Gallbladder removal problems

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

Has anyone else experienced ongoing problems after they had their gallbladder out? When I was in hospital the nurses told me I'd be able to eat what I wanted the next day - really? I had mine out a year ago and I'm still not right - there are a lot of foods I still can't eat as I still suffer from nausea and indigestion and sometimes diarrhea afterwards (although thankfully the diarrhea is rare). I also sometimes get stomach ache that feels like a less severe attack of gallstones.

I know I should probably go back to my GP but I really don't know what they can do and I don't want any more tests (the thought of the blood gasses one makes me want to cry) - I just really want to know I'm not alone and not everyone is back to normal! It's getting me down to be honest, I could eat more before I had the stupid thing taken out as I didn't have any particular triggers and only had attacks a couple of times a year!

Sorry this has turned into a rant - I ate out a couple of times at the weekend and I'm still feeling rough

[Clutterbugsmum]

My sister had hers out about 12/13yrs ago now and she still has the odd flair up.

She has to watch what she eats low fat, no garlic as she finds that it affects her.

I think she still takes some tablets to help with it.

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

Thanks Clutter. I usually eat low fat (I didn't this weekend and I'm paying for it now!) and I can't eat red meat (although I can eat pork for some reason!) or anything that's high fibre. I was very bad after having haddock a couple of weeks ago but I can eat pizza without too many problems! There's no logic!

The doctor put me on lansoperazole but it made me worse, I felt sick all the time, so now I just manage with Rennies, peppermint tea and ginger biscuits.

[whatbecomesofsnow]

I had mine out a year ago and I'm now due for a colonoscopy tomorrow as I havent had a soild movment since the operation and have lots of abdominal cramping.
These problems and the fact I cant go out of my house unless a bathroom is close or risk an accident has caused me to be basically housebound for the last year and Ive now been diagnosed with depression.
Any thing high in fat will effect you now as your body has lost its regulator for the stomach acid, if you continue to eat high fat foods it is possible in some cases that you can still form gall stones in the ducting that was left behind though this is rare.
Low fat cream cheese is my number one nemisis with agonising stomach cramps afterwards as well as cereal and brown bread, oats are fine though, also leafy salad for some reason.
Iv found that following the NHS IBS treatment page on their website has improved my condition but not solved it, it may be worth a look.
Ask your Dr about buscopan and loperamide which will help with the cramping and diarrhea.

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

Thanks whatbecomes. I'm sorry you've got so many problems, I feel bad for moaning now. I only eat high fat foods occasionally but I can't eat anything like brown bread, Shredded Wheat etc. My diet isn't as healthy as it could be but I'm just making sure I manage.

Out of interest, were you told that you'd be back to normal after the op? I was told I'd be able to eat what I like and could celebrate with a G & T the next day (not a good idea as I'd had pancreatitis!)!

Good luck with the colonoscopy, I hope you get some answers

[whatbecomesofsnow]

Dont feel bad and dont let it get you down it 'wins' if it does, Ive got loads of pets and DD to keep me company and its all coming to an end now plus my house has never been this tidy for so long

I was told to eat bland low fat foods for 2-3 weeks minimum then to slowly introduce my normal diet but avoid the high fat foods forever, I think I was told I could have them occasionally if I didnt mind the after effects but to avoid in general

I dont have a healthy diet either fish and chips etc are fine on my stomach but if I dare to eat a leaf of rocket . . .
It might be an idea to keep a food diary as some things may be your trigger but might not be obvious ones
Ive had to compleatly cut out milk but cheese etc is fine Ive been tested for dairy allergies but nothing came up but every time I had milk on cereal or in tea I reacted

If you can get some peppermints as well they work great just suck them all day, probably not great for the teeth though

Its worth going back to the Dr if you can

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

That's not something I can say about my house!

It amazes me how different doctors/nurses give different advice - I was told I could have a full English breakfast the next day if I wanted to as my gallbladder problems would be solved!

I drink loads of peppermint tea and I always carry Rennies and peppermints with me. I also find ginger biscuits help but I need to find another way of having ginger as too many biscuits isn't good for the waistline.

I've made an appointment to see my GP. She's got no appointments until the middle of July but I really want to see her as she was so good last year when I was ill. Obviously if things get worse I'll see someone else but last time I did that I was called a baby and made to feel like a time waster!

[whatbecomesofsnow]

Usually mines a clean mess with added dog hair they she's like mad

I was turned away from 7! Dr appointments with 3 different Drs who all after examining me said I had a 'tummy upset' one got quite annoyed I was wasting his time this is after I twice passed out from the pain and other people called ambulances
I was finally diagnosed over the phone with no examination from a different Dr guess who was wright I'd figured it out myself by this point but didn't want to mention it incase I was sent away again, it's ruined my trust in my Drs surgery
They may offer you amatriptaline (sorry about spelling) which is supposed to help but be wary of the side effects it's awful

Could you add ginger into your normal diet? Stir frys easy cheap and low fat do sweet chilli and ginger sauce or use it to marinade chicken?

[whatbecomesofsnow]

*shed not she's bloomin phone

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

I've given up trying to fight the cat fur!

You poor thing. I didn't go to the doctor with gallstones as I thought I just had indigestion! I spoke to two pharmacists and one told me I had trapped wind and the other one thought gastroenteritis. When I had the last attack I ended up going to A & E (DH knew something was wrong when I asked him to take me!) and was diagnosed with gallstones and pancreatitis. I was lucky as I get private healthcare through work so I had the op in less than 2 weeks.

Thanks for the suggestion about ginger - DH is going to Sainsburys tomorrow so he's going to stock up.