non- functioning gallbladder (finally a diagnosis)

[berniebren]

I have suffered for over 8 yrs with a painful throb, achy feeling in my upper right abdomen just under my ribcage.  The pain would extend all the way arround to my spine in the back.  The pressure gets really bad about 3:00 A.M. and wakes me up several times a week.  I get gas really bad after eating anything greasy or spicy, and fried chicken makes me get diareah about 30 minutes after eating it.  I have had every test in the book, CT Scans of abdomen, colonostomy, stomach scope, 3 gallbladder ultra sounds, bloodwork, kidney scans,  complete Mri's of the spine (my back hurts most of the time (mid back) I stay so weak, I just can't hold out to do much strenuous work.  Can't lift anything heavy without extreme pain in the right side of my back.  I went to a back surgon, he said my back was in excellent shape.  I have been fighting depression because of the pain I am suffering, and all the Drs. seem to look at me like I am a hypocondriac.  
I finally found a new woman doctor, that I visited one time and told her about my pain, she was almost sure that it was my gallbladder.  Sent me for a Hida Scan.  Immediatly the person preforming the scan told me I had a very sick gallbladder, and that it needed to come out.  I have called my Dr. to set up an appointment for surgery, my gallbladder is not functioning at all.  I know it is a little risky of being in that (10 percent of people)that don't get relief afer surgery.  But if anyone out there has suffered with this dibilitating pain as long as I have, I think you would agree to take that one chance to feel better again.  

My sister had almost the same problem as I did, and had her Hida Scan, her gallbladder was functioning and 10%.  Hers came out two weeks ago, so far she is doing great.  No more sickness or pain from gallbladder.

My apointment is next week with surgon.

I will try to post after surgery to let you know how I am doing.  Sure hope this helps someone else out there who is as sick as I am.


This discussion is related to Does this sound like Gallbladder?.

[rambler150]

Hi, I had suffered several years with nausea to where I got to the point I just thought it was normal for me to live like that.  2 times I had it so bad, for so long I lost 45 lbs before they finally got my weight loss to stop.  Finally found a super gastro doctor and he also did the emptying scan on stomach and gall bladder.  Stomach has no movements to it, severe gastroparesis the dx there, and the gall bladder was emptying only a few %.  I was sent to the surgeon, had the lap surgery and will tell you it went great.  Recovery went well, only problem I have is due now to the stomach problem.
Good luck with yours and just be glad they found the cause and can begin you on a road to helping.

[Librasapphire]

Think that it's wonderful you finally have diagnosis - think it's great when people do and post up! It's helpful and keeps everyone positive who is waiting for dx. I can definitely relate to the depression, think dr's should spend an hour in patient's shoes see if they can handle it! It would also help if they didn't look at us like hypochondriacs or psychosomatics! Good luck with the surgery x

[Savas]

I just had mine out and I can tell you it's smooooth sailing afterwards. I celebrated two days afterwards with a big, nomish piece of cake!!! :)

[HadBetterDays]

I have had a similar experience (many ultra sounds, MRI, then HIDA Scan). Its been months since being diagnosed and I have not opted to have surgery yet. Now I feel bloated all the time. I know my gall bladder is not functioning properly and the doctor said I was sure to be back for surgery when the pain persists. I'm now seriously considering the surgery because it looks as though I'm 4 months pregnant due to a bloated belly. The area just under my ribcage aches nearly all the time. Please do post about how your surgery goes! I'm scared to get the surgery because there is that possibility it could cause more digestive problems per what I was told by the doctor. This is why I wasn't convinced 100% to have the surgery in the first place. Good luck to you!