Hi

I just wanted to know why there are so many gall-bladder postings. Is there a connection with that and a J-pouch. I hope no one takes it the wrong way but I was just curious. I love this site because it is the only site where you can get good advice and vent when you want, but I just think those gall bladder blogs should go in a another folder or another website.

I could be mistaken, but I believe Gallbladder problems are another one of those side problems that tend to go along with IBD, like PSC, eye problems, arthritis etc... alot of us are going to face it.
LoriP

Anthony,

That isn’t a bad idea; maybe there should be another forum for “related” problems like Gall Bladder, Kidney Stones, etc…

I recently put a post up regarding my Gall Bladder. Since many people here have had problems with and subsequently had their Gall Bladders removed, I felt it was the best place to get a good opinion on my symptoms.

The incidence of gall bladder disease is 2-3 times higher in people with IBD--more so with Crohn's, and particularly in those who have had ileal resection, which basically is what j-pouch surgery is.

Personally, I kind of like seeing issues like gall bladder disease on this site.

It makes those of us who experience the problem feel less alone.

I never had any gallstones until after my j-pouch, even after 20 years of UC without the problem.

Even after Actigal, which disolved the first stones, they came back repeatedly and I eventually had my gall bladder removed while I had a k-pouch. At the Cleveland Clinic I found a general surgeon who has a 90% success rate with doing that surgery lapro. Some less experienced surgeons wouldn't even try that route--and that's just the kind of information for which I find this site invaluable.

I don't think anyone is objecting to posts about gall bladder problems--Anthony just suggested an additional forum for it. These days most gall bladder surgery is done laparoscopically everywhere. In a few cases, previous abdominal surgeries and/or infection may preclude it being done laparoscopically.

I had mine out in 1990 befor I ever thought of haveing my colon out, but it was thought that all of the drug I had been on for my uc made Gall stones worse.

Gallstone are still some of the most intense pain I ever had. also laproscopy gone wrong they missed one near the liver duct and thats another story.

But I could see a new folder.

I know that today most gall bladders are removed via lapro, but not for most of us with stomas, be they on a k-pouch or temporary loop or permanent end. That's because the stoma location, along with adhesions, makes it tricky. Two local colo-rectal surgeons said they "wouldn't even try it (lapro)" on me and one said he'd give it a go but hadn't done "many."

I felt lucky to find someone who would not only try it but who also had a great track record. My surgeon did the whole procedure "higher" to avoid my stoma.