Gall bladder removal - what set you off/what do you miss??

**BrightSparkles** · December 16th, 2013, 06:51 PM

Sine having my gall bladder removed in March I have been unable to have dairy that is full fat - yoghurt, milk, cheese, ice cream. And I can only have a VERY small amount of skim/light milk. If I've had allot on one day, I won't be able to have anything for 1-2 days after. It all just goes through me.

Anything too oily does the same thing.

With all the time I've spent in the toilet you'd think if start losing weight! Hmm....

**Lisa** · December 16th, 2013, 07:47 PM

I'm still that way 16 years later. It's unpredictable though. One day I could eat dairy and be fine and the next day I could be on the toilet all day. I just never know when it is going to strike.
Pepsi is the same. I haven't had Pepsi in about 15 years.

I also can't have codeine since having my gall bladder removed. Anything with codeine in it gives me pains that are identical to gall bladder attacks. Horrible.

**AnyDream** · December 16th, 2013, 08:59 PM

Yep, can't do the codeine either ... i wonder whether that was the problem when I was having the attacks because the dr gave me panadeine forte for them.

Have since found out that codeine can cause the spasm all by itself, as can a few other drugs.

I have also had a few random attacks without eating or doing anything, so I carry buscopan with me everywhere I go now.

Mostly ok with oil but it depends on type & quantity. Deep fried food is always a problem, although I can usually tolerate a small portion. Also, my body seems to cope better with plant oils than animal fat. If I'm having a bad run (excuse the pun) I find adding in some fibre (I use the invisible dissolving stuff, benefibre) & some probiotics sorts it out in a day or so.

**Swamp princess** · December 16th, 2013, 09:33 PM

Coffee sets me off. Like within the hour. Especially real coffee. Which is rather unfortunate as I have a major caffeine addiction.
I managed to pick up cholera (incredible right?) while in Lombok earlier this year and that has given me more long term sensitive stomach issues.

**peanutter** · December 16th, 2013, 10:10 PM

I get heartburn more easily from acids and fatty things.

Alcohol hits me a lot harder, too (not in terms of tipsiness, but in terms of aftermath).

**BrightSparkles** · December 17th, 2013, 05:54 AM

I get heartburn more easily from acids and fatty things.

Alcohol hits me a lot harder, too (not in terms of tipsiness, but in terms of aftermath).

Hmmm.... is that the problem

no wonder I'm so hung over after 2 glasses of wine!

**Lans** · December 17th, 2013, 06:38 AM

I had mine out a few years back & I find if I don't have a decent breakfast; anything I eat goes straight through. Funnily enough since having DD in 2012 things have improved!!

**peanutter** · December 17th, 2013, 11:30 AM

Hmmm.... is that the problem

no wonder I'm so hung over after 2 glasses of wine!

Yes!! Never used to get hangovers, now I sometimes feel seedy after only 2-3. My theory is that the additional strain on your liver to make new bile (because there's no gall bladder to store it for later) means it has less time and energy to deal with my drinke-poos. Sad panda is sad.

**AnyDream** · December 17th, 2013, 11:45 AM

Yep, I can't drink much any more, either.

Sparkles, the way I understand it is that after you have the gallbladder out, you get a steady stream of bile into your digestive system, unlike before when the amount of fat you'd eaten predicted how much the gallbladder released. If you eat a lot of fat, and there isn't enough bile to take care of it, the fat passes undigested into the colon and operates the same way as an enema does (draws water, etc from the surrounding tissue then whoosh). Too much of this can damage your intestine - and anytime your digestive tract is damaged (eg even from a virus or whatever) you can get secondary lactose intolerance. Maybe this is what has happened to you. You could experiment with going dairy-free or even try some of the lactose-free dairy products which might help you work out if it's the dairy itself, lactose, or the fat in the dairy. The good news is if it's lactose intolerance, you can heal this by avoiding dairy for a period of time and loading up on good pre-biotics and pro-biotics. Maybe give it a try?

The other thing I forgot to mention was that last year I had a run of digestive upset and the thing that fixed it in the end was I started taking a bovine colostrum supplement called Travelan. It's supposed to prevent traveller's diarrhoea (something to do with antibodies) but it also acts as a powerful prebiotic and that sorted me out pretty quickly too. I think when it comes to your gut a single thing can knock it out of balance but it takes several things to restore the balance again, if that makes sense?

**peanutter** · December 17th, 2013, 05:05 PM

Wow, interesting!! Thanks, MD

**blackduckies** · December 20th, 2013, 06:44 AM

I had mine out in October and am feeling my way.

i had bile dumping for the first 6 weeks which created hemmroids

so am quite careful ,but have snuck some takeaway food but am very careful especially when out with my choices I lost 15 kg but in the end could'nt eat anything, have put 5 back on because i can actually eat. Not game to drink & would say that alcohol & me did'nt really agree anyway (1-2) drinks would cause very strange pains, but maybe it was my gallbladder because i have had issues since 2001 had no idea until the doctor pointed out i had a gallbladder attack back then shown in my records. Anyone worried that they may produce stones again anyway? my surgeon mentioned that on my return visit thanks

I still get gallbladder type pains on occasion and can feel quite sick from time to time & for no obvious reason but overall my improvement is 1000% very nasty little critter when it gets you !!!! lol I had a pain on my left side well, pains everywhere really & doctors put these down to lots of other things even depression, now mostly all gone!!! ( well the occasional niggle as you all have meantioned) just goes to show how much it can affect your body not just typical text book pains.
I am fine with dairy but seem to have a problem with a maccas blueberry muffin especially if I have 1 in the morning don't use butter or spreads anymore so it could be the butter in it? Only use spray oils for cooking and mostly eat very low fat, not enough fruit & veg though i think thats because in the end all I could eat was that and very plain without dressing etc. so am craving for more? Drink 8-10 waters, 1 cup of tea and coffee daily, no other drinks. in the new year will get back to more fruit & veg would like to take about 3kgs back off. Interesting thread girls.

**AnyDream** · December 20th, 2013, 08:18 AM

I am fine with dairy but seem to have a problem with a maccas blueberry muffin especially if I have 1 in the morning don't use butter or spreads anymore so it could be the butter in it?

I just googled that, seems those babies have about 30grams of fat in them! That's right up with a Big Mac in terms of amount of fat/oil. That'll be what's setting you off.

**blackduckies** · December 20th, 2013, 01:12 PM

I knew they would have fat in them just did'nt expect that much but probablly why I have put the 5 kgs back on?

that has been 1 of my few luxuaries as well as a 1/2 strength skinny capp between school drop off then the run to kindy...oh well i don't need it & i don't like the side effects in particular the tummy pains thanks marydean

**BrightSparkles** · December 20th, 2013, 03:41 PM

Yep, I can't drink much any more, either.

Sparkles, the way I understand it is that after you have the gallbladder out, you get a steady stream of bile into your digestive system, unlike before when the amount of fat you'd eaten predicted how much the gallbladder released. If you eat a lot of fat, and there isn't enough bile to take care of it, the fat passes undigested into the colon and operates the same way as an enema does (draws water, etc from the surrounding tissue then whoosh). Too much of this can damage your intestine - and anytime your digestive tract is damaged (eg even from a virus or whatever) you can get secondary lactose intolerance. Maybe this is what has happened to you. You could experiment with going dairy-free or even try some of the lactose-free dairy products which might help you work out if it's the dairy itself, lactose, or the fat in the dairy. The good news is if it's lactose intolerance, you can heal this by avoiding dairy for a period of time and loading up on good pre-biotics and pro-biotics. Maybe give it a try?

The other thing I forgot to mention was that last year I had a run of digestive upset and the thing that fixed it in the end was I started taking a bovine colostrum supplement called Travelan. It's supposed to prevent traveller's diarrhoea (something to do with antibodies) but it also acts as a powerful prebiotic and that sorted me out pretty quickly too. I think when it comes to your gut a single thing can knock it out of balance but it takes several things to restore the balance again, if that makes sense?

I'm def going to try going dairy free after christmas. It would explain why I have so many issues with anything dairy based...
It always strikes at such a bad time (Like at my wk christmas party today!), and I'm always so concious of using toilets when i'm out because it can be bad....

I just try and put up with it until i can't anymore.