earthtonegirl :- Digestive Disorders Community -: Support Group

Goodness. You've been through a lot. I wonder, as I'm sure you do, if the bile...

Goodness. You've been through a lot. I wonder, as I'm sure you do, if the bile could've caused some physical damage. Of course, sometimes it's just coincidental - the stress of surgery could've triggered Celiac to go full-blown, for instance - but the timing seems too convenient, eh?

One thing I'm wondering about is adhesions. I don't know too too much about them, and it seems like most doctors don't either. But from what I understand, it's when excess scar tissue forms around your organs, often attaching them to each other etc and impeding their functioning. Surgery is one risk factor. I wouldn't be surprised if the bile had caused some scar tissue to form, too. The adhesions would of course be outside your intestines, so they wouldn't see it on a lower GI. I'm not sure how they're diagnosed (perhaps with a lap procedure??) but I think the hardest part of it is convincing your doctor to look.

Another thing that comes to mind is the normal GB surgery complications. For some reason, doctors LOVE to pretend that GB surgery will make you all better, but a small but significant portion of patients end up with just as much trouble as before. Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction is one common problem. You could have uncontrolled release of bile into the intestines, which could be controlled with bile-binding medications like Questran. Those typically occur when there are no complications. Since your surgery was more, um, complicated - I'm not sure what the full ramifications would be, but I'd have to assume you've got more chance of after-effects. I don't know if a bile-binding resin would help your situation, but it may be something to ask your doc about.

So, your homework assignment: google adhesions, sphincter of oddi dysfunction, and bile-binding

Did you change your diet after the GB surgery? Low fat, etc? Do you know what it was your mother was diagnosed with? At least they're starting to take this seriously, it seems... Keep us posted on here... getting a GI diagnosis tends to be a long process, and you tend to have to inform yourself & do a lot of pushing, but it can be done!!View Thread

Posted byearthtonegirl

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Reply: Question for Expert.

Please tell me they tested you for Celiac disease (the full panel and not just the...

Posted by earthtonegirl

Please tell me they tested you for Celiac disease (the full panel and not just the single IgA Antigliadin test)? Pretty much everything you mentioned is either a condition associated with CD or something that CD is commonly misdiagnosed as... Of course, there are some ignorant doctors (like my GI) who still think you can't have constipation with CD (absolutely false).

I'm not saying that's necessarily what it is, but since CD is so common, and so commonly misdiagnosed, it's the first thing I think when someone has a list of issues and no diagnosis. And osteoporosis at such a young age?? Very common with Celiac.

One thing that's always a good idea is to ask your doctors for copies of your test results - blood work, EGD results, etc. Sometimes information that's in the results doesn't get communicated to the patient - doctors may ignore tests that come out "only a little" abnormal, or they may feel that "a little" inflammation isn't important enough to tell you about. Plus, you can't always assume that your doctor is fully familiar with everything in your file. They don't have time for that. Sometimes we're the only ones who will take the time to look at everything. Many of us have found interesting things when we look at our records.

GI disorders are just devilishly hard to diagnose, unfortunately - so many different conditions share overlapping symptoms, and the same condition can present with entirely different symptoms in different people. Add to that the fact that "tummy troubles" don't get a lot of sympathy from people who haven't experienced them, and it can get pretty frustrating. I think we've all shared your experience with the ER - unless you're dying or losing a limb, they don't do much for you. When I went., they were convinced my pain was due to pregnancy, no matter how many times I tried to explain to them that I'd had a D&C the day before (if I had been pregnant, a D&C would've terminated it). And that was at a good hospital.

Hope you find some answers, and please keep us posted!View Thread

Posted byearthtonegirl

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Reply: I don't know what's going on, I need help...

Uh, be suspicious of anyone recommending a colon cleanse, especially when they...

Posted by earthtonegirl

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Reply: IBS - c??

Yeah, IBS-C refers to constipation-predominant. IBS-D is diarrhea, and IBS-A is...

Posted by earthtonegirl

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Reply: Change In Bowel Habits w/ Nausea

I know drainage can cause some GI probs like bloating, so it may be a good idea to...

Posted by earthtonegirl

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Reply: can any one help me

Have you seen a doctor? If so, what did they say & what tests did they do?

Posted by earthtonegirl

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Reply: Diarrhea mostly during sleep

Ugh, doctors just looooove to tell you "Eat more fiber" and send you on your way....

Posted by earthtonegirl

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Reply: Digestive Problems

Your problems may simply be your body re-adjusting to a change in meds. But, a couple...

Posted by earthtonegirl

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Reply: Hi CalGal

Well, that's confusing. I never would've thought to look there to unsubscribe. Why...

Posted by earthtonegirl

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Reply: Diarrhea mostly during sleep

Regina, have you seen a doctor about this? Have you been diagnosed at all? IBS...

Posted by earthtonegirl

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