Anyone have gallbladder issues?

So, I've been dealing with this annyoing pain up under my ribs and in my stomach for the last couple of weeks. I never thought much about it until it got to the point where I would throw up if I ate too much or if I ate certain foods. The other night I woke up at 3am with the worst pain ever in my stomach, right below my sternum. It was horrendous...I went to see my family doctor that morning who told me it was most likely my gallbladder. I'm scheduled for an ultrasound next week and my MRI is next Wednesday.
Has anyone else here had to deal with gallbladder issues? No offense, but much like ovarian cancer, I guess I always thought this was something that "older" people got. Obviously I couldn't be more wrong! Is there a reason I would have gallbladder issues? I know I'm slightly overweight but would my cancer history or early menopause have contributed to it at all?
I have no idea what surgery they do to remove it...I'm guessing laprascopic surgery. What is life like without a gallbladder? I keep reading that you don't really need it but as far as I'm concerned, if you were born with it, it's there for a reason!
Thanks everyone,
Becky

[gls2824]

I've had some gallbladder issues on and off but have a lot of friends who have had it removed -- usually in their 40s.  All but one had it done laproscopically (they make a few little holes near the belly button and suck it out).

The one thing they all have in common after surgery is an intolerance for fatty foods.  The gallbladder usually breaks this down, but when it malfunctions, you get the pain, vomiting, etc.  They don't have pain or vomiting, but they do get diarrhea if they eat too many high-fat foods.

I don't think cancer or early menopause has anything to do with it.

[SimplyStar]

Becky, I had my GB removed by scope  15 years ago, had it done in two steps, first on Tuesday they removed the stones and then on Wednesday  they got the GB,  got out of hospital on Thursday and went back to work on Monday, that was too soon, but I made it.  since then I have had no problem, if I eat  anything fatty  I usually get diarrhea, but otherwise  life goes on.  You should have no problems with the surgery, you will just pass a lot more bile in your stools is all.  while they are in there with the scope, I hope they look around some, see what the adhesion situation is.  Take care Marty

[Ramsay14]

I have chronic cholecystitis (gallbladder disease).  My Gyn/Onc sent me to a Oncologic Surgeon and he said he wouldn't remove my gallbladder due to my ovarian cancer.  He said if the Gyn/Onc ever had to go back in for some gyn related reason, he'd be happy to remove the gallbladder then.

[gah_70]

Becky, if you remember, it was during gall bladder removal surgery 2 years ago that my recurrance was found...so it was a good thing mine was bad.  I have Crohn's disease, too, and my GI told me it wasn't uncommon for your gallbladder to develop stones when you have Crohn's.  I had it done laparoscopically, and the only reason it didn't take less than an hour is because once the surgeon was in there, he spotted the cancer, and made two additional incisions to go in take pictures.  By late that afternoon, I was home and on the computer telling my friends my cancer had recurred.  I had no problems healing from it, but of course, my mind was on other things at the time.  I won't go all out and say it is an easy surgery, but there are many that are worse.  I haven't missed it...lol!  Anyway, if this is your gallbladder acting up on you, you'll find you feel a lot better when it's gone.  As with any surgery, you just have to remember to take it easy and let yourself heal.  Anxious to hear how your MRI goes.  Let us know, please!

Take Care,
Gail

[justscore]

I had mine out when I was 27.  My pains were horrible!  The ultrasound looked like it was full of gumballs.  The surgery was a breeze....   The worst pain I had felt like what I imagined a heart attack feeling like.  As always, you are in my prayers!!!!  Feel better!

Heidi

[fungirl1011]

Becky, I just had mine out on Feb 26th of this year.  They did it laproscopically and I was in and out in about 3 hours.  It was one of the easiest surgeries I've had (pain wise), but I was wore out for about a week.  I spend a good deal of time napping.  I'll be praying for you.  Love, Kasie

[butterflytc]

Lets hope the scans can tell them exactly what is up. I hope it is not adhesions causing blockage, as some of the symptoms sound familiar. Either way will be thinking of you Becky, and hoping you dont have to suffer the pain much longer. Keep us posted
***hugs****
butterfly Tc

[Tybear]

Thanks everyone...truthfully, I'm very concerned about adhesions as well. Some things are just not adding up with this gallstone idea. I mean, I ate shrimp linguine last night that had some butter (about 2 tbsp) and some olive oil in it, and I had no problems. I eat an apple or have some toast, and I get pain? It's not making much sense...
I feel  like somethings really wrong...you know that feeling? I just can't seem to shake it either. I've never had pain before in my abdomen like this...of course the cancer-head part of me goes straight to "maybe it's a tumor pressing on my stomach!"...I hate what this disease does to us.
This MRI and ultrasound can't come fast enough.
To add insult to injury, my doc in Toronto called me yesterday and told me that the radiologists at the hospital there don't want me to have the MRI done at my local hospital and that I have to wait until June 15th - again. He said they don't like reading dics or scans that weren't done on their machines...so not happy. Talk about making my life harder while making their life easier. I'll still have the MRI done next week but I guess it'll just be for my doc here.
I've also been battling a sore throat this week that seems to have raged awake this morning...right before the long weekend too! I don't know if it's strep or what...I'm off to see my doctor this morning - again.
Man, when it rains, it pours...
Becky xx

[Beachwalker33]

When I was in my early 20's I had some pain in the area you described.After the ultrasound I was told that while my gallbladder was shriveled up but,it was still functioning.The doctor said it was from going long periods of time without eating and when I did eat it was fatty foods.Let me now your results,there are some herbs that can help.I hope you feel better.God Bless,Jen

[slee56]

You can read my other posts and my journal .... My Gallbladder had been acting up for about 5 months it was hard to narrow it down. Two CT scans missed the stones one was the size of a quarter. Finally a ultrasound showed the stones what I kept telling the DR a rock in my side...I could feel it... well got to go healing and enjoying a normal life again shar

[fungirl1011]

My stomach acted a lot like yours.  I would eat fried food, and it would not hurt.  I would eat salad or fruit and it hurt SO bad.  They did a Hida-scan and it showed that I did not have gallstones, but that my gallbaldder was just not working properly.  Maybe that is what is going on with yours.  I'm so sorry that they are jerking you around again.  Doctors make me SO mad!!!  I will be praying for you Becky.

[gma718]

Sorry to hear about your gallbladder...When I was having my ovarian cysts surgery right before it I had some pain and burning inmy stomach went for an u/s and they discovered that my gallbladder was diseased..full of stones..so they decided to take it out along with the hysterectomy..well I had the gallbladder out laproscopically by a general surgeon and than I had the hystrectomy by my gyn/onc afterwards thorugh a regular incision..truthfully my stomach has not been the same since they removed my gallbladder..i do not digest food the same, my bathroom habits have changed dramatically..I have many stomach issues since...but they felt before I had a major attack that it should come out..everyone is different..other people I know have had it removed without any problems....if I eat the wrong thing I am usually not feeling good.
I wish you lots of luck and hope you are feeling better...xoxo Gia

[lvfrogs]

Becky,
My mom and my sister both had their gallbladder removed - my mom a month ago and my sister about 8 months ago. Ages 57 and 78.  Both came through the surgery well, laparascopically done.  My sister had some extra problems, hers was an emergency and she took longer to heal.  My mom had ongoing problems, sort of what you are going through and you could feel her gallbladder, it was hard as a rock, but she has done great too. You do have to watch your fatty foods. My mom rarely ate fatty foods before the surgery so I am not sure it matters beforehand what you eat. I hope that you will be feeling much better soon and they shouldn't be making you wait. It doesn't go away.  Let us know! Hugs, Colleen

[marie3B]

I have had gallstones for a long time.  They showed up in my scan @ diagnosis 2 yrs ago, but likely have been there a while.  The new chemo cause spasms in the gallbladder that cause pain that is so severe it cannot be measured on the 1-10 scale.  I can't have surgery til I have been off Avastin for a while.  I sympahtize with your problem and I hope you find some relief.  Marie