Gallbladder removed, now having TMI issues

[leebee]

Mine's been gone since 1996 and only recently have I started having issues. I really have to watch the greasy food. Chinese, pizza, alfredo sauce, fried food, all have started setting off "attacks" in the past 2 years. My only word of advice, other than watch what you eat, is Immodium!

 

[Angelgirl13202]

Wow this thread has been so enlightening! I had my Gallbladder out about 11 years ago when I was just 16 and a Junior in High school! I have had stomack issues such as you describe since but never equated it to not Having a gallbladder. I have tried a journal to see what sets me off but as someone above said different foods act differently everytime.

as far a getting out of line who cares would you rather have major problem and have to leave the park...tmi... I would just give people a look if they say anything... Go and enjoy yourself!

 

[wdwmom0f3]

I guess I am lucky too!! I had mine removed 12 years ago and I have never had one single problem. I feel the same way that I did before I had it removed, only no pain from the stones. I feel sorry for anyone having those troubles. I would make sure that I took something to help with that while at Disney.

 

[pixiedustmomma]

I feel your pain

Right now I'm pregnant so I don't have all of the symptoms that I used to but I know they will come back.

I used Imodium AD whenever I go out and don't want to have an "attack". Also watch what foods set you off. I know to stay away from certain foods if I don't want to go running to the bathroom after eating but at the same time a food I think is "safe" could set off an attack. Also exercise seems to help a little bit. I also know for me if I get stressed out even a little bit that can set my tummy troubles off.

I would talk to your doctor to see if there is something better out there to use. I didn't find the medication that they gave me for it to work but it might work for you.

For me I am more embarrassed about having to use the bathroom out in public then I am about having to deal with people getting upset that I am rejoining my party in line.

 

[Schmeck]

Getting out of line and getting back in could be rather tricky, actually. The queues at WDW are very windy, going back and forth inside the attraction building. You'd be squeezing past dozens of people (maybe even a hundred?) and some may not let you past, especially if they did not see you get out of line in the first place.

How long do you think it would take to get to the bathroom, use it, and get back? I'm thinking at least 15 minutes, as the bathrooms can be crowded, with queues of their own, etc.

Your best bet would be to keep in touch by cellphone with your family - that way, they could let people pass them in the queue so that they wouldn't be too far into the building for you to easily catch up.

BTW, I'm another gall-bladderless person, and have had similar issues. This will be my first trip to WDW since having it removed, and I'm hoping it won't be too bad!

 

[roadtrippin2wdw]

I went last year after having mine removed about 6 months prior. I avoided fried stuff, salad dressings (huge trigger for me) or anything oily. I really had to stick to turkey sandwiches, crackers, etc. My GP prescribed Questran, which is a dissolvable powder that I drank w/ water everyday. Didn't use it until after my trip, but it helped immensely. Since then, I've quadrupled my fiber intake (mostly through cereals and fruit) and my issues have really waned. I can tell if I slack a couple of days w/o as much fiber as my symptoms leave running for the loo after everything I consume. It then takes me a couple of days to settle back down. It totally sucks and I feel for you! I remember my surgeon telling me I'll never miss my gallbladder and the only thing they're good for was paying off his mortgage five-fold!!!!! REALLY? I really recommend asking about Questran before your trip! I hope you have fun! Also, if you can, avoid lines for about half an hour after you eat. Most times the pain will have come and left the building by then...

 

[Zoesmama03]

I had mine out 4 months ago. No major issues but lately if I eat a large meal especially things that are fried I'll be in the bathroom with runs.

I was eating mostly raw fruits and veggies for breakfast and lunch for a couple weeks and felt great. Mangoes really get you on a regular schedule. I'll have 1-2 for breakfast depending and usually another fruit too like banana or orange.

I guess I'd say for me the trigger foods are meat and sometimes wheat grains. They seem to have me in the bathroom right away with in 30 minutes. Chicken is less bothersome so I'd tend to agree with the grease other people have mentioned.

 

[msmama]

I had mine out 2 years ago.

I've found the thing that helps me the most is to start my day with some toast. Before I eat or drink anything else, I have 2 pieces of white toast and I'm good to go the rest of the day.

I had a minor emergency on the Haunted Mansion. I RAN FULL SPEED AHEAD to the nearest bathroom (in Fantasyland, next to Peter Pan, lol)

 

[Samar]

Thanks everyone for the tips and advice My surgeon's office hours are Tuesday's and Thursdays so I will call tomorrow and ask if she could prescribe something. If not, Immodium it is

My PCP had said my gallbladder pain was the result of rapid weight loss (almost 100lbs in a little over a year), getting pregnant (gaining 19lbs) and then losing it again. All that threw my gallbladder out of whack.

I had a minor emergency on the Haunted Mansion. I RAN FULL SPEED AHEAD to the nearest bathroom (in Fantasyland, next to Peter Pan, lol)

Great to know! Thanks!

 

[babs.ohio]

I still have my gallbladder but I deal with IBS.

My biggest trigger foods would be lettuce and corn.

My sister had her gallbladder removed a few years ago. She had a lot of the issues that many of you have listed. Her doctor finally prescribed Welcholl for her. The prescription is actually used for high cholesteral but one of the side effects of it is that it slows the bowels down big time. So most normal people complain of constipation but for her it makes her bowels normal.

So I asked my doctor about it and her gave me a prescription for it too. Oh my goodness, what a wonder drug. I take three caplets in the morning and then two in the evening. As long as I take these pills religiously, I am pretty normal also. Yea! It is so nice not having to plan your day around whether or not I will have to use the restroom or not. It is wonderful to have the feeling I need to go BUT WAIT... I think I can hold it and wait for a bit until I get home. Wonderous!!!! On a side note, I forgot to get my prescription refilled in time so I had to go a few days without any of the pills. My goodness, it only took a day or so and I heading to the restroom so many in less than an hour and had cramps so bad. I was never so happy to get my pills back again.

Check it out ladies and see what your doctor says. It never hurts to check.

 

[Zoesmama03]

My PCP had said my gallbladder pain was the result of rapid weight loss (almost 100lbs in a little over a year), getting pregnant (gaining 19lbs) and then losing it again. All that threw my gallbladder out of whack.

Great to know! Thanks!

I had lost quite a bit of weight in a short time as well which probably caused my stones too. UGH!! I couldn't help it I was really on a very very tight budget.

 

[here757]

look at the bright side.. LOL
if you ever get backed up.. there is always the local mcdonalds. promises to get everything going again..

 

[Samar]

Getting out of line and getting back in could be rather tricky, actually. The queues at WDW are very windy, going back and forth inside the attraction building. You'd be squeezing past dozens of people (maybe even a hundred?) and some may not let you past, especially if they did not see you get out of line in the first place.

How long do you think it would take to get to the bathroom, use it, and get back? I'm thinking at least 15 minutes, as the bathrooms can be crowded, with queues of their own, etc.

Your best bet would be to keep in touch by cellphone with your family - that way, they could let people pass them in the queue so that they wouldn't be too far into the building for you to easily catch up.

BTW, I'm another gall-bladderless person, and have had similar issues. This will be my first trip to WDW since having it removed, and I'm hoping it won't be too bad!

Those are all of my concerns. I was thinking about asking about a GAC at the park just to show if a CM if I needed to go in and out of lines and there was resistance. I am still experimenting with foods. Some make me either really gassy (poor toddlers...) or make me do the potty dance

I called about the meds and the receptionist at the GS office said that only my PCP (who is booked until Sept) would prescribe something. So I'll head out to the pharmacy this weekend to do my trial run of Immodium.

I guess I should be thankful that I'm not going to try to squeeze in WWOHP this trip. That'd be pushing my luck as far as wait time trying to get in there!

 

[tracylovesdisney]

Talk to your doctor about Bentyl (as others have mentioned) - it has helped me so much! I take a small dose every morning and have very few issues any more.

Tracy

 

[NicRI]

Sorry to hear you're having all that trouble. Had mine out about 9 years ago. You need to find out what your triggers are. Your doctor should have explained after surgery to start back to a nomral diet slowly and to keep a food journal to note your ah-hm side effects.

I cannot eat raw tomatoes.... they just don't rent space if you know what I mean, but that could be a whole other issue.

Good luck.