Advice needed / Gallstones and IBS

Hi all,

Does anyone have any information to offer on the connection between Gallstones or gallbladder disorders and irritable bowel syndrome? A couple of my books mention that gallbladder disease can be related to IBS, but don't really go beyond that.

I have done 6 or 7 Liver Flushes in the last few months, after having pressure and little burning pains in the liver and gb area. I have got out around 1,000 to 1,200 stones and am pleased with this, but overall don't feel much better, still fatigued and without energy. I was warned of liver problems by a Qigong (sp?) master in China a few years ago, but didn't take any notice because I had no symptoms or knowledge at the time. I have never had any IBS/IBD symptoms before. I haven't been diagnosed with IBS, but have been having symptoms in the last few weeks of a little pain and tenderness that seems to move around the entire colon area, but no lasting diarrhea and no constipation. The pains come and go. This appears to be directly related to the death of my 34yo brother 7 weeks ago. He was diagnosed 8 months ago with advanced bowel cancer (due to a 15 year history of ulcerative colitis), metastatic to the liver. His liver was "riddled" with tumours apparently. I have been told by a surgeon that there is no genetic component to this.

I have been to a doctor twice, once after my brother was diagnosed and once after he died. I complained of various pains and had an abdominal ultrasound for suspected ovarian cyst (not gb) after the first visit, which showed up nothing. Basically I have just been told to leave it for a couple of months and see if it all settles down.

My diet is fairly good I think. I drink lots of water, some herbal tea and carrot and cabbage juice. I have been avoiding dairy for the last 15 or so years due to allergy, I use soy milk. I rarely eat meat and try to get protein from other sources like baked beans and fish. I buy only high fibre things for the family like pasta, bread and breakfast cereal. My BMI is now 22, although I was seriously overweight after the birth of my two children (aged nearly 3 and 15 months).

I have started taking psyllium and Bentonite in the last few days, after learning about it here, and am hoping for some benefit from that. Anybody got any advice/encouragement to offer? It's all getting me down, I've really been struggling to raise some Christmas spirit.

Thanks to all who put in so much time and effort here! It's been so helpful to me. Tweet