Gallbladder

[Peter Bator]

I've been diagnosed with the gallbladder diskinezia, my gallbladder is contracting only 18%.  My doctor whant to remove it.  Is there any other treatment available?

[HFHSm.D.-Gastro-rf]

Dear Peter,
Gall bladder dyskinesia (impaired contraction and emptying of the gall bladder) has been suggested as a cause for right upper quadrant pain in the absence of gall stones.  Because of the vague nature of the pain it is often difficult to be certain whether the gall bladder is indeed the source of the pain.  If your doctor is convinced tht your pain is the result of the biliary dyskinesia, then surgery is your only option.  Unfortunately, there are no medical treatments available at this time.

[Jennifer Howard-Smith]

What were your symptoms.  I have all the sypmtoms for Gallstones, ulcers, and/or acid reflex disorder, but I have had all sorts of tests done and they can't figure out why I have all these sypmtoms and pain.  Please tell me what it is and what the sypmtoms are.  I'm a 22 year old female and You can contact me at my email address   ***@****

Thanx:

Jennifer Howard-Smith
London, ON. Canada

[Linda D'agosta]

I don't think so what are your symptoms... I heard it is pain full and i'm most likely facing the same thing, but the prospects after recovery are most favorable... I would go for it....
You can write me at ***@****
Linda

[wendell]

May I suggest that you think long and hard before making any "snap decisions" about gallbladder removal. If you read some of the many postings in this forum, most who have done this are now going through hell suffering from a variety of problems.

The gallbladder acts as a bile reservoir which it then concentrates and secretes to the liver to help the body digest fats. Your diet will have to be monitored very closely and you can be assured you will have to likely cut out many foods you now "enjoy(?)"! You will probably experience varying degrees of pain and discomfort with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, etc. I would suggest that you are the one who has to live with your body, long after what is often the "doctor's decision" to cut!!!

I have some excellent information on herbal recommendations which have the potential to greatly aid this problem, and would be happy to send a package to anyone wishing to e-mail me at -> ***@****

Let me know if I can help.

Cheers,

Wendell

[camille webster]

what is this

[phyllis]

I posted the response below.  on 10/22 to another applicable question.  I have now had my gallbladder removed on 11/10/99.  I had the laproscopic prodedure.  I have to say that other than the post surgery pain, I have had NONE of the pain I did have prior to the surgery.  Like I said the HIDA Scan w/ the CCK was the deciding test.  My gallbladder was emptying at 12%.  That is much lower than the 35% doc's condsider normal.  So to Peter, yours is at 18%. I would consider removal.  Turned out my bile duct was so thin the doc couldnt see it on an Xray.  Also, the gallbladder was loaded w/ adhesions.

As far as not having it out due to diet restrictions, that really shouldnt be the final decision factor.  Think about that.  With the gallbladder acting up anyway, if you leave it in you are always going to have to be careful about what you eat or you risk an attack.  Once it is removed - no more attacks.
  
If you havnt already had the CCK Hida scan ask your doc to do it.  But for me, for right now,  4 days post surgery, I am glad I did it.




POSTED ON 10/22 TO ANOTHER QUESTION:
I too was having the same pain. Still am actually. Finally I went in for a CCK Hida Scan. This test is
       specifically for the gallbladdder - done in Feb.99. Came back fairly normal. Then 2 wks ago I had
       another one done due to the pains coming back badly. The repeated Hida Scan showed that now my
       gallbladder's ejection factor(which is what they measure) went from 30% to 12%! It should be at 35%.
       Which is why the doc questioned whether or not it was gallbladder after the first scan. Well, it is and it
       is coming out!!

       So, what I am trying to say is keep on the doc about the pain. I DO NOT have gallstones. So, dont let
       them tell you because all these tests show NO stones that it is not your gallbladder. I am living proof it
       is.

       The pain I have goes from rt upper back, rt shoulder, rt upper quandrant (under ribs), lft shoulder and
       back and mid line stomach. So, just keep after the doc!

       Just by the by, I have read that once the gallbladder is removed and they do a pathology on it, gallstones
       are usually found. It is just they were too small to be detected by any of the tests.

       Good Luck!

[Linda]

Wendell sent me a virus watch out!

[William Chua]

Gall Bladder surgery, like any surgery, is tramatic. It is best not to undergo surgery if it is not required. Best to seek doctor's advise (get second opinion).

I just underwent gall bladder removal surgery last week. My symtoms were having high fever of above 40 deg C usually in the evening and ocassional backaches abt 6 weeks ago. There was no pain and was treated symtomatically for gastric flu.It was only after doing an ultrasound scan that they discovered that I have acute inflamation of the gall bladder and that a stone was blocking the entrance of the bile duct. Arrangenent was made for immediate operation to remove the gall bladder but I seek another doctor's opinion who advise that it is too risky to be operated on immediately. It is best to be treated with anti-biotics to get the inflamation down and then do a laproscopy which is a easier process. Laproscopy is done usually as a day job and need not be warded. Unfortunately, when they did a laproscopy on me, they found that the gall bladder was badly bamaged and they had to convert it to an open surgery. I now have a 7" cut just below my lung and is not a plesant sight. the pain assocated with open surgery was excrutiating and had to be on morphine for 2 days. I was hospitalised for 5 days. The guy next to my bed had a laproscopy done and was able to walk on the same day.

I will have to be on a low fat diet for abt 4 to 6 mth. Doctor says that if I were to take oily food, I will just pass out oily stool. There is no special diet I need to follow except to minimise on oily food (which I think also forces me to eat healhy)

Right now life still the same without my gallbladder so dont be afraid if u need to have your gallbladder remove (as a last resort, of cos). Your life is not going to change dramatically. After a few months you mite not even notice that your gallbladder is missing.

Bye

[Linda L]

I had a lot of indigestion, pain, bloating, etc. for years and after 2 major attacks found I had multiple gallstones.  I had my GB remmoved in May and have felt wonderful ever since.  Surgery was a breeze.  Tylenol was all I needed for 24 hrs after surgery.
I have not had any problems with diarrhea, and I can eat ANYTHING. I urge you to have it removed before you get pancreatitis or a stone stuck in your common bile duct which would require major surgery.  You are taking a much greater risk by waiting.  Diet is NOT going to cure you.  Choose a respected Dr. who has extensive experience with the laprascopic procedure and listen to his/her advice. Think how relieved you'll be not to worry about this anymore. Listen only to trained medical professionals!

[Todd]

Hi there
well i have been reading all your comments. I had my Gb out about 3 years ago i was about 23.They saw stones i had it out within 3 weeks of the ultra sound. But now 3 years later i have the same amount of pain pretty much as i did before the operation.
The pain in my left rib is as strong as ever, i can't eat lots of stuff with out having to run to the bathroom with in 10 mins, sorry to say has stopped me from eating out.
My doctor doesnt know why..... says change my diet, well I can have MacD's or a salad and well same result.
So what do i change too???
If anyone has any answers let me know please maybe there is something i can tell my doctor to look for cause right now i wish I still had my GB there was pain but no unexpected 15 min bathroom Breaks
Thanks
email is ***@****

[Christina]

I've been reading everyones input on the gall bladder surgery and I just wanted to say....I'm still a little confused.  I think it depends on who you are that makes up what will happen after the surgery.  
I've been having pain inbetween my rib cage and also at times on the right side below my rib cage and the worst acid indigestion ever.  I sit her right now in pain writing this and looking for some answers.  
My doctor has had me in twice for a blood test that has shown my globulin was high and that it was because of my gall bladder.  I will find out for sure what will come of it tomorrow.  
I hope you find all your answers you are looking for and get back to good health.  That's all I want!

Thanks for listening,

Please email me at ***@****  if you have any answers.

[Denise Masciale]

I have been reading all of your comments on whether or not to have your gallbladder removed.  I had surgery on Thanksgiving Day three years ago and I have never felt better.  I can eat anything and do not suffer from any symptoms.  Surgery was fairly easy.  Tubes were left in for drainage due to infection.  I am having a slight problem with a hernia at that drainage sight, but other than that it is livable.  I had attacks on several occations before surgery, and that was extremely painful.  My advice:  Get it removed.  You won't be sorry.

[krista]

I had my GB out a year and a half ago.  My advice is that if it hurts that bad get it out.  I went on a low fat/high carb diet and lost 40lbs.  One night I woke up and KNEW I WAS DYING!!!
The pain was sooooo bad that if I could have cut myself open I would have. I took 4 Aleve and passed out. I woke up later with a bruised feeling.  So I kept the low fat diet because I learned the GB problem was aggravated by fat in the diet.  So I went through a couple of more episodes (once after eating a Jack in the box childs burger/no fries!)  Then came the fateful night that at the family reunion the family went out for ribs.  I started out with just heartburn, then the pain, and then I began to throw up my toenails.  I swear I was throwing up black bile, thats what it looked like!!  I took 4 Aleve, 4 Excedrin, 4 Advil, and 2 Bayer.  Nothing helped!!! My heart felt like some one had shoved a 2x4 through my chest and left it there.  Needless to say I was sick all the next day (Sunday) and tried to go to work Monday.  Couldnt do it so I went to the doctor and pleaded" make it stop hurting!!"  He touched my side to palpitate the GB and I came off the table screaming.  He turned around wrote something on a pad of paper and handed the paper to me saying," go the hospital right now, do not go home, do not pass go, do not collect two hundred dollars."  I had to have 3 liters of fluid pumped into my that night because I was so dehydrated all my veins kept collapsing.  I had waited so long that the body fluid around my GB, Liver, pancreas, stomach, and small intestine had solidified.  Thankfully they were able to do the surgery laproscopicly and I only had the drain tube in to a day.  My surgeon later came in and said," you didnt know that people still DIE from GB did you?!"  No I didnt but now I do and so do you.  This is not something to put off.  I only put it off because I didnt have insurance until 2 days before my hospitalization.  The surgeon says the two main reasons for the GB finally going are weight loss and pregnancy.  Please take care of this ASAP!!!

[Ann]

I had my gallbladder out a year ago almost to the day.  I have been having alot of the same pain that I had before my surgery, along with being sick at my stomach.  I was very sick before they took mine out I had pancreatitis.  Just wondering if after a year you can still have trouble and if I should go to the doctor.  My e-mail address is ***@**** for anyone who might be able to help me out with this.  Thank you

[jen]

I had my gallbladder out last February and it was not bad at all.  I was a nervous wreck prior to it as I had never had surgery before.  Plus, I work in the medical profession and have seen surgeries before.  I had a Laporascopic Cholecystectomy. It was on outpatient basis.  I was out of work for 10 days max to take it easy.  The only pain I suffered was the CO2 pain that rested in my right shoulder as laporascopic surgeries do.  I got over it.  I opted for this surgery because I had a few gallstones which are very painful when they enter the ducts.  I never wish that on anyone.  So, to sum it up, I recommend you have the procedure.  Yes, there are possible complications but you take risks everyday just stepping foot outside of your home. Good luck to you.

[Dave Smith]

I recently had an episode on a golf course where I passed out and had to have CPR. My blood pressure was very low, and I was very nauseous the nite and morning before. This occurred after a very, very rich and fatty bunch of meals with the guys on a weekend golf outing. The doctors did a bunch of tests at the hospital and said that my heart was fine. I then discovered that my right abdomen just under the rib cage, and also just under the sternum were very , very sore and tender. An ultrasound of the gall bladder was done, and the doctor said it was not enlarged, and I had no stones. Now after reading some of these comments from others, maybe I do have some Gall Bladder disorder. Tonight the same area is very sore and tender and I would appreciate any comments or suggestions., especially if any diet, drugs, or other non surgical things could help. Thanks for your time.

[Todd]

Just wanted to say thanks i have received lots of advise
Krista to let u know i am gonna get to the doctoc asap and get checked out i am not sure what is wrong with me. My doc said "u may always have some pain some ppl do"
so i figured hey maybe thats all it is
will let u know what he says
thanks

[Waltr Coombs]

How do you determine whether pain is associated with gastritis or gall bladder disease.  I am told that many people have gall stones which are never active.  I am also told that at any time the stone or stones can move and cause discomfort or terrible pain.  In my case O have been diagnosed with gastritis and take prilosec.  My latest ultrasound shows a stone.  What os next for me?

[Melissa]

I have been fighting abdominal pain since high school (I am 25)  I have always been very thin was a 1 and have since went to a 5. The past 2 years have been the worst. I have the awful pain in my right side, just a the tip of my rib cage that radiates around my side and up to my shoulder blades. It has hurt so bad sometimes I cannot breathe. Maalox, tums,pepcid whatever you want to name does not work. I discussed my concerns w/ my Gyne and he feels I have a gallbladder problem. I went to and internal Dr and she did the ultrasound - no stones and upper GI no ulcer or anything abnormal. Yes I do have a little reflux and awful heartburn.  My attacks have subsided a little since going to a low-no-fat diet lots of fruits and veggies. I also have the "bruised" feeling after an attack and sometimes I wake up like that although I haven't eaten anything. The internal dr "I dont know what is wrong w/ you" and referred me to a Gast. Dr. He thinks I have an irritated stomach lining problem and possibly something wrong w/ my dueodem (sp). I asked him about my GB and he looked at me like I was crazy and he didnt know what one was. He has since put me on Prevacid 30mg a day and I have been on it a week- i noticed blood in my stool! Is this the meds? the bloodwork the gast. dr did was normal (so his nurse "thinks") but he blood work the gyne did showed an elevated biliruben and amalyce (sp) - I am just so frustrated - I just want to be able to eat and not worry about hurting so bad I think I will explode or having diarrhea 10 min after eating.
thanks -
you can email me at ***@****
Melissa

[Angel Sharum]

I have noticed that most of the time when people have gallbladder trouble they say they have pain on the right side.  My doctor sent me for a emptying scan because he thinks my gallbladder is not contracting right.  My question is if its my gallbladder how come I only have pain in the middle of my upper stomach, between my ribcage.  I also have bloating,my stomach swells out bad!  I used to be able to take Gas-X and it would help, but not anymore.  Also, I could control it with what I eat before.  I was eating the diet prescribed for acid reflux.  But, now no matter what I eat it hurts most of the time.  The doctor put me on prevacid...now I'm waiting on the results of the other test.  I do not have heartburn either, so I am confused on why he suspects my gallbladder.  I tried to find someone else with the same symptoms as mine on here but couldn't.  Please help if you can.  Thank you!!!

[Angel Sharum]

Sorry,  I'm new to the site and I got confused.  I was asking another question.

[Erika]

I am so thankful I found this site. I just came out of the hospital in MEXICO and no time for a second opinion. I have always had stomach bloating (I am 43 female) and sensitivity to foods - it seemed everything i ate caused discomfort. I might add that I am (WAS) a sugar/carb addict. In October I was in St. Martin and ate some rice and green beans. After that I was never the same. That night I had the most excruciating pain and for the remainder of the week. I went to Miami and one of the people i was with suffers from gastritis and said that is what I have and gave me one of her pills - in Spanish it is called Espacil. It worked. When I returned to Cancun (where I live) I had a few very minor episodes and just shrugged it off as gastritis but then 1 1/2 weeks ago I had a major attack. The pain was more centralized between my ribs and all the way behind my navel and more on the left side. I took a sleeping pill and passed out and went on with my life the next day. Then a week later - 5 days ago I ate some rice, cauliflower, carb soda and 2 small cookies and went home. As soon as i got home the pain started so intense. Worse when lying down. The only position that i could stand to be in was on my hands and knees. I suffered this excruciating pain till 5am and then woke up my landlady to take me to the hospital. I went to emergency and there was no one there to do a ultrasound (welcome to Mexico - they didn`t work on Sunday). The doc suspected gallbladder. I had to wait 35 hours in ER till someone came that could operate their ultrasound. They just kept loading me up with valiums and I just kept passing out and then waking up in terror.  I just wanted to be back in the good ol USA. Finally when they looked at the screen they said I need immediate surgery - I had palups on my gallbladder and fluid had formed around part of my intestine. The doctor said I had to go to a different clinic for the surgery because they had a laproscope there. He said he would come back for me in 1/2 hr. - he came back 2 hrs. later! I was there 2 nights and I am glad I did it. Even tho it was a nightmare - I think the final result will be worth it. I have just been eating jell-o and a little bit of papaya but that didn`t feel good. At least now I will be forced to eat a proper diet. I am still in pain but the surgery was 2 days ago. I cannot see anyone suffering that pain - as one person had said, I just wanted to cut myself open and get that monster out of me.
The doctors here say its from drinking alcohol but I don`t realy drink so they are very misinformed here. Thats all they kept asking me in emergency, "do you drink, do you smoke?" I was very uneducated on this and this site has helped ALOT with all my fears. Just don`t go to a hospital in Mexico. Thanks all.

[Lisa Conner]

I am also glad that I found this site.  I've been having pain in the center of my ribs were they come together and down to my belly button.  Some times I have had some pain to the right of my ribs but not all the time.  This has been going on for about 2 months.  I have had the ultrasound - Normal, an upper GI- Normal, I had a Hida scann/CCK done today 12\27\99.  Some of the info I have read on this sight if anyone ever has a doubt on what your Dr. is doing for you or "NOT".  Ask for this procdure.  I will not find out the results untill tuesday or wednedsay about the function of my GB.  My pain is also like a brusien feeling all the time, some gas, some belching, I have had two bad attacts so far.  My Dr. put me on Pepcid at first and it seem to help sometimes but a couple weeks ago I ate some chicken strip's from sonic and I had a bad attact the next day.  Thats when the Dr. started the tests, hopefully this will tell them something about my GB.  If any one else has any suggestions for me contact me at
***@****
THANKS A BUNCH FOR EVERYONE'S INFO
LISA CONNER

[Susan]

I have also for the last 3 months have had URQ pain, and the doctors beleive it's my gallbladder, but all my test some back fine, the doctor says that we just havent hit the test at the right time. 2 1/2 month ago when I had my first HIDA scan done my liver, gallbladder, and small intestines showed up in 5 mins and the test was over within 45 min. Now yesterday I had another HIDA Scan done and this time it took 45 min before my gallbladder showed up, they also injected me with CCK which made me a little crampy and naueous, but it was 2-3 hours after I received the CCK that I had horrible cramping pain, and I felt like some one just kicked me in the middle of my back and right shoulder and I suffered for most of the day, now today I am sore. Has this happened to any one eles after a CCK hida scan and would the difference in the time it took my gallbladder to fill from 5 min, to 45 min mean that something is wrong with the gallbladder. Thanks!!!!!!!

Thanks!!!