Gallbladder seems fine but PCP recommends removal

[misha50]

Had a full GI work up: CT scan, Hida scab, ultrasound, endoscopy, blood and stool tests.  A few years ago I also had an endoscopy, colonoscopy, x-rays, and blood and stool tests.  Results of all the tests do not show any problems with my gallbladder, and also no gallstones.  There is some family history of gallbladder issues.

I have acid reflux for at least the past few years and, per my GI at the time, slow motility in my digestive tract.  Per my current GI I may have IBS also.  Most of my symptons were diarrhea, stomach aches/discomfort, and soft and black stools.  Prilosec has made these symptons bearable and has helped relieved them to some degree, however still have some of the above symptoms and gassiness.  In truth, I never really felt that I had classic traditional heartburn or had problems eating certain foods, such as I could eat spicy foods and not have much change in my symptoms.

However,  in the past year I have developed additional painful symptoms:
Alternating pain between my right chest muscle and right under my right rib, like a throbbing or someone grabbing me under the rib - this initially started off as pain in my right upper back, but now it's rare to have the pain in the back.  The pain definitely tends to happen after eating, but also when laying down to sleep and when waking up in the morning.  Pain killers, such as Advil and Vicodin do almost nothing to relieve the pain, however once I tried Vicoprofen and it helped a little, but this is a very potent drug and it felt very addictive as I enjoyed its effect on me, so this drug is out.  I also have nausea, a bitter bile taste in my mouth, a feeling of fullness due to the nausea, some heartburn.  Fatty/Oily foods tend to inflame the pain the worst, but eating in general tends to aggravate it.  The pain is debilitating as I can't concentrate, am ultra sensitive to any noise or stimuli, and in general am not able to function.

My PCP says I have classic gallbladder symptoms and wants to remove the gallbladder.  A GI and a surgeon that removes gallbladders will remove the gallbladder if I insist as I'm at my wit's end, but they think it could be musculo-skeletal, which my PCP says doesn't make sense as I get the pain after eating.  After discussing this with the GI and surgeon, they agree that musculo-skeletal doesn't appear to make sense either.

I will be seeing another GI for a second opinion, but at this point I'm ready/willing to have gallbladder removal surgery.  Thoughts or suggestions on this?  Thanks so much!

[misha50]

If I had stones it would be an easy decision.  But I have no stones and no sludge, so it's difficult to make a decision.  Of course the poor gb gets blamed for everything that can go wrong.  My latest GI says there's 20% of getting better, 20% of getting worse, 60% chance of no change ... so what to do, what to do.  I'll keep getting more tests, eat well, see how things go, and drive my poor docs crazy :-)

[LindaS]

Wow - everyone has an opinion!  I had severe pain for quite some time before being DX with gall bladder and stones (many years ago).  Felt alot better after the surgery.  Going against what others are saying, I would have done anything to get rid of the excrutiating pain of stones passing out of gall bladder.  I was never so happy to have surgery!

Assess your pain,and YOU decide.  

[Tom7335]

Many drugs carry with them serious side effects.Supplements offer risks too.
People reading this should always be aware and do the necessary research.
Also, folks reading these posts should not think I`m hell bent on vitamins-herbs
etc. I try to keep an open mind but do seek out alternatives to prescription
Meds where possible.

THe Chinese have ben using herbs for thousands of years. Now their
population explosion has caused terrible pollution which no medication
can cure. The Chinese have a high rate of liver cancer. I`m also noticing
increased cases of Bronchitis in the U.S during the winter.

[JimK3145]

I don't have any particular brand for the Swedish Bitters. Thanks for the info on the enzymes. My experience with Bentyl, Levsin and Levbid have been that if I use them for a period of over 3 days, my ankles and calves start to swell. My PCP said that he could give me water pills to reduce the swelling but that in addition, I'd have to take potassium pills to replenish the potassium that I would lose from the water pills. I figured that that was too much aggravation so I've tried the herb fennel which I make as a tea. I've gotten my fennel from: www.helpforibs.com It works in reducing bloating about 80% of the time and there are no side effects that I've experienced.

[Tom7335]

I`ve had good success w/digestive enzymes. I dont use on a constant basis.
I take w/meals,not 1/2 hr before or after, usually just w/main meal of the day.
THe theory is that they are useless because the enzymes will be destroyed
by the stomach b4 entering the small intestine. There are many brands
avaialable, I use Pancreatin., item # sw285 from Swanson. this is Enteric
coated which seems to help better than if not coated. Helps a lot w/gas
after meals. Try different formulations and brands and you`ll find that some
work betrer than others.

Misha-glad your feeling  a little better. I`ll have to do some research on Levsin.

Jim- let me do some research on nausea-I`ll try the Swedish Bitters if I can
find it, do youn have a brand?

[JimK3145]

I meant Swedish Bitters, not lemon bitters. Have either of you any experience with digestive enzyme supplements? Thanks!