Is it the Gallbladder?

Question

I'm a 36 yr old woman, 127 lbs, 5'5". I recently had a HIDA scan that found a 12% ejection rate. I'm scheduled for gallbladder remove on April 12th, but concerned that this is not the solution. I have constant dull pains under the right & left rib cage and lower right kidney that seem to get worse in the evening. I constantly have symptoms of tiredness, thirst, dizziness, nausea, joint pain, vomitting & chronic constipation. The symptoms seem to be worse in the evening; and now to the extent I come home from work and fall asleep almost immediately. Lately, normal daily chores and errands seem to exhaust me and I NEVER leave the house without a beverage. Weekly for years, I have had episodes where my lower abomen will become bloated within a few minutes, like I'm 9 months pregnant; and sharp knife like pains above the belly button. The pain is so severe it takes your breath away and the only thing to do is lay down and wait for it to pass. By morning lower abdominal pain and bloat is gone, but I still have the pain under both sides of the rib cage and lower back by right kidney. I've had a CT with and without contrast, but the results were normal and no stones in the gallbladder. The only test that had a bad result was the HIDA scan. Can a gallbladder cause all this agony? I've read a lot of forums about gallbladder removal, but there doesn't seem to be any consistency amongst patients post op. If the gallbladder is out will the symptoms I'm experiencing go away or will they be worse? I've read patients experience more nausea due to the "dumping" effect and more constipation post op. My surgeon says my symptoms will get better, but I'm skeptical that there may be more to this than just the gallbladder. Since I am having the removal, are there other things the surgeon should do while I'm under? Can they check the liver, bile ducts, and pancreas? My grandfather died of bile duct cancer, so I'm even more concerned how can the gallbladder has a 12% ejection rate without stones? Is something blocking it from releasing bile?

Appreciate any feedback - professionals, the suffering, or those of you gallbladder(free) ... Thank you!

This discussion is related to Gall Bladder Surgery?.

LauraRenee2410 · Answer

Im 26 yrs old , about 5'7 and weigh about 140 lbs. I had an endoscope done to see why i am having all this pain in my stomach area and came back i had silent Gerd and a Hiatal Hernia. The dr put me on protonix for the gerd. My hiatal hernia was too small to do anything with it. So the pains never went away so i had an abdominal ultrasound done and everything was normal..No gallstones were present at that time. About a month after that i had a HIDA scan done and it showed my gallbladder functioning at 15%. I went and seen the surgeron and he basically made it seem like it was my choice if i wanted it taken out or not. But i didnt know what was best for me because i had so many questions about it. My pain at that time wasnt severe at all. It was a little soreness on my ride side back and front under my rib cage. I told the surgeron i would think about it and would let him know. So weeks past and the pain started getting worse, the naseua abdominal pains. When i did have my hida scan done when they injected the cck  my pain was mostly near my belly button and i felt extermely nasusated.. Im scheduled now to have my gallbladder out on wed but feel very anxious because i do not know if i am making the right decision. Ive heared horror stories about gallbladders turning into gangerene and becoming infected and gaining alot of weigh and diahrea after gallbladder removal but on the other hand i wana get it out because what if i have stones now and the pain just gets worse. I guess i just wana know im making the right decision. ANy help would be greatly appriciated!! Thanks!

jlbGB10 · Answer

Did you have uncontrolled burping with your symptoms?  I also have had all the symptoms you mentioned for apx 1 week.  I have a ct scan scheduled for tomorrow.  I'm really confused since all my labs are normal. Jodie

Reruho · Answer

I was able to return to a normal diet immediately. 2 weeks ago,I went on a low fat diet to try and lose some weight since I am feeling so good again. BIG MISTAKE! The low fat diet gave me the diarrhea. I was thinking no wonder you lose weight on this diet. The diet had cabbage in it, which is a big intestinal gas producer. So, I have been cramping. I gave up the diet yesterday and I am feeling better. I went in the kitchen and fixed eggs on toast, it was good. I will have to watch things like cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli from now on.

I recommend that you proceed slowly with eating and see how your body reacts.

I am still happy I had the surgery. I am starting to look like a normal person again. I have regular eyes instead of black hollows.

The good news, I did lose 5 pounds.

Reta

giIBSgall10 · Answer

Thank you for the positive outlook! My reaction was slight - actually I caught myself thinking... "It's only gas"... A natural mindset I've had for years!  Little did I know that this feeling was due to the gallbladder!  How has your diet been post op?  Do you have to watch what you eat?  Have you had any acid reflux or digestive problems?  I've read forums where patients post removal have a burning feeling after meals - similar to acid reflux.  Any advice for the two days after? I've heard walking around is important to deflate the abdomen.

Reruho · Answer

I forgot to mention that most people have an ejection fraction of 35 to 75%. 

Did you have a violent reaction to the CCK hen they injected it during the HIDA scan?

Reruho · Answer

Yes, your gallblader can be causing most of these symptoms. My symptoms were often worse at night but fatty foods didn't bother as much as other foods like apples, I would have cramping up my right breast, or along the diaphram and that knife in the back. The exhaustion may be the result of the toll it is taking out on your body. I took bentyl for intestinal cramping.

My biospy showed signs of chronic inflamation and cholesterolosis, sometimes called strawberry GB. The cholesterol in the bile deposited into the surface of the GB

I had a low functioning GB. What happens is the GB will fill and then not empty. them it would fill up again causing the GB to swell and get sore. They told me for 20 years it was IBS. I would go in complaining and they would ran labs-normal, do an ultrasound-normal. They treat me once for back strain. I questioned the IBS diagnosis since I had no bowel dysfunction. I finally found a GI that ran a Hida scan. I was able to put my surgey off for 2 years because my pain only occurred once or twice a month and never lasted more than a couple of days. Last summer I had a major flare that last 9 months until I had my Gb removed in 3 weeks ago.

One thing the surgeon told me was positve for biliary dyskinesia (low function GB) was the fact I had been having slightly elevated alkaline phosphates levels for 2+ years. No one could tell me why or seemed the least bit worried about them. Also, you have normal labs and ultrasounds.

You will feel better after the surgey. I was in surgery at 7, done by 10 and on my way home by 11:30. I woke up at 4:00 pm in my bed. You will be very sore for the first two day and then on day 3 you feel 1000% better. I had surgery on Monday and was able to put my jeans on by Friday.  My incisions had internal stitches, then they were sealed with superglue and tape. It was really neat. The belly button incision was the one that was the sorest for the longest  amount of time.

Good luck.
Reta