It has been over three years since I had my gallbladder taken out. I was having all kinds of “gut” issues, and we finally figured out that I had a bad gallbladder. I was surprised, because I don’t eat a lot of fat, I exercise and try to be as healthy as possible. When the CAT scan showed I had a “funky” gallbladder, I found out that two of my aunts had their gallbladders taken out. It was a frustrating and painful journey with trial and errors.

After my gallbladder was out, I felt a lot better but found out later I started to have some other painful gut issues. I didn’t want to go on a lot of medication (especially when it made me sick), so I started to make some dietary changes. I have found out that my gut is a lot happier when I don’t eat nuts, especially almonds. It also isn’t happy when I eat a lot of raw vegetables. So far, I have found what works for me and I hope anyone else suffering will, too.

Let’s look at what the gallbladder is and what is does:

The gallbladder is a sac located under the liver. It stores and concentrates bile which is produced in the liver and the bile helps in the digestion of fats.

When the gallbladder does not work properly, you can be diagnosed with the following disease (not limited to):

• Cholecystitis, which is inflammation of the gallbladder

• Cholelithiasis, which are gallstones in the gallbladder

There are many people who have gallstones and never have a problem or any symptoms. However, if the stones are large, they can block the duct that leads from the gallbladder. This causes pain and requires treatment. It doesn’t always require removal of the gallbladder — sometimes a change in diet will take care of the problem. A diet that is low in fat and high in fiber is the key, along with avoiding refined foods such as white breads, pasta and sugar, and increasing exercise. The gallbladder might “perk up” and do what it’s supposed to do — store bile and release it when needed in the digestive system.

Acute Cholecystitis occurs when the stones or sludge block the duct.

Symptoms include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Pain in the upper right abdomen that is severe and constant, it may last for days. Pain frequently increases when drawing a breath.

• The pain may radiate to the back or between the shoulder blades, behind the breastbone or even the left side.

• About a third of patients have fever and chills.

• Nausea and vomiting may occur.

• Jaundice

• Dark urine and/or a lighter stool

• Rapid heartbeat and an abrupt blood pressure drop

Chronic Cholecystitis involves gallstones and mild inflammation. In these cases, the gallbladder may become scarred and stiff.

• Complaints of gas, nausea, and abdominal discomfort after meals

• Chronic diarrhea which would be about 4-10 bowel movements every day for at least 3 months.

As my wonderful team of doctors (Dr. Blumenthal, Dr. Jagar and Dr. Busby) will tell you, I was not a normal case. And you might not be either. Studies have shown that gallbladder disease is more common in women than it is in men and often mistaken for stomach pain.

If you suspect that you have a bad gallbladder, see your primary physician and they will refer you to the right doctors and treatment. If you have your gallbladder removed and are still dealing with stomach issues, start writing down everything you eat and start eliminating one or two things every 2-4 weeks and write down how you feel. Having my gallbladder out got rid of most issues I was dealing with for years. Finding out what foods work for me and which don’t gave me the relief I was hoping for. I loved almonds, but it was not worth having the stomach pains I was dealing with after eating them.

Ester Marsh Associate Executive Director JF Hurley Family YMCA