I'm writing this blog for the purpose of it showing up in google searches and hoping I can help someone out there find some relief.
I had my gallbladder removed 2 years ago.
I found relief after the surgery, but still had some pain. And it was getting worse.
Sharp, squeezing-like pain in the area where my gallbladder used to be with slightly increased pancreas levels (specifically lipase).
Went through every test possible. Everything inside of me is fine. I just had chronic pain.
I most likely have sphincter of oddi. I never went through the tests that properly diagnose it (as the test that diagnose is risky), but my GI doctor ruled out everything else and determined this is most likely what I have.
He prescribed me 10mb of NORTRIPTYLINE a day. It took about 2-3 weeks after I started taking it before I felt relief.
4 months later, I am symptom free!!!!
No pain!! I can eat anything I want and my anxiety is basically non-existent.
Please... there are a lot of awful experiences on the internetz. Please consider my success story and ask your doctor about Nortriptyline (or another TCA type of anti-depressant) to treat your chronic stomach pain.
Moving right along
8 years ago
Megan, Thank you for this post. I have been searching the web to find something...anything positive about taking Nortriptylin for this problem. I too have had lots of test done, with the exception of the ERCP which is something I did not want to happen. I have not taken the medicine yet because of the plethora of bad side effects. I am kind of a wimp when it comes to medicine...doesn't take much to make me feel weird and then I am done! My doctor wants me to take 10 mg for the first week and increase by 10 mg each week to 40 mg for a total. I can't seem to even start with the 10 mg! However, after reading your post I think I will at least try! Did you have any side affects at all? Thanks again, Peg
ReplyDeleteHi, anonymous!
DeleteThat is a good question. The worst side effect I had was dry mouth, which was resolved by chewing on ice cubes. The dry mouth went away after about 3 weeks. It's been about 8 months (?) since I've been on it have no side effects at all. It's been a life saver. I highly recommend trying it and giving it a few weeks to work.
Happy New Year, Megan! Glad to hear that you're doing and feeling better on the med. - it takes alot of courage to seek solutions. Be well... -Karen
ReplyDeleteHey Megan,
ReplyDeleteI suffered from gallbladder disease for almost two years if not. It took over a year and a half of being told I had nothing wrong with me before finally a test confirmed the diagnosis.
I had blood work, ultrasound and put on a long list of medication to try and help my symptoms - all of which showed nothing wrong, or the medication didn't help me.
Finally I had a HIDA scan, well actually 2! I was diagnosed with a non functioning gallbladder. My results were actually 0% which isn't often seen.
I got my gallbladder removed around 6 weeks ago and I felt better than before when it was still in, but I still suffer with upset stomach and nausea quite often. Some days I feel like I did before my gallbladder was removed and I have been feeling very discouraged because everyone keeps asking me how I feel and I keep saying "good!" even if I am not. I feel like I need to lie because everyone expects me to be better.
I read your blog probably a year ago when I was first looking into gallbladder issues and was happy to see you had a success story - all the others on the internet are horror stories for the most part.
It's also nice to see you had minor complications after your surgery, so it makes me feel not as alone.
I think I will see my doctor and bring this up to him and talk to him about this medication and give it a try.
Thanks for posting your experience, I am sure it has helped many people!
Cheers!
Kayla
Hello Megan - found your post today after my 27 year old daughter was diagnosed with the same condition, and 10mg of Nortriptyline has been prescribed. Can you possibly give us an update on how you are doing now - several years later? I am very concerned about the side-effects that seem to be associated with this medication. Thank you and I hope you are doing well!!
ReplyDelete25 years after my gallbladder was removed, I started having nausea and heartburn pain. The usual heartburn meds did nothing to help. I lost weight and life was miserable for 3 years. I stringently followed the usual acid reflux diet - no chocolate, tomatoes, onions, garlic, etc with little relief. Had all the usual tests done showing only gastritis. Finally had a gastroenterologist PA prescribe Nortriptyline 10 mg and the next day I had total relief! Miracle! After 6 months I can eat anything, have gained weight, and feeling back to normal. There are times lately where I have some pain due to stress and then I up the dosage to 20 mg. Total success for me. Thank God.
ReplyDelete