Gall Bladder removal

[OC]

I've had HepC since 1978 (27 yrs or so), I'm Genotype 1A and was told by my doctor that I had gallstones and he referred me to another doctor who wants to remove my gallbladder. They also want to do a liver biopsy (first one).

I also have GERD and I do get pains after eating sometimes, just wondering if it's worth it to have the gall bladder removed or just live with it.

[OC]

I'm just concerned about any damage to the liver resulting in the removal of the gall bladder.

The last panel about 1 year ago was:

1) viral load = 5m
2) genotype = 1A
3) enzymes = not sure

[OC]

Did some digging and here's what I found from a liver panel in 5-10-2004:

Albumin - 4.7
Total Bilirubin - 0.6
ALT - 99
AST - 76
Alk Phos - 59
PCR 6,040,000

How bad does that look?

[jmjm530]

Without a biopsy, it's premature to try and make too much of your blood tests.

If you decide to get your gall bladder operation, you can probably have the biopsy at the same time. If you don't have the operation, have the biopsy by itself. But don't wait too long.

[OC]

Both are scheduled for next week.

[jmjm530]

Good luck next week and let us know how it goes. Make sure you get a copy of your biopsy report.

In general, if your biopsy shows a certain amount of liver damage, you should probably treat right away. If it shows very little damage, you can choose to treat now or wait for better treatments down the pike. But we're getting a little ahead of ourselves.

[OC]

Sorry, I left out that I went thru treatment of PegIntron A with Ribavarin from 3-29-02 to 2-5-03, PCR was down to 73,000.

[jmjm530]

Don't know anything about gall bladders, but if you've had hep C since 1978, you certainly want a liver biopsy. And if you don't know already, you want to have a liver panel of blood tests including: (1)Viral load; (2) Genotype; (3) Liver Enzymes.

Back to the gall bladder, I believe if they do a gall bladder operation, they do the biopsy at the same time. Otherwise, the biopsy is usually done as an out-patient.

[Kanzou]

I would get a 2nd opinion on your gall bladder and the reason why they want it removed. If you do have it removed you won't miss it. They removed mine during my LTP and I don't miss it a bit (it was healthy to). And do get a bx 1st chance you get.

[annainitaly]

gallbladder is just a container for the bile fluid, it doesn't play much of a role in our body. if you'll have it removed you won't have problems at all, your bile will simply flow directly where it is flowing now anyhow. this is what my general doctor explained to me: and he is the kind of doc that uses alternative, herbal, or homeopathic meds whenever it is possible (I mean, he doesn't suggest surgery when not indispensable). if you have gallstones, take buscopan along with you everywhere. a cholic may happen any moment.
best to you.
a.

[BronxRican007]

I'm in the same boat (awaiting gallbladder surgery) but I probably have NASH as well (according to an unreliable ultrasound of my liver). When they did the ultrasound they found my gallbladder stones. My doc wants the stone out before beginning TX. He also wanted me to lose 40 lbs b4 starting me on treatment. I've lost about 30, so hopefully there is some improvment of my NASH. In the meantime, I'm still waiting for a surgical appointment and gallbladder removal.

I have yet to be treated the first time for HCV but my VL is relatively low (579,000). Good luck, It looks like were traveling somewhat similar paths.

Bronx

[OC]

My hepatologist referred me to the surgeon, they both feel my gall bladder should come out and I will geta liver biopsy at the same time.  I've had pain in the upper right quadrant for sometime now.  It's scheduled for July 12.

[lackalustre]

my dr. says leave the gall bladder alone even if you have stones UNLESS you are having trouble or attacks.
  if you do have it removed a biopsy can be done of the liver at the same time.  eliminates  another procedure.  good luck

[BronxRican007]

July 12th is the day I get seen by a Surgeon for a consult. He'll probably tell me to go for the surgery. What else would a damn surgeon tell you? :)

[OC]

Sometimes the doctor might say to leave the gall bladder alone because they don't want to pay for it.

[OC]

Surgery moved to Friday 7-15-05.

[BronxRican007]

I'm active military and today I was told that althought I'm a good surgergy candidate that my gallbladder didn't need removal. Since money isn't an issue here I thought it was worth a mention.

[OC]

Did the doc say why you didn't need the GB removed?

[OC]

Got my Gall Bladder removed and a liver biopsy on Friday 7-15-05. No complications during surgery, but now I've been hiccuping for 2 days straight, I've tried all solutions I could think of.

I called the doc and he said to try and control breathing to keep it slow, he said I have a little bit of fluid in the diaphram, hope this goes away soon.

Need to make appt with Hepatologist to read my biopsy etc.