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Gastroenterology  (Expert Forum)
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Does this sound like Gallbladder?
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin, M.D. Boston - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
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MedHelp Member's Question

Does this sound like Gallbladder?

by MEJ, Sep 24, 2003 12:00AM
I don't even know were to begin....I have been very sick since  August and realized that I had early symptoms as far back as June.  I have had every test in the book done and everything comes back normal.  I even had a Family doctor prescribe an anti-depressant w/out even physically examining me.  I am so frustrated and tired of being inside a body that I don't  recognize. I am also tired of feeling like doctors are brushing me off. I am very suspicious it's my gall bladder and here are the symptoms that I have suffered from. Fatigue, dizziness, nausea, chest pain, short of breath, occasional acid reflux, reactions to fatty foods, mid-back pain (just below my shoulder blades), occasional left side (upper/lower) abdominal pain, ear pain, sinus headaches, occasional diarrhea, severe bloating.

Since discovering the sensitivity to fatty foods I have put myself on a non fat diet. It seems I have decreased my calorie intake from 2,000 to 1,000. I haven't lost a pound.  This new diet of mine has taken away many of the above symptoms however my concern is that I haven't lost any weight and I still feel extremely weak. I don't think I can do this diet forever.  Even healthy fats don't agree with me. I saw a GI specialist and he diagnosed me with acid reflux and said my symptoms don't sound like gall bladder at all. I haven't taken the medicine he prescribed because I am convinced that staying away from fatty foods is keeping the acid reflux away.  I am so confused because I have done research and learned that acid reflux is a symptom of gall bladder disorders as well as the other symptoms I've described. I don't even know if this is a question or just a venting session.  Any thoughts???  HELP!!!!!  



Tests performed:

Pregnancy -negative; lyme-negative; CBC-normal; Upper GI-normal; MRI/head-normal; Thyroid-negative; ultrasound/gall bladder- minimal sludge; Hida scan-pending results



Doctor's Answer

by Kevin Pho, MD, Sep 25, 2003 12:00AM
It is true that dyspepsia (i.e. ulcers, inflammation of the stomach or esophagus, or GERD) can present as gall-bladder like pain.  



Make sure that the HIDA scan was done with CCK stimulation, since this can evaluate the gall bladder function.  



One test to consider would be an upper endoscopy - which can evaluate for inflammation that an upper GI cannot see.  Another test would be an H Pylori test which is a test for bacteria associated with ulcers or inflammation.



If you have a reaction to fatty foods, you may also consider the various causes of malabsorption.  Fat malabsorption may present as bloating and diarrhea.  A quantitative fecal fat test can be used to test this.  



Followup with your personal physician is essential.



This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.



Thanks,

Kevin, M.D.

Member Comments (11)

by yoshi, Sep 24, 2003 12:00AM
if your GI specialist diagnosed you to have acid reflux and precribe medicine,why dont you take them??

fat is only one cause of your problem

by MEJ, Sep 24, 2003 12:00AM
I took Nexium 20mg (given by ER doctor)for several weeks.  It didn't help me.  The GI doctor gave me Aciphex 20mg. I will consider taking it if needed.

by shaelynn, Sep 24, 2003 12:00AM
I had gall bladder symptoms for 15 years. NOTHING ever showed up on all the test they did.  On a fluke a new family doctor did an ultrasound and lo and behold there they were.  SO yes I DO believe you COULD have gall bladder problems!

by MEJ, Sep 24, 2003 12:00AM
If you don't mind sharing, what were some of the symptoms you suffered with? Also, did you have your gall bladder removed?

by NH_man, Sep 24, 2003 12:00AM
Ok, here is a background on me, not sure if you need anymore then I give you but here it is.



I am a white 34 yr old male, 6' tall and weight is about 318 and from New Hampshire Have 3 kids and married.

I have High blood pressure but I am on Monopril for it and seems to be under control. I am on Prozac 40 mgs twice a day and I am also on Klonopin which is for anxiety and I take 0.5mgs twice in the morning and once at night. I also have some asthma and I am on albuteral inhalers as needed. I also have some acid reflex and I am on Nexium for it. I am not always faithful in taking it to. I don't have diabetes and I have had a kidney function test and liver test done, and was told that everything came back normal.



I had came down with a bacteria infection called Travelers diarrhea and they put me on Cipro, a antibiotic and took that for about 7 to 10 days I forget. I had gotten better and the diarrhea stopped and I had some discomfort still going on in my abdomen but I was living with it.

Well about 4 to 5 weeks went by and I came down with a bug like the flu, and I started to ache all over and had a cough at first, the first symptom and then the aches and then I started to feel weak and then I started back up with stomach problems. Well my wife got sick also, but not as bad as I did and she got better sooner then me and I had gotten it before her. Well anyways, since then I have had abdomen pain, more so on the right hand side just under the breast and near the ribs and goes right over towards my side and into my back. I will get these feeling of back aches around my kidney area and it feels like spasms at times. I get allot of bloating going on (pressure) where my abdomen gets really hard in the middle of it and at times I get a fullness sensation.

My bowels are somewhat normal but could be better. I have had the DR do blood work on me and said it was all normal and then they did a Ultrasound to look at my gallbladder and they said it was good and no stones. He checked my