Anyway to fix a poor working gallbladder?

[butterfly40]

Is there anyway to fix a poor working gallbladder?? Any type of diets to follow? Or do i have to have it removed? Don't want to get stuck taking medication for the rest of my life.... anyone know??



This discussion is related to Poor gallbladder function,  chronic acalculous cholecystitis.

[CalGal]

I do not believe there is any true way to bring a poorly functioning gallbladder back to 'life.' Once the function starts to decline, it may remain at a slightly lowered level, or it may unfortunately continue to decline.

You may want to try following a low fat diet, and depending on it's current state you may find that it's of help.

If the function declines precipitiously and you begin to have very worrisome symptoms, you may have to have it removed. Or if you develop small stones that can leave the gallbladder and cause problems in the cystic duct or the common bile duct, it may also have to be removed.

[kikoquilla]

Try losing weight with Xenical....

Maintaining a normal weight and avoiding rapid weight loss are the keys to reducing the risk of gallstones. Taking the medication ursodiol (also called ursodeoxycholic acid, or Actigall) during weight loss may reduce the risk for people who are very overweight and need to lose weight quickly. This medication is ordinarily used to dissolve existing gallstones. A promising 2001 study suggested that orlistat (Xenical), a drug for treating obesity, may protect against gallstone formation during weight loss. The drug appeared to reduce bile acids and other components involved in gallstone production.

[VetTechAdams]

A lowfat diet is a good idea, but getting the gallbladder removed is not all bad. I've had mine removed 4 weeks ago because it wasn't working properly. Usually they can gauge whether or not it needs to be removed by doing a PIPIDA test with CCK - The CCK is an enzyme that makes your gallbladder contract and they measure it. If it is below 40%, removal is the prime choice. Granted, the time after surgery is a bit unpleasant but very worth it. Also, you're not on medication the rest of your life. The only real change you have to make is to avoid high fat/greasy foods and to help 'settle' bouts of diahrrea you should introduce more fiber. I suggest talking to a GI specialist to get the PIPIDA with CCK to find out whether or not you need your gallbladder removed.  I personally must 'warn'you that the CCK will highlight any pain you may exhibit after meals and cause you to probably vomit and a burning sensation in your side where the gallbladder is. This horrid 3 minutes after introduction of the CCK will definately tell your doctor that something is wrong. When I went through it (I'm 22 years old), it told my doctor that my gallbladder was functioning at a 18%. So, yeah. That's what I have to say and I want to wish you good luck and God bless!!