does a low functioning gall bladder get better

[camelot]

Hi,

I have had a Hida scan that showed my ejection rate at 16%. I have a prescription for levsin which helps quite a bit. I am wondering if it is normal for the symptoms of pain and nausea to come and go. They are not as severe as they were a few weeks ago. I am attempting to follow a pretty bland diet which does help.

I am scheduled to have my gall bladder out on Nov. 29th. Is it possible that my gall bladder is getting better on its own and I don't need the surgery?

Thanks

[mynameischarles]

One class of drugs that's proven to cause this are opioids. So if you've taken them when you started having GB problems then this could well be the cause. In 2006 I was using an opioid to treat a problem and I began to have GB pain. My hida revealed my GB function was 5%. I didn't have the surgery and made a full recovery in a year and a half with a 60% function on another hida. I never knew it was opioids that caused this until recently, when I started taking opioids again for a problem and now my GB symptoms have all returned.

Also, due to the nature of opioids, it's possible to have your GB out and still not have resolution because they can also affect the oddi as well. This can cause you to have a well functioning GB on HIDA but still have GB type symptoms.

If you have this type of GB problem, it might be a good idea to avoid opioids.

[minda213]

Some good info here...  I have been having horrible pain off and on for a few months now; no gallstones, but my gallbladder is functioning at 23%.  Spoke with a surgeon this week who said he would only be willing to bet $20 on making me feel better by taking it out!  So, I've decided to not have the surgery for now and see what I can change to make it feel better.  Bland foods don't help, ironically that makes it happen most times, spicy foods, fatty foods, etc., don't normally tend to cause the problem.  Stress definitely increases it though.  Figured I'd get on here and see if anyone else had any thoughts/suggestions.  

[coldnhot45]

I wanted to tell you that about15 years ago my gallbladder went bad- I started throwing up everytime I ate. I was in my late 20's so it took them a while to figure out what was wrong but once they did  I had it removed  by laproscopic surgery. There was nothing to it. It was one day surgery with about a one inch incision and within a week I couldn't even tell that I had had surgery. I felt great after.
I'm now about to turn 44 and life without a gallbladder is a cinch.  I don't miss it in anyway.
If your surgeon is talking about anything other than this type of surgery, you may want to look elsewhere. It can be done.
I have had laproscopic surgery for gall bladder, endometreosis (several times), a vaginal hysterectomy. But I hear and know of a lot of people who have major surgery for the same things and I've never undersstood why. It's either related to surgeons, hospitals making more money with major surgery or lack of knowledge or skill of the surgeon. It does take one that has this kind of training.
I don't think it's because my problems were any worse than so many others. My hysterectomy included removing everything- including ovaries, tubes and uterus.
And my GB was in bad shape.  I don't know why major ones are still performed so much. I don't know how it is with Gb surgery.
A lot of surgery can be done this way. For me the only major I had don't that couldn't be done this way was with 2 severe bowl obstructions where a lot of my intestines were removed and my C-section, of course that'd be a little hard to do by laser!
Anyway, I hope this helps, I know how sick your GB or stones can make you.

[Scott1887]

I had a severe gallbladder attack 5 years ago and was recommended immediate surgery and I refused. A few days later had the hide scan done and it was functioning at 6% went home changed my diet completely to a low sugar no processed food diet and a whole lot of praying and every Friday eat double decker extra cheese pizza with the fam and not a problem since.

[ninterla]

Wondering how you are doing, my GB is functioning at 7% and they want to do a Endoscopy to ck the stomach not sure I want an Endo done. Maybe just change the diet, I do drink wine and wondered if that is bad, told the doctor and he never said to stop. 2/19/17

[Dk2017]

Hello Scott1887 I read on another blog that you wrote, that you went back after a year and a half of eating healthy and your hida scan read over 60%, are you still doing well? mine is at 9% and I am eating just vegetables, grassfed meat and organic fruits. I also take Ox bile, beets, AC vinegar water with meals and lots of enzymes for digestion. Already have Hashimoto's and have heard how some get that after GB removal, so I'm trying to keep it. Any more advise on this would help. Thank you! Doreen

[Dk2017]

Hello Scott1887 I read on another blog that you wrote, that you went back after a year and a half of eating healthy and your hida scan read over 60%, are you still doing well? mine is at 9% and I am eating just vegetables, grassfed meat and organic fruits. I also take Ox bile, beets, AC vinegar water with meals and lots of enzymes for digestion. Already have Hashimoto's and have heard how some get that after GB removal, so I'm trying to keep it. Any more advise on this would help. Thank you! Doreen

[kjmteach45]

I have had two HIDA Scans, two years apart. The first one showed an ejection fraction of 87% and the second one was at 45%. I know the 45% is still considered normal. I do have occasional gallbladder symptoms after large meals or fatty foods, but no stones or sludge. My family doctor believes my gallbladder should be removed. I have an appointment the first week of January to see a surgeon. Would a surgeon likely recommend surgery since the results have declined by 42% or refuse because the results are not yet below 35%? Does anyone know if the ejection fraction is likely to continue decreasing?

[rona8769]

hi iam at 35% and there scheduling me for removal of gall bladder my doctor says ideally it should be at 50% or more if that helps     hope it works out for you i dont have stones either or sludge good luck .what does your doctor say about percentage

[dragonflykisses]

I just found out that my gall bladder is putting out at 23%, I'm in a lot of pain when I don't take pain meds and I throw up every time I try and eat meat of any type. I had Gastric Bypass 7 months ago, so my diet consist of high protein. I do however eat low-fat meats, but can't tolerate that either. I'm currently living on yogurt, fortunately the greek yogurt is high in protein and fat free, but, I'd like to be able to eat more than yogurt. Will surgery fix my problems, where I can go back to eating normal?