Hello all,
As I got on today for the first time in many months I guess, I did see that someone just recently had a gallbladder attack maybe.
This is gonna be the hardest decision I've ever had to make....do I undergo gallbladder surgery or not? It'll be my first major surgery. My ultrasound showed many, many nasty stones...it looked awful...surgeon said it was impressive. So I'm freaking out of course. Here are my symptoms that I've been having progressively since January:
Bad indigestion - Dyspepsia (nothing new for me tho.)
Mild pain in the stomach area right below breast bone. Sometimes radiates under ribs on both sides.
Mid to upper back pain ( my most frequent symptom now) Like a mild heart attack in my back. Can last for hours.
Bloating and a swelling feeling in my upper ab region.
The pain in my back and stomach is now happening after every meal, except for breakfast. I feel my best overnight and in the morning waking up. After lunch things go downhill. I not having any sharp pain but a tiny bit of nausea can happen every now and then.
My surgeon advises that I have my gallbladder removed before it gets worse which it seems to be doing....plus I had a fever for the last two evenings. Last thing I want is Emergency surgery where they more than likely will have to do open surgery and not laparoscopy. (sp?)
My conflict is: How will my digestion be after? Will I get bad D? What will I be able to eat? When our diet is so restricted as it is! Will I still have pain afterward?
Please let me know your experiences for those who have had their gallbladder removed. Where was your Pain? But more importantly the post op issues you had. I'm worried about chronic D the most.
Here is my background. I have been in remission from MC for 3 years now....no D whatsoever....all Normans. I also have Celiac and recently found through endoscope 3 weeks ago that there is no sign of it on biopsy so I'm healing well from that. Since January I thought I was being glutened but apparently I'm not. I take 3 meds that are iffy but looks like that wasn't the problem. I do have a little gastritis in the bottom of my stomach but I had that 3 years ago with no issues. Bloating has been my hardest thing to get rid of it and that's my fault cause I'm an emotional binge eater and love my sugary sweets and refined sugars. Now I'm paying for it! I started binging on chips and cookies last November....I do this every year. I was surprised my body tolerated so much. I normally stop around January...this year that didn't happen due to one stress after another. My everyday morning bloating turned into pain in the stomach then to back pain for the last 3 months. A pain I've never experienced before. that's when I hit my GI doctor (a new one) and he said I had chronic Dyspepsia and put me on Prilosec and peppermint oil capsules.
Of course, Prilosec is a big no no for anyone with MC but I decided to try it in case I did have an ulcer and needed some healing...tho only Pepto seems to heal me from anything. I took it for a month and a week...got diarrhea...freaked out even tho it was only a little bit, then got off it as I was fearing an MC flare. so I tried the Peppermint oil...in 4 days I had one case of D...freaked out again and got off of it. I'm currently taking it again to see what happens. The Prilosec never worked on my pain...but that was no surprise to me. I never have thought I had an acid problem. the Peppermint oil is supposed to act as an antispasmotic in case I have functional dyspepsia. Unfortunately they won't say I have it unless all other conditions are ruled out. So I may have that along with this gallstone issue. But what if my gallstones aren't causing the problem? Dyspepsia pain can go right into the back as well. Though after seeing those gallstones its probably best I get them out. Luckily I have no more D from the meds....tho I'm only on Day 3 of peppermint oil again. It's also a home remedy to dissolve gallstones.....NOT BLOODY LIKELY! I have a friend who insists that surgery is bad bad bad and that I should try to dissolve these millions of stones by natural routes....sorry but I'm not buying it...plus I'm getting worse and now at risk of inflammation, rupture and blockages in my bile ducts.
so that's the short story to it all. I'm eating a lot less fatty stuff right now but I get pain now after eating everything ...no matter what it is...but only after my noon and dinner meal. guess cause my breakfast is practically no fat. I'm so worried I'll never be able to eat an avocado again if I have this surgery cause of all the good fats it has. I have no idea.
Any advice is appreciated. Want to hear your experiences. I just fear my MC will be triggered.
Thanks! Been a long tough road the last 6 months.
Terri
Help! Has anyone had their Gallbladder removed?
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Help! Has anyone had their Gallbladder removed?
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis in July, 2012 then with Celiac in November, 2012.
Hi Terri.
I'm sorry that you're having a gallbladder problem. I shouldn't be responding here, because I've never had any gallbladder problems that I'm aware of. However, to the best of my knowledge, here's the bottom line regarding gallbladder disease:
Without a gallbladder to hold it until needed (after a meal), the bile will be continually dumped into the duodenum as it is produced. Because of that, most patients of gallbladder surgery experience diarrhea (because of bile acid malabsorption). The problem occurs because without a meal to digest, neither the duodenum nor the pancreas respond to the presence of bile in the lumen by producing the enzymes necessary to convert the bile salts into a form that can be reabsorbed in the terminal ileum. Consequently, the unabsorbed bile salts are dumped into the colon where they promote D.
The situation is not hopeless however, because a properly-regulated dose of a bile acid sequestrant will usually allow a relatively normal digestive system performance. Not everyone has a problem with D, and some of those who do have D, find that their digestive system eventually adapts to the new configuration and compensates to prevent D. Others will need to take a bile acid sequestrant for the rest of their lives.
If gallbladder symptoms are severe, we don't have much choice, because severe cases are not likely to resolve on their own. You might ask your doctor if there are any other options besides surgery though, because gallbladder surgery is not always a perfect solution, unfortunately.
Good luck, whatever you decide to do. And please keep us posted.
Tex
I'm sorry that you're having a gallbladder problem. I shouldn't be responding here, because I've never had any gallbladder problems that I'm aware of. However, to the best of my knowledge, here's the bottom line regarding gallbladder disease:
Without a gallbladder to hold it until needed (after a meal), the bile will be continually dumped into the duodenum as it is produced. Because of that, most patients of gallbladder surgery experience diarrhea (because of bile acid malabsorption). The problem occurs because without a meal to digest, neither the duodenum nor the pancreas respond to the presence of bile in the lumen by producing the enzymes necessary to convert the bile salts into a form that can be reabsorbed in the terminal ileum. Consequently, the unabsorbed bile salts are dumped into the colon where they promote D.
The situation is not hopeless however, because a properly-regulated dose of a bile acid sequestrant will usually allow a relatively normal digestive system performance. Not everyone has a problem with D, and some of those who do have D, find that their digestive system eventually adapts to the new configuration and compensates to prevent D. Others will need to take a bile acid sequestrant for the rest of their lives.
If gallbladder symptoms are severe, we don't have much choice, because severe cases are not likely to resolve on their own. You might ask your doctor if there are any other options besides surgery though, because gallbladder surgery is not always a perfect solution, unfortunately.
Good luck, whatever you decide to do. And please keep us posted.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
-
WhirledPeas
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 144
- Joined: Wed May 22, 2013 10:25 pm
Terri and everyone else,
I know your post was from two years ago. It would be good to know if you had the surgery and how you're doing. If you had D after or if you're taking that bile medication. Hope you're doing better!
Hi all,
I recently found out via complete abdominal ultrasound that my .6 cm gallstones have doubled in size since last August 2016. I read that severe weight loss and birth control pills (and hormone replacement) can contribute to that. My GYN didn't know that the BCP could affect your gallstone size. No inflammation shown in the gallbladder though. My primary said to hold off on the surgery since there is no inflammation and no fever/sharp pains, but of course my soon to be former GI doctor said "find a surgeon and do it" regardless of my current poor health. Going to a GI doctor at the same university as my primary within their Crohn's and Colitis Division. Going to the other GI was really demoralizing. The one I'm going to was recommended by another lady patient I met as well as my primary.
Now the largest one is 1.4 x 1.2 x 1.3 cm. No typical gallstone pain like you described except on and off burning from my throat to my stomach which was labeled non ulcer dyspepsia since he couldn't find another diagnosis. This was before I got the abdominal ultrasound. The last 8 days I had no burning (other MC symptoms of course - they trade off - never burning at the same time as nausea/irritable bowel feeling), but it started up again today probably due to eating only mashed yellow potatoes and broth yesterday trying to calm down my recent painful cramping/D on Mon/Tues evenings which I haven't had in 6 weeks... :-( Today I'm eating smaller meals and adding small amounts of turkey tenderloin to the broth and yellow potatoes. Hard being back to this... I was so hungry on Tuesday that I ate a little too much and my system couldn't handle it, so a 2nd evening of painful cramping, etc... I've been having PMS cramping feelings for the last week more so than usual. Maybe that contributed. Feels worse when your GI system is off. I have to have a sonohysterogram (procedure can cause gyn cramping) on Tuesday since a pelvic gyn U/S showed my cervical polyps had grown in size since 1 1/2 years ago. Getting off the BC pill that same day. I will find out if I'm in menopause yet or not. Too much all at once!!! I got on the pill so late in life because I was sick and tired of having a painful heavy long period every month. I put off going on it for so long because of the possible side effects.
Upper endoscopy a few weeks ago showed no damage to my esophagus or even gastritis which I was diagnosed with in May 2013 along with MC. It showed patchy discontinuous congestion (irritation) at the anterus of the stomach - mucosa. I guess that means the beginning of my stomach? I was shocked that he couldn't see what I was feeling. I don't know if the gallstones are affecting this burning or if it's just part of the MC extravaganza. Ironically the burning has stopped for a period of time 1-2 weeks and each time when it has stopped I've had a lot of stress (ie. hurricane prep and evacuation, etc.).
For those that don't know me ... I'm struggling with my first severe MC flare which started May 1st. I've lost a lot of weight. 149 to 117 from May to now. I was 122 six weeks ago and kept my weight pretty stable before that for about 6 weeks when I last saw my doc. I probably would have been 119 on Tuesday morning if I didn't have cramping and non-liquid D on Monday the day before my primary care doctor appointment. Also had a semi empty stomach the morning of my appointment since I didn't want an episode. I was very disappointed my weight went down. I don't weigh myself at home. I started feeling like I was turning the corner about 3 weeks ago and started going out to hear music and went to a movie (despite the burning being my main symptom).
At the end of November I have to start weaning off of Budesonide since it will be 6 months on 9 mg my GI doctor says. So I will try 9 mg and 6 mg every other day and see how that goes starting in early December. I need to read up on the histamine OTC med that everyone talks about. If it's Benadryl, I'm not looking forward to taking that because it always dries out my eyes, nasal passages, cotton mouth. I already have those symptoms every day from other meds. Maybe there is another option besides Benadryl.
I need some encouragement. It's hard being back to where I was 6 weeks ago with a cramping/D flare, eating less, more tired and having to cancel physical therapy today. I keep telling myself that I've been through this and I can stabilize myself yet again and eventually life will get easier because many of you on here are living proof of that. I hold onto others' remission and hopeful stories.
My mind is a little scattered from not eating much the last few days, so if this message is a little all over the place you know why. Time to eat now...
Virtual hugs to anyone that needs one today.
W.
P.S. My blood work is being redone soon so taking a break with the B12 and Vitamin D3.
I know your post was from two years ago. It would be good to know if you had the surgery and how you're doing. If you had D after or if you're taking that bile medication. Hope you're doing better!
Hi all,
I recently found out via complete abdominal ultrasound that my .6 cm gallstones have doubled in size since last August 2016. I read that severe weight loss and birth control pills (and hormone replacement) can contribute to that. My GYN didn't know that the BCP could affect your gallstone size. No inflammation shown in the gallbladder though. My primary said to hold off on the surgery since there is no inflammation and no fever/sharp pains, but of course my soon to be former GI doctor said "find a surgeon and do it" regardless of my current poor health. Going to a GI doctor at the same university as my primary within their Crohn's and Colitis Division. Going to the other GI was really demoralizing. The one I'm going to was recommended by another lady patient I met as well as my primary.
Now the largest one is 1.4 x 1.2 x 1.3 cm. No typical gallstone pain like you described except on and off burning from my throat to my stomach which was labeled non ulcer dyspepsia since he couldn't find another diagnosis. This was before I got the abdominal ultrasound. The last 8 days I had no burning (other MC symptoms of course - they trade off - never burning at the same time as nausea/irritable bowel feeling), but it started up again today probably due to eating only mashed yellow potatoes and broth yesterday trying to calm down my recent painful cramping/D on Mon/Tues evenings which I haven't had in 6 weeks... :-( Today I'm eating smaller meals and adding small amounts of turkey tenderloin to the broth and yellow potatoes. Hard being back to this... I was so hungry on Tuesday that I ate a little too much and my system couldn't handle it, so a 2nd evening of painful cramping, etc... I've been having PMS cramping feelings for the last week more so than usual. Maybe that contributed. Feels worse when your GI system is off. I have to have a sonohysterogram (procedure can cause gyn cramping) on Tuesday since a pelvic gyn U/S showed my cervical polyps had grown in size since 1 1/2 years ago. Getting off the BC pill that same day. I will find out if I'm in menopause yet or not. Too much all at once!!! I got on the pill so late in life because I was sick and tired of having a painful heavy long period every month. I put off going on it for so long because of the possible side effects.
Upper endoscopy a few weeks ago showed no damage to my esophagus or even gastritis which I was diagnosed with in May 2013 along with MC. It showed patchy discontinuous congestion (irritation) at the anterus of the stomach - mucosa. I guess that means the beginning of my stomach? I was shocked that he couldn't see what I was feeling. I don't know if the gallstones are affecting this burning or if it's just part of the MC extravaganza. Ironically the burning has stopped for a period of time 1-2 weeks and each time when it has stopped I've had a lot of stress (ie. hurricane prep and evacuation, etc.).
For those that don't know me ... I'm struggling with my first severe MC flare which started May 1st. I've lost a lot of weight. 149 to 117 from May to now. I was 122 six weeks ago and kept my weight pretty stable before that for about 6 weeks when I last saw my doc. I probably would have been 119 on Tuesday morning if I didn't have cramping and non-liquid D on Monday the day before my primary care doctor appointment. Also had a semi empty stomach the morning of my appointment since I didn't want an episode. I was very disappointed my weight went down. I don't weigh myself at home. I started feeling like I was turning the corner about 3 weeks ago and started going out to hear music and went to a movie (despite the burning being my main symptom).
At the end of November I have to start weaning off of Budesonide since it will be 6 months on 9 mg my GI doctor says. So I will try 9 mg and 6 mg every other day and see how that goes starting in early December. I need to read up on the histamine OTC med that everyone talks about. If it's Benadryl, I'm not looking forward to taking that because it always dries out my eyes, nasal passages, cotton mouth. I already have those symptoms every day from other meds. Maybe there is another option besides Benadryl.
I need some encouragement. It's hard being back to where I was 6 weeks ago with a cramping/D flare, eating less, more tired and having to cancel physical therapy today. I keep telling myself that I've been through this and I can stabilize myself yet again and eventually life will get easier because many of you on here are living proof of that. I hold onto others' remission and hopeful stories.
My mind is a little scattered from not eating much the last few days, so if this message is a little all over the place you know why. Time to eat now...
Virtual hugs to anyone that needs one today.
W.
P.S. My blood work is being redone soon so taking a break with the B12 and Vitamin D3.
1st severe flare 5/1/17 Budesonide started 6/7/17. MC/Gastritis 5/2013; IBS/GERD 2001nobiopsy. Celiac biopsy neg2013. Protonix2001-2006.
GB surgery
Hi Whirledpeas,
Can't believe I got a message form this board..it's been awhile!
I did have my gallbladder removed. I was in too much pain! It definitely was from oral contraceptives that I took since I was 33...I'm now 50. Plus my high fat, low fiber diet didn't help matters. I did get off the BC pill and got on BioIdentical hormones which interacted with my anti-anxiety med so I cold turkeyed off the hormones and went through Withdrawals of all things. What a ride I've been on. Still a mess from it but that's another long story but no MC issues...so yay!
I had my gallbladder removed in Sept 2015. I had way too many stones...it needed to come out. I never had any D from it at all. But instead I got super sluggish..had to up my fiber which took awhile. Doctor said only 5% of people get the chronic D from the surgery. I tolerated it all very well. I'm still in MC remission even after that surgery but mind you I was in remission when I went into surgery. I don't recommend that kinda surgery unless you are having some big time pain. Some people can have stones and have no issues. I'm doing well without the Gallbladder and even upped my fat intake but it takes time. Some get on digestive enzymes with ox bile to help digest fats. Now one unpleasant thing I did get a month after surgery was unrelenting GERD...my GI doc says it's normal after GB surgery. I can't take PPI's so braved Zantac twice a day and then it finally went away but it comes and goes. But that could be my fault for not eating small frequent meals like I'm supposed to. Also the GERD can be from bile reflux which is hard to control even with PPI's, Zantac etc. It seems so many doctors are so quick to want to take out the GB. Tho I'm glad mine is out since I was in pain from eating just about anything and it radiated to my upper back. I no longer have that pain. But oh my the GERD can be tough sometimes. I suppose that GERD can develop with stones if your bile is sluggish and therefore backs up in the stomach. Good to hear that your endoscope was good...I do have a little bit of inflammation in the lower stomach and figure it's probably still there and should have it checked out again.
There is some kind of medication that people can take after GB surgery that will make the bile flow better so that you will have less GERD but the main symptom is D and I've gone years without it so I'm too afraid to take that medication. would prefer more natural routes to thinning the bile. But with MC I'm afraid to try a lot still but I do brave more things these days.
Getting off hormones was a whole other ballgame for me. I'm now having Estrogen dominance symptoms which is causing some bloating and dspepsia. Hormones control everything so this has been tough for me. Being on BC pils for so many years halted my bodies own production. I had very bad periods too which is why I got on BC pills in the first place...then on Bios which gave me anxiety of all things and an even more sluggish system. Tough being a woman.
I know that the surgery is a hard decision for you with everything else you have going on but just do your research and maybe hold off as some abdominal surgeries can make MC worse. It didn't happen to me but I believe it was because I had been in remission for 3 years.
Well I hope this helps some. I'm in another hell right now dealing with Benzodiazepam withdrawals...if this doesn't cause the MC monster to wake up again, then I'm home free...lol. Please if anyone is on anti-anxiety meds, beware that stuff is evil!!
Hope Texas, Leah, and a few others I used to converse with are doing well! Good luck to you Whirledpeas!
Can't believe I got a message form this board..it's been awhile!
I did have my gallbladder removed. I was in too much pain! It definitely was from oral contraceptives that I took since I was 33...I'm now 50. Plus my high fat, low fiber diet didn't help matters. I did get off the BC pill and got on BioIdentical hormones which interacted with my anti-anxiety med so I cold turkeyed off the hormones and went through Withdrawals of all things. What a ride I've been on. Still a mess from it but that's another long story but no MC issues...so yay!
I had my gallbladder removed in Sept 2015. I had way too many stones...it needed to come out. I never had any D from it at all. But instead I got super sluggish..had to up my fiber which took awhile. Doctor said only 5% of people get the chronic D from the surgery. I tolerated it all very well. I'm still in MC remission even after that surgery but mind you I was in remission when I went into surgery. I don't recommend that kinda surgery unless you are having some big time pain. Some people can have stones and have no issues. I'm doing well without the Gallbladder and even upped my fat intake but it takes time. Some get on digestive enzymes with ox bile to help digest fats. Now one unpleasant thing I did get a month after surgery was unrelenting GERD...my GI doc says it's normal after GB surgery. I can't take PPI's so braved Zantac twice a day and then it finally went away but it comes and goes. But that could be my fault for not eating small frequent meals like I'm supposed to. Also the GERD can be from bile reflux which is hard to control even with PPI's, Zantac etc. It seems so many doctors are so quick to want to take out the GB. Tho I'm glad mine is out since I was in pain from eating just about anything and it radiated to my upper back. I no longer have that pain. But oh my the GERD can be tough sometimes. I suppose that GERD can develop with stones if your bile is sluggish and therefore backs up in the stomach. Good to hear that your endoscope was good...I do have a little bit of inflammation in the lower stomach and figure it's probably still there and should have it checked out again.
There is some kind of medication that people can take after GB surgery that will make the bile flow better so that you will have less GERD but the main symptom is D and I've gone years without it so I'm too afraid to take that medication. would prefer more natural routes to thinning the bile. But with MC I'm afraid to try a lot still but I do brave more things these days.
Getting off hormones was a whole other ballgame for me. I'm now having Estrogen dominance symptoms which is causing some bloating and dspepsia. Hormones control everything so this has been tough for me. Being on BC pils for so many years halted my bodies own production. I had very bad periods too which is why I got on BC pills in the first place...then on Bios which gave me anxiety of all things and an even more sluggish system. Tough being a woman.
I know that the surgery is a hard decision for you with everything else you have going on but just do your research and maybe hold off as some abdominal surgeries can make MC worse. It didn't happen to me but I believe it was because I had been in remission for 3 years.
Well I hope this helps some. I'm in another hell right now dealing with Benzodiazepam withdrawals...if this doesn't cause the MC monster to wake up again, then I'm home free...lol. Please if anyone is on anti-anxiety meds, beware that stuff is evil!!
Hope Texas, Leah, and a few others I used to converse with are doing well! Good luck to you Whirledpeas!
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis in July, 2012 then with Celiac in November, 2012.
Hi Terri,
Thanks for the update. Please be aware that anxiety is a symptom of chronic magnesium deficiency (which many of us have). Therefore, taking a magnesium supplement can help when weaning off anti-anxiety medications.
Good to see a post from you again. Good luck with your withdrawal program, and please don't forget to try magnesium to ease the withdrawal.
Tex
Thanks for the update. Please be aware that anxiety is a symptom of chronic magnesium deficiency (which many of us have). Therefore, taking a magnesium supplement can help when weaning off anti-anxiety medications.
That's also a symptom of chronic magnesium deficiency. I apologize for not knowing all this and pointing it out several years ago, but I was a victim or chronic magnesium deficiency myself and I just figured out the problem (and the solution) in my own case about the time you were dealing with the gallbladder symptoms. I had severe anxiety myself, but fortunately I never took any meds to resolve it — only magnesium. We've since learned that magnesium can solve a lot of problems (including preventing GERD) even though magnesium deficiency is never on our doctors' radar.you wrote:I never had any D from it at all. But instead I got super sluggish.
Good to see a post from you again. Good luck with your withdrawal program, and please don't forget to try magnesium to ease the withdrawal.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Tex,
So good to hear from you!! I hope you are doing great now!
Well guess what? I did just learn about the powers of Magnesium. I braved some Glycinate 100 mgs a couple of months ago but now I need to up it...just going slowly. I added Mag. Lotion 2 days ago and already feeling better. They do call it "Magnesium Miracle". I've been on my Benzodiazepine for 19 years....for chronic pain but a super low dose. Of course, we never knew anything about Magnesium back then.
Well thank goodness you never got on anxiety meds and did your research. So how many mgs do you take of Mag?
I'm hoping to do without hormones with this miraculous stuff. I'm adding more supplements too and doing well with them.
Again, it's good to hear from you...no need on apologies...who would have thunk it. And Big Pharma loves putting us on psych meds. Never again!! And thank you, thank you!
So good to hear from you!! I hope you are doing great now!
Well guess what? I did just learn about the powers of Magnesium. I braved some Glycinate 100 mgs a couple of months ago but now I need to up it...just going slowly. I added Mag. Lotion 2 days ago and already feeling better. They do call it "Magnesium Miracle". I've been on my Benzodiazepine for 19 years....for chronic pain but a super low dose. Of course, we never knew anything about Magnesium back then.
Well thank goodness you never got on anxiety meds and did your research. So how many mgs do you take of Mag?
I'm hoping to do without hormones with this miraculous stuff. I'm adding more supplements too and doing well with them.
Again, it's good to hear from you...no need on apologies...who would have thunk it. And Big Pharma loves putting us on psych meds. Never again!! And thank you, thank you!
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis in July, 2012 then with Celiac in November, 2012.
-
WhirledPeas
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 144
- Joined: Wed May 22, 2013 10:25 pm
Terri,
I'm so glad to hear that you fared well after the gallbladder surgery (NO D!) and that you're still in remission for MC!!! :-) I can't wait to be able to say that for myself and cheer someone else on!!!!!!!!! I'm so sorry to hear how challenging life has been lately. You've been through a lot and will get through this hurdle....
I'm definitely not going to have the surgery unless it's absolutely needed. I have enough to juggle as it is.
My GYN is going to test my hormones in a few months. I'll be off Lo Loestrin Fe (lowest dose on market I'm told). I paid extra for it because it was the smallest dose possible. I went on it in the spring or summer of 2013. I had fibroids removed back then too. 1/3 of my month was affected by my cycle between PMS and a 6 day period. My mother had the same issue. I hope and pray that menopause goddesses (ha) are kind to me.
Do you take epsom salt baths at night? It's very relaxing. I use about 2 1/2 to 3 cups in a large bath tub. Also, some great yoga breathing meditations on You Tube. Takes some looking around to find the one that works for you. Some are better than others.
I wish you well and am so pleasantly surprised to hear from you so quickly. Glad I was able to start the conversation again.
One day at a time. It's one of my many mantras. Along with "trust the process" (meaning the MC healing process)...
Wen
I'm so glad to hear that you fared well after the gallbladder surgery (NO D!) and that you're still in remission for MC!!! :-) I can't wait to be able to say that for myself and cheer someone else on!!!!!!!!! I'm so sorry to hear how challenging life has been lately. You've been through a lot and will get through this hurdle....
I'm definitely not going to have the surgery unless it's absolutely needed. I have enough to juggle as it is.
My GYN is going to test my hormones in a few months. I'll be off Lo Loestrin Fe (lowest dose on market I'm told). I paid extra for it because it was the smallest dose possible. I went on it in the spring or summer of 2013. I had fibroids removed back then too. 1/3 of my month was affected by my cycle between PMS and a 6 day period. My mother had the same issue. I hope and pray that menopause goddesses (ha) are kind to me.
Do you take epsom salt baths at night? It's very relaxing. I use about 2 1/2 to 3 cups in a large bath tub. Also, some great yoga breathing meditations on You Tube. Takes some looking around to find the one that works for you. Some are better than others.
I wish you well and am so pleasantly surprised to hear from you so quickly. Glad I was able to start the conversation again.
One day at a time. It's one of my many mantras. Along with "trust the process" (meaning the MC healing process)...
Wen
1st severe flare 5/1/17 Budesonide started 6/7/17. MC/Gastritis 5/2013; IBS/GERD 2001nobiopsy. Celiac biopsy neg2013. Protonix2001-2006.
WhirledPeas,
Thank you so much! Yes, I get one challenge after another. Just makes us tougher. You hang in there and good luck with weaning off the Budesonide.
You mentioned hurricanes...do you live in FL or TX? I'm in Houston and Harvey hit us bad but we got lucky and didn't flood but everyone around us did it seemed. Worst storm we've ever had when it comes to flooding. I don't know how I got through it.
I know someone on the same BC pill as you. I was taking Mircette, another very low dose pill. My doc took me off for 3 1/2 weeks to see where my hormones were at...of course they were non-existent. He always said I could be on them forever but I'm glad I'm not anymore. There actually is a lady on here who helped me around that time. Can't remember her name. But she managed to control her menopause symptoms with Magnesium, Zinc, P5P and D3 I think. I actually have no menopause symptoms...well not the usual ones anyway. No dryness, irritation, hot flashes, etc. Kinda shocked on that since it's been since mid-July since I've been off the BHRT. Maybe you'll get lucky as well. I only had a hard time getting off because of the Progesterone issue. (long story) Sorry about the fibroids. I have a friend with one and it has been bothering her a lot. And it can't be removed for some reason. I hear they are painful.
Oh yes, have thought about the epsom salt baths and I have recently found some yoga and meditation youtube videos. First time for meditation for me. Need to test them out. I'm prepared!
Thanks for your words. Best of luck to you with your healing. You have found the best group ever! Thank goodness for the internet!! And please don't rush into a surgery. Take good care of yourself.
Healing hugs to you,
Terri
Thank you so much! Yes, I get one challenge after another. Just makes us tougher. You hang in there and good luck with weaning off the Budesonide.
You mentioned hurricanes...do you live in FL or TX? I'm in Houston and Harvey hit us bad but we got lucky and didn't flood but everyone around us did it seemed. Worst storm we've ever had when it comes to flooding. I don't know how I got through it.
I know someone on the same BC pill as you. I was taking Mircette, another very low dose pill. My doc took me off for 3 1/2 weeks to see where my hormones were at...of course they were non-existent. He always said I could be on them forever but I'm glad I'm not anymore. There actually is a lady on here who helped me around that time. Can't remember her name. But she managed to control her menopause symptoms with Magnesium, Zinc, P5P and D3 I think. I actually have no menopause symptoms...well not the usual ones anyway. No dryness, irritation, hot flashes, etc. Kinda shocked on that since it's been since mid-July since I've been off the BHRT. Maybe you'll get lucky as well. I only had a hard time getting off because of the Progesterone issue. (long story) Sorry about the fibroids. I have a friend with one and it has been bothering her a lot. And it can't be removed for some reason. I hear they are painful.
Oh yes, have thought about the epsom salt baths and I have recently found some yoga and meditation youtube videos. First time for meditation for me. Need to test them out. I'm prepared!
Thanks for your words. Best of luck to you with your healing. You have found the best group ever! Thank goodness for the internet!! And please don't rush into a surgery. Take good care of yourself.
Healing hugs to you,
Terri
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis in July, 2012 then with Celiac in November, 2012.
Hi Terri,
I'm currently taking 300 mg of magnesium glycinate, 100 mg with each meal. I took twice that for a while, when I was initially rebuilding my reserves, and then I dropped the dose to 400 mg. But I had to reduce the dose some more, because my blood pressure was getting too low and taking more magnesium than you need overworks the kidneys. My kidneys apparently suffered some damage when I was magnesium deficient, so I kinda have to watch them now.
I don't count the 80 mg of magnesium oxide in my multivitamin, because we can only absorb about 2 % of magnesium oxide, so it's only useful as a laxative, IMO. It's good to hear that you've already discovered magnesium.
Tex
I'm currently taking 300 mg of magnesium glycinate, 100 mg with each meal. I took twice that for a while, when I was initially rebuilding my reserves, and then I dropped the dose to 400 mg. But I had to reduce the dose some more, because my blood pressure was getting too low and taking more magnesium than you need overworks the kidneys. My kidneys apparently suffered some damage when I was magnesium deficient, so I kinda have to watch them now.
I don't count the 80 mg of magnesium oxide in my multivitamin, because we can only absorb about 2 % of magnesium oxide, so it's only useful as a laxative, IMO. It's good to hear that you've already discovered magnesium.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.