HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Gallbladder in, gallbladder out?

Support Forums
>
Lyme Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 12/4/2015 12:39 PM (GMT -5)
Hi all. Question about gallstones and gallbladder removal. I've had terrible GI issues since coming down with Lyme over a year ago. I've been treating with abx since April, but the last few weeks have developed regular mild nausea and pain and tenderness just below the right side of my rib cage. I had this tenderness on rare occasions in the past but this is the first it has stuck with me on a daily basis.

LLMD ordered an ultrasound and I found out today that I have 3 gallstones and will likely be recommended to have my gb removed. Based on my research it looks like this is fairly common with Lyme and that the Lyme really likes to set up shop in the gallbladder.

Long question short, I'd love your opinions and experiences with this. Anyone have complications after the surgery? Feel better afterwards? Any necessary diet or lifestyle changes living without a gallbladder?

As much as the thought of removing an organ scares me, I have read that many people do better after removal, and if this helps my GI issues, it could be a huge part of my recovery. Thanks in advance!
Posted 12/4/2015 12:48 PM (GMT -5)
I had to have my GB removed because it was so full of stones of all sizes and "gunk" (yep! That's what the doc called it) also known as sludge - built up in it, that it was starting to ooze from what he told me after surgery.

Some of the lifestyle changes that I had to make because my body is no longer be able to store bile - my liver will has to work extra whenever I eat any kind of fats (even the good ones), and I need to do gentle liver cleanses more often since my liver is working extra to produce more bile. I use digestive enzymes with every meal and take bile salts as well to help.

Some people don't have much issue after having to remove their GB, but I often wonder if they knew what those issues I described above would feel like. Like they are missing these issues because they aren't sure what a congested liver feels like. You can't exactly ask most people questions like that! LOL!

There are some therapies that can help break up gall stones - I was going to go that route, but I had too much going on and my gall bladder was done playing with me.

Consider your options carefully and choose what's right for you.
Posted 12/4/2015 1:17 PM (GMT -5)
My last couple abdomen ultrasounds showed two small gallstones. I am asymptomatic, so nothing will be done at this time.
My GP told me there was a medication you can take to try and dissolve them, but she said they usually come back.

I think I would google it and try natural treatments first...before medications.
But, I think I would do the medications before surgery unless, of course you are suffering too much and need a quick fix.
Posted 12/4/2015 1:47 PM (GMT -5)
Huge amount of people in my family have had their gallbladder removed. My Mom was the latest. She was in FL ready to board a cruise ship. The night before she had lobster with butter and cheesecake for desert. Her pain was so intense she was "normal" and thought it was a heart attack (my cousin thought the same thing when his flared after eating a rich chocolate cake). Most of my family had their gallbladders removed the old way, now they do laparascopic cholecystectomy, it is easier on patients than the operation of the past, which involved making a large incision in the abdomen. Surgeons now make several small incisions through which they insert their instruments and a small video camera in order to view, detach and remove the gallbladder. Because no abdominal muscles are cut, there is less pain, faster recovery and fewer scars than with the old operation. Most patients recover within days.

I had an achy gallbladder and it was determined it was sludge because it did not show and I cut down on my fat consumption. I also quit my diet that I was on because I was losing weight too quickly.

I like what this Dr. says about how to healthily help your gallbladder www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02972/Gallstones.html
Posted 12/5/2015 12:53 PM (GMT -5)
Hello Landslide45,
I had an ultrasound done and did not have any stones show up in my gall bladder.
Over the years, probably 20 or more, I've had symptoms. Now, I follow the gall bladder 'attack'
diet for a few days which I found on the internet. Also, I follow the green soup recipe. You can
find it if you google about or 'search' about. The first one has grated beets, flax seed oil and lemon
juice in it (yum?) but not really as bad as it sounds. That way you'll know if you've found the one
I'm referring to. I only follow this when I"m having symptoms and it has helped my GI problems
settle down.
There's also a book my ND referred me to which is Andreas Moritz, "The Liver and Gallbladder
Cleanse." I have done a number of these. You might wish to read the book whether you
have the surgery or not because I found there's a lot of helpful information in there.
These are not easy issues to deal with. I know I've thought about having mine checked
more thoroughly. Diet is such a big part of Lyme I find, at least for me.
I am still learning all the time as I go with these challenges. Good wishes with this and
I'm sorry to read that it's causing you problems. Hang in there.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply