Has anyone else experienced gallstone pancreatitis?

[Anonymous]

Just got out of the hospital after having my gallbladder removed. Went to the ER with horrible abdominal pain, was told I had gallstones and an inflamed pancreas with lipase and amylase levels sky high. After five days hospitalization, no food or drink (nothing taken orally... only IV), my gallbladder was removed. This whole hideous experience came as a total shock to me. No prior symptoms; the pain came on me like a ton of bricks. I'm fine now but interested in other people's experiences. I'm 40, hypothyroid, mildly overweight. Anyone?

[Anonymous]

You had the same thing that I did back in April, but I kept my gallbladder. I'm 49. I woke up in the middle of the night with a weird pain in my right upper abdomen that wouldn't go away with Pepto-bismol (my go-to remedy for all GI symptoms). By 8 AM I was asking DH for a ride to the ER, since I knew if I called my internist he'd say that's where I should go. My enzymes were 10 times normal, CT scan and sono didn't show anything and the pain was a lot better by about 5 or 6 PM. They shocked me by saying I needed to be admitted, because I really didn't feel that bad by late afternoon. Had repeat labs throughout the night and next day, and went home about 36 hours after getting there. Never was an explanation for this, but I probably passed a gallstone.

[Anonymous]

OP, six months ago I had an almost identical experience. Sucks! I'm six months post-op and pancreas and liver are back to normal function. I'm 34 and was a year post partum. After the gb came out, I did have some GI issues afterwards (diarr.) but that is very common after gb removal. It's improved a lot. It was at its worst for 2 months post op. Good luck with your recovery--sorry you went through this and I hope you feel better soon!

[Anonymous]

About 2 years ago I (probably) passed a gallstone and had accompanying acute pancreatitis. It went away on its own and did not become chronic. That is the condition everyone needs to worry about, especially.

It hurt like hell, like you said. It was also a wake-up call: overweight, white early middle aged women are much more likely to suffer this. I started exercising much more and I cut back on meats and animal fats.

If you read about gallstones and related conditions, you'll see that the non-medical treatment includes this.