Should i have gallbladder surgery. Im 24 and TERRIFIED!

Ok,
i have been having pain in my right side for months now and it has gotten to the point that it bothers me all the time. Sometimes its under my right rib, goes down into my side between rib and hip. That part hurts all the time. It goes into my lower back up into my mid back behind my rib as well. I get spells of nausa. Ive noticed after i eat things it hurts as well. Ive had an ultra sound and CT scan done. All were normal. No stones etc. I had a hida scan done and the second part of it hurt. i felt simmilar pain i do now. My sergeon said well i think you should have it removed. Its working 65% but he thinks it may be something when body produces the bile. I need to know if im doing the right thing. I have read so much and now i am scared. My regular Dr. just told me it was gas. She isnt very bright....PLEASE HELP!!!

[michell221]

There is a possibility it would help but its not certain. No one can give you a good answer to your question.  I am so sorry.

Biliary dyskinsea can also come from sphincter of oddi dysfuntion.   If this is the case then you may be worse off after your GB removal.  With SOD the gallbladder acts as a resevoir and when the bile backs up from a SOD spasm your gallbladder takes much of the pressure.  If your GB is gone then you do have it to take the pressure and you feel more pain.  This is a pretty rare thing but its always a possibility.  I had the pain and nausea you have and had one hida scan at 88%. I was convinced it was my GB but they did not take it out because the EF was high.   Then a year later I had another and it was down to 23%.  I got it removed and was left with more pain than before. I now have to watch my diet and cannot take narcotics and other meds because they cause spasms. I have attacks a few times a month where I am doubled over for 15- 30 min and finally I vomit and it goes away.  I  was finally diagnosed with SOD after I went to a specialist in another state.  The backup of bile could have been what destroyed my gallbladder.  It looked pretty bad according to the surgeon.  I do think I could have probably lived with it another yr or so.  

Maybe to be a little more certain you could visit a biliary specialist.  There are only 3 really good places in the US that  deal with sod.  If you could visit them they  could possibly look into this for you before you get your gallbladder removed.  

[beanie485]

Go to a gi doctor you should have the surgery for gallbladder cause it's only going to get worse

[Kris1320]

Hi Beanie,

So your saying that i should go ahead with the surgery? Im just really scared. What is a GI Dr.?  Thanks for the comment

[michell221]

You really should do more research before you get any surgery.  Did you read my comments above?  You have biliary dyskinesia which mean pain in the area of the gallbladder.  There is not much research done in regards to removing a Gall Bladder with high ejection fraction for biliary dyskinsia.  There was a small study done and it did help a lot of the patients but again that was only a study of about 20 something people.  Researchers are currently trying to figure this out.  Again like I have said the biliary dyskinsea can come from other issues with your bile ducts such as Sphincter of Oddi or other things and having the surgery may not help and may make the pain worse.  I would see a biliary specialist.  

A GI dr is a Gastrointestinal Doctor who you see for these type of issues.  If a GI doctor did not order your Hida scan who did?  The GI doctors can then refer you to other specialists such as doctors who deal with the pancreas, biliary systems and others.  

[Kris1320]

Hi Michell221,

Yes i did read you comment as well. And thank you for the response.
I seen a surgeon that deals with this type of stuff. He ordered the hida scan. He said if i am feeling pain and i did during the hida scan, He said i would end up having surgery in the long run. I have don alot of research on getting the gallbladder removed and all i see is bad stuff about it. like not being able to eat certain foods etc. But then i see other stuff that it all worked out well for others. My cousin had hers removed about 2 months ago, but she had stones. She said i have the symptoms she did. She had Murphy sigh i guess. Im just confused. Can the other stuff your talking about run with the gallbladder?

[tonyam78]

Like Kris1320 I am having the same pain, nausea, etc and it seems to be getting worse.  Had a HIDA ordered by GI doc, he said it was normal at 35% but I know something is wrong.  All other tests so far have been negative...I asked him if it is possible that is still gallbladder related and he said yes sometimes after all other options have been exhausted he will still end up referring to a surgeon but that he doesn't know if it would take away the pain.  I feel for you Kris...it is a little scary thinking things could get worse rather than better...good luck with your decision.

[michell221]

If you have stones then you have a lot better chance of having success with the surgery.  Biliary dyskinsea is what you have and that has less of a success rate.  The fact that your GB is working 65%     is a reason to question surgery.  The 65%  is a very good result in the normal range.  You can get the pain from  the gallbladder or it can be from other things such as sphincter of oddi which I mentioned above.  The pain will be the same in most cases so its hard to distinguish what is really wrong unless you see a doctor who specializes in the gallbladder, pancreas and biliary system.    


If you get your gallbladder out and you are fine aftwerwards then that will be wonderful but there is a chance that it is not the problem since your ejection fraction is normal and like I said other diseases do cause this same pain.  If you end up with your gallbladder out and it was a sphincter problem you pain is going to be a lot worse because without the gallbladder the spasms of the sphincter will  intensify because there is not a resevoir there to hold the bile that is backing up from the spasm and there is no cure for SOD.  There is only ERCP which can be very dangerous and many people keep having to get them until they have nothing left of a sphincter.  


  I just want you to see that there is no need to rush.  Research it a bit and see other docs.  I would hate for you to get it out when its working normally and end up with a worse problem.  I thought like you get the darn thing out when I was in pain.  I had the same pain and 23% EF so I was told it will probably fix it by my surgeon.    I was an unlucky one and it  ended up that it was SOD causing the pain.  My surgeon then had no answer for me and was no help.

Google sphincter of oddi John hopkins and read the first site that comes up.  

  The majority of people do not even see a surgeon until they have at least talked to a GI doctor first so that is unusual that has happened in your case.  

[Kris1320]

Thank you Michell and Tonya,

I am so confused as what to do. Im just wondering Michell everything your telling me this was just all in your case, Correct? I was in the ER and they thought it was my Appendix. I had the ultra sound done and CT done that night. They were normal. Then i was admitted cause my white blood cells were high. I seen the surgeon that next morning and he said it may be the gallbladder. So what im wondering is if he has already consulted with other dr's?? to rule other things out..

[michell221]

Hi that was my case but it has happened with lots of others as well. I am a member of a support group for my problem.  All of us thought removing the GB would be the end of our pain and we now have something worse since we were not told about this happening.  Even some of us who had great GI docotors were told it could not be SOD and it was.   Its hard to predict the outcome in this surgery when you have a normal ejection fraction.

   I also  had high WBC on ER visits before I had my Gall Bladder removed.  I still have the High White Blood Count when I get sphincter attacks.  Unless you had specific tests for the biliary system by them this has not been ruled out.  The only people who usually do these tests are GI doctors or biliary specialists since they know how to read the results and even then the tests are not very accurate all the time.  I travel to SC to see my doc.  

[Kris1320]

Hi just wanted to give an update. I had an MRI done and they found gallstones. They are wanting to do surgery sooner now.

[tonyam78]

Did you have an ultrasound and that didn't show any stones?  I am supposed to have a CT Scan, and and wondering if maybe this would show stones even though the ultra sound didn't?

[Kris1320]

They found it in a MRI.

[michell221]

Thats actually good news since you will have a better chance of surgery helping you if you have gallstones :)

[Kris1320]

So at the last min. I get to pre opt and the surgeon decides to cancel surgery. He claims he doesnt think it is my gallbladder. I was discharged and sent home with oxy cotton and told to follow up with a different surgeon. I called and spoke to a supervisor today. She went through my chart with me and said SLUDGE WAS FOUND as well as a GALLSTONE?????? I AM CONFUSED. Why would the surgeon do this. I feel sick off and on today. I had a BM and noticed mucus. Should i go back to ER and ask to see a different dr. This is what what already suggested to me, but i am not sure what to do.

[tonyam78]

Wow...they had you scheduled for surgery and cancelled the day of?  Keep me posted on what happens next.  Are you seeing a GI doc yet??

[Kris1320]

Hi Tonya,

No i am not sure what to do. There was some sort of issue with my insurance and he came in pushed on my stomach and said oh well the insurance is going to cover your surgery. I said not even if there is a gallstone???
He said "Oh ill be right back"
So then they came to get me for surgery and said we are still on schedule.
I got into Pre opt and waited there for about 20 min. Then the surgeon came in and said he didn't wanna do the surgery because he wasn't convinced it was me gallbladder.
So after the 2 days i have been there and you have found sludge and a gallstone how much more proof do you need???
This guy was the on call Dr. for my original Surgeon. Cause he isn't here right now.
So the jackass that didn't do the surgery told me it could be a nerve??? had me go back to my room and eat cause i hadn't eaten for 2 days. And told me to follow up with the original surgeon. So they basically discharged me and gave me OxyCotton. I have no clue what to do now. Any suggestions? Should i go back to ER and ask for another Dr???? Thank you for your concern Tonya : )

[Dar584]

That is horrible.  I would be so mad. Something else was up and I have a feeling it had to do with your insurance and that is just plain wrong.  Stones, sludge and symptoms are a no brainer.  I would definately follow up with either a GI dr. or another surgeon with test results in hand.  Keep us posted and good luck to you.

[Kris1320]

Thank you Dar. I will be calling my regular Surgeon's office first thing tomorrow morning and go from there.

[tonyam78]

I would definitely see a gi doc.  The whole process is very frustrating, I know...I am in the middle of tryung to figure out what is wrong with me too.  I would try to schedule an appt rather than the er unless you really feel that u can't take the pain or that u are getting much worse...u know your body better than a doc and if something is wrong.  We have to advocate for our own health.  What area are u in?

[Kris1320]

I live in Arizona. I feel the same as when i went in to the hospital. The fact that he thought he wasnt going to get paid was the whole reason he didn't do the surgery. I know it for a fact. But see i called the insurance company and they said they didn't see any resubmission for anything. Only what was scheduled for Aug 6th. See thats when i was originally suppose to have the surgery, but they denied it cause they didn't show i had stones or sludge...I do now. But the insurance said nothing is showing that. Now wouldnt you think that 2 days being there and the surgery scheduled he would have been on it with the insurance? Oh i could just scream right now i am so upset. LOL. But there is nothing i can do. Just wait.

[tonyam78]

I would be too...I would talk to the doc and see if they are resubmitting for the surgery with the new info.  Get anywhere today?

[Kris1320]

I am scheduled to have surgery on Aug. 6th. I am getting nervous now... But i hope it all works out

[Dar584]

Good luck with your surgery you will have to keep us posted and let us know how it goes.  Did you end up with your original surgeon or somebody new?  Just curious.

I had my hida scan on Wednesday but not scheduled to go back to go over it until 2 weeks from now.  I am assuming it was ok since I have not heard anything.  Not that I want anything to be wrong but tired of them not finding the cause of my symptoms.

[Kris1320]

When i had my Hida Scan it was back at the Dr. that following Monday. Did you feel any pain at all in your side??? When they injected the CCK???? I did.

Yes it is with the original surgeon. He is back on Monday and im scheduled Friday. I will post how it goes.
Just hang in there Dar. I know it's so flustering when you can't find answers, but you gotta push! or nothing will happen. I did lots of research etc. My regular Dr. told me it was gas. I knew it was more than that. I know my body better than some Dr.
So what im saying is if that test comes up short then look into other things  that have to do with right side pain. I hope everything works out well for you. : )

[tonyam78]

I wish you well with your surgery.  I had some more tests done and the dr. said I had H. Pylori (bacterial infection I guess)...says many have it but doesn't bother everyone, so he put me on prilosec, biacin and amoxicillin for 10 days...he doesn't necessarily think it is causing me any pain, but that it could be causing the nausea.  We shall see...had a right sided attach a few hours ago, with pain going up in to my shoulder again and was in tears...I am definitely over this!

Please keep us posted after surgery!

[Dar584]

Hi kris,

Yes I did have pain during the hida scan when they gave the cck injection I also was very nautious.  The tech was super though he talked to me the whole time the nurse was administering the cck.  Then when I got home I had that same pressure feeling in my chest and inbetween my shoulder blades.  Unfortunately my doctor is out of town and I do not see him to find out the results until the week of Aug 16th.  Are you having yours out laprascopic?  Did you get to see your original surgeon yet?

[Kris1320]

Yes it's going to be Laprascopic. I will not see my regular surgeon till Friday. Thats when i have surgery. Did the tech or nurse tell you that was normal to feel that pain??? Thats what i am still wondering.

[Dar584]

Before they gave me the injection the nuclear med tech said that it could make me feel a little nautious and I may have some mild cramping.  But he also kept asking what symptoms I had during it because he said they document that.   So I dont know if some of it is normal but if some of it helps them determine the results.  So I really dont know what the real answer is.  Everything I have researched has different answers.  

[Dar584]

Good luck on friday. Keep us posted.

[Kris1320]

Surgery went well. In a lot of pain right now, but that's expected. The surgeon found scar tissue around my gallbladder due to it being inflamed i guess. Ugh. Just glad it's over.

[Dar584]

Glad to hear that your surgery is over and that it went well.  I hope that you are feeling better soon and that your post surgery pain is short lived.

Still waiting for my follow up visit.  But the girls from the dr. office did tell me that it was only borderline low EF so I am probably just going to have to deal with the pain.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

[Kris1320]

Thank you Dar,
Keep searching for answers. Don't give up. Let the Dr. Be the one to tell you what he thinks. You should ask for other tests.

[Dar584]

Thanks Kris  I have an appt in 2 weeks so we will see.

How are you feeling today?  I hope each day you start to feel better and better. :)

[Dar584]

Hey Kris,

Just checking in on you to see how you are feeling.  

Here is hoping today finds you feeling much better.

[Kris1320]

Hi dar,
I am ok. Feeling alot better than day 1. Still very sore and trying to walk straight. I have been slouching. It hurts to strech.My body feels very different. I have been limited to what i can eat. I have been eating toast with jelly. But that kinda made my tummy feel weird. Alot of soups. I have had coffee with silk creamer. It's not dairy. ugh... i can see this is going to be a long raod. As far as the symptoms i had it is to early i think to tell if anything has changed. My B day is Friday too. So im having a handicap party. LOL All of my muscles are very sore still from the anesthesia. mostly the back of my legs. i will check in tomorrow. thanks for the well wishes

[Dar584]

Just sending healing thoughts your way.  Just checking up on you to see how your feeling.

Hope everything is going well and no post op problems.

[Kris1320]

Thank you so much for all your posts. What is your name by the way??? I am doing ok. I have had no major problems. My stomach is very sensitive though. I am feeling better everyday as far as the pain goes. Still a little sore. where he went through the muscle. I am trying to figure out still what i can tolerate as far as food. It is going to be trial and error i can see it now. How are you feeling?

[titus1102]

Hi. This is old, but my situation is not :)
I`m to have the gb out on the 17th this month. Scared scared...
I`m thinking to cancel the surgery as I'd rather manage the attack pains. I have 4-5/year at 3-4 months interval. I have big stones... one of 15mm and multiple >5mm.
I`m basically scared because of the possible side effects(chronic pain, chronic diareea, gastritis, even cancer, etc ) and I am curious how to you guys feel after it? I`m a pragmatic and I would rather compare the pros and cons of both :)
Thanks.