help-have all the symptoms of gall bladder disease

[Bionic Granny]

I had a C.T. done and my gallbladder does not show any stones. My gastro doctor suggested a Hida scan. Could I have stones that left the gallbladder and found their way into the ducts? My gastritis is on the mend, thanks to liquid Carafate, but I am still having surgery in December to remove some more scar tissue. Has any one ever gone through a lot of surgeries, only to have more to remove adhesions? I really need to know that I am not a freak of nature and that there are other people, besides Tammy Wynette, who has gone through this.

[nadia]

I had chronic gallbladder disease with no sign of stones.  They are not always present.  Having said that, it is important to determine the underlying cause of the gallbladder disease if it is not attributed to stones.  Often times doctors remove the gallbladder assuming that will effect a cure, however, in many cases it does not.  Talk with a doctor who understands this.  A hida scan is important to determine at what percent your gallbladder is functioning.

[5fan]

I had my gallbladder out in July - no stones ever found.  I was told it was enlarged and the wall was thickened.  Their primary concern was the pancreatitis I had developed, so the gallbladder went on hold for a week before it came out.

I went through sonogram, x-rays, CT and a Hida scan with no stones showing.  The doctors seemed to be a little stumped by this.  They didn't say anything, but you know when they just get that look.

Anyway - the day before my surgery my surgeon (colon and rectal specialist) actually told me that it was possible that they could find stones once they had started the surgery and if that was the case then they would have to make a determination of whether to do an ERCP or convert to an open surgery.  The Gastro didn't want to do an ERCP because of the pancreatitis.  Other than a nicked artery during surgery - there were no complications.  NO STONES TO BE FOUND.

I am now three months post-surgery and am fighting to get through every day.  The last visit I had with the surgeon (he still won't release me from his care even three months later) we dicussed the pain I've been having.  He is beginning to think that maybe I'm one of the "few" people who passed a stone and that is why I had all the problems at the time I went to the ER for the gallbladder.

Since my last visit with him I've had another six day stay in the hospital due to intense pain in my URQ.  MRCP came out okay.

As far as surgeries and adhesions - my grandmother has been fighting that battle for a long time and is facing yet another surgery for them.  She has had numerous surgeries over her lifetime - rectal, abdominal, heart and most recently she had a breast removed due to cancer (now they may need to remove the other).  Other than that I don't know much about the adhesion aspect.

GOOD LUCK!