Does anyone have constipation-predominant IBS along with gallbladder dysfunction? I have no insurance but wound up in the ER in December literally thinking I might die from the pain I was having. I had several attacks of this pain that randomly come and go in the months leading up to my ER visit, and there are no particular trigger foods. A burger, a salad, or a glass of water can set it off, and I often wind up in such pain that I go days without eating or drinking because I am either in pain or afraid putting anything down my gullet will cause the pain to come back. I had actually inadvertently dropped 16 lbs in the month preceding the major attack for that reason. They did a barrage of tests and the doctor said it was highly likely I just had a malfunctioning gallbladder as they found no evidence of stones or sludge, and all of my bloodwork came back perfectly normal.
My gallbladder symptoms include occasional low-grade (up to 100.5*) fever, pain radiating from under the right side of my rib cage through my entire chest including where my neck meets both shoulders, and feeling like I have something wedged under the bottom edge of my right scapula. This sometimes happens only after a meal and sometimes it stays for days at a time, with or without food or drink.
So the doc sent me home with prescriptions for Bentyl, Percocet, and Phenergan (to combat any nausea from the Percocet), and told me to follow up with a general surgeon to see about having it out. I tried explaining that I am essentially homeless, looking for work, and had no insurance, but that was his best advice. I take the combination of the three only when I'm having an attack, but I have discovered this: the drugs wreak havoc on my already evil colon. I usually go 4 days between already difficult movements, but when taking the Bentyl especially, I can go around 10 days without going, and the stabbing pains, bloating, and gas are ridiculous and hard to bear. Nothing helps; fiber only exacerbates things. So it seems my predicament is either having gallbladder attacks and bearing with the pain or starving myself, or having more painful and problematic IBS symptoms.
I have tried cutting dairy and gluten from my diet, but things don't change. I've cut out fried food altogether and am eating healthy lean protein, veggies, and leafy greens. I've increased water intake even more, but that actually causes some gallbladder discomfort, and the jostling of running (or any cardio really) causes discomfort. (When I say discomfort, I mean pain of about a 4-5 out of 10. When I say *pain* I mean a 7 and up.) However, I find that running helps my IBS symptoms dramatically, and puts me on a more 'regular' schedule--at least as 'regular' as I can be! I feel like I am doomed to endure the symptoms and hardship of at least one of these diseases. I went to DSS last week to see if there's any way I can get help regarding my gallbladder issues, but I will have at least a 45 day wait to hear anything back. I am also incredibly reluctant to go on any kind of PA, but if it gets any worse, I feel it is what I have to do.
Does anyone with similar problems have any advice for me? It's so hard dealing with this, and without insurance and with IBS I feel my options are super limited. Are there any tips that have helped any of you chicks deal with the symptoms of both constipation-predominant IBS and no-stone gallbladder dysfunction? Any advice would be appreciated.
Amanda
ETA- Sheesh I just realized I wrote a freaking novel. Sorry! Just trying to be thorough!!!
Last edited by RandoMandaPanda; 03-20-2011 at 11:48 PM.
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