General Question

loser's avatar

Anyone here ever have gallblader problems?

Asked by loser (15032points) October 30th, 2008 from iPhone

I just got out of the hospital because of my gallblader. They didn’t do surgery because it was infected. I’m still on antibiotics and now the pain is gone. They want to schedule the surgery for next month. I’m thinking that maybe I should wait and see if a new diet will help and let me keep my gallblader. Anyone have an experience like this? If so, what did you do?

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9 Answers

asmonet's avatar

I haven’t, but two of my friends have had theirs removed, it improved their lives tremendously.

shilolo's avatar

Gallbladder surgery is one of the most common surgeries in the United States, and a history of gallstones/gallbladder infection certainly argues for having the surgery. It is highly unlikely that a new diet alone will help, since the stones in your gallbladder may not dissolve on their own. With a new diet you may not form new ones, but the old ones may still continue to block your bile duct, causing repeated episodes of pain +/- infection.

cheebdragon's avatar

The pain from gallstones is right up there with labor pains….IMO…..I was suppose to have my gallbladder removed but I didn’t, it’s been a couple years since the last attack I had.

cheebdragon's avatar

I forgot to mention that a friend of mine had hers removed, and every time she eats tomatoes now, she gets really sick.

scamp's avatar

When I was 18, I had “attacks” that sent me screaming to the hospital, once by ambulance. They ran all kinds of tests, and concluded that my gallbladder was not working properly, but they didn’t know the cause. The doctor told me if I had another attack they would take it out. I changed my diet, and the doctor gave me a low dose of belladonna to take when I had pain, and although I did have a couple more attacks, they never took it out.

Bear in mind that was a very long time ago, and the surgical procedure was much more invasive at that time. If it were today, I think I would just have them take it out and be done with the misery.

I’m sorry you’ve been so sick loser. I hope you feel better soon. My daughter’s sister in law just had hers out, and she is doing just fine now. I think you should take shi’s advice so you don’t prolong your suffering.

jessturtle23's avatar

They said if I have another “attack” they will take mine out. I wish they would have just pulled it out with my appendix.

loser's avatar

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate your input!!!

jeffwend's avatar

If you have gallstones, there are natural gallstone remedies but if you had your gallbladder removed or it is weakened, then it is important to take digestive enzymes to help to properly break down foods.

shilolo's avatar

As a doctor, I strongly urge you to disregard jeffwend’s post. There are no “natural” gallstone remedies, and, you don’t use enzyme replacement for gallbladder problems, but rather, for pancreas problems. The gallbladder secretes bile, which helps in fat emulsification and digestion, but there are no enzymes produced by the gallbladder.

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