can gallstones return?

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Dec 28, 2005

Mom had her gallbladder removed 10 plus years ago. She once complained about the same exact pain but it turned out to be something else, not stones.

Interesting question though, I'd like to know too.

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Dec 28, 2005

I've heard of stones forming in the common bile duct after the gallbladder was removed. Thus the importance of continuing to modify one's diet and lifestyle to decrease the risk of gallstones, even after the gallbladder has been removed.

Choledocholithiasis (gallstones in common bile duct):
Even when the gallbladder is removed, there can be new stones that form in the bile ducts. This can be a potentially very dangerous situation as the stones can get infected leading to a local infection of the common bile duct (called "cholangitis"). This is dangerous as it can lead to a systemic serious infection (sepsis). Other complications are pancreatitis and chronic liver disease. Bile is feeding any infection such as gram negative bacteria and for this reason the surgeon will want to do an early endoscopic or surgical decompression after antibiotic therapy has been initiated. Usually after this procedure there is a swift recovery.

http://www.nethealthbook.com/cholelithiasis.html

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Dec 28, 2005

wow, thanks for the great info and findings as always Vicky!

prmenrs, RN · Dec 28, 2005

I love this board--learn something new every day. Granted, sometimes it's something I didn't want to know, but....

Lisa CCU RN, RN · Dec 28, 2005

I love this board--learn something new every day. Granted, sometimes it's something I didn't want to know, but....

Im sayin...

I had my gallbladder out and now I wish I could have it back. I heard you have an increased risk of some kind of cancer with it out.

More importantly, I really think if God put it there, it was put there for a reason. At, the time I had it removed, I was in so much pain though, I didn't care WHAT they did, I just wanted relief.

To me, it's kind of like taking out the appendix. Once it was thought it was useless, now I read that it is a very important part of the lymphatic system.

I just have the opinion that instead of removing things, we should try and figure out why it became inflammed or malfunctioned in the first place.

Unfortunatley, it's too late for my gallbladder, it's been out since 2002. Now, I'm worried. I really don't want to go through the same pain I did then. :chair: :chair: :chair:

DianeS, RN · Dec 28, 2005

Thanks for the info Vicky. We can always count on you to come through.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Dec 30, 2005

The question of whether or not gallstones can recur, even after cholecystectomy irked me for years, so I finally checked it out. The answer is yes, they can recur in any one of the pathways gall travels.

grinnurse, RN · Dec 30, 2005

Im sayin...
I had my gallbladder out and now I wish I could have it back. I heard you have an increased risk of some kind of cancer with it out.
More importantly, I really think if God put it there, it was put there for a reason. At, the time I had it removed, I was in so much pain though, I didn't care WHAT they did, I just wanted relief.
I am almost 2 weeks Postop from this too!! And although I am not quite pain free yet, I am looking forward to it! Did you loose your appetite after having it removed? I don't know if it's the pain meds or being too scared to eat anything but I have lost 5 #s so far since it came out. Thanks

nitengale75 · Dec 30, 2005

I had my gallbladder removed in 1980. In 1998 I started having horrible chest pains. I was checked out from top to bottom with every test available. The pain was so bad that I went to the ER eleven times in 2 months! Everyone thought it was "stress" since I was going through a divorce. Well, a new doctor gave me orders to have my enzymes drawn the next time I presented myself to the ER. I asked her what she was looking for and she said problems with the common bile duct. Sure enough, the enzymes were slightly elevated so I was scheduled for an ERCP which recovered a stone out of my common bile duct. Plus, I was told that it looked like I had already passed a stone. So, don't rule out stones even though you may not have a gallbladder!

medicrnohio, RN · Dec 30, 2005

So I'm not crazy...I had my gallbladder out in 1991. I was 13 when I had it taken out. I have had various GI problems since having it out. About 5 years ago I started getting that 'pain' back every once in awhile. I have actually said to people 'If I didn't already have my gallbladder out I would think that I was having a gallbladder attack.' Next time the pain returns I will see my doctor.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Dec 31, 2005

Im sayin...
I had my gallbladder out and now I wish I could have it back. I heard you have an increased risk of some kind of cancer with it out.
More importantly, I really think if God put it there, it was put there for a reason. At, the time I had it removed, I was in so much pain though, I didn't care WHAT they did, I just wanted relief.
To me, it's kind of like taking out the appendix. Once it was thought it was useless, now I read that it is a very important part of the lymphatic system.

Yet, ironically gallbladder, appendicular, and tonsicular cancers have some notably high death rates, are generally difficult to treat.