I was born without a gallbladder. I am 47 years old and did not know it until I was in my 20's. When I was a small child, my parents were told that I had a serious heart murmur. I even went to the UAB hospital annually for several years to have my heart checked. After having my children in my 20's, I developed severe esophageal reflux with ulcers. I haven't had a day since that I don't have heartburn. I have had all the tests possible on my heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, stomach, colon......everything comes back to the absence of my gallbladder. I have severe pain in my stomach, sides and chest most of the time. My reflux is now a hiatal hernia, and my thyroid has stopped functioning. Still, it all leads back to being born without a gallbladder. I have IBS, kidney stones, gastritis, heart palpitations, severe swelling of my legs, hands and stomach. I don't even have a stem for a gallbladder to have ever formed. I am sorry for anyone else going thru this.