gallbladder systems test results fine

I am a 50 year old female and have had pain under my right rib going into my back. It started after I had a steak and then ice cream about a month ago. Went to ER and diagosed gallbladder but I was traveling at the time and wanted to return home to see a surgeon locally. I have and he recommends gb removal, even though an ultrasound shows no gallstones and the HIDA scan returned a 92% ER.

I continue to have intermittent pain, nausea after I eat. I am inclinded to have the surgery if it means I will feel better but because of the test results I do not know what to do at this point.

[kjmteach45]

I am also a 50 year old female with the same problem (must be the age)...I have been having pain under the right rib cage and in the back for about two years accompanied by indigestion (also no gallstones). However, it has become more frequent lately, especially after eating fatty foods. After something flares this up, I have tenderness for several days in that area. The only way I can get the discomfort to stop is to be very careful about what I eat for several days after a flare up. I have had two HIDA Scans, two years apart. The first one, two years ago, showed an ejection fraction of 87%, but the ejection fraction has dropped to 42% on the one a couple of weeks ago. My family doctor believes my gallbladder should come out and has referred me to a surgeon. I am concerned that the surgeon will not want to remove it since the ejection fraction is not yet below 35%. After reading your post...I am now wondering if doctors always hesitate to do surgery if the ejection fraction is still within normal ranges. My family doctor believes that the decrease in the ejection fraction and the symptoms are significant enough to remove the gallbladder.  

[ellenlu]

Thanks for your post. My surgeon has recommended that I have surgery because of my symptoms. I have been looking on the internet for high ejecttion fractions and found something called hypercontractile gallbladder - this is when the HIDA scan is above 80% (or so). In one study they have found that post surgery most people have had relief of symptoms. I am thinking I should have surgery because I have had similar symptoms on occasion for the past 20 years or so. The only thing that I continue to think about is what if my gallbladder is healthy and I had surgery for no reason. I would have had an easier time if the HIDA had come back low!  

[kjmteach45]

I am having the same thoughts about my gall bladder as well. Because the ejection fraction is not below 35% yet, I keep wondering if I would be removing a healthy organ. I go to the surgeon and a gastroenterologist on Thursday. I guess I'll make the decision after I hear what they have to say. I expect I will probably have to have at least an Upper GI done first to rule out ulcers, etc. I don't have heartburn or acid reflux, only indigestion and the right upper quadrant discomfort, so I truly believe it is my gallbladder.

[ellenlu]

I wondered how your doctors appointment went today.

[kjmteach45]

I had to see both a gastroenterologist and a surgeon. However, the two have different opinions about whether or not the gallbladder should be removed. The gastroenterologist believed it should come out but the surgeon said he won't remove it with the ejection fraction at 45%. My family doctor also believes the gallbladder is the problem. The surgeon says he believes the problem is constipation causing pain in the ascending colon, which is also in the area of the gallbladder and liver. He wants me to take medication for that for a month and then come back for another consultation. He said we'll watch the gallbladder but doesn't believe this is the problem. I really don't think constipation is the problem. I should know that much. I guess I'll wait the month and if the symptoms are still persisting and the surgeon continues to pass it off as constipation, I'll go back to the gastroenterologist and take it from there.

[Kibbles1965]

I am the mother of a 14 year old daughter and she has been having alot of vomiting and nausea mainly after eating. I took her to her doctor and he ordered a ultrasound which came back normal for her gallbladder,no stones etc..He then ordered the Hida scan and her ejection fraction  was at 42%. He sent us to a surgeon this past Monday and he advised me that the "EF" numbers can fluctuate by 20% either way almost daily .He said it isn't likely for a 14 year old to need her gallbladder out but on Feb. 1st she will be having her gallbladder taken out.I have read so much about Diarrhea post surgery  I'm somewhat afraid to go through with it. I can't imagine living that way for the rest of what I pray will be a very long life for her.

[flowerlady50]

I'm 61yrs old & have what everyone says is typical gallbladder symptoms. Problem is I've had these issues for 31yrs & any tests have always shown that everything is within normal range, although the HIDA scan I had 11yrs ago was @ the low end of normal (54%). A week ago it came in @ 74%. Since 1st of this yr I've had about 10 "attacks "where I couldn't finish dinner before the abdominal pain started & ended up in bathroom w/severe diarrhea which seems to contain bile based upon the greenish color. These attacks are always associated with a fatty type meal, chicken skin, prime rib, etc. Between attacks I go back to my normal which is anything but considering the bloating, gas, belching, diarrhea, severe heartburn, nausea,etc, etc, etc. Family history of gallbladder on maternal side-grandmother & 2 or 3 first cousins all had theirs removed. I'm so tired of living my life never knowing what is safe to eat & what isn't as something may almost kill me this time & then not bother again for months. January was horrible & now things have settled back down again but I never know for how long. If someone said I could have my gallbladder out tomorrow I would jump @ the chance. I don't think I could feel any worse & I'm of the thinking that I'd probably feel 90% better. I sometimes wonder if the doctors even listen to the symptoms, severity, & length of time I've been dealing with this, or is it all just black & white?  If the tests say it's within normal range then it must be fine. Unfortunately, my body never seems to play by the normal rules. Anyone else out there like me or any suggestions? I'm getting desperate.

[angelday]

I am the same as you. Went 10 years undiagnosed despite trying. Every flippin test I had was normal. (2 hida scans Ef of 78 and 58%, numerous ultrsounds, Ct scans, MRI's bloodwork etc) all were normal.
Drove me crazy. Saw GI specialist for EUS and he said sludge but that that was normal too.
I was ready to end my life, way too much suffering and so hard to face my family after specialist said I had visceral hyperalgesia and to go home and take antidepressants.
It was horrible experience and I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around what I went through.
By the grace of God I found an Urgent care doc that took the time to listen to me and said sludge is not normal and referred me to a surgeon.
Surgeon also disagreed with supoosed GI specialist and surgery was scheduled 9/6/2012
Final diagnoses was gallbladder was adhered to liver and intestines and pathology report said chronic cholecystitis with cholesterol polyps

I feel so much better physically but mentally I feel like I went to war and it is going to take some time to get over what I went through.

I seriously mistrust doctors right now, and I hate that I was pushed to the point of almost ending my life. that is sooooooo not me and it makes me mad I was forced to feel that way by uncaring doctors.

[Christopher R Watters, MD]

Unfortunately your story is all too common. I am amazed how many patients go to the ER with acute onset severe pain that is pretty typical for biliary colic and the ER docs quickly rule out a cardiac problem and discharge the patient with the good news that their heart is OK. Wham bam thank you mam and they are on the sidewalk still wondering why they still hurt so much. It is also amazing how often I see patients with long histories of misery when they had enough for a diagnosis months or even years before. I have come to the conclusion that gallbladder disease is one of the most misdiagnosed and mismanaged medical problems there is.

[evelynmcgehee]

I sure wish u lived in Mississippi.  I am so tired of hurting.  I can relate to everyone about the misdiagnosis of gallbladder disease.  Just wish there was something or some way to get something done about it.

[Christopher R Watters, MD]

There is a great guy that I trained with by the name of John Lucas in Greenwood, MS.

[Remmykins]

I am in the same boat. My HIDA scan results was a 99% and my symptoms were reproduced during the scan. Unfortunately all the Dr's I have gone to think that 35+ Is normal and i should just medicate myself.

We shall clone Dr. Watters and spread him all over the world.

Especially in Iowa.

[evelynmcgehee]

Do you think he would take out my gallbladder?  I need some relief.

[Gigisfaith]

I am so desperate for some help...this problem is worse than a gnawing toothache that will not go away. I've been dealing with this problem off and on for several years, but now it is a constant pain with almost unbearable flair ups at times. The doctors and physicians assistants I've seen have not seemed too concerned over the pain I have been experiencing and have wanted to treat it with a low fat diet.  The day before Thanksgiving I was having a flair up and went to see a physician at the practice. He told me that the results from the two ultrasounds I had previously only showed a little "sludge".  I asked that he would be pro-active to please help figure out what was going on so that I could get well.  He told me he would have a staff member call and make an appointment to have a HIDA scan and a CAT scan.  After not hearing from them I called my insurance company and they told me I could see a surgeon without a referral. I went to see him last week. On Friday I had ultrasound #3 which showed no stones and I had a HIDA scan. I still have not heard any results from the HIDA scan and am still in pain, though not as much as I have been during a flair up. I am praying for resolution for this problem and praying that I will not have a flair up again before I can get some help. I am in Rocky Mount, NC, not too far away from you. If I do not get some results soon, I would like to call your office to see if hopefully you can help me. Thank you for any consideration in this matter.

[Gigisfaith]

HIDA scan showed 24%...surgery is scheduled for tomorrow morning. Thank God for answers and hopefully deliverance from this constant pain.

[Marsha2252]

My Hida scan results today were 84%, to my surgeon that is normal and I have been refered to a GI. I have had 4 attacks in less than 2 months, just suddenly started happening.  Twice after eating peanuts before bed, once not sure what I ate but that was a mild one and the 4th time I had eaten steak the day before, woke up at 5 am in severe pain and ended up in the emergency room. They gave me morphine which helped with the pain. The ultrasound showed my gallbladder opening was dialated and my gallbladder was distended. When the doctor touched, just barely touched my upper right side of my stomach I about jumped off the table it was so painful.  They were sure it was my gallbladder, my family doctor was sure it was my gallbladder and the surgeon said I had text book symptoms but now that the Hida scan says 84% I have to go through other tests when I know what I feel and I know what is going on in my body.  I am so frustrated right now.  To top it off it is a GI nurse practitioner, not even a doctor.  I am so afraid of having an attack again. The only thing it had been good for is losing weight.