17 Weeks on JUDDD -- Sick :(

[calichris]

The gall bladder would've been the perfect suspect if it was still there. Please keep us posted ... it's not whiny or boring; we're concerned about what's going on with your poor tummy.

[Carly]

&
I hope you get answers soon and start feeling better sooner!

[marlamp10]

Originally Posted by stephdray

I have been experiencing acute digestive distress on a level I have never before experienced and it has gone on continuously for seven days now accompanied by a spasming pain in the upper right quadrant of my abdomen. Sometimes it radiates into my back.

Steph, I'm sorry to hear about all the pain and hope your doc can figure out the source fast. Has gastroentiritis been ruled out. I have a friend who came down with what her doctor said was "contagious" gastroentiritis with symptoms that sounded a lot like what you are going through. She couldn't keep any food down at all for a little over a week. I don't know what meds the doctor ended up putting her on, but it was a rough haul for a little while.

Hope you feel better fast!

[Saxy1971]

I'm sorry you're having so much discomfort--hope your doc gets everything figured out so you can get it treated quickly and properly! Thinking of you!

[Kissa]

Hope you are getting good care still Steph.

And Beverley, it sounds as if you are having a really bad time. Sending both you and Steph cyber healing.

[stephdray]

Blood tests came back normal, which is an enormous relief, as it probably rules out liver damage or acute pancreatitis. They are sending me to a GI specialist. The current theories are:

a) Reflux -- best case scenario
b) Ulcer -- which would mean they did not wipe out the h. pylori last time
c) It's All In My Head -- This was the official diagnosis that preceded my emergency surgery for gallbladder removal all those years ago.
d) gallstone in the bile duct -- what I think is most likely

The reasons I suspect a gallstone in the bile duct are many.

First, I know this pain. Now that the antacids have calmed the stomach distress, I am better able to isolate and recognize the spasms in the upper right hand quadrant of my abdomen, under my ribs. This is what it felt like when my gallbladder was filled with stones. I remember the spasming pain as bile tried to get past the blockages and could not.

Second, when last I developed the gall stones that caused me to have my gallbladder removed, it also happened after losing about 30 lbs. Weight loss is a very common cause of gallstones as people who have undergone WLS find out. Almost 1/3rd of WLS patients develop gallstones, no matter what diet they are following, because the process of losing weight apparently causes hormonal changes and releases cholesterol. Damned if you do and damned if you don't.

Third, there is some literature to suggest that fasting can contribute to the formation of such stones. If you go long periods without eating, your bile is sitting about, helping to allow calcification of cholesterol. I have been fasting or nearly fasting every other day for about four months now. Instead of adopting Pat's practice of many mini-meals, I have consistently preferred to forego everything but dinner and/or fast all day on nothing but bulletproof coffee in the morning.

At this point, I do not have a diagnosis. I am speculating here only because even though I would love to be proven wrong, if I'm right, I want it written down. And I'm also speculating here because if there are those on JUDDD who do have a history of gallstones, it may be wise to consider whether or not Pat's mini-meals is a wiser choice.

[KeirasMom]

I just assumed if you have no gall bladder, you won't get gall stones. This is very interesting to me.

I have been diagnosed with a "sluggish" gall bladder and I refused surgery. My GP told me a couple of months ago to be on the lookout for signs of gall stones for just the reasons you mentioned. His main concern was rapid weight loss. Knock on wood, I've had some minor issues, but nothing intolerable (at least not intolerable enough to make me consider surgery)!

Gee, I sure hope you find some official resolution, and soon!

[stephdray]

Originally Posted by KeirasMom

I just assumed if you have no gall bladder, you won't get gall stones. This is very interesting to me.

That was my assumption as well. I was totally wrong about that.

I have been diagnosed with a "sluggish" gall bladder and I refused surgery. My GP told me a couple of months ago to be on the lookout for signs of gall stones for just the reasons you mentioned. His main concern was rapid weight loss. Knock on wood, I've had some minor issues, but nothing intolerable (at least not intolerable enough to make me consider surgery)!

I'm sorry to hear about your sluggish gallbladder. That sounds concerning. Do they mean that it is sluggish because of some blockage? Frankly, I'm not sure the weight loss has to be all that rapid for me. My rate is sitting at 1.4 lbs a month which shouldn't shock or alarm anyone. However, that was also about my rate of loss when I developed gallstones that necessitated the removal of my gall bladder.

Gee, I sure hope you find some official resolution, and soon!

Thank you so much. I am hoping for Reflux :P

[Joyjoy]

Originally Posted by KeirasMom

I just assumed if you have no gall bladder, you won't get gall stones. This is very interesting to me.!

Not so uncommon. Something like 15% of those predisposed to stones go on to form them in the common bile duct. You can probably Google it.
All the best, Steph.

[KeirasMom]

Originally Posted by stephdray

That was my assumption as well. I was totally wrong about that.

Well that just sucks!

I'm sorry to hear about your sluggish gallbladder. That sounds concerning. Do they mean that it is sluggish because of some blockage? Frankly, I'm not sure the weight loss has to be all that rapid for me. My rate is sitting at 1.4 lbs a month which shouldn't shock or alarm anyone. However, that was also about my rate of loss when I developed gallstones that necessitated the removal of my gall bladder.

There's sludge in the gall bladder itself, but no stones, so it responds quite slowly and inefficiently. That was when I had the test on the tilting table.

Thank you so much. I am hoping for Reflux :P

I'll keep my fingers crossed for reflux for you too.

[TryingJudd]

Ugh. Hoping you get some relief soon!

[Carly]

You are in my thoughts and prayers- keep us updated.

[LoCarbGal]

Thanks for letting us know where you are in the process, Steph. I am for a reflux diagnosis for you, for sure.

Thanks also for sharing this information with us. I wasn't aware that gallstones are common with weight loss. Yikes. I'll keep a watch out for that upper right side pain. I'm so sorry you've had to experience all that pain and discomfort.

So, what do they do with a stone in the duct? Is there more surgery involved?

Keep us posted. Lots of coming your way.

P.S. I'm LOVING Lily of the Nile, by the way!

[Flossyliz]

I've read that, by the time you have stones in your gall bladder, your liver is already full of them. The pain happens when there's inflammation too. When this current crisis is sorted, I suggest you read Hulda Clark or Andreas Moritz about liver flushes.

I hope you're diagnosed and sorted very soon!

[Kissa]

I found this very interesting, I would love Sophie the cat to see this, as she has gall bladder issues if I remember and is hoping to avoid surgery.

I too am hoping it is reflux, but you seem to have a handle on the gallstone issue.

[sdjade]

Just getting caught up on this thread and wanted to let you know that I'm thinking of you and hoping that you feel better soon.

[Carly]

Any news yet? Hope you are feeling at least a bit better.

[stephdray]

Thanks for everyone's worries and good wishes! The pain seems to be abating slightly, so keep your fingers crossed!

Originally Posted by LoCarbGal

So, what do they do with a stone in the duct? Is there more surgery involved?

If it's a stone they can try to dissolve it using a certain drug, they can try to break it up with lithotripsy, or they can surgically remove it. I am hoping it's still at the sludge phase and I can simply pass it. But again, I have not been diagnosed, so this is all speculation! I just thought people would want to be aware that gallstones are a risk for those of us doing this WOE.

P.S. I'm LOVING Lily of the Nile, by the way!

You say the sweetest things!