I'm a currently treating a relapse which has been awful. One of my biggest concerns has been my significant weight loss....I am 5'4" and went from 135 pounds since January to my last weight check I was at 102. BMs have fluctuated but mostly soft, mushy and 1-3 times early in the day.
Both my PCP and Llmd thought malabsorption and are also addressing my slightly hypothyroid. I'm also taking digestive enzymes with meals and obviously probiotics.
Here's where the gallbladder question comes in...first binder I tried when starting treatment (which by this time I had already lost about 18-20 pounds) was cholestyramine. I had pain about three inches in from my waste, below ribcage- liver or gallbladder area. I tried lowering the dose to 1/4 of a scoop and still pain so I discontinued. Switched to act charcoal.
Now yesterday I wanted to try and rotate binders to see if another might be more beneficial so yesterday started with one cap of modified citrus pectin. Did fine. Today mid morning took one again and also fine. Went to increase it and took one mid afternoon and 30 minutes later the same pain as the cholestyramine gave me I am experiencing. It's. it excruciating but something telling me it's not ok.
Any input would be great as I am sooo frustrated with the unknown weight loss and I know how much Lyme loves the gallbladder so could this be a cause ? I also have some nausea, light colored stools often.
Thanks!
Posted by amberlin96 (Member # 11535) on :
I meant to type the pain is not excruciating but slightly sharp and it's in the same spot front and back.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Why are you taking the cholestyramine? Just for toxin removal?
My body hated that stuff .. I didn't last long.
Perhaps you just need to back off the binders. Listen to your body.
I have tried Living Clay with some success. It is rather constipating for me, so I use it only occasionally.
If you are concerned about your GB, get a scan.
Posted by amberlin96 (Member # 11535) on :
Yes as a binder I started with cholestyramine as I am a difficult detoxer (mthfr). I took switched to the act charcoal for awhile but didn't overdue it because I know it sucks up your minerals. So I wanted to try something else to also see if it helped me feel any better because i am not sure the charcoal really did.
I'm also obviously using detox methods as well..epsom baths, burner, parsley , pinella, AK gold, NAC, green tea with lime as I can't tolerate too much lemon it flares up my IC, glutathione
Posted by amberlin96 (Member # 11535) on :
The funny thing is I took cholestyramine when I treated years ago and had no problem with it.
Posted by LilaLee* (Member # 43649) on :
I don't know the intricacies of Cholestramine but 2 things you say here resonate with me, one is nature of the pain. I had the gallbladder issue while on IV Rocephin; it was exactly as you described, i ultimately had to have mine removed (and on an almost emergency basis). You should def get an ultrasound of the Gallbladder and see what's going on.
Second thing is, i too am 5'4" 135 pounds; i would barely exist at 102, i can't imagine how wonked your body must feel. Something is def wrong with your system and the obvious would be the Gallbladder.
Tell you Dr you want the Ultrasound. Have you had a liver panel?...
We get so used to pain managament i think sometimes we don't realize that the time for management is past, it's time for action.
Good luck:)
If you want to pm me about the Gallbladder thing feel free.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Yes, get off the CSM and get an ultrasound.
Posted by Brussels (Member # 13480) on :
Many, many people with lyme will have their gall-bladder removed after intense pains.
It is very common. The problem is that, not always, the pain will stop (even after removal, as channels get also blocked, and they are not removed).
I do think there is a DIRECT relation between gall-bladder and LIVER problems (pain, stiffness, high enzymes, inflammation etc) and lyme or chronic infections.
Toxins are the main problem (in my view).
Binders only may help, may make worse (when they move too many toxins that get blocked somewhere else), killers (herbs or chemicals) always make the problem worse, bad nutrition too.
I don't know what to suggest you, except for continuing trying to find good binders, liver and gall bladder supporting herbs /therapies / liver flushes...
... and possibly some other therapy such as acupuncture / homeopathy. I always suffered with my liver and gall bladder (pain, stiffness, enzymes), and had to be on bitter herbs to survive lyme treatment. And candida treatment.
I started using high frequencies on both organs, and felt a big relief. The device I use is called violet Ray, but I think any PEMF device shall help too.
My life really changed since I found that, because we need OILY foods (healthy oils) to bind toxins from herxes.
But because the liver / gall bladder are charged and not working properly, we cannot digest oils well. Adding high frequencies helps to move the bile, you do feel the gall bladder pushing off bile, and then a relief.
At least, for me. Now I can eat good oils and feel better like that (as many toxins only solve in oils, not in water).
Posted by amberlin96 (Member # 11535) on :
Lila, yes had a liver panel but it's time for another. I've never had elevated enzymes etc. The only time I've had pain in that region was in the two specific binders CSM and modified citrus pectin. I can take charcoal just fine.
The weight loss has been a concern and a puzzle. I see my pcp in a week who did a Genova comp stool analysis, gut permeability and nutreval so I'll get the results when I see her.
I'm certainly going to tell her the connection and get some tests on my gall bladder. The next step... I don't know. I will be asking for lots of testing because the weight loss is so scary.
Thanks for everyone's responses. I was actually hoping the short lived gall pain while taking these two binders would be indicative of WHY the weight loss.
Posted by amberlin96 (Member # 11535) on :
Lymetoo, as soon as I had the pain from each binder I quit it and the pain stopped.
Posted by lymenotlite (Member # 33166) on :
I'm wondering exactly what the cause of the gallbladder issue is. Is it gallstones?
I was having some pain in the area of my liver so I started doing liver cleanses as suggested by Andreas Moritz. After releasing several thousand liver stones, and at about the fifth cleanse, I released several hundred gallstones.
My sister had her gallbladder removed so I'm glad. The gallstones were tan and the liver stones were green. No pain or very little of it now. I'll continue until I release no more liver stones.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by amberlin96: Lymetoo, as soon as I had the pain from each binder I quit it and the pain stopped.