Daily Column

January 27, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I read your article about the elderly woman who had possible gallstones. I misplaced it and just recently found it again, so decided it was time to write to you about my experience.

The symptoms described in the article were very similar to what I experienced shortly after the birth of my daughter. I delivered via C-section and returned home after four days in hospital. I didn’t feel very good but attributed it to my first experience with a C-section and all that goes with it; however, the pain worsened. I called the hospital and the nurses there assured me it was just constipation caused by the surgery, and that I should take a laxative to get things moving. After doing that, I still felt awful — even worse than before — with sharp pains under my right ribs that made me double over in pain. My husband decided I needed to go to the hospital emergency room. [Read more...]

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October 30, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I would like to give your readers a simple and effective remedy for constipation.

About 20 years ago I had gallbladder removal surgery. It caused my bowel movements to be very irregular. While reading an old folk medicine book written by Dr. Jarvis one day, I came across a simple remedy. The doctor told to simply drink a mug of hot water one half hour before breakfast every day.

Figuring it harmless and at worst would fill my bladder a little faster, I decided to try it. I could immediately feel the water emptying my stomach of the contents from the night before. Within just a few days I was completely regulated. It was amazing.

I told my doctor of this simple remedy and he said it was one of the best. When I asked why no one ever mentions it, he responded that most patients, and doctors, feel that it is too easy. [Read more...]

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September 26, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am 84. When I was having an MRA, the nursed asked when I had my gallbladder taken out. I never did.

Apparently it had shrunk since they couldn’t find it. What caused this? Is it bad? Is it necessary to have a gallbladder? Did mine disappear because it was no longer needed? Should I be taking some kind of treatment to replace the function of the organ?

DEAR READER:
I cannot tell you why your gallbladder has shrunk or disappeared. Perhaps it was never there or you had it removed during another surgery. The cause is unknown but chances are it has been that way for a while.

The gallbladder is an organ that holds bile before it is moved into the small intestine. Bile is a greenish brown substance that aids absorption of nutrients. [Read more...]

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July 17, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am 48-year-old female. Following gallbladder removal four years ago, I have suffered with chronic diarrhea. My surgeon told me this was common and it would stop within six months. Unfortunately, this hasn’t been the case.

Within 30 minutes after eating, I have a spasm in my side (where the gallbladder was), feel a pinching sensation and then have the urge to have a bowel movement (BM). The first five or six hours of nearly every day are spent running back and forth to the bathroom. Often the first BM is normal but as the day progresses they look like dark sand mixed with liquid.

I have had several tests done throughout the past four years but no one seems to be able to pin point the case. During one test, I was told there were two spots caused by the staples from the surgery. [Read more...]

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Pain persists after gallbladder removal

January 30, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Since I had my non-functioning gallbladder removed six months ago, I continue to have occasional discomfort where it used to be. It can be random sharp pains to a dull ache and does not seem to be affected by food. It is always in the same spot (right upper quadrant, beneath the rib cage) and sometimes the pain will radiate to my back. Some of my co-workers also have similar symptoms that have continued since their gallbladder removals. I am a nurse and we often talk about our various symptoms.

Can you give me any insight into this phenomenon?

DEAR READER: Your experience appears to be common among individuals who have had gallbladder removal surgery. In fact is it so common it has been titled postcholecystectomy syndrome. It occurs in 5-40% of all patients following gallbladder removal.

Symptoms may include persistent upper right abdomen pain, gas, bloating, nausea, upset stomach, vomiting and diarrhea. Diarrhea from this disorder can be eased by taking the medication cholestyramine.

Pain that persists should be followed up with your gastroenterologist to ensure that another condition, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, pancreatitis, peptic ulcers, or sludge in the bile duct are not to blame.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Gallbladder Disease”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed 4 ¼” X 9 ½” letter-sized stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

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