Hello - thanks for asking your question.
You note vomiting after eating and is "projectile" in nature. Ultrasound showed gallstones. You have been diagnosed wtih GERD.
It is certainly possible that the gallstones may be causing vomiting alone. However, you may want to consider other causes first. Projectile vomiting may be caused by anatomical abnormalities, or what is known as pyloric stenosis (when the connection between the stomach and small intestine becomes too narrow). Other causes include inflammation of the stomach or esophagus, as well as ulcers or masses.
You may want to consider evaluation with an upper endoscopy first to make sure that it is not an anatomical abnormality and to evaluate for ulcers or inflammation.
If every subsequent test is negative, your symptoms can possibly be caused by gallstones.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
I would ask for a Hida scan before considering surgery. This shows how well your gallbladder is functioning.
I had my gallbladder removed last summer, not knowing that there was even a test such as a Hida scan. I just went ahead with the doctors recommendation. I am now still suffering with severe symptoms and on top of that I now have alternating, urgent bowel movements. I had no stones, and a GI doc I seen recently told me I don't have SOD. So it leaves me in a very perplexed position. I wish I was better informed going into it.
A couple of comments: a HIDA scan may not be very useful in your case. It can be normal between episodes. So unless its's done at the exact time you are having symptoms, it may not show an abnormality. In fact, it may not even when having symptoms. Like a lot of tests, it's useful if it shows something, but doesn't help if it doesn't .
Gallstones classically cause severe pain along with the nausea, etc. But in humans, things aren't always classsical. Vomitting after eating, without pain, could be due to stones. So could diarrhea. However, unless all other possibilities are ruled out (and even when they are) when symptoms are not typical, it may come down to deciding to have the surgery knowing the outcome is not 100% predictable. The good news is most people don't have side effects from losing the gallbladder. But if you haven't yet seen a gastroenterologist, and considered or had upper endoscopy (looking into your stomach with a scope) you should request doing so before committing to surgery.
Hi, if you are having projectile vommiting alot and tests showed gallstones , I bet its a good chance that is what is causing it...My GB attackes were like that and it didn't really matter what I ate....I had been on GERD diet for months and followed it strictly and had just lost alot of weight when my attacks started...It is a great relief to not be awaken in the nite having that pain anymore..... However, my DR. told me he thought the surgery (GB) would help my acid-reflux and since surgery, my Nexium has recently been increased from 80mg per day to 100mg. per day, so Im not sure whats going on with that....I did just have another EGD with biopsies so we will see.....Take care and good luck..........Tessa