I'm fairly new to the site, with not much experience on lyme, but I can tell you that when my symptoms began this past winter, my doc did find that my gallbladder was full of stones and needed to be removed. I was having horrible pains that kept me up most of the night and couldn't wait for it to come out! I hope that you didn't have to deal with all the discomfort!

If you're having the surgery done laproscopically (which seems to be the case most of the time, unless they run into complications) don't worry, you'll do just fine. My general md was so casual about the gallbladder coming out that I didn't worry much and thought I'd be up and around the next day, and that was really the toughest part for me. It will take a few days afterward to feel like getting up and around-don't push yourself and take time to rest. Within a few weeks you'll feel good again. Some people have told me that they have a lot of problems with "gas" afterward, but it wasn't a problem for me and as far as diet, I am eating everything that I was prior to surgery without any problems.

I can't give much advice on the surgery and it's correlation to lyme because at the time I had my gallbladder out, I was so ill I hoped that all my problems would be solved, but right after surgery all my symptoms began again (except the horrible stomach pain!)

I wish you the best on your surgery and remember to keep in mind to take it easy for a few days after and have someone there to help you (esp. if you have little ones like me!) because you need the rest!

Keep us posted on your progress and we'll keep you in our thoughts!

For better or worse, procedures like this do seem to set off Lyme, but you could work that in your favor. Are there any abx you were hoping to try anyway, but putting off because of the inevitable herx? Now's your chance to get it on board.

This last comment is very new agey, and please feel free to quickly discard it--but I chose not to have my gallbladder removed because my physical therapist said the body uses it to process stress. Luckily, a combination of craniosacral therapy and Actigall helped with the stones, and I haven't felt any pain there in over a year.

I had gall bladder disease, no stones (which sounds like what is going on with you).

Hope things go smoothly - I'm sure it will.

--Annie

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``The best way out is always through.'' -Robert Frost

Good luck on your surgery. I had a gallbladder scare in ER in the spring.

As long as I didn't move, it didn't hurt. LOL.

You said you were afraid of crashing after surgery.....

My favorite immune stimulant is MGN-3 by Lane Labs, but FDA just banned it. That was the best over-the-counter stuff. Very expensive, but it worked fast.

(There was nothing wrong with it; mislabeling was their big sin.)

You're probably already well covered with anti-oxidants, but here are some ideas for you to consider.

This is what I would probably do extra:

Liquid Co-Q10 softgels by Twinlab or your favorite----- as much as I could afford.
(not wal-mart)

NAC - N-Acetyl Cysteine capsules for rebuilding the body. You need sulphur for rebuilding tissues. Take on empty stomach with Vit. C & B6.

(This is not related to SULFA DRUGS, that's something totally different. If you can eat garlic & onions, you can take NAC)

Beta Glucans - these are too expensive, but they work. They stimulate your immune system, but don't work on infection directly.

Try not to get the kind made with oats---not effective.

Here's a costly suggestion:
Immunition Glucan Extra Strength 10 mg per day for a 160 lb. person.

Some health food stores carry these. We always purchased them on discount day - Tuesdays 20% off ----- so it wasn't so darn expensive.

They come in quantities of 30 caps or 60 caps.

This is their site. Has good info, too.

http://www.nsc24.com/nsc24.htm

Also, for protein shake, use a can of your favorite Denatured Whey protein to build glutathione levels.

From health food store: "America's #1 Protein - Designer Protein Whey" for $17.

(I don't get that $50 stuff; too costly)

To look at it: www.designerwhey.com

(The website is weird; click on products; & then denatured whey. Darn, they don't show the small can I use which is 12.7 oz.----sorry.)

You may not have much of an appetite, but do try to keep your protein levels up.

Only if Physician approved: Add 1 tablespoon of Essential Fatty Acid (keep refrigerated) it will stick with you longer. (please, please check with doctor on that)

Then add your favorite fruits:
frozen bananas, strawberries, yogurt,etc.

You can also add l T. of unsulphured Blackstrap Molasses only from health food store $4; it's chock full of minerals. It will really build you up & energize you.

Hope that helps.

Let us know how things go.
Best wishes,
Jan

[This message has been edited by RECIPEGIRL (edited 04 September 2004).]

Is it from rocephin?

I watch mine carefully and pulse the rocephin so hopefully it won't happen.

Recipegirl,
I'm going to check into the stuff you mentioned today as soon as I'm done with this post. Thanx for all the good info.

Kara,
I agree with you about not having it done on emergency basis. That had to be scarey for you!

Maddog,slcd,arg82,
Yes i think it's due to Rocephin. I was on IV for 90 days 2grams a day. My doc never suggested anyhting to protect my gallbladder. As a matter of fact i took doxy for a year without any accidopholus because i had no clue about it.

If this is going to stop the doubling over stomach pains traveling into my shoulder and back then i can deal with the fear of surgery.

I dont remimber it being scary. What I remember is yelling, "TAKE IT OUT!". By that time I think I would have been glad if they hadnt even waited to put me to sleep.

Dont fret over it too too much. If it is elective you should be on your feet in no time. Just dont wait to long.

if it is really necessary to loose your gallbladder if steps are followed... like below.
Or if you do gallbladder flushes or gallbladder herbs or health drinks to keep the gallbladder from building up sludge in it from the antibiotics.

Got this info from Dr B's guidlines...
and dont know if others have seen it.
I do not want to loose my gallbladder...
Some I know have lost it and are not the same, their digestion is not the same.
I am doing beet drinks, olive oil and lemon juice to keep the gallbladder working... and I do notice that sometimes I take this drink I am quite ill... but feel better later.

When choosing a third generation cephalosporin, there are several points to
remember: Ceftriaxone has 95% biliary excretion and can crystallize in the
biliary tree with resultant colic and possible cholecystitis. GI excretion
results in a large impact on gut flora. Biliary and superinfection problems
with ceftriaxone can be lessened if this drug is given in interrupted
courses, such as three to five days in a row each week. More recently,
chenodeoxycholic acid, used to dissolve gallstones, is being prescribed
along with ceftriaxone as prophylaxis. Cefotaxime is less convenient to
administer because of the need for either multiple daily doses or continuous
infusions, but as it has only 5% biliary excretion, it never causes biliary
concretions, and may have less impact on gut flora. It is the experience of
some clinicians that cefotaxime can be even more efficacious if given as a
continuous infusion, rather than in interrupted doses.

I think we should hold on to all our "parts" as long as possible. Too often the medical profession treats them as if they were "spare parts" and is way too casual about taking them out.

If you go to the gallbladder flush group on Yahoo http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/gallstones/ you can learn about doing the liver flush (SOOOO easy!)and possibly save your gallbladder.

I say don't don't have surgery without trying to save your gallbladder first.

You could be pleasantly surprised as countless others have been before you, including yours truly. The doctors will be just as happy to take it out two weeks from now as they are this week.

Check it out!

orion

Sunday...I will do my first full fledged gallbladder/liver cleanse.'

I was advised to have mine removed last winter.