gallbladder problems

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
gallbladder problems
19
Wed, 09-01-2004 - 10:52am
I was just recently diagnosed with a gallbladder that only functions at 20%. This is after being sick for 4 years with severe nausea, bloating, abdominal pain,poor digestion, and fatigue. The doctor recommended surgery. I guess I have a couple of questions. Is there anyone here that has/had the same condition, or know what the symptoms are? Is there any way to fix it without having surgery? Has anyone had gallbladder surgery, and how is it? I have heard some real horror stories about people having major problems after surgery. I guess I would like to try to fix this naturally, but haven't been able to find much info on how to do that and I'm really scared that having surgery will just create more problems. Thanks so much for any help you can give.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-06-2004
Wed, 09-01-2004 - 1:36pm
Hi I just recently had surgery and it wasnt so bad.It is worth it to get rid of the pain I was experiencing.After surgery like with any surgery there is pain and it takes time to recover but i would rather go through 20 more surgeries then to ever feel a gallbladder attack.I had gall stones and the dr told me that I could get rid of them naturally but they would just come back so the best thing is to remove it.I had the surgeryin june and I still get some pain from the surgery but its not so bad.I had the new surgery and you have like four little holes they heal quit fast 3-4 weeks.I do get crampy before I go to the br to take a #2 but I guess that is normal and I have diareah but Id rather have to deal with this then the pain to me it was worth the surgery.Good luck if you have surgery. Take it easy.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 09-01-2004 - 6:25pm

Is there anyone here that has/had the same condition, or know what the symptoms are?


I don't know what percentage of my GB was working - they would not run that test for me. I was told that it wasn't functioning properly, the walls were thick, and I had 2 large gallstones. I had digestive problems after eating a rich meal for several years - but had no idea it was gallstones/gallbladder related. I had an acute attack in Aug/03 that landed me in the hospital with a diagnosis of gallstones & a GB that wasn't working properly.


Is there any way to fix it without having surgery?


No.


A GB can not regenerate itself and start to work properly once there is damage. You can change your diet - but you have to make sure that you are eating a balanced diet. I made changes to my diet under the supervision and direction of a Naturopath and my medical doctor. It made a huge difference and I didn't have any future attacks leading up to my surgery. I did find that I was becoming less and less tolerant of fat. I kept an on line food diary (www.fitday.com - it's free) and found if more than 15% of my calories came from fat I'd have GB pain

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2003
Wed, 09-01-2004 - 8:27pm

Hey Jo!


Again, I tip my hat to you for all the wonderful info you share with us!

 
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-02-2004
Thu, 09-02-2004 - 12:16am
Hello to you. I just wanted to let you know I just had gallbladder surgery on Thursday 082604 and I am back to my normal activities. I was pretty much back to normal by Saturday afternoon. I get a little pain in the incision sights but very little. I am feeling much better then when I was having the dumb attacks. This was my first surgery ever, and I was very amazed by how easy it was for me.( And I tend to be a wimp on the pain scale I think.)

I have a 7mo old son and I was picking him up and doing laundry by Saturday as well.

Any type of surgery can be scary, but as long as you have a good Dr and hospital I, from exsperience, know things can go very well.

So, good luck to you and your decision. I would for sure go for the surgery. Its much better in the end.

I did forget to mention, I had to have the surgery due to multiple stones in the gallbladder.

Best of Luck,

me
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Thu, 09-02-2004 - 1:28pm

I have to agree with you Lynn..

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 09-02-2004 - 11:04pm

Lynn & Wren -You both are doing a wonderful job and have a wealth of knowledge about various digestive problems. I'm pretty much limited to gallbladders - and hope it stays that way;)


 

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-21-2004
Fri, 09-03-2004 - 12:39am

My diagnosis is going towards Crohn's Disease but I notice with the pills I am taking that my stool is now whilte. My friend who is a nurse said it could mean gall bladder problems or liver. Does anyone know what this means?

Donna

Donna
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-03-2004
Fri, 09-03-2004 - 5:07pm
I am scheduled for gallbladder surgery this next Tuesday. I've been having a LOT of increased gas, and weird pains in my back that felt like someone was stabbing me through the chest. After 9 months of seeing 4 different doctors, going through a laparascopy, colonoscopy, endoscopy, xrays and CT scans, I found a WONDERFUL doctor in St. Louis that found out that my gallbladder is only functioning at 15% from the HIDA scan. I work in an office mostly of women and I'll be the 4th one that is having her gallbladder removed. I heard the surgery is a breeze and you'll be back on your feet in a week. :) I heard it's much better than the pain you have now! :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Fri, 09-03-2004 - 6:33pm

Jo,

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Fri, 09-03-2004 - 6:41pm

My sister had gallbladder surgery and hers was a ok.

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B

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