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issues years later after Gallbladder surgery

(5 Posts)
modie08 Thu 26-Sept-24 19:25:35

im hoping someone here has had similar issues to my story, i am at my wits end, i had gallbladder surgery 4 years ago, due to a full gb of stones, 2 were wedge in my biliary gland both size of quarter required a ERCP procedure prior to gb surgery while the dr preformed the ERCP he clipped my biliary gland caused me to have internal bleeding, correction was to do another ERCP procedure to cauterize the cut, 4 days later i had emergency gallbladder surgery in the hospital as they keep me, my surgery was successful fast forward 4 years to this past July out of the blue i developed massive indigestion, felt like i was having a heart attack, sweating vomiting, and burbling terrible and intense center belly pain below ribs, i went home took everything antacid nothing worked completely next day went to urgent care had a EKG to rule out heart attack, clear, said i had either acid reflux, ulcer or something else gave me antacid medication took that a week later another attack of stomach pain, went to ER had another EKG, bloodwork (all types) my liver enzymes are elevated up and down i have had 7 blood test looking at everything and all the dr say nothing alarming is sticking out, pain stopped sent me home, went to regular dr 2 more times i have an apt Oct 16 with gastro dr i feel i will not find out until i am seen there, i have been keeping a food log and seems anything citric acid i eat or very fatty food causes the intense stomach pain it last 30 mins-4 hrs depending on what it is i ingested. i am wondering is it from my intital ERCP procedure where my biliary gland is obstructed as i was told in hospital. i have losted 10 pounds i am scared to eat...i have been living off chicken and rice fruits and veggies. help anyone with similar issues.

LOUISA1523 Thu 26-Sept-24 21:54:39

What meds are you on? I had the same....terrible pain under my across and under ribs.....gp started me on omeprazole, didn't touch it...now on famotidine .....4th week in feeling better....actually had an endoscopy today....diagnosed with gastritis ...but healing ....I lost 8 lb in 2 weeks ....they took a biopsy for h pylori today so waiting to see what that comes back as

Sparklefizz Fri 27-Sept-24 08:41:59

modie08 Many people go on to develop a condition called Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) whereby their pancreas stops making digestive enzymes causing gut problems and undigested food to pass through the GI tract.

This condition can develop for a variety of reasons, not only following gallbladder surgery. I have it myself and run a support group on Facebook.

EPI is fairly rare and it took me a long time to get a diagnosis as other things were blamed. You need a Faecal Elastase Test which is a simple stool test which can be done via your GP.

If you research EPI and think you might have this, feel free to send me a private message for more info. Ditto for you LOUISA

modie08 Fri 27-Sept-24 14:48:08

I was prescribed in July at Urgent care omeprazole 40 mg and sucralfate GM/10 mi i didn't take the omeprazole only 1 week, due to side effects, I have psoriatic arthritis and currently take xeljaniz 11R time released which my dr retired in June so i have a new PA doc which now will not refill that due to it could be that is the issue but i have been on it 4 yrs with no issues of my enzymes until now another level to all of this, i have been taking at my own direction omeprazole 20 mg over the counter to see if there is a difference but so far I still have had two flare ups of stomach pain so either not enough in my system or its not helping the issue... thanks for replies.

modie08 Fri 27-Sept-24 14:49:25

wonderful info... i will looking to this and reach out DM if i feel this is finally it! and i will post a message after my visit to Gastro in Oct.