Gallbladder problem?

Hi, I'm 27 and from what I can remember I've been having these so called GB attacks since I was young as far back as 10 years old, I remember always being bloated/gasey and getting horrible upper abdominal pains (the pains would come and go) I even stopped drinking soda voluntarily at age 10! I haven't had soda since. I had these problems for a long time and had all the typical stomach tests (all fine) well for the last two years, my symptoms seemed to subside a little, still bloated all the time. a couple months ago I started getting GB attacks (i'm assuming) again, once a month for the last 3 months. At one point I even thought I was pregnant had every symptom! (although I'm on the pill) I went to the doctor and I wasn't pregnant. I had nauseua for the whole weekend and that saturday night I had a really bad attack, I couldn't do anything for the pain I just wanted to die, this had happened the month prior but everyone was sick so I figured it was a virus...Then I remembered my past, and someone I know who has had all the symptoms I have just found out she needs to get he gb removed. Does it sound like it's my GB? Can I really have a bad GB for 17 years and be okay? I have a Hida/cck scan on tuesday, I really hope they find something because I'm sick of looking crazy! And sick of being bloated almost every day of my life. Crazy the things we get used to...

[Kevin Pho, MD]

You posted your question 1 hour ago, and they are answered in the order in which they are received.

Imaging the gallbladder should be done first, to exclude the presence of gallstones.  If they are there, then an operation to remove the gallbladder can be considered.

If stones are not present, you can consider a low gallbladder ejection fraction.  This can be evaluated with a HIDA scan with CCK stimulation.  If the ejection fraction is low, there are small studies that suggest removing the gallbladder can remove the symptoms.  However, that being said, there is no guarantee the symptoms will improve, and that possibility needs to be discussed with your physician team.

If the gallbladder evaluation is non-revealing, you can consider an upper endoscopy to look for other upper GI causes of the nausea.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

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.

Kevin Pho, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com
www.twitter.com/kevinmd

[chrissy1212]

okay why hasn't someone answered my question when everyone elses were?

[thegallbladderhelper]

I am not a doctor and i agree with you need a blood test to check for elevated count for the gallbladder enzyme? also an ultrasound can see if you have stones. i am a sufferer of gallstones and have found that changing my diet has almost eliminated gallstone attacks

http://thegallbladderhelper.weebly.com/index.html

[chrissy1212]

i had a hida scan, it showed my gallbladder has only a 12% ejection fraction