dr. can tell if it's celiac, but we'll see.

[Judyin Philly]

HI DEB,

I just sent you a pm with some history on these links.

Patti sent me a great site yesterday which fits me...we were discussing you also

please ck these sites and see if they can help you

this can be before or after your gallbladder is removed from what I've read.

Anxious to hear what you think?

Are any of the symptoms a match for you?

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

good luck honey

judy

[debmidge]

Hepatitis test came out negative

[jerseyangel]

Hepatitis test came out negative

That's good news, anyway. You're in my thoughts

[debmidge]

sounds like what I have been going thru...

I am confused now if to stay with gastro #2 or go to Habba.....

I didn't realize how "subjective" endoscopies and colonoscopies are.

[Judyin Philly]

sounds like what I have been going thru...

I am confused now if to stay with gastro #2 or go to Habba.....

I didn't realize how "subjective" endoscopies and colonoscopies are.

Well the articles said that they like to have the endo and colon scopes ruled out before this test so with all you've had done already....and your weakened condition...I can see your quandary

Just re read your post and was thinking (edit) the article said that even with the celiac disease dx some don't get better...right ..we sure know that one is true...but with this test and if that is what it is, it gets rid of it. Even if it were correct, i still know gluten isn't and hasn't been good for me for years now.

that won't change. but this bile issue would be wonderful to control.

If your tests are Sept 6 Th, you'd have time for another opinion. more stress right? just what you need. sorry but just thinking here.

Also Mt dog told me her Dr told her that she could expect 'd' after the gallbladder was out b/c the bile had to go some where...AT LEAST I THINK THAT IS WHAT SHE SAID.

I DON'T HAVE IT IN FRONT OF ME SORRY.

FOR me the nausea was new ....didn't get that BEFORE and the not wanting to eat ANYTHING. I mean I just couldn't eat anything..just took sick to my stomach.

what does you friend think who say this dr?

and you don't live that far from his office right?

Brain storm with us if you want to.

Another edit..oy, you could always get an apt set up and watch the repeat of the show on Aug 26th at 6:00 est...and then cancel the apt if you want to..but since he's been on the show recently..there might be a long long wait to get in so maybe the test done ...

that's what i'm thinking in my case..all tests done so this is the last thing the GI and Internist can think of ...IF I CAN EVER GET TO TALK TO THEM TO DISCUSS IT.

hugs Judy

[Mtndog]

If your tests are Sept 6 Th, you'd have time for another opinion. more stress right? just what you need. sorry but just thinking here.

Also Mt dog told me her Dr told her that she could expect 'd' after the gallbladder was out b/c the bile had to go some where...AT LEAST I THINK THAT IS WHAT SHE SAID.

I DON'T HAVE IT IN FRONT OF ME SORRY.

Deb- First, HUG!!!!!!!!!!! Judy's right....my surgeon told me that one of the risks of gall bladder removal was D. Usually your liver adjusts and makes less bile to compensate for the lack of a "storage facility" but in some people it doesn't and they prescibe an anti-D. Some people are on it for life.

I don't know if this is it because you had the D before the gall bladder, but it may have been that your gall bladder wasn't functioning anyway. I'd call your surgeon too. Maybe they will know more. Keep us posted!

[blueeyedmanda]

Hi Deb,

Just sending you some warm wishes and hoping you feel better soon.

[evie]

sounds like what I have been going thru...

I am confused now if to stay with gastro #2 or go to Habba.....

I didn't realize how "subjective" endoscopies and colonoscopies are.

I FEEL FOR YOU DEB, I WAS IN YOUR PLACE ABOUT 18 MONTHS AGO. MY GASTRO HAD TOLD ME TO GO GLUTEN FREE AND SET UP AN ENDOSCOPY + COLONOSCOPY), THEY WERE BOTH OK. I GOT WORSE WITH BIG "D" CONSTANTLY, WEAK AND LOSING MUCH WEIGHT...THEN HE DID THE CAPSULE CAMERA WHICH SHOWED CELIAC DAMAGE, APPARENTLY I HAD THE PROBLEM SO LONG MY INTESTINES DID NOT HEAL QUICKLY SO GOT 2ND OPINION...THIS GI WANTED ME TO GO ON 'GLUTEN FOODS BUT I SAID WOULD NOT MAKE IT THROUGH...HE SAID WE SAY YOU ARE PRESUMED CELIAC, THEN I FINALLY STARTED GETTING BETTER. AT MY YEARLY TESTING I HAD ALMOST NO GLUTEN IN MY SYSTEM!!! i WOULD LIKE TO SAY 'GO GLUTEN FREE BUT YOU I AM SURE WANT A PROVEN DX FOR INSURANCE OR DISABILITY (IF COMES TO THAT)...BUT IF YOU ARE EATING A LOT OF GLUTEN I WONDER IF YOU MIGHT GET A BIT OF RELIEF DROPPING JUST A BIT OF IT??

ALSO ON GALL BLADDER AFTER SURGERY OUR DD HAD PROBLEMS/ 'D' AFTER SURGERY FOR AWHILE BUT NOT LONG. MY HUBBY NEVER HAD PROBLEMS AFTER HIS SURGERY BUT IF HE EATS TOO MANY SWEETS HE GETS 'D'. ROOTING FOR YOU, WE ALL ARE..YOU ARE IN THE RIGHT FORUM FOR HELP.. EVIE

[Judyin Philly]

Hi EVIE..SO NICE TO SEE YOU HERE POSTING AGAIN...MORE ENERGY I HOPE...

DEB, I GUESS I DIDN'T KNOW YOU WERE STILL EATING GLUTEN..ARE YOU?

MUST HAVE MISSED THAT.

WROTE YOU A PM..BUT YES IT'S THE DISCOVERY HEALTH CHANNEL ON MYSTERY DX SHOW THAT WILL BE RE SHOWN ON SUNDAY AUG 26TH EST 6:00PM

THIS PUDDING I MADE WITH THE NEW MILK THAT IS ALL ALMONDS AND CASHUEWS WAS PROBABLY SO HIGH IN FAT..WHICH I DON'T USELY HAVE IN MY DIET NOW AND YEST AND THIS AM HAVE SEEN THE RESULTS IN STOOLS....SO I THINK THAT THIS MIGHT BE 'ME'

WILL HAVE TO WAIT TILL GI AND INTERNIST RETURN ON MONDAY TO ASK IF THEY CAN ORDER THE TEST.

HANG IN THERE...ARE YOU FEELING ANY BETTER TODAY?

JUDY

[Judyin Philly]

JUST FOUND THIS WHEN RE READING THE ARTICLE...

""""Is removing a gallbladder surgically an accepted mode of therapy?

Cholecystectomy (removal of the gallbladder) should not influence the outcome of the symptoms. In fact, approximately 10% of patients have similar symptoms after gallbladder removal. Hence, surgical removal of the gallbladder for the reason of chronic diarrhea is not indicated"""""

JUDY

[Lisa]

Medical Services | Health Information | Appointments | Education and Research | Jobs | About Elevated liver enzymes: What does it mean?

What causes elevated liver enzymes?

- No name given / California

Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist Michael Picco, M.D., and colleagues answer select questions from readers.

Answer

A laboratory report of elevated liver enzymes is common and doesn't indicate a specific disease. However, elevated liver enzymes may be due to liver disease even if you have no symptoms. To determine the underlying cause of elevated liver enzymes, your doctor may recommend further testing.

Common causes of elevated liver enzymes include:

Side effect of medication, such as certain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), cholesterol medications, antibiotics or anti-seizure medications

Drinking alcohol

Obesity

Diabetes

Elevated triglycerides

Infection, such as viral hepatitis and mononucleosis

Autoimmune disorders of the liver and bile ducts, such as autoimmune hepatitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis or primary biliary cirrhosis

Metabolic liver disease, such as hemochromatosis or Wilson's disease

Excessive use of certain herbal supplements, such as kava, comfrey, pennyroyal or skullcap

Gallstones

Tumors of the liver, pancreas or bile ducts

Treatment of elevated liver enzymes depends on its cause. It is important to tell your doctor about any nutritional or herbal supplements you're taking.

RELATED

Liver function tests: What do they involve?

Liver hemangioma: Does it cause any symptoms?

Hepatitis C

Cirrhosis

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis B

Wilson's disease

Hemochromatosis

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Enlarged liver

Autoimmune hepatitis

Gilbert's syndrome

Alcoholic hepatitis

Toxic hepatitis

Primary sclerosing cholangitis

Acute liver failure

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Mar 26, 2007

[LoveBeingATwin]

I am very sorry you don't feel well. My twin and I both had our gallbladders removed. We were no where as sick as you are but my twin always had the D. All the time. They tested her for everything even Celiac, but I was the fortunate who got that. The GI doctor gave her this powder mix that she takes every night before bed and she hasn't had D since. He was telling her that her system is making some sort of excess fluid, sorry not specific, but that mix solidifies it and she does not have that problem anymore. If you want any more info just let me know. I hope you feel better soon

[Judyin Philly]

hi

Did Deb or anyone else see the Mystery Dx on the discovery health channel tonite.

it was on Habba Syndrome?

Saw most of it and thought it was really well done.

'judy

[Judyin Philly]

DEB, A FRIEND IS GETTING TESTED FOR THIS AND FOR HABBA SYNDROME...I DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT...BUT HERE'S SOME INFO

HOW ARE YOU DOING???

HAVEN'T HEARD FROM YOU

JUDY

Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction

What is an "oddi" dysfunction? I've had acute pancreatitis several times and now my doctors are looking into this "oddi." It's such a strange word, and I can't find a meaning for it.

Meg

The disease you are describing is known as sphincter of oddi dysfunction (SOD). The sphincter of oddi is situated in the upper intestine, or duodenum, at the site where the pancreatic and bile ducts enter. Normally, this sphincter functions as a one-way valve to allow bile and pancreatic secretions to enter the bowel, while preventing the contents of the bowel from backing up into these ducts.

When the sphincter malfunctions, it becomes overly tight and does not allow adequate drainage of the pancreatic and bile ducts. The result is a pressure build-up in the ducts, leading to recurrent episodes of pancreatitis or biliary pain mimicking gallstone disease.

SOD is an uncommon disease, so it often takes a while for the diagnosis to be made. Typically, patients who suffer from biliary colic pain or recurrent pancreatitis are investigated for gallstone disease, and many are sent to surgery for gallbladder removal. In most people, gallstones are indeed the causative factor and the pains do not recur. In a small minority of patients, however, the pain continues. It is in these patients that further investigations are done, specifically to evaluate for SOD.

The diagnosis of SOD is suggested by the typical pain or pancreatitis, such as you have experienced, along with lab evidence of pancreatic inflammation and/or abnormal liver enzymes. The diagnostic test of choice is a pressure study (manometry) of the sphincter. Manometry is done with a catheter that is passed into the sphincter through an endoscope that has been placed into the upper intestine, or duodenum. If pressure recordings suggest SOD, proper therapy involves an endoscopic cutting of the sphincter (sphincterotomy). Most patients with SOD have excellent results after sphincterotomy.

It must be noted that manometry of the sphincter is a very specialized procedure that should only be performed by expert endoscopists because it can increase the risk of pancreatitis. In addition to this risk, sphincterotomy for SOD can also sometimes result in perforation of the bowel. Thus, if your doctors are considering SOD as your diagnosis, you should be sure to check that the gastroenterologist caring for you has sufficient endoscopic experience both in diagnosing this condition and in treating it.

[Judyin Philly]

I am very sorry you don't feel well. My twin and I both had our gallbladders removed. We were no where as sick as you are but my twin always had the D. All the time. They tested her for everything even Celiac, but I was the fortunate who got that. The GI doctor gave her this powder mix that she takes every night before bed and she hasn't had D since. He was telling her that her system is making some sort of excess fluid, sorry not specific, but that mix solidifies it and she does not have that problem anymore. If you want any more info just let me know. I hope you feel better soon

THIS IS A OLD THREAD BUT MY PRIMARY JUST PUT ME ON A POWDER THAT IS THE MEDICINE THAT IS USED IN THE HABBA SYNDROME.

CAN YOU TELL ME THE NAME OF THIS POWER.

cholestyramine

What is the treatment for this syndrome?

Since the basic pathology of the syndrome is inappropriate bile in the gastrointestinal tract related to a dysfunctional gallbladder, therapy should be aimed at changing the constitution of bile acids to decrease the diarrheal effect of these bile acids.

Agents that bind bile acids have been tried for many years and have been proven to be safe, effective, and inexpensive. Some are available in generic forms.

These agents should be used

[jerseyangel]

Judy--

I found this--

Open Original Shared Link

[debmidge]

Hi

I was slowly recovering...the procedure inasmuch as it was "same day" took a lot out of me (probably because I was so sick before it). It took almost 6 weeks after surgery to look at food again. Now I eat regular diet but I do limit my fats. And vegetables go thru me.... The Questran is a good product (quells the diarrhea). I gained about 4 lbs. of 17 lost. I need to keep it off anyway.

I only have diarrhea when I eat too much fat or chocolate or have stress. I no longer take the Questran (ony as needed).

I disagree with the gastros in that the original diarrhea WAS connected with gallbladder bile (Habba syndrome going on, I think). And after surgery I had normal post-gall-bladder surgery diarrhea. But no doctors told me this. They look at you with blank stares as if to say "I don't know." ...all except my ob/gyn who has been on my side since the beginning.

I had to get tested for ovarian cancer (I kept quiet about this) and went to oncologist who says I just have simple ovarian cysts. I have to go to him for follow up in January. I had colonoscopy which showed a normal colon. So IBS was the diagnosis. No, I didn''t get tested for celiac disease as I didn't have the energy to discuss it with gastro...maybe next time my Internist does a blood test I talk about it with her.....What are the odds of both my husand and me having celiac disease? If it's true, then at least I know what to do about it

[Judyin Philly]

Patti.........thanks for the link.

Debbie...........thanks for my personal PM.

So glad you posted again as alot of us have been worried.

sorry about the ovarian issue. Good luck with all the issues going on with you. your a fighter ........you'll make it i know.

Also can i have you permission to post the PM on the LOD thread IF I TAKE OUT THE PERSONAL STUFF.

tHERE ARE SEVERAL FOLKS WHO WHO WOULD SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO APPRECIATE YOUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE ON THIS NEW DRUG/ POWDER/ FOR HABBA THAT I WILL BE TRYING STARTING TODAY AS SOON AS I GO PICK IT UP.

I'LL PM WHAT I'D POST AND YOU CAN OK IT.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO WRITE ME.

I'M SO ENCOURAGED BY YOUR POST............

JUDY