Dealing with bile reflux

No, it’s not quite the same thing as acid reflux (GERD), even though people mix them up all the time.

Has anyone here dealt with bile reflux following gallbladder surgery? I'm curious about the symptoms and what medications you're using. Apparently, bile can flow "southward," causing indigestion, or "northward" toward the throat, leaving a bitter taste in your mouth. Some say it eventually settles down about a year after the procedure. Is there any truth to that? Anyone else going through this?

Amanda Gray77 said:No, it’s actually not the same thing as acid reflux (GERD), even though everyone seems to lump them together.

Has anyone here dealt with bile reflux after gallbladder surgery? What kind of symptoms are you getting, and what meds are actually helping? I’ve heard people say bile can travel "south" and mess up your digestion, or go "north" toward your throat and leave that bitter taste in your mouth. Apparently, they say it just settles down about a year after the surgery. Is that actually true? Anyone else going through this right now?

I’ve got bile reflux myself, started right after my gallbladder surgery. I’m dealing with daily nausea, though I’m honestly not sure if that's directly from the reflux or something else entirely.

Can I get some input from anyone who actually knows their stuff when it comes to acid reflux? Like, what’s the best way to deal with it, how do you even treat it properly? Also, if you're currently stuck in the trenches dealing with this same mess, please weigh in. Let's swap stories and see what works.

BILE REFLUX

I recently stumbled upon an article discussing bile reflux, and I found one particular section quite striking—specifically the idea that proton pump inhibitors, such as Prilosec or Prevacid, might actually end up exacerbating the symptoms. It resonated with me personally, as I started experiencing these very issues while undergoing a repeated triple-therapy regimen to eradicate H. pylori, during which time I had been prescribed Prilosec.

Matthew Grant3 said:BILE REFLUX

I just stumbled across this article about bile reflux. The part that really caught my eye was how proton pump inhibitors (like Prilosec or Prevacid) might actually make things worse. For me, the symptoms kicked in right when I was going through that repeated triple therapy to wipe out H. pylori while I was on Prilosec.

I read that article too...
Honestly, dealing with this is such a grind... trying to overhaul your whole life—diet, sleep habits, you name it—it doesn't even help nearly as much as it does for standard acid reflux...
And for you, having that H. pylori infection in the mix definitely didn't make things easier...
On the bright side, at least you haven't had to go under the knife for your gallbladder like I did...
See? When all else fails, there’s surgery... like a Roux-en-Y... though apparently, the success rate is only somewhere between 50% and 90%...
I've got no clue why those specific symptoms hit you back then, though... maybe if some of the more experienced folks on here chime in, we'll actually get some real answers...

Honestly, I find myself wishing more people dealing with bile reflux would open up and share their personal journeys. It feels like we're often navigating this alone.

How long have you been struggling with bile reflux? Also, if you don't mind me asking, what kind of medications have you found helpful—or perhaps less so—during your experience?

I’ve been dealing with this absolute nightmare for about 8 months now... I'm currently on a cocktail of Prevacid, Rupurut, and Questran, but honestly? It feels like they aren't even doing much at this point.

Hi everyone,

So, I’ve been dealing with some pretty massive acid reflux issues for about two and a half years now, ever since my gallbladder surgery. The diagnosis ended up being chronic gastritis triggered by the reflux itself. I’ve completely overhauled my diet, and honestly, I feel like I’ve tried every medication under the sun, but nothing seems to actually touch it.
What has your experience been like? Has anyone actually managed to get this under control?

Best,

Edward Ortiz54 said:Hey everyone,

I've been dealing with major acid reflux issues for about 2.5 years now after having my gallbladder removed. The diagnosis is chronic gastritis caused by the reflux. I've completely overhauled my diet and tried pretty much every medication out there, but nothing seems to touch it.
What's your experience been like? Has anyone actually managed to fix this?

Best,

What kind of symptoms are you getting? Maybe I've got something undiagnosed too.

Starting a new thread... It’s a shame there isn't much activity here. Does anyone else deal with non-LOG issues?

I finally received my diagnosis today (though unfortunately)... Biliary gastritis. On my abdominal ultrasound, they also found a tiny 4mm nodule, possibly a gallbladder polyp. I'm not sure if the two are related..

I have a follow-up appointment with my doctor soon, so hopefully they can guide me on the next steps..

For years now, I've been struggling with this strange, constant hunger, even immediately after eating.. On top of that, I have all the typical symptoms of LPR. I also frequently get these hives on my face—this itching sensation similar to a mosquito bite.. I wonder if it's all connected. HP tested negative.. It was only positive once, eleven years ago, when I cleared it with triple therapy.. I also deal with frequent bloating, burping, and my stools tend to be soft with little spots in them. Tomorrow, I'm bringing a sample in for testing for Kaprotectin.. and I'm waiting on bloodwork results for celiac disease.

I've been vegan for three and a half years now.. My fat levels have been normal according to my last labs. Usually, my cholesterol sits right near the upper limit, but everything else is fine. I've always been thin; I can't seem to gain weight at all, except during my two pregnancies when I actually looked healthy and fit. In my most recent labs (done a week after a stomach virus), my liver enzymes, ALT and AST, were slightly higher than usual, though still within the normal range..

If anyone has any advice, please feel free to share.. Is there any way to manage this type of gastritis, or is surgery the only option left?