What to do when gallbladder surgery hasn't worked?
I had my gallbladder removed two months ago because it was low functioning. I was told there was a 50/50 chance that it would improve my symptoms. Apparently those who have their gb's removed due to low ejection fractions (like me) don't have as good of a prognosis as those who have it removed for stones.
So far, nothing has gotten any better. In fact, I'd say thing are a little worse. This has created more anxiety and depression for me, which I'm sure is affecting my stomach. I guess you could say it's all very cyclical.
Am I jumping the gun? I haven't changed the way that I've been eating since this started (low in fat and calories, more organic foods) but when I have had even a smidge of extra fat, my stomach hurts. And considering that it hurts when I eat low fat too, I'm pretty disappointed. Iwould think that if the surgery actually worked, I'd notice some sort of slow progress/improvement.
I've never had typical gb symptoms. Two of my docs thought I had non ulcer dyspepsia. 4-5 months before surgery, I was actually feeling pretty good (still eating very healthy though). My stomach was barely hurting. I didn't think that gb surgery could make things worse, but so far it seems to have-- just a little bit.
What should I do next? I am seeing an acupuncturist. But I've had a whole host of tests done-- you name 'em, I've had 'em. Does anyone have any suggestions for what else I can do? Do I see another GI doc? Do I let it go and just accept that this is my fate for however long it might take until this goes away on its own? I don't know what to do. I'm already prone to anxiety and depression, so this isn't helping that at all, that's for sure!
Any suggestions of how to cope are appreciated.....
Re: What to do when gallbladder surgery hasn't worked?
We have a lot in common I think. You're strengthening my commitment to put off GB surgery as long as possible. I have a low functioning GB too (but no stones), and I don't have the typical symptoms very often. I mostly get pain in the pit of my stomach, and I've always had IBS (which vastly improved when I went on Wellbutrin).
I had a colonscopy and endoscopy last week. I haven't talked to the doctor yet, but I remember hearing the nurse say everything was fine. I was still drugged up, so maybe I misunderstood. I figure I'll call the doctor Monday if he hasn't called by then.
Non-ulcer dyspepsia sounds a lot like IBS, in that it can only be diagnosed by ruling out other things. Have you been able to identify any food suspects for your pain? I found that I can't eat anything with red pepper flakes (as well as some other things). You'd be surprised how many things have it, especially in restaurants. (Going out to dinner isn't much fun for me anymore, which saves me money at least.)
I have four different things that all work fairly quickly for stomach/ab pain and related symptoms.
1) Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) for intense pain in the pit of my stomach, or intestinal cramps. It's only safe if you've ruled out ulcer or h-pylori. Tylenol would be safer for most people, but it doesn't help me as much as Motrin.
2) Ativan. It's prescribed for anxiety (which I get as a side effect of another med), but it often reduces my stomach pain.
3) Antacids (Pepsid Complete). I only use this if I also have heartburn. Have you tried acid reducing meds? I didn't feel right on them, but they help a lot of people.
4) Nausea medication (prescription). I've only used it twice so far, but it worked quickly. I can't recall the name of it. I only get nausea once in a while, but fior me, it's more distressing than pain, so I was thrilled that this med works so well.
Note: Some medications might have stomach pain as a side effect. I found that Wellbutrin gives me some pain if I take it too early or without food. The Ativan also controls other Wellbutrin side effects.
Re: What to do when gallbladder surgery hasn't worked?
I think you know I had my GB removed due to 0% EF (no stones) back in Nov 07. I had no relief and in fact got WAY worse for months. I was unable to function at all. I didn't have GB symptoms before surgery either.
I don't know why, but the longer out I've gotten the longer I go pain free. I get cramping attacks which they attribute to constipation even though I am not constipated. I take levbid at the start of a cramping attack and I think it helps. I've had two "attacks" in the last month, but they were short. I don't know what triggers them, but I am the same as far as eating/working/living so there is no reason why they should get further apart from each other. I've just decided that I am a very slow healer!
A note for me though, we just found out we have bacteria in our water, which may have been causing some or all of my problems! The doctors told me to drink more water, so I was consuming a ton of my bacteria filled water. No word yet on what kind it is or if it's making me sick at all.
Re: What to do when gallbladder surgery hasn't worked?
Have you been checked for other GI problems?
I had stones, but started forming them so early (had to have been 13-14 when they started or younger) that I'm strongly considering getting tested for celiac disease. I'm able to handle fat, but am still getting the horrible pain I've had for years (after eating something with no fat, at that) - I don't think my gallbladder was ever causing it.
Yuck, ZoeGirl - I found out my city isn't treating their water properly and stopped drinking the water.
Re: What to do when gallbladder surgery hasn't worked?
Like Lucy, I think I have other digestive "things" going on. Lucy commented on how similar Non ulcer dyspepsia and IBS are. My GI doc said they're on the same continuum of digestive disorders. I just don't have any problems with my bowels. They're the only things that have remained "normal" throughout my year and a half long battle with stomach problems.
I do believe that anxiety may be causing my stomach problems to some extent. My last two jobs have been unsatisfying, bordering on agonizingly boring, and I wonder if I'll EVER have a job again that I actually like. It's like a vicious cycle though-- I feel anxious, it causes my stomach problems, and then I get anxious about my stomach. I do take anti anxiety meds which I think I may be tolerant to now, and Lexapro. I am slowly upping my Lexapro to see if it will help counteract some of the anxiety.
I noticed that when I went home to visit my folks for the past four days, my stomach didn't hurt once. It felt a bit off at times, but there was no pain. Now that I'm back in LA where I live, I felt the pain come back. Having a break from my normal life was immensely helpful. I just hope that going to acupuncture and therapy will help me. I don't mind eating healthy, low fat and light if it means no stomach problems. Am I disappointed that removing my gb doesn't seem to have helped? Sure. But if I can go back to where I was before the surgery for those few months, I'd be able to manage. I just need to break that cycle of anxiety. As my therapist pointed out, when we are anxious, our digestion slows down. That never was a problem when I dealt with anxiety before, but it seems to be now. While an unsatisfying job may not seem like a reason to feel anxious or depressed, as a single and childless person, my life is work and friends-- and family when I'm lucky enough to see them. So job plays a huge role. I am trying to develop other interests to distract me, but getting through an 8 hour day without feeling discouraged is not easy. I am hoping that one day not only will my mental health issues subside, but that my stomach issues will resolve as a result too.....
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