OSA and gall bladder disease

jqp · Post by **jqp** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 7:29 pm

Has anyone heard of a link between untreated OSA and gall bladder disease?

My gall bladder had been giving me fits for the last couple years. I'd have a gall stone episode every week or more... the pain wasn't unbearable, but uncomfortable. After a day or two, it would clear and all would be well.

I went and had an ultrasound of the gall bladder, and the doc said it was full of "sludge." He wanted to do surgery the next week. I was busy at the beginning of the summer so put it off.

I haven't had a single episode in the last couple of weeks. I'm wondering if it's a fluke, or if low oxygen levels screw up the gall bladder too, and perhaps it's a little happier now? I don't know... just a thought. I better knock on wood so I don't have a huge episode tomorrow.

Anyone?

JQP

Wulfman... · Post by **Wulfman...** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 7:35 pm

jqp wrote:Has anyone heard of a link between untreated OSA and gall bladder disease?

My gall bladder had been giving me fits for the last couple years. I'd have a gall stone episode every week or more... the pain wasn't unbearable, but uncomfortable. After a day or two, it would clear and all would be well.

I went and had an ultrasound of the gall bladder, and the doc said it was full of "sludge." He wanted to do surgery the next week. I was busy at the beginning of the summer so put it off.

I haven't had a single episode in the last couple of weeks. I'm wondering if it's a fluke, or if low oxygen levels screw up the gall bladder too, and perhaps it's a little happier now? I don't know... just a thought. I better knock on wood so I don't have a huge episode tomorrow.

Anyone?

JQP

I take it they haven't checked your "sludge level" lately.....?

Hard tellin'. When the body gets oxygen deprived, there's all kinds of possibilities.

Hope everything checks out OK the next time.

Den

jqp · Post by **jqp** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 7:40 pm

No, I don't have a "sludge" dipstick.

If I keep doing well for another month or two, I'll ask for another ultrasound and see what's in there. It would be curious if the gall bladder was more mobile and able to expell the sludge.

We'll see.

JQP

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 7:59 pm

Before I was diagnosed with OSA i had severe attacks and wasn't eating. They did a ultrasound and found out my gallbladder was full of stones and removed it all together. But I wasn't diagnosed with OSA untill after my gallbladder was removed.

drummergirl410 · Post by **drummergirl410** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 8:13 pm

They took my gall bladder when I was between my second and third years of college. It was FULL of stones... 30 to 40 I was told. I had lots of factors that contributed to it. I take birth control for hormone replacment and had been at that time for some years, I was overweight, and my diet was not great then either. I had an attack that put me in the hospital for three days! I didn't eat solid food for a week! I was so sore it was hard to get comfoftable. It was horrible! They did the laproscopic procedure on me and it was a cake walk compared to the atack I had. My advice... don't wait! If the doc says to get it out, I'd do so. However it is your decision. I do agree that your premise of the body healing itself since the OSA is in check. I hope if you do decide to wait that the damage will be reversed. Keep us posted!

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 8:39 pm

you NEED to cut the FAT and cholesterol intake, that means a veggie diet for awhile, that sludge is bile that builds up from animal fat and cholesterol. Over time excess cholesterol begins to calcify and form gallstones, which can become painful when they move thru the small bile ducts going from the gallbladder.

You might check at a health food store for some herbal tea like Raja Cup made from nut, kasmard, licorice and cherry. There is a barely based prouduct called Yannoh and Cafix. Acupuncture may enable you to pass the stones into the intestine without surgery.

things to avoid:

Saturated and hydroginated oils, foods with high cholesterol

things that may help:

Peppermint purifier, peppermint tea, peppermint oil in water
Dandelion (bitter herb), also in tea form
Olive oil like on a salad, pour it on the olive oil helps pass gallstones.

Eat breakfast or spread meals out over the day.

Got a fish finder on your boat? I've heard of guys removing the transducer and holding it up to the gallbladder and the ultrasound waves pulverize the stones so they can be passed (never tried it myself)

Hoover · Post by **Hoover** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 11:32 pm

Interesting. I had mine out ten years ago and I'm guessing I had apnea by then. I have lots of weird food intolerances now - no soybeans (especially bad), beans, eggs - dairy and wheat both a bit difficult. I tried everything to keep mine and I suggest you do the same. Our body needs that little reservoir. One other thing if you do lose weight do it slowly - fast weight loss is really hard on the gb - many folks who do liquid or crash dieting end up having to have their gbs taken out.

good luck with this.

jqp · Post by **jqp** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 4:26 am

Yep, I want to keep it if possible. The docs just want to rip them out. They say you don't need them.

My sister had hers out a few years ago and it took her a couple of years to be able to eat a meal and not have to run to the bathroom.

I told the doc I'd be in the ER the second it started hurting like crazy.

Those little boogers are in there for a reason.

JQP

NeedinZs · Post by **NeedinZs** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 3:38 pm

JQP,

My mom and her sister both have OSA and gall bladder problems...interesting. My Mom's SURGEON/Gastroenterologist, believe it or not, said having your gallbladder removed is the last thing you want to do.
The sister had hers out, and still has the same problems as before.

Snoredog is right about the diet.

I know we're all different, but just thought I'd add another couple of stories to ponder. I'm sure the people who have had lots of gallstones, are very happy to have theirs taken out!
I'd be sure your discomfort is coming from the gallbladder positively (another test, like you said) before going the surgery route.

You'll just have to go with your GUT, on this one. Sorry, I couldn't resist the pun.

I know it's no laughing matter.....I hope you don't have anymore episodes!

jqp · Post by **jqp** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 4:05 pm

Yeah, it's a pretty odd coincidence that my gall bladder problems of 10 years would go away at the same time I start CPAP... strange indeed.

Surgeon guy said gall bladder problems definitely run in families.

JQP

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