Could my gall bladder problem really be the cause for my nausea?

[Nise]

I'm a 25 year old hispanic female who for the most part has been healthy.Up until 4 months ago I started having nausea off and on for no apparent reason. About 1 month ago it started to be more constant and I also started vomiting which usually didn't happen. It's been so bad that I have been in and out of the ER about 4 times because I became so dehydrated and weak. I have blood and urine work,cat scan, x-rays,and I also went to a gastroenterologist who had me do an endoscopy,ultrasound,and liver and gall bladder funtion test where they inject dye. So far everything has come out normal expect my doctor said that my gall bladder is inflammed and that I ought to have it removed. I have no gall bladder pain and rarely get nausea after I eat something. So I have a hard time believing that my gall bladder is causing this disturbing nausea. In fact I have no pain anywhere the nausea usually start really bad in the morning sometimes waking me up from my sleep or preventing me from sleeping. I hardly eat, pretty much lost my appetite and have lost over 15 pounds. It's hard to focus and concentrate. I've had to put school and work on hold for months now. I've never felt so debilated in my life. I've never felt so alone even though I'm not. I feel that all the doctors that I have seen don't seem to know or want to know whats making me sick. Does this really sound like a gall bladder problem? If I get it removed will the symptoms clear up right away? Can I be experiencing depression as well because of this? Please HELP I just want to fell better and get my life back.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

You have had a pretty comprehensive workup for your symptoms.  

It may be possible that the gallbladder is responsible for your symptoms.  A HIDA scan with CCK stimulation can help determine gallbladder ejection fraction to measure its function.  If low, then removal can be considered.  

I would also consider more specialized testing such as a gastric emptying scan as well as 24-hr pH study with motility studies.  These tests can detect more uncommon disorders like gastroparesis as well as esophageal motility disorders.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician, or in conjunction with a second GI evaluation.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

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, M.D.
kevinmd_b

[sarikate]

I had gallstones and experienced random bouts of nausea that didn't have any noticeable correlation with eating; I also experienced intermittent episodes of pain in my URQ.  It sounds like your gallbladder could definitely be the culprit.  The laparoscopic surgery is an easy one - doesn't require an overnight hospital stay and you could fully recover within a week.  If I were you I would get that thing out of there; it's much easier and more painless than living with that horrible nausea!

[GaPeach38]

I had my Gallbladder removed in 2002 and I haven't experienced any nausea but I do lose my appetite sometimes. I was the unlucky one to have problems after surgery so my doctor put me on Cholestyramine I take 1pkg every other day... I still have that bloated feeling and plenty of gas but at least I can eat a meal and not run to the bathroom right after it. The Cholestyramine is a binder in powder form mixed in juice or water,it allows me to have a normal bowel movement, every now and then it fails and I alternate between diarrhea and constipation but that is very seldom.

[thedwp]

I to have been suffering from unexplained nausea for like 7 weeks now. It's driving me nuts. Some days are better than others but just when I think it's gone, it comes right back. I have had blood work done as well and it's all normal I'm waiting on the results from an ultrasound now, but I don't see how this could be my gallbladder. The only thing that helps my nausea is eating.

I would be very interested in finding out what your outcome is and how your feeling now.

[mikapb]

I hope this may help: I have my own experience with a health problem similar to yours. In august ’05 my daughter had really bad stomach pain, nausea and vomiting. We went to the ER several times. Each time she received strong narcotics. She was sick about a month. Nothing helped. After a lot of tests: CT scans- abdominal and on the brain, X-Rays, Ultrasounds, endoscopies the doctors could not diagnose her. She had few more episodes and was transferred to different clinics in different states but nothing made a difference. Finally they said that it is abdominal migraine and Depacote may help but this medicine has really bad side effects, so we did not agree to let her take it. Then I found from my friends about a popular homeopath, who has almost 100% success in currying all kinds of migraines. He uses only natural and harmless products and techniques as homeopathic medicine, herbal products, and massage with herbal oils, diet, and acupressure. He makes personalized prescriptions according to the patient’s needs.
She’s been following his instructions and she is feeling great.
I am really hopeful that that he will help her because I met with patients he already helped and I have my own success: for three days I got rid of my insomnia just by getting massages with natural oils.

[Ryanb23]

I have nausea for 18 months now. Im starting to think its my gall bladder aswell. I have no pain but sort of a discomfort from my URQ. Most of the day im ok but a thought, smell or sight of somthing gross and i get this shooting sickness to a spot right around my gall bladder. This is very unlike me because my stomach is not squemish at all historically. I also get sick half way through a meal i cant eat very much or i start having the shooting sickness in the urq area that is hard to describe but sends me into a panic cause it feels very forein. Ive have had 2 CT scans, pancreas and liver tests. An endoscope and ultra sound and all came back normal. My alk phosphates whre a little above normal but my doctor said it was not a concern given my age 22 at the time. This problem did seem to correlate with drinking alcohol and seems to get slightly worse for a day or so if i do drink alot of alcohol. The G.I doc i just saw doesnt think is gall bladder cause he said gall bladder desease is either on or off. He really pissed me off. so i m doing an upper GI barium swallow so he can check me out cause i refuse to do another endoscope. Has anyone ever experienced this type of nausea and found out waht it is. Again it feels as though it is coming from my URQ area. Possible Liver pancreas gall blaader or duodenum.

[Raptor24]

A related discussion, Ryanb23 was started.