RE: Pain-Question/

[Guest guest]

Here's my theory (for those of us without gallbladders, anyway). I can't remember where I saw this, but apparently over time, the bile duct near where the gallbladder used to be attempts to expand and serve the same purpose as the gallbladder (if I remember correctly, the body has a similar response to a J-pouch surgery). So, when you have a fatty meal, the "new" reservoir attempts to contract in response to the fat (bile is needed to process fats). If your CBD is narrowed due to PSC, it may cause pain as it "backs up".

This sure seems to make a lot of sense to me. Post-cholecystectomy, you're supposed to restrict fat intake to 30 gm/day - that can be relaxed after a month or so (as the "reservoir" expands). If you keep track of fat intake, I think you'll be amazed at how little it takes to get to 30 gm. I do notice some discomfort after a high-fat meal - sometimes it's worth it though!

Arne53 - UC 9/77 - PSC 4/00Alive and (mostly) well in Minnesota

From: wybear21@...

Hi Group!

Okay, since having my son (last march) I've been battling one cholangitis infection after another. So, the pain is pretty constant, except when I get a short reprieve from infection. Anyway, along with the "normal" pain, occasionally my liver "jumps." There's no other way to describe it, other than it feels like a spasm. When this happens, the pain is SO sharp that it takes my breath away and usually I end up gasping loudly, and there's a burning sensation along with it, to the right of my breastbone. Many times, I've had to sit down quickly, because I feel like I'm going to pass out. I don't have a gallbladder, however I've noticed that this does seem to happen a bit more frequently after eating a fatty meal. Has anyone else experienced something like this, and if so, what is it? The pain usually starts to ease up after a few minutes, and goes back to the "normal" pain within about 5 minutes.

Thanks!