What would?

Question

Cause a gallbladder like attack if you no longer have a gallbladder?

Gallbladder was removed in May, not taking any meds, these r the same feelings I was experiencing before it was removed.

A gallbaldder is not a necessity to use the bathroom.

Answer 1

Yep, you could still be having gallbladder like attack symptoms without a gallbladder and below are a few reasons.

1) Usually, if the symptoms were like you had preoperatively then most likely your symptoms were not caused by your gallbladder. Some examples include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcer disease, liver disease, irritable bowel syndrome and a litany of other less common maladies. Make sure you get checked for these (see below).

2) Another cause, a bit more concerning is that you have stones in the main duct that leads from your gallbladder to the first part of your small intestines (duodenum). It's called the common duct and the condition is called retained common duct stones or choledocholithiases. Your doctor who did the surgery needs to check this (see below). This NEEDS to be taken care of if present, and usually only involves a scope (ERCP). If you have this and don't get it taken care of you can hurt your liver. Usually you can tell if you have this problem because it often results in jaundice...but not always!

Those are the two main things that can cause your symptoms. Recommend the following to your doc...
Labs: CBC (to look for infection/bleeding), Liver Functions Test (very important - to see if you have blockage or liver damage), and Amylase/lipase to see if your pancreas is affected (it's connected to the common bile duct).
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (a.k.a. EGD - it's a scope to check for ulcers, gastritis and GERD). You might even need an esophageal pH study to see if you have hidden GERD.
Your doctor might even recommend an ultrasound to check if you have an enlarged common bile duct, or even a bile leak (usually much different symptoms than you describe, and very rare this far from surgery).

Finally, if nothing shows up you may need some studies on your colon.

In the meantime, lay off the fats and caffeine which some feel lower the lower esophageal sphincter tone. Don't eat right before going to bed, and don't wear restrictive clothes. Also, see if you can better characterize your symptoms for your doctor (Worse after eating? activity? position? certain foods? What causes it to be better? Do your bowel movements seem to affect the symptoms? Stress? Any family history of inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's, Ulcerative colitis), blood in stool?)

Go see your surgeon!

Oh yeah, and you're right, a gallbladder is not a necessity to use the bathroom. Ha! I don't know where they pulled that one from.

Answer 2

The Gallbladder Monster

Answer 3

A reaction to the gallbladder meds being taken to supplement it.

Answer 4

Nothing, you would not be having a gall bladder attack if you don't have one. You certainly could be having something else gastrointestinal so you should have it check out very soon. Call your doctor and schedule an appointment soon, unless you start vomiting, running fever, or the pain becomes unbearable, then go to the emergency room immediately. Hope everything works out for you and it is something minor.

Answer 5

everybody has to go to use the bathroom
so everybody needs to have a gallbladder

Answer 6

I had mine removed in January 2000 and have never had what you described.

Answer 7

a ghost gal bladder infection

Answer 8

uh, nothing?