Gallbladder problems (etc)

[Zhaylin]

Ugh... Back in 1996 I was diagnosed with deudenitis and gallstones. I also have reactive hypoglycemia which is often a precursor (sp) for diabetis (which runs STRONGLY in my family). Back then I was about 20-30 pounds UNDER weight. Now my weight is where the doctors say it should be (120-130 pounds). I have had never taken any of those things very seriously. My diet fluctuated to extremes. I'd eat fast food twice a week, Ramen Noodles, Thai Noodles and peanut butter sandwiches the rest of the week. Sometimes I'd eat 3 (unhealthy) meals a day, but usually I'd eat only once or twice. I'd RARELY drink water. Instead, I'd nurse about 3 cans of Coke a day. Last Thursday/Friday, for 12 HOURS, I was in the worse pain in the world. I knew it was my gallbladder, but too late. For some reason, gallbladder problems, for me, feels like INTENSE hunger. So I ate a LOT before the attack struck which made it worse. The pain was at my right side, behind my ribs. I now live on vegetables (steamed- I have no bottom teeth) and fruit/berries. I can't kick my Coke habit, but I've switched to caffeine free and I'm also drinking water.... and a couple spoons of Cold Pressed Olive oil daily My most unusual problem, though, is that when my gallbladder is acting up, I can usually fart and use the restroom just fine. I just cannot belch. When I drink Coke, I belch a little- I think of it as superficially, but DEEP down, the air just sits there. It starts to rise, then disperses (sp) before making it out lol. WHY? And what can I do to help it along? Also, know any good vegetarian recipes?

[Spartiate]

Don't they usually remove the gallbladder when it's problematic?

[Zhaylin]

That's one option. I'm avoiding it unless I become completely obstructed or it becomes diseased (I never run a fever during my attacks). The best option is doing what I *should* have done years ago- eating properly and exercising.

[nina]

My mom had to have her gallbladder removed. She was having problems with it for awhile, then one week just became extremely sick and it nearly ruptured which apparently can be fatal (btw the only reason the doctors caught it in time is because my mom is extremely persistent, the doctors in the ER kept sending her home telling her she would be fine, but she kept going back, and finally they were like, oh shit! we need to remove your gallbladder stat!). She was in the hospital for awhile and it was pretty scary. My suggestion would be to start taking better care of yourself! I know you say you don't take it seriously, but you should. Maybe you aren't really aware of how bad it can turn on you? I'm not trying to scare you...well...I mean...anyways...I just want you to be safe.

[Flashdance]

Your family has a history of diabetes and you are drinking 3 cans of coke a day? A qualified nutritionist can greatly assist you with a healty eating plan.

[Zhaylin]

Oh no, don't misunderstand. I said I didn't take it seriously... in the past. 12 hours of pain can make the most stubborn person see the light. And I saw it. I'm not doing perfectly, by any means, but I've improved by leaps and bounds and I'm doing MUCH better. In the past, the only veggie I "knew" was the french fry , and I ate fruit/berries maybe a few times a month. With few exceptions, that is ALL I eat now-a-days: steamed veggies and fruit salads (which is why I asked for recipes ) My mom became really sick with her gallbladder too. She had it removed but it "ruined" her for a long time. She never really changed her eating habits though. I'm glad to hear your mom got through it. I've had a nutritionist in the past, but it's too much hassle. I'm doing my own research though and I'm trying to improve on my own. I know the dangers and risks but I'm confident I'm doing well on my own *AT THIS TIME*. If anything changes or gets worse, I'll go to the doctor and they'll recommend a nutritionist. It's just embarrasing (and expensive) to go to a doctor saying: "hey, I can't burp and I'm in a lot of pain because of it, can you fix me up?" Then they'll want to run another upper GI and do another test (ultrasound ?) to check for stones. Then they'll tell me what I already [ahem.... think] I KNOW and they'll tell me to come back if it gets worse or if I have a fever during an attack. Yeah... I tend to over-think things too much lol

[Flashdance]

Caffeine free coke is good, but caffeine and sugar free diet coke is even better. Especially if you're drinking 3 cans a day. And more water is good. I drink at least 2L of water a day, and fruit juice, soy milk and soups on top of that. If you're going down the vegetarian path, make sure that you're still getting the essential vitamins and minerals that you would get from meat and dairy products. So either eat vegetables that have those vitamins ie. spinach for iron, or use vitamin supplement tablets. Good luck.

[Zhaylin]

Thanks I'm really amazed at how much better I feel (well, except now I have more acid and heartburn lol but I can definitely live with that!) I was pleasantly surprised to discover I can still eat Ramen. And the Reddi-Whip (extra creamy ) doesn't bother me either. Bananas give me heartburn, broccoli and cauliflower upset my gallbladder but only mildly. Cheese can go either way. Drinking enough is still a problem for me. I just don't get very thirsty. But I've improved

[cachero]

my wife was having some extreme gall bladder issues and we had her do a cleanse. you eat nothing but apples, and drink organic apple juices for 24 hours. then you drink a diluted cup of epsom salts, and an hour later drink a cup of cold pressed evoo. you will then go to the restroom an hour or 2 later, and pass many stones. my wife passed a TON of stones.

[Jorge]

I had a problem recently with my gallbladder, I was eating to much "fatty" foods and I was building "sludge" within it. I wasn't having major pain, however I felt something there and it was just slightly bothering. I knew someone who has problems with his gallbladder and he was in major pain. Not wanting to take any chances I went to the ER, turns out that I was just eating too many fatty foods and if I don't stop, it could get worse. Unfortunetly, I am still taking my gallbladder for granted, shit... Quick question if anybody can answer... If your gallbladder is removed, how does your body process the fat? Isn't that what the gallbladder is for? Thanks.

[Flashdance]

If your gallbladder is removed, how does your body process the fat? Isn't that what the gallbladder is for? Thanks. From this link: Post Gallbladder Removal Diet "Diet is the most important factor that needs to be considered and taken care of post gallbladder removal surgery. If you have undergone a gallbladder removal surgery just recently, then you must plan out a gallbladder removal diet in order to speed up your recovery and to get back to a healthy and normal life. Since the gallbladder has been removed, there obviously will be some dietary restrictions so that the digestive system gets used to the absence of the gallbladder functions. Once the gallbladder has been removed, it will be difficult for the body to emulsify and dissolve fats for a while. Keeping this in mind, a planned post gallbladder removal diet, that is fat free or a low fat diet and a high fiber diet, should be followed. The diet should be focused on assisting the liver, minimizing the workload of the system and restoring the digestive health."

[Zhaylin]

Thanks for the cleansing tip!! As for what happens after removal, if you don't improve your diet you'll have major diarhea. That's all I really know from relatives and friends who have had theirs removed.

[Jorge]

^^^ Thank you!