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Submitted by PatientsEngage on 26 November 2016

Diagnosed with Choledochal Cyst or a situation which causes a nagging digestive problem, Piali Syam strongly advises patients with similar issues to consult specialists and get a proper diagnosis at the earliest. Ignoring common symptoms is a huge mistake as an early treatment can also procure quick cure and comfort for the patient.

Piali, please tell us a bit about your condition

I have never had any major illnesses related to my digestive system prior to being diagnosed with a Choledochal Cyst. This is a cyst in the bile duct which causes obstruction to the flow of the bile and effects the digestion. When I read about this on the internet I was most worried as it said this kind of a cyst does get malignant over a period of time. It became imperative for me to address this problem ASAP and get it removed.

When were you diagnosed?

I was diagnosed in 2008.

What were the early symptoms?

For almost 5-6 years prior to diagnosing my problem I used to suffer from digestive issues. Initially I used to find it difficult to digest consecutive days of eating heavy/oily food. Invariably I would be constipated the next morning. Progressively my condition got worse as even one meal of rich food or red meet would be hard to digest and my bowel movement would get impacted. I would suffer from reflux and flatulence too.

Then I started having an intense pain in the upper part of my abdomen in the centre right below my diaphragm. This pain didn't settle with regular digestive medicines and got more intense within days. I rushed to my physician who advised me a sonography of the abdomen. The report suggested an obstruction in the bile duct. I was then referred to a surgeon who over the next few months made me go through various examinations like CT scan, MRI, Hida-scan etc to be absolutely sure that it was a cholidochal cyst.

Is there a history of Choledochal Cyst in your family?

Not that I know of.

What is your present condition?

It's been quite a few years since the surgery. I have adopted the diet changes suggested by my doctor. I have been advised small meals at regular intervals. I try to keep my meals light always.

Please describe your experience of managing your condition.

For about a year after my surgery I did consult my surgeon periodically but now I don't need to consult anyone. I am lucky to live in Mumbai, India, as we have very experienced doctors and state of the art hospitals too.

It’s not at all difficult to managing the issue post-surgery, Regular exercise and light meals are the best way to maintain oneself post-surgery. 

Any related complications?

There weren't any related complications other than difficulty in digesting my food specially the heavier ones like red meat or food cooked in butter and ghee. This would immediately lead to constipation.

What medications are you on?

Now I need to take Isabgul almost every night to ensure i clear my system every morning. If i do feel heavy in my stomach after a meal I take something like Reflux as I do have an acid reflux issue.

Were there any side-effects of the medicines?

No

What was the hardest part of the treatment? 

The surgery was a difficult and a long one. The recovery post-surgery also took time and I had to be careful initially with the diet. I started with soft food and very small portions and gradually moved to normal food and regular portions.

Has it been difficult emotionally to cope with your condition?

I was initially anxious during the investigative period but once the problem was diagnosed I knew I was in the best hands and I would recover very soon.

Have your family and friends supported you?

My husband was with me during all my visits to the doctor and during all investigations. The period that I was admitted for the surgery I had support from family and friends too.

And yes, I got immense support from my friends.

What is your advice to patients who face similar challenges?

I would like to advise people suffering from chronic digestive issues to see a specialist and get a proper diagnosis of their problem. My symptoms were very common ones faced by a lot of people but since I pursued with the investigations I was lucky to have the problem detected in time before it got worse. I did save myself in time as had I delayed it would have led to malignancy.

 

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