Gallbladder seems fine but PCP recommends removal

[misha50]

Had a full GI work up: CT scan, Hida scab, ultrasound, endoscopy, blood and stool tests.  A few years ago I also had an endoscopy, colonoscopy, x-rays, and blood and stool tests.  Results of all the tests do not show any problems with my gallbladder, and also no gallstones.  There is some family history of gallbladder issues.

I have acid reflux for at least the past few years and, per my GI at the time, slow motility in my digestive tract.  Per my current GI I may have IBS also.  Most of my symptons were diarrhea, stomach aches/discomfort, and soft and black stools.  Prilosec has made these symptons bearable and has helped relieved them to some degree, however still have some of the above symptoms and gassiness.  In truth, I never really felt that I had classic traditional heartburn or had problems eating certain foods, such as I could eat spicy foods and not have much change in my symptoms.

However,  in the past year I have developed additional painful symptoms:
Alternating pain between my right chest muscle and right under my right rib, like a throbbing or someone grabbing me under the rib - this initially started off as pain in my right upper back, but now it's rare to have the pain in the back.  The pain definitely tends to happen after eating, but also when laying down to sleep and when waking up in the morning.  Pain killers, such as Advil and Vicodin do almost nothing to relieve the pain, however once I tried Vicoprofen and it helped a little, but this is a very potent drug and it felt very addictive as I enjoyed its effect on me, so this drug is out.  I also have nausea, a bitter bile taste in my mouth, a feeling of fullness due to the nausea, some heartburn.  Fatty/Oily foods tend to inflame the pain the worst, but eating in general tends to aggravate it.  The pain is debilitating as I can't concentrate, am ultra sensitive to any noise or stimuli, and in general am not able to function.

My PCP says I have classic gallbladder symptoms and wants to remove the gallbladder.  A GI and a surgeon that removes gallbladders will remove the gallbladder if I insist as I'm at my wit's end, but they think it could be musculo-skeletal, which my PCP says doesn't make sense as I get the pain after eating.  After discussing this with the GI and surgeon, they agree that musculo-skeletal doesn't appear to make sense either.

I will be seeing another GI for a second opinion, but at this point I'm ready/willing to have gallbladder removal surgery.  Thoughts or suggestions on this?  Thanks so much!

[misha50]

Thanks for the suggestions.  I'll go try the Pepogest as I had not heard of this, and I've heard that peppermint oil is good for Gerd folks.  Have you heard of Aloe Vera AMP?  It's pretty expensive stuff but supposedly most folks have found that it helps with digestive issues.

Looked up DGL also, licorice is also supposed to be good for stomach.  I'll try this out as well.  Thanks again for suggestion.

Also looked up PSA and BPH as I'm not too familiar with all these acronyms, but good to get to know these.  I'll ask my PCP about this as well.  Thanks again for the food and book suggestions, I'm currently reading some Dr. Weil books on healthy eating and will make my way to yours.

[boron]

Misha, you are providing good info - I just found out you're a man :) .

You see, we enjoy bombing you with our diet ideas, please take it as a pure help in the consideration. When you're off from Prilosec, acid and proteins (which trigger acid secretion) may touch you more than before. And sugars cause bloating. I just want to be "technically" correct. Fruit juices are source of acid (pain) and sugars (gas), I don't want to spoil your day, but if you'll engage into proposed diet, maybe try with vegetable juices, or something with less sugar.

Then, I was thinking you're not bloated, but you said you're, if I get you right. Would you mind considering having a BREATH test for H. pylori again? Tests made during the biopsy maybe cought only some parts of gastric mucosa and not others. Blood tests show also previous infections, so they are useless.

Your age - still a mystery.

[Tom7335]

have not tried ALoe AMP but aloe is  good for burns, wound healing. DR Weil
has some good books on general health.

here is an excellent website:
lef.org........go to health concerns, then drop down to disease prevention, then
you will see the topic of gastrointestinal. read the various protocols. this organzation
has been around for about 25 yrs. very reputable. they alos provide a list of innovative
doctors, maybe there is one close by if you dont like  your pcp.

Have a nice 4th of July, post test results next week and we`ll go from there.

TOM

[misha50]

In early 40's.  I'm game for the breath test.  The GI did the biopsy and said it was "definitive" that I did not have HP, he seemed kind of bothered that I was asking him questions and has not returned a phone call from last week.  I believe I was very polite and professional with him, but I understand that there are cases like mine where the answers are not obvious and docs may not want to be bothered, at least that's my impression.

[boron]

I would be sorry, if I would contribute to your fights with a doctor. I can't say from here H.pylori yes or no. So, what speaks for H. pylori: inflammation of stomach (pain after eating) OR duodenum (pain on empty stomach), bloating of UPPER abdomen (uncomfortable felling under the ribs and in the chest), BURPING (more than usual). (Biopsy of both gastric and duodenal mucosa from several places would bec needed, now I don't know what was done, but a breath test can't miss H. pylori).

Low-sugar diet would surely reduce some bloating, but this is more like a test and not an end solution. If you think, I'm getting you wrong about bloating, tell straight. I have no interest to say you have H. pylori or not. Maybe you can set a day when you will try with a diet experiment - this can bring some answers.

[Tom7335]

one more thing...... if you do try the bread with olive oil before bed.....skip
the lemon water for now. Since you are off the Prilosec, dont want acidy lemon
to aggravate your stomach. IF you have some stomach distress, that gnawing
feeling, try tums.