But I don't have my Gallbladder Attack!!

[Tinker'n'Fun]

So I ate out all weekend due to a soccer tournament. Didn't sleep at all and now I am having a "phantom" gallbladder attack with pain at 8 on the pain scale. Anyone else up unexpectedly tonight?

 

[kimblebee]

I'm still up but it's not for an unexpected reason. I had a long nap this afternoon

I can sympathise with you though on the phantom pain. I had my gallbladder out in 2001 and I still get pain bad enough that it stops me in my tracks. I have had test after test to find a stone that may be hiding or a duct that is blocked but the doctors can't find any cause.

When I get an attack I take 2 Advil and curl up in a ball on my bed or on the couch until the pain goes away. It doesn't happen very often but when it does, watch out. Diet has no effect on it at all. It really just happens out of the blue. I feel for you and hope the pain goes away soon.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I'm still up but it's not for an unexpected reason. I had a long nap this afternoon

I can sympathise with you though on the phantom pain. I had my gallbladder out in 2001 and I still get pain bad enough that it stops me in my tracks. I have had test after test to find a stone that may be hiding or a duct that is blocked but the doctors can't find any cause.

When I get an attack I take 2 Advil and curl up in a ball on my bed or on the couch until the pain goes away. It doesn't happen very often but when it does, watch out. Diet has no effect on it at all. It really just happens out of the blue. I feel for you and hope the pain goes away soon.

Thanks for the reply, was starting to think I was alone. Sometimes, a nap is just TOO good to deny.

I took some pain meds before posting and a stomach tranquilizer. The pain is starting to subside and my eyes are getting heavier. I may actually sneak in a few hours sleep.

Isn't the pain horrible. It's like someone took vice grips and grabbed the area where the gallbladder used to be. Scared me the first couple of times, but now I just ride it out.

I will most likely eat light tomorrow just in case.

 

[kimblebee]

Hopefully you can get some sleep. My eyes are starting to feel scratchy so it may be time for me to hit the pillow too. Hope you feel better.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I have read that some people continue to get attacks even after the gallbladder is gone. I haven't had that experience, yet.

 

[Boston Tea Party]

I've had this before. I was told that it was silt in the bile duct.

Hope you feel better soon.

 

[OhMari]

Some people can eat what they want after their gall bladder is gone.
Others have to watch what they eat.
Sadly, I am in that category.
No deep fried foods,
no spicy foods, caffeine, chocolate and sweet corn-I can eat about 1/2 cup, otherwise the stuff could kill me.
I also have stomache meds, I don't leave anywhere without them.

 

[BCV513]

I thought I was crazy when I still had gallbladder pain AFTER my gallbladder was gone. It's nowhere near what a real attack was like, but still bad. I thought I was overreacting. About a year later I was at my doctor for a check-up and she said "How's that leftover pain that keeps lasting?" I couldn't believe it. No one ever warned me about that.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

My surgeon said I could still develop stones after my gallbladder was removed. Keep that in mind if you still are having issues.

 

[kimblebee]

I wasn't warned about the fact I could still have pain either. Mine isn't affected by diet at all. It is totally random when it happens and there is nothing I can do to prevent it.

 

[elgerber]

I am glad to know others have this too. Mine was removed in 1998, and I still, every once in awhile, not too often, thank goodness, have what I would swear is a gallbladder attack!

 

[Buckalew11]

I've always wondered...if your gallbladder was a problem and was, say, working at 30% instead of 100%, so they tell you it needs to be removed...you have the surgery but no your gallbladder isn't working at all because it is gone. So what then does the work the gallbladder used to do? Are they trying to find something to make it work better (say, back to 80% instead of 30%) so they won't have to remove it?

I just always wondered about this...seems like for so many people I know removal doesn't solve the whole problem.

 

[JaneBanks]

I've had my gallbladder removed (best thing that I've ever done, attacks are PAINFUL!) and I still get the occasional "attack" or what I assume is a phantom attack.

This time, when it happens, it's not the same pain as a gallbladder attack but it is in the same area. For me, it's more like someone is taking my insides and twisting them and that area "flutters". It can last up to a minute and go on and off for up to an hour, getting slightly less painful each time. I just have to hold that area and hold my breath and it seems to go away. It's strange but I'd rather have that than a real attack!

I haven't been able to attribute it to a certain food I eat, it seems to have a mind of its own and I can go months without it bothering me. The one main side effect I've had from the removal is that if I do eat certain foods, I need to be near to a restroom right afterwards. I know, TMI but the doctor did warn me of that.

 

[bumbershoot]

I've always wondered...if your gallbladder was a problem and was, say, working at 30% instead of 100%, so they tell you it needs to be removed...you have the surgery but no your gallbladder isn't working at all because it is gone. So what then does the work the gallbladder used to do? Are they trying to find something to make it work better (say, back to 80% instead of 30%) so they won't have to remove it?

I just always wondered about this...seems like for so many people I know removal doesn't solve the whole problem.

NOthing takes up the slack for it.

I would say that to try to help it work better, you'd need to get out of the medical realm, and into the realm of the types of care that help the body work, naturally, at closer to 100%. So acupuncture, chiropractic, that sort of thing. Those things work to help the body work better...



I think it's a complete shame that there are surgeons out there who do not let their patients know that this surgery might not take care of the pain. Since the pain is the whole REASON people have this surgery, it seems it would be a very important part of the decision-making. Sure was for a friend of ours! He opted for other, non-medical, options, when he found out that surgery might not take care of the pain. Don't know what he did but he hasn't complained about it to us (he asks us questions about this sort of thing b/c we're the only people he knows who routinely use non-medical care for most everything), so I figure it's working.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

I've had my gallbladder removed (best thing that I've ever done, attacks are PAINFUL!) and I still get the occasional "attack" or what I assume is a phantom attack.

This time, when it happens, it's not the same pain as a gallbladder attack but it is in the same area. For me, it's more like someone is taking my insides and twisting them and that area "flutters". It can last up to a minute and go on and off for up to an hour, getting slightly less painful each time. I just have to hold that area and hold my breath and it seems to go away. It's strange but I'd rather have that than a real attack!

I haven't been able to attribute it to a certain food I eat, it seems to have a mind of its own and I can go months without it bothering me. The one main side effect I've had from the removal is that if I do eat certain foods, I need to be near to a restroom right afterwards. I know, TMI but the doctor did warn me of that.

Ohhhhhhhhh this is ME exactly. My insides "flutter" like you said. It happens on the right side of my body usually. I thought something else was wrong with me, so I'm glad to know someone else has the same thing!!! Also, I need to find a bathroom within 20 minutes of eating certain cheeses, oils, etc. I kinda laugh about that part....I tell people I can enjoy an entire pizza in one sitting if I wanted because I won't gain a single pound from it!

...........I really hate the "fluttering." It feels like something alien moving around inside me.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I am so relieved to come back and find some posters who experienced the same problem. Last night was the absolute worse I have ever had it. The after pain is still here. It was like someone had a grip on that area and it was going into a charlie horse then spasms.

I will admit I ate off during the weekend, but I have gone weeks in Disney eating out and this has never happened. So I am starting to think it is random.

Last night was so bad that I almost went to the ER. I will mention it to my Dr. though during my next appointment.

And I to have certain foods that I will never experience again, or must experience within seconds from the bathroom. (sorry TMI). Well at least we all found out we are not alone.

 

[kimblebee]

Hmmm now you have got me thinking. There are certain times where I have to find the bathroom within minutes of eating. Maybe I will start keeping track of those foods and avoid them, or just eat them at home LOL

I never thought to put 2 and 2 together so thank you for the tip

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Hmmm now you have got me thinking. There are certain times where I have to find the bathroom within minutes of eating. Maybe I will start keeping track of those foods and avoid them, or just eat them at home LOL

I never thought to put 2 and 2 together so thank you for the tip

No problem, we all have the Curse of the Phantom Gallbladder!

 

[kimblebee]

Great, like I don't have enough worries with the other 'curse'