Would you have surgery without test results?

[JLA0909]

I wanted to hear some thoughts on my situation. I have been experiencing symptoms that are consistent with gallstones/gallbladder issues. I get the upper right quad pain, attacks in the stomach after eating, which vary in their intensity level. Pain radiates to my back right shoulder blade, as well as my sides at the low end of my rib cage (more of an ache). The stomach pain gets intense for about 10-20 minutes and then subsides, and some days I get the attacks every time I eat anything! This has been going on for 5 months now on and off and I have been to 2 different GI docs, a surgeon and the ER. I have had 2 endoscopy's, 2 ultra sounds, a CT scan and a HIDA scan, all of which yielded normal results. One endoscopy even took a sample of my bile to test for crystals and that came back negative. The blood work initially indicated inflammation, and the endoscopy indicated "mild gastritis." I do not have heartburn or diarrhea. I do not have an increased amount of gas or any problem going to the bathroom, so I can't buy into any IBS or GERD diagnosis. The pain is very real, always upper stomach toward the right and lately it has hurt on the right under my rib about midway down. I have done extensive research and everything points to gall bladder issues, but the tests don't show it. I have found link between gallstones and estrogen and I have increased the amount of estrogen I have been taking this past year since I switched birth control pills.
I have seen a surgeon, hoping he'd be able to think outside the box and find what else it may be, and he said he would take out my gallbladder, if I want, despite what the test results show, or don't show. At this point, I want relief and I know from what I have read on here that many people have no success with this procedure and still have pain. Should I give it a shot in hopes of having my life back? I am a 27 yr old female and holding off on wedding plans until I have some resolution. I'd appreciate any opinions on this. Thanks so much for your time!

[JLA0909]

Have any of you had your gallbladder removed without conclusive test results? If so, how do you feel now?

[JLA0909]

Thanks for your thoughts! When I am having a serious attack, my breathing is heavy, but not to a scary point (yet anyway). I do share all of your other symptoms though, including weight loss, nausea, upper back pain and effecting the breast bone/chest area as well. I actually was in the hospital 10 years ago for the same pain and they told me it was IBS, but now that I am older and more knowledgeable of myself and my symptoms, I know it wasn't that b/c all of my symptoms are in the upper quad. To me, IBS is manageable b/c it has a lot to do with stress b/c I have had family members have their gallbladders removed and are fine. I also have a colleague of mine who had gallstones and had his gallbladder removed by the same surgeon I am seeing and he is fine. My surgeon offered to remove it for me after asking me if it is affecting my job, relationships, ect. He has also told me the risks of the surgery, including the fact that since there are no conclusive results, this may not help at all, so it is really on me to decide. Thanks again for giving me your opinion and I will be sure to report on what I decide, when I decide it.

[Patti64]

I also have been complaning to my Doc for 5 months, I know it's the gallbladder but no test comes back positive. i am so desperate at this point I would have surgery if I could get a surgeon to do it. I also been having difficulties breathing! Any symptoms for you like this? mine is shortness of breath on exsertion and dry cough! I think I would do the surgery what else do you have to lose? You don't really need the gallbladder right?I've also had weight loss, neasea, back upper pain between the shoulder blades and then it affects the breast bone.All my other family members whom have had the gallbladder out had no positive test results but they now seem to suffer from like IBS symptoms. Any thoughts on that?Thanks for sharing, take care,Patti

[JLA0909]

Thank you for your thoughts... I was surprised when my surgeon said he would take it w/out proper test results....and the only reason I am even considering it is b/c it is effecting so many different areas of my life and if there is a chance that surgery can help, then is it worth it? In the end, if I still have the pain, I am not better or worse off than I am now, so what do I have to lose? This may be desperation talking; I really don't know anymore, which is I why I am seeking opinions, so thank you very much for your honesty.

[CalGal]

JLA, there is a high correlation between a lack of definitive test results (stones/sludge/reduced ejection fraction) and problems following GB surgery. Many surgeons these days will decline to remove the GB unless there are some very clear indications of a problem somewhere. So please be careful before you have the surgery.

You may want to consider trying another method of birth control and following a very low fat diet for a number of months to see if you can change the situation around a bit.

[JLA0909]

Thanks for responding...both of you. Darlene, yes, I have heard of SOD, but from what my doctor says, my blood work would reflect that (assuming it is severe enough to warrant treatment).

Did you show the stones before they removed your gallbladder or did you opt to have it out before they noticed the stones? Have your symptoms been relieved since having your gallbladder removed?

[DJsmiles]

It sounds like you could have SOD ... have you ever heard of that? You can google it and read about it.
Perhaps bring it up with your physician.

I am sorry you are in pain, I know what its like. I was there with the whole gallbladder attack symptoms and all tests showing nothing wrong with my gallbladder.

its now 2 years later and I've just had my gallbladder out 2 weeks ago...it finally showed that I had stones. this really hasnt fixed my problem though and I may have to do further studies.

Good luck to you!
Darlene

[marymagdeline]

Hi, I'm so sorry you are suffering as much as you are.  And you must be suffering a great deal if you are willing to get your gall bladder removed even though you are not sure it is your gall bladder that is causing your problems.  I know all too well what it is like to have constant pain and health problems and not be able to find the cause.  It's terrible.  Surgery should always be used as a last resort.  Try to be patient.  I am a nutritionist (retired) and I have always told my patients, go see BOTH a traditional doctor and a good holistic doctor.  Don't just see one or the other.  If you have not gone to see a good holistic doctor yet, please do that before getting surgery.  If you can afford it, go see Dr. Don Colbert in Florida.  Not only is he an excellent holistic doctor, but he is also a very devout Christian (you might want to check out his web site).  Whatever you do, stay away from these "new age' holistic doctors who will have you do all kinds of esoteric therapies.  As far as your wedding plans (congatulations!), again, be patient.  I saw  poll taken on Oprah that a showed that women in the US want to be married by the time they are 30, and have all their children by age 40.  You still have a while until your 30.  Maybe you can think about making your plans to get married at that exact age ( ? ).  Then, you can relax, pray for God's guidance, and take your time getting well before your wedding.  Good luck!