I have heard only horror stories when people get surgery for this and end up worse off. I've yet to hear of a success story, so why do they even bother doing this surgery?
I don't even know what the term means, let alone know what any surgery proposes to 'fix'.
I have read some on the Internet about an in-depth study done by a doctor on how the valve/organs function with many pressures given and explained, but usually even the graphics are unclear about where it is and what is connected to what, and why.
Personally, I wouldn't let anyone with a scalpel within a mile of mine.
How anyone can remove a gallbladder, in good conscience, I'll never know.
It would be far better to remove any stones or debris, I would think.
At one point it seemed as though there was danger in letting bile touch any tissue not designed for it, however, now, they seem to cut indiscriminately.
One would guess that large stones would block the Sphincter of Oddi, yet even the largest seem to pass without much 'trouble'.
My own first stone passed spontaneously after a 350 mile jiggly car ride. I didn't feel it at all, only a little nauseous at the last, but I caught a glimpse of it between fluffy yellow orange and yellowish stool, as I flushed.
The stone was the size and shape of a pullet egg. It was black, flecked with kelly green, and very smooth.
I thought the smoothness was significant in its passing. Yet I haven't seen others writing of similar experiences.
I haven't met a medical doctor I'd be comfortable discussing it with...nor some other exceptional events I've experienced.
I understand to a point. But only to a point.
I believe the answers lie in small (1 cup) coffee enemas, from all I've read.
...Eight in one week, with two on the first day. Once I have done them I will probably have other opinions.
Just for your info please check this term on Answers.com. It has a lot of info on it. Here is a small abstract from it (in italics).
The sphincter of ampulla or sphincter of Oddi is a muscular valve that controls the flow of digestive juices (bile and pancreatic juice) through the ampulla of Vater into the second part of the duodenum. The sphincter of Oddi is relaxed by the hormone Cholecystokinin (CCK) via vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP).
Biliary dyskinesia (BD) is after the name given to the condition. It is more often a symptom than a disease in its own right. It may be an indication of Gallstones or pancreatitis. It can also be brought on by a specific food. There is some evidence to suggest that stress is a significant factor. At least one theory points to dopamine receptor dysfunction. It is possible that the gallbladder fails to receive the proper signal from the brain when bile enters the chamber. The use of some pain killers and recreational drugs (in fact any medication that leads to delayed stomach emptying) may also upset the biliary system and lead to BD.
BD is a sharp, intermittent cramp-like pain just beneath the right bottom rib. Others may feel only a vague discomfort or dull ache in this region. Most often, this pain is localised and appears approximately 40 minutes or so after the patient has eaten a meal high in fat content. Nausea may also occur, though actual vomiting is rare.
Obesity, age and gender are all known to be factors. Older women who are overweight are more likely to suffer from biliary dyskinesia than men.
It is very difficult to diagnose abdominal pain condition and if the biliary system is suspected it would be normal practise to remove the gallbladder. Then if the symptoms persist after the operation Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction (SOD) is considered. SOD is more likely used post gallbladder surgery and BD before.
The are three types of SOD and not all respond well to surgery. Even when all the criteria are met the cure rate is around 2 in 3.
Thank you so much for the info, Telman. Much appreciated.
I was asking about SOD because my mom has been told she may have this. We are both having a helluva time with upper abdominal pain. She had her gbladder removed about 5 years ago. I still have mine.
My own pain is CONSTANT. Always there. From left to right all across my upper abdomen, but more pronounced on the right and sometimes the pit of my stomach. Feels like a fist shoved in there at all times. Lots of pressure and heavy fullness.
Sometimes the pressure gets SO BAD and I've learned to take Epsom Salt and then a little oil later and the pressure will go down for a little while.
Every once in a while, I will feel a sharp pain that feels like something chomped down on my upper right side and took a bite out of me. That pain only lasts a couple seconds.
I always feel so bloated and just miserable.
I think the freakiest thing is feeling movement, like something is actually moving around in my upper abdomen..left to right. I've done so many antiparasitics, though. Can that be backed up bile sloshing around in there?
I have no life. I feel like crap all the time and have no quality of life. I had to resign from my teaching job because of all this.
I've had a CT scan, endoscopy, ultrasound, colonoscopy...and they always say "There's nothing wrong".
Well, one doctor DID say 3 years ago that the CT scan showed slight thickening of the stomach, but he said it was not a big deal.
No nausea
No pain in shouder blades
No acid reflux that I know of
Appetite is just fine
I'm about to do my 5th Liver Flush. They do make me feel better cognitively, but as far as relieving the upper ab pain, it does nothing for that.
I cry every day abut all this. I'm 45 and feel like my life is so screwed. I'm not THAT overweight. I am 5'7 and weigh 160. I would like to lose 25 pounds but always feel too crappy to exercise. ( I actually gained 30 from being sick and not moving around like I used to ).
This forum has been the closest thing to any kind of meaningful help and suggestions that I have EVER gotten in years. Thank you for helping.
The devils own pain, it's like being punished, it causes anxiety and a fear of going out in case you are struck down. It cause 'false' food intolerances.
A couple of questions:
Do you get relief when you lie on your back?
Does it peak at a specific time of the day, so around 17.00 hrs or 4 to 5 hours after a reasonable meal?
Is it worse the day after activity?
Do you get migraines?
If you stand up when you have the pain and examine your own abdomen very carefully can you feel a tenderness or irregularity, about 2 inches (5 cm) to the right, half way between the navel and 'V' in the rib cage?
One thing to try is to increase the amount of water you drink in a day, by at least 2 pints. This may help to prevent the flare-up but unfortunately not the constant pain.
SOD is normally linked to food and follows about 45 minutes after eating. If it doesn't follow this pattern then it is more likely something else. If you can eat a plate of eggs, or mayonnaise or very fatty food without it causing a problem then it less likely to be SOD. The cramp pain is also under the right rib not mid way between the sternum and navel 2 inches to the right.
Some people may feel only a vague discomfort or a dull ache in right hypochondrium, again, this area is around the ribs not the soft abdominal.
If you are still convinced that it biliary related then start you own recovery programme because the only treatment on offer is gallbladder removal.
It can be triggered by the nervous system so try to be calm when the pain strikes.
Take regular exercise.
To help bile emptying lie on the right side for 30 minutes after a meal.
Drink plenty of good water
The point at which you feel the pain is also an indicator for slow stomach emptying and you could try a combination diet.
It is also the point of the hepatic flexure (The right colon fold). There are plenty of other conditions that can mimic biliary conditions.
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