Can gallbladder be bad even w/ no pain?

Like the title asks. Can someone (like myself) have a bad gallbladder and require surgery even if I have no pain? I have basicaly all the other symptoms and HIDA scan is scheduled early next week. I do get pain in center upper abdomen but only when I press pretty deep. No right pain at all.

[boron]

Upper central abdominal pain is from the stomach or pancreas.

Gallbladder may be full of stones and causing no symptoms at all. It was once a rule, that such a gb can stay intact - no surgery needed.

[AlanPi]

Some people can have small stones/sand sludge not found under ultrasound, and no pain.  I have a discussion about the removal dilemma:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/556247

[aaronmac5]

What tests identify a bad pancreas? like pancreastitis? would a HIDA scan verify that as well?

[trishofptc]

I thought that I had an ulcer, and after having that ruled out, I had other tests done.  The results fo a hyda scan showed that my gallbladder was functioning at 5%.  Not good.  Symptoms were nausea, feelings of hunger when I knew that I wasn't hungry.  I did not have stones, and eat a low fat diet, so did not have severe pain or discomfort.  The nausea was similiar to mornig sickness.

[AlanPi]

wow, that's very close to mine.  I had HIDA 7% and no stones/sludge.  I don't have nausea or hunger, or pain.  I just get fatigued and irritated due to poor absorption, and wake ups in early morning.

Did you have Cholecysectomy to get your GB out?

[boron]

Pancreatitis is identified by increased pancreatic enzymes in the blood. HIDA shows only % of galbladder function and has nothing to do with pancreas.

[aaronmac5]

I have been having that morning sickness nausea as described by trishofptc and it is in the morning strangley. I have been extremley tired like sleeping 12-15 hours a day lately.

Did you get your GB out yet or you think we could be having other problems? Have you tried digestive enzymes or checked out your pancreas?

[AlanPi]

You are asking the right person! I get morning fatigue, after meal fatigue, wake ups at night every 2 hours and thirst if I eat a greasy meal.

I still have my GB but scheduled to have it out 8/18 probably.

I used to like to sleep 10~12 hours, but now since I get the morning fatigue if I sleep more than 8 I feel even more tired.

I am pretty sure the fatigue is caused by vitamin deficiency since we can't absorb the fat soluble vitamins as well. (A D E K, B12)

So far I have tried:
  GB flush
  Apple Juice
  Ensure
  Pineapple - Bromelain
  Enzymes
  Folic Acid
  Jarrow Formulas "Bile Acid Factors"
  Typer "Lipotropic Complex"
  Centrum

I have had varies blood test, stool test, ultrasound, HIDA, CT Scan, Celiac Panel.  Pancreas seems to be normal, it's the first thing I looked at.

So far, Centrum seems to work very well.  It has Folic Acid in it and all the vitamins you need.  I am still experimenting with the bile salts.  All other seemed to work a one time but then the effects faded away.

I am now experimenting with gluten & grease...  I must be feeling too good lately! *_^

[aaronmac5]

Haha, I'm going to go try the Centrum. btw what was your HIDA tests? I assume you dont have stones just sludge?

Regardless of what the doc says about my gallbladder i'm going to get a CT scan just to make sure my pancreas is fine. Didn't the Ensure make your pain worse?

[AlanPi]

HIDA efficiency is 7%.  I am 35 yrs old.  My doctor always say I am so young, still a baby etc. but I sure don't feel like one - right now.

No stones found and no sludge/sand mentioned under either ultrasound nor CT.

My Doctor actually urged me to do a CT, but I didn't feel it helped much.  The 2cm slices only can look for larger tumors. For Pancreas you want 1cm or so.  

The Ensure I had is a health supplement drink, no problem.

I also eat Apple and Yogurt regularly.  Pectin for the cholesterol and the good bacterias are your friends!

[aaronmac5]

So what tests show tumors in pancreas?