Gallbladder removal

[weegmack]

Hi folks. Just wondering if anyone on here has had their gallbladder removed? I have had IBS for years and years and flit between IBS-D and IBS-C. I’ve had several colonoscopy tests and always get the “all clear” for anything sinister.

This year I’ve had upper GI issues, which I haven’t really had before. I’ve had reflux diagnosed some years ago, but I’ve been feeling really grim and exhausted. Had an endoscopy in April and it came back with very mild, chronic oesophagitis, very mild gastritis and bile acid reflux. I was told nothing much can be done about these things, apart from meds and diet.

I’ve been on PPIs and Gaviscon Advance forever and my diet is now extremely limited. I have burning mouth and have constant discomfort to pain right at the top of my stomach and often radiating through to my back. About 2 months ago, I started having what I think is biliary colic, which ended up with yellow diarrhoea. I know I have gallstones so I was given another scan - but during this they found a tumour on my right kidney! Long story short - after biopsy, it’s benign. So I went back to the gastro to explain that I have cut so much out of my diet, sticking to the meds and I still feel awful. He referred me on to a gastro who specialises in gallbladder and pancreas. His opinion is that my gallbladder should come out because there are stones there. But he can’t tell me for sure that it won’t make my IBS worse, or that I’ll be able to eat more variety of foods. He totally understands my worry - he’s very kind and I’m not in the position that this needs removed anytime soon. I feel nauseous a lot and can only describe the pain as moderate burning, ache and sometimes stabbing pain. The only pain in my back is between my shoulder blades.

So after all this - has anyone else gone for it and had your gallbladder removed? How did it affect your IBS? As an aside, I’ve decided to ask my GP about trying HRT, because I’m definitely menopausal and my GI symptoms are just getting worse by the day.

[userotc]

My dad had gallbladder removed 20+ yrs ago at age ~45 but never had IBS. Only possible adverse effect is often loose stools, fingers crossed.

[Nothingimpossible]

Hi. I had my gallbladder removed 5 weeks ago this Friday. I had a MRCP which showed gallbladder disease with sludge gallstones and a cyst. I was told I didnt have IBS just acid reflux and this would go after the op. Within these 5 weeks I am eating nearly everything that I couldnt eat before but I do eat in moderation, I dont pig myself out. I still grill or have roast dinners that are larger than what I have eaten in years. I dont have any pain any more and my poo is normal. I go regular every morning. I hope this helps and I wish you well.

[weegmack in reply to Nothingimpossible]

That’s really good it went well for you, but I’ve had IBS for my entire life - it’s been formally diagnosed for a long time. I’m feeling so scared about this. X

[Nothingimpossible in reply to weegmack]

Only you can decide what you want to do weegmack , but every operation can be a risk. I was worried before I decided I was fed up with pain. They wanted to operate last December i put it off 2 times as i was scared after reading negative posts, it's only when they transfered me to a private hospital i decided to go ahead after speaking to their gastroenterologist. You also have to look on the positive side . Wish you better x

[weegmack in reply to Nothingimpossible]

I’m going privately too - gave up on my GP and the NHS a year ago. The problem is that I have so many things wrong with me - I need an holistic approach, which rarely happens here. I’m just so tired of fighting for help. The pain I have ticks all the boxes for hiatus hernia, but not all the boxes for gallbladder pain. I’ve had several endoscopy tests over the years and told I have a hiatus hernia, but when I got the endoscopy in April at the private hospital, I was told there was no hiatus hernia. It’s all so depressing and I’m running out of strength to keep advocating for my health and trying to have some sort of quality of life.

[Nothingimpossible in reply to weegmack]

I feel for you. Let's hope they can sort you out. I never paid for the private hospital. NHS sent me there. Beautiful hospital my own room and treated as though I was a private patient.Let us know how you get on and 🤞for you. xx

[miniione1224]

I had my GB out this January, and A lot of my tummy issues improved. It took a few weeks to be "normal" but then I could pretty much eat anything before gallstones and IBS. I still eat don't eat large amounts at a time but I can handle most food. My BM is soft and regular. As a matter a fact, I dealt with nearly constant constipation before now I'm regular, that I'm grateful for. Prayers your surgery goes well and you recover nicely.

[weegmack in reply to miniione1224]

Thanks so much. I really appreciate you replying. I’m glad it went well for you but I’m very conflicted. X

[angelwings52]

Hi, I was diagnosed with IBS and was told that despite all the symptoms that my gall bladder wasn't causing any gastric issues, I was eating a very restricted diet and living on Gaviscon and Ranitidine. 5 months later I was in hospital having my gall bladder removed in an emergency operation (apparently all the tests and scans had missed the numerous gallstones and the chronically infected gall bladder!). But by about 6 weeks after the operation, I had no upper GI symptoms, and was able to eat relatively normally (except for cucumber and carbonated drinks!). It was the best thing I did for my IBS, hope this helps.

[weegmack in reply to angelwings52]

Thank you for sharing your experience! I’m sorry you ended up in an emergency situation. I’m really conflicted as to what to do and I’ve read of so many people who have ended up with constant diarrhoea or Bile Acid Malabsorption because of the surgery. I’ve spent years trying to manage my IBS and I can’t face it going wrong. I’m struggling with depression and I worry what I’d do if it all went wrong. I’ve decided to see a different gastro for a second opinion, but I think it’ll be October by the time I can see him. Xx

[Nothingimpossible in reply to angelwings52]

Great news for you. I am also doing good after gallbladder removal. My gastroenterologist told me that only a MRCP shows a disease gallbladder and blocked ducts which showed up mine. The other scans never showed the disease or the cyst. Hope you continue good health xx