IBS symptoms and gallstones

[Beckybecks1]

Has anyone here been diagnosed with gallstones which have been linked to your ibs symptoms?

[jimh111]

I had gallstones even though I didn't fit the profile (not female, not fair haired, not overweight). I had high cholesterol which it turned out was due to hypothyroidism. My sharp gallbladder pain fully resolved when I had it removed but this was nothing to do with IBS symptoms such as chronic pain and abdominal bloating. About half the population has gallstones so it's important to distinguish the sharp intense pain of gallstones passing or gallbladder spasms from IBS.

[Beckybecks1 in reply to jimh111]

If you dont mind me asking, what were your symptoms with the gall bladder stones

[jimh111 in reply to Beckybecks1]

It's a long time ago. I would get pain in the 'upper right quadrant' which is just behind the bottom of your ribs on your right hand side. I also had a couple of occasions when I passed a stone, you could feel it passing down a line, a sharp pain. My gallbladder was diseased and I used to get quite substantial pain for a few hours always located in much the same area. If you are getting these symptoms then it makes sense to have the gallbladder removed, it is a very successful operation.

If you are getting diffuse pain and abdominal bloating / discomfort with altered bowel habit then it is more likely to be due to IBS. You could of course have both, I did. I found magnesium citrate very good for IBS.

[Beckybecks1 in reply to jimh111]

Thank you. I don't have those symptoms. My Doctor sent me for a lot of tests because I have anxiety aggravated ibs and he felt that I would feel more reassured if the tests were all clear. They were, except for the discovery of gall stones.

The only upper pain I've experienced is on the left side below my ribs and I was told this was due to trapped gas. Otherwise I have the normal bloating and mostly lower abdomen pain.

Nevertheless the Doctor is sending me off to a specialist with my gallstone report but it seems that even if they remove my gall bladder it won't improve my ibs symptoms which I've had for over 40 years on and off.

[jimh111 in reply to Beckybecks1]

I think it is not gallstone problem. I had left side pain which was trapped gas. Found I could release the gas sometimes by relaxing and mentally opening that bit of gut to let the gas move on.

[Beckybecks1 in reply to jimh111]

Thank you, I think you're right.

[violetbloomm]

Hi Becky

I have IBS with all the usual symptoms but within the last few months I have suffered with four attacks which were extremely painful, dirreahea, nausea, dizziness etc.

Each one was bought on the day after I had eaten out and consumed alcohol, I assumed it was an IBS flare, but the most recent attack got so bad i went to hospital and they found gallstones, getting my gallbladder removed this week. I'm hoping some of the IBS syptoms will disappear but i think thats not gunna happen...

x

[Beckybecks1 in reply to violetbloomm]

I had my gallbladder removed four weeks ago. All my IBS symptoms have gone. Since the surgery I do have to be careful with my diet and if I overeat or eat the wrong things I get some discomfort but nothing like before. I stick to a low-fat diet and eat small meals often.

I hope your surgery goes well and that you make a fast recovery. Mine took two weeks.

[violetbloomm in reply to Beckybecks1]

That's amazing, I can only hope my IBS symptoms go too!! Thank you x