Me & My Gallbladder Seemed To Have Fallen Out!

[Rizel23]

Hi all, just been reccomened this forum by member over at curezone, so hope anyone can offer there advise to me, i'am willing to listening to all!

I’m a 22 year old male leaving in the UK and a student leaving away from home most of the year. I and have had some minor health problems since April 2004 with burning sensation in my stomach nearly all the time. Diet not the best in the world being a student and alcohol consumption also above average (sorry, I know I should cut it down!)

Went to Doctor numerous times, was told excess acid, then acid reflux then IBS and prescribed acid blockers from Ranitdine through to what I should be on now Esomeprazole with many different types in between.

Gradually it got worse, to the point where digesting food was a real problem and the tablets, although stopped the burning didn’t help digestion at all and made me very tired & sometimes depressed.

Doctor though it might be Ulcers, so arranged a gastroscopy, but being the NHS there was a 5 month wait 

Had what I now know now was a my first proper Gallstone attack in November 2004, I had had 2 of these attacks years before, but though it was bad indigestion and pain had gone after 30 mins so was very mild. This time I had to go to ER after spending the day in pain and having sweats and chills and being violently sick with diarrhee, but was send home after a few hours with what they suspected was food poisoning as bloods were all fine bar a slight raise in bile count or something simlar.

In January 2005 I was getting extremely frustrated at not knowing what was wrong with me, so my mother was discussing my problems with friends and one suggested it might be gallstone related as she had suffered this very bad burning sensation and small attacks her self and had had her Gallbladder removed because of it.

Spoke to my Doctor who thought it was very unlikely and he would be extremely surprised if it was, but agreed to book me in for an ultrasound, however as per usual long wait so went privately.

Had the Ultrasound and long and be hold showed that the gallbladder area was very shaded and dark and consultant said it seemed like it was packed with small to medium size stones.

Was finally a relief to find out what was wrong with me, so I at least knew what to do and get on with fixing the problem.

However, went back to Uni end of January and had the worst attack and pain I had ever had, lasted nearly 24 hours. Finally got so bad I went to ER as my urine was coffee colour and heavy. Luckily I took my Ultrasound scan so I knew what was wrong and they whacked me full of Morphine. Spent the week in Hospital with Docs telling me that the Gallbaldder must be removed as my bile count from bloods was 113 (should be between 1-17 I think) and will try and get it out ASAP, in the mean time went for a ERCP to check no stones were stuck as I had yellow jaundice as well. Well no stones were stuck and wanted to think things through before they wiped my gallbladder out and read into the matter as they just told me I didn’t really need it, so after a week was discharged with painkillers and a whole host of Esomeprazole tablets which peeded me off as I had just bought some on prescription the week before!!

After all that back to Study.

Well did study for 2 weeks before the whole attack happened again, not as bad as before so thought I could see it through on Tramadol painkillers but started to get yellow jaundice so back to hospital again. Same as above happened really, had a ERCP but this time they did find stones stuck so they did a small sphincterotomy which allowed them to remove the stones more safely and hopefully stop me getting more stones stuck if they did get into the bile ducts and prevent yellow jaundice.

Felt really good day after they did it, had no burning, full of energy and full appetite back, was really pleased, felt so well they let me out 2 days after it was done, would have been day after but they thought I had the MRSA bug as well, so pleasant time in hospital all-round.

Few days after stated to look pale and feel faint and stool went black so back to hospital as the sphincterotomy site was bleeding, they stopped the bleeding somehow through a gastroscopy, basically another week in hospital to recover.

And now I have found this site as I truly do not want to have any organ removed from me if it can be prevented.

I have been fine for a month with no attacks but recently burning getting worse again, lack of energy and back pains so something is defiantly not right.

I have an appointment with my consultant this Thursday who without doubt will jut give me a date for having my Gallbladder removed.

So I’m hopefully planning on doing my first flush to see if this operation can be avoided, so I’m after some advice on which flush to try please?

Now seeing as I have been in hospital 4 times in nearly as many months I’m playing on the side of caution, so planning to take 1 to 2 bottles of GOLD COIN GRASS over 8 weeks and do my first flush when I finish Uni. Hopefully this will soften the stones, from the picture I have from my ERCP my stones were all yellow in colour, does this indicate anything?. Will also use Epsom salts as seems I have a problem last time with stones stuck, but hopefully the sphincterotomy will prevent any major blockages?

So my question is from the above, can any experienced flushers please recommend the best flush for me so I can further read up on it? And if anyone had any suggestions on how I can naturally lower or stop my heartburn please do post.

Apologies for such long post, but like to be as clear and open as possible, so any questions from anyone or extra info needed do post, thanks, Sam

[shelley]

Hi Sam! You've come to the right place. Welcome!

First of all, the whole "acid reflux" thing is a TOTAL MISDIAGNOSIS. Most acid burning is due to too little stomach acids and a clogged liver. If the pain radiated to your shoulders at all, tops or shoulder blades, it was definitely the liver/gallbladder. So stop taking all antacids.

Since stomach acids are a million times more acid than water, if the stomach truly were compromised and lacking its protective layer of mucosa, it would burn a hole right through it. Doctors are brainwashed by pharmeceutical companies which make billions on Tums, Nexium et al, they can't put 2 and 2 together about anything involving digestion. Sigh.

Definitely do a liver flush, but don't just start out with Clark's flush, it doesn't adequately prepare you. You first have to do some bowel cleansing and remove all the toxins that have built up since before and especially after you stopped all digestion in its tracks with those blasted antacids. You should be only drinking herbal tea and Cleansing DRinks - see FAQ. Peppermint, ginger, burdock root, dandelion are highly recommended.

You should do comprehensive liver cleansing, starting out with liver herbs and stone dissolvers. That will bring relief right away. After 2-4 weeks of this then you can start flushing. Do at least 4 flushes about 2-4 weeks apart, taking herbs and stone dissolvers in between. Don't flush until you have some way of getting the stones out FAST, either by doing a salt water flush, or high enema or colonic.

All the info is in the FAQ under liver management, but start out reading the Vital health section first, as there are basics there you need to know, such as the whole stomach acids thing and tongue diagnosis, then bowel management, then liver.

Good luck!

[Rizel23]

Thanks for your Shelley. Very usefull, have done all the FAQ reading today. P.S Yes pain (well ache) is often on backs of sholders, also most my body aches longer after sport as well since last Aprill 2004.

I also forgot to menione that somtimes i get very bloated after meals, and also cough up see-through mucas in a morning, is this also related to my gallstone problems do you think?

I went and bought some Epsom Salts today as well as pepermint tea, both were not bad on the walltet as well which was nice!!!

Is there anything else i can do\buy to redue the burning sensation i have? I will drink 2 cups of pepermint tea a day as i quite like it!!

Also will be drinking organic and grapefruit and apple juice eat morning as i read somwhere it helps soften stones?

What i really want to ask you though is i'am going to order 2 bottles of Gold Coin Grass from:

www.sensiblehealth.com

as i can'nt seem to find it in the UK. Seeing as shipping is very high to the UK is there anything else on the site you would reccomend purchasing?? Or anywhere else cheaper that ships to the UK?

Thanks, Sam

[shelley]

getting bloated after meals is usually low stomach acids, sometimes obstructions in the small intestine, sometimes food intolerances in general. Depends where the bloat is and how fast it hits and well, how smelly the farts are! LOL! There's a post all about gas that will help you deduce what's going on exactly, I think I put it in Lifestyles?

Yep, very cheap! yippee! Teas are a very effective and cheap form of intervention. And you can mix any tea with peppermint so that it tastes better.

If the burning sensation hits during a meal, take some Apple Cider Vinegar or a small cup of peppermint tea. If the burning happens when you're very hungry or stressed and empty stomach, take calcium carbonate or drink a bit of kefir.

Apple juice will help to dissolve stones, as will cherry juice. Any sour fruit with sour skin will because of the Malic Acid content, which you can buy if you can find it. Or if you want more cleansing power but less sugar (apple cider is loaded with sugars), get Apple Cider Vinegar and drink the Cleansing Drink.

Lecithin will also dissolve stones, and if the burning is due to clogged ducts, reduce burning. Lecithin is an emulsifier. It's like putting fuel injection cleanser in your petrol. 1 tablespoon 1-3x a day should do the trick. It's pretty cheap too.

I adore sensible health tinctures, they're quite powerful. Go for one bottle of GCGrass and one bottle of Chinese Bitters for comprehensive liver cleansing. Coptis is good too. OR find Dr. Cabot's Livatone Plus (from Australia) or Planetary Formulas brands of liver cleansers (Bupleurum Liver Cleanse and a couple others) in stores near you.

[Rizel23]

Hi Shelley, bought some Emergen-C today as i think i'am lacking in Vitamins & minerals and that sounds like a good all round boost till i can get my deit inline.

Also bought some Lecithin as well, but do i take 1-3 'Teaspoons' (as per lable) or 1-3 'Tablespoons' as per your previous post?

2nd day with peppermint tea and not had any burning, yes!!!!

The bloating is quite bad though last few days, think its because i have had large meals each day (own fault!), although quite healthy meals, feels like somthing is stuck in my throat and stoumch as have trouble burping as well. Just a general feeling like somthing is blocking my pipes.

Have order 1 each of GCGrass, Chinese Bitters and Coptis today, hopfully these will be here soon from sensible health, thanks for your help so far, have my appointment with my consultant tomoro as well! Sam

[shelley]

That's great! Peppermint is an amazing herb!

The bottle will say teaspoons because nutritionally that's all you really need if you intend to supplement every day. But for therapeutic purposes of stone dissolving and giving the bile ducts a "fuel injection cleaning" you really need an entire tablespoon taken several times a day. You only need to do it for 3-4 days and then you can go back to using it nutritionally. It's smart to add a bit of lecithin to any high-fat meal to ensure total digestion. That's one of the reasons why it's in my Protein Shakes.

The bloating and fullness feeling is low stomach acids usually. Try the cleansing drink (use just a small amount of water for this) with ACV, 30 minutes prior to meals and 30 minutes after a meal, and see if that helps. Since the peppermint tea hasn't taken that feeling away I doubt it's liver related.

[Rizel23]

Thanks for the reply Shelley, very pleased with the results of the peppermint tea, wasn’t expecting much from it so given me a lot of confidence with alternatives to the common doctor which I have been brought up on.

I’m just really annoyed that doctors have been telling me for ages that I have just access acid, when in turn it sounds like I don’t have enough, this would probably explain my bloating feeling, as I coughed up some undigested carrot after my evening meal which wasn’t very nice!

I'll take tablespoon lecithin 3 times a day with meals for 3-4 days as you suggest, I presume its Ok to just add to food or in a drink? Just eat it off the spoon earlier today!!

This 'ACV' you recommend, is there a technical term for it and do I just buy it from a Health shop? Sorry for all the questions!!! Cheers, Sam

[shelley]

Yep, you can eat lecithin off the spoon or add it to something. I either eat it off the spoon or add it to my protein shake.

ACV stands for apple cider vinegar. It's best to find an unpasteurized, unfiltered version of this, rather than the usual refined version sold in regular grocery stores. Both Bragg and Spectrum have the right version, and you can read more about it at www.braggs.com.

Ask all the questions you like!

[chickpea]

Hi Sam, you've definitely come to the right place here...I'm sure you'll be sorted in no time!

I'm a UKer too and here is some info about where to get some of the things you need....

You can get ACV from Holland & Barrett (brand name Aspalls). However, though it is organic and works fine, you can also get a more pure version (the 'mother') at

http://www.agregister.co.uk/company.asp?ck=1013156&pn=117000

(though haven't ordered it from there myself yet)

You can get Bupleurum liver cleanse, Sandra Cabot's Livatone Plus and a whole load of other supplements from
www.nutricentre.com (0207 436 5122)

You can get enema kits from....

www.wholistichealthdirect.com (01438 833100)
www.cytoplan.co.uk (01684 310 099)

Be interesting to see what your consultant thinks of your new approach!

Anne

[Rizel23]

Thanks for your replies Shelley & Anne, very helpful as usual.

Went to see my consultant today, he was OK, but didn’t seem to have all my notes and wasn’t even aware I had been in hospital last time with bleeding from the sphincterotomy, which I wasn’t to impressedwit.

He just explained the procedure and the risks of the operation and possible side effects from it.

I mentioned the Peppermint tea had stopped the burning and he also advised I stopped all antacids especially the Esomeprazole, which is a contradiction to what the consultant said when was leaving hospital who told me to continue as they won’t do any harm, hummm....

Anyhow, bit of positive news, the ERCP report which he had showed I had lots and lots of small size stones and no big ones? Is that good news for flushing or not? I would presume its good news; he also said that having the sphincterotomy done should ensure I shouldn’t get any stones stuck again if they did pass out the gallbladder? Also i seem to have cholesterol stones as he sent me for a cholesterol, also the pictures from the ERCP showed yellow cloured small stones?

I didn’t mention I was going to try the flush as he was more interested in explaining the technical terms of my problem, and didn’t want to get on the wrong side of him if I do end up having to have the operation! Plus it’s my body so I think I can chose who I tell what and whom to.

I bought some ACV today’s well, could someone please just explain briefly how I take this and in what quantity?

[shelley]

ACV works best in the Cleansing Drink - recipe in the FAQ under Essential Recipes/Beverages.

Basically, you add as much as you can stand to lukewarm or warmed water, and it's best to have it several times a day, preferably about 30 minutes prior to meals so it's a digestive aid. Drink it right before bed to cleanse the liver and help the body take out acids.

[Rizel23]

Cheers Shelley, just drank a teaspoon stright Opps!!!

[shelley]

oh geez! LOL! Careful, that stuff will take the enamel off teeth.

[Rizel23]

Hi Shelly, have'nt needed to post for a while as not been to bad, but just had my first proper gallstone attack since i had my sphincterotomy done in mid feburary.

Have been feeling pretty bloated and liver area hurt for a while now, happened just after me and my flat mates made homemade pizza, only had 2 slices but turned into an attack which was pretty good.

Through up the pizza which i had eatern and took some ACV and 2 teapsoons of GCG, and the pain has slowly gone, but still feel as though imight have another attack in the night.

I have been taking GCG for the last month now and have seen a real improvment in BM as there normal 90% of the time now.

I can'nt do a liver flush untill i'am home in a months time as i'am finishing of my Uni course work 3 hours from home as i live in halls at my Uni.

Is there anything anyone can reccomend for tommoro so i can get back to normal (well normalish) ASAP? Should i just drink water\juices tommoro and not eat for a day or 2 to give everything a rest as my body feels battered to bits inside now! Thanks in advance, Sam

[shelley]

Peppermint tea and lots of it! Broths would be good too, and other digestive aid teas like ginger, fennel. Keep to hot foods mostly. A porridge made from alternative grains is very soothing. Use coconut oil and no other fats until things calm down.

You can do mini-morning liver flushes while at school, instructions in the fAQ under Liver Management.