re: gallbladder problem

Hi:

I was a healthy 29 year old caucasian male. Approx. 2 years ago i started having major stomach problems. My symptoms included heavy nausea all day, stomach pain/bloating after eating anything for the following hours, extreme acid reflux in the morning and extreme nausea mid afternoon. I saw 5 dif gastro drs. I did every test possible. All came back negative. One diagnosed me with IBS, another said NO, another said GERD, another said NO. No one could figure out why i had my problems.

Prior tests done: Cat scan with enterography(nothing), lactose breath test(positive), colonscopy, egt, capsule study, catscan.

Anyways, i just saw a new dr and he suggested i do a HIDA Scan with CCK. The results came in with my ejection fraction rate of 14% (norm is 35% obviously). Ive had the test results reviewed by 3 other drs who confirm.

Do i take my gallbladder out asap? Ive become used to my problems. Ive been taking clonazapam for past year (.5 mg before bed) which has helped. I avoid all fiber foods, heavy fatty foods, fried foods, dairy etc. But, i used to eat all of this before the probs started.

Why didnt this test get done 2 years ago? Will it make all my probs go away? I dont have much back pain or upper right quadrant pain...but nausea, bloating, pain after eating - YES!

Thank you for your time-

[CalGal]

If you have stones or sludge present along with the reduced EF, you may want to consider removing your GB. However, there are unfortunately more post-surgery issues in those who have their GBs removed with just a low EF.

[Jaybay]

Your experience is just like mine except my ejection fraction was almost normal.  Once the gallbladder came out, life got a whole lot better.  I didn't have any stones but the gb was very infected.  It's difficult for a surgeon to decide whether to operate or not in those circumstances.  If you have a surgeon willing to operate, just make certain you know what to expect post-op.  Some people do have trouble with diarrhea or even no change at all after the gb is removed, although the stats I've seen show them to be in the minority.  We simply hear about the post-op problems because the people who do well with the surgery have no need to complain.  :-)

[whisperwolf]

I had problems with nausea and pain and had HIDA scan and found out my gallbladder was all sludged up too and not working right either.  A week before my scheduled surgery I could not eat anything more than boost shakes, applesauce and the like and had to go to the ER once for a morphine shot.  I couldn't wait for the surgery.  After I woke up from the surgery, I already felt much better.  My gallbladder wasn't infected but if I had waited too long, I would have ended up with gallstones anyway.  Anyway, within two weeks I was eating what I could before, with the exception of peppers.  The Laparoscopic procedure is 4-5 small incisions, 1 day in the hospital and I was off work for 5 days.  There were no stitches.  
I recommend you don't wait too long.  

[whisperwolf]

I had problems with nausea and pain and had HIDA scan and found out my gallbladder was all sludged up too and not working right either.  A week before my scheduled surgery I could not eat anything more than boost shakes, applesauce and the like and had to go to the ER once for a morphine shot.  I couldn't wait for the surgery.  After I woke up from the surgery, I already felt much better.  My gallbladder wasn't infected but if I had waited too long, I would have ended up with gallstones anyway.  Anyway, within two weeks I was eating what I could before, with the exception of peppers.  The Laparoscopic procedure is 4-5 small incisions, 1 day in the hospital and I was off work for 5 days.  There were no stitches.  
I recommend you don't wait too long.  

[charlzinha77]

Hi
I can understand the frustration in not being diagnosed.
Back in March after nausea/IBS and lack of energy my doctor did some blood work and LFTs and they came back with high unconjugated levels of billirubin. Following a liver scan I was told it was Gilbert's Syndrome.
As of Monday till Thursday this week I have had terrible nausea (no vomiting), lack of appetite,(even certain food aversions like carbs) and had slight addominal pain, more on the left upper side but generally all over the abdomen. On Wed my bowel movements turned white. I am waiting the results on a liver profile test I did yesterday but what could this be? My doctor mentions biliary duct obstruction though my abdominal pains are no way acute/severe. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you so much.