Should I keep non-functioning gallbladder?

[gerddyone]

I have to decide whether or not to keep my non-functioning gallbladder (also have GERD).  My hida-scan was 17% but everything else was normal.  I can cope with the pain and feeling sick so I'm scared to do the surgery.  Then again, I'm tired of not being 100%.  I always get sick on pain meds also, so that worries me.  I know this isn't a major surgery, but if I had to do without a doubt I feel better, I would.  Any thoughts and advice?

[TexasTip]

I have been on Prilosec and now Nexium for years. Last April (2001), I had a severe bout of distress related to the gallbladder and came very close to having it removed. I elected not to, and went online to find relief for the severe gas pains that come with the attacks. You know, belching for hours, gas pains that keep you up for hours at night, etc.

I discovered activated charcoal. It is great! It can absorb gas and toxins in the digestive tract. I haven't used antacid one in over a year. Take 2 to four capsules when eating a "bad" meal or when you have distress occuring. It works for me.

Today, I'm trying to get off nexium. I stopped taking it two days ago. I have a headache, my stomach hurts, and I have additional acid. But the charcoal seems to be keeping the negative symptoms down. I'm going to try this approach for a few more days and see if I can live without it.

By the way, activated charcoal does a number of amazing things to cleaning the body out. It also absorbs drugs, so you should be wary of using it when you are forced to take prescription medications.

[scots lassie]

My partner took a homoeopathic gall stone flush remedy sometime ago.He was scheduled for key-hole surgery 4 or 5 times,thank god somebody recommended this to him,it worked.He has repeated it since and he says he will repeat it from time to time as necessary.
He tried to present his experience and research to the hospital in a professional manner,but nobody wanted to know,surprise surprise...He and I, and many other people want to know why this non-intrusive and non-invasive methodology of treatment is not being presented to patients as a choice.Something is not right; why surgery as a first choice?Business is obviously booming.

I believe my partner is now referring his experiences to various health ministers for their comments on the subject matter,he has become quite an ultruistic activist,more power to him.In the next few days I will post the Gall Stone flush remedy as taken by him.

I hope this information helps some one to make an informed choice in their health care.

[Baseball_Mom]

Regardless of what you decide to do, getting a good surgeon is the key to having this operation.  But what Tami failed to mention you can get Pancreatitis AFTER having your gallbladder removed as well.  I had mine taken out last April 2001 and continued to have problems afterwards.  Ended up back in the hospital in November 2001 with Pancreatitis.  So having your gallbladder taken out is NO GUARANTEE you will NOT get pancreatitis sometime down the road.  Best of luck to you.

[YoYo]

Hello, I am one of those people who have had the gallbladder operation. I did't know of the problems that could follow the operation, until I can across this site. Some of the problems that I am now having are, diarrhea, gas, and still some kind of pain on my right side. If someone out there would please let me know if these problem are the result of the operation.




                                                Thank you,
                                                  YoYo

[YoYo]

Hello, I am one of those people who have had the gallbladder operation. I did't know of the problems that could follow the operation, until I can across this site. Some of the problems that I am now having are, diarrhea, gas, and still some kind of pain on my right side. If someone out there would please let me know if these problem are the result of the operation.




                                                Thank you,
                                                  YoYo

[vaxfacts]

Has anyone tried alternative treatments frist. The flush works for some and than others need to break up the stones first. www.herbsfirst carries a Dr. Christopher's formula called Barberry LG (helps promote Healthy Liver & Gal Bladder function) I believe there is a place on their site that you can look up things and what to take for gallstones and gallbladder problems.

I wished I would have known about this products and others that I've learned about to late cause now that I had my gallbladder out I pretty much have to take this product and another colon product to keep my body functioning. I traded in attacks and pain for constant getting sick and diarreah. So do lots of research before you have it out. Try all you can. My Chiropractor recommended it out cause we tried to fight it naturally but he was just as new to this. The next day after the Key hole surgery when he saw me again he apoligies for recommending it cause I was sicker afterwards than I had been my whole life. He was mad at the way it turned out.

I'm working on taking better care of myself so that I won't keep getting sick. My nest step is a liver cleanse and I will probably give the liver flush a try again just to see what happens even without a gallbladder. I actually felt better after doing the flushes.

Good luck to those that are struggling. There are lots of different methods to try first before surgery. I even know some that had a diseased gallbladder that is now considered totally healthy. A lot has to do with eating healthy and finding the right things for our body. My surgery wasn't a cure to the problem just a bandaid and an end to the pain. Now I have other problems that I need to deal with from the surgery. A side note. It took me 6 weeks to even feel better after key hole surgery and 9 months before I could even start my long walks again. It was the Chiropractor that got me up and doing better. We don't have insurance or much money but we finally decided to go to him (he doesn't charge much anyway) and what a difference it made.

Now I just have to be better at doing what I know is right.
Good luck
D

[jellybeans]

Hi I know that any operation is scary and the thought of doing something to your body is scary.But after years of putting up with a non functioning gall bladder I had it removed 18 months ago. Key hole surgery and home on the same day.I have never looked back, that horrible pain in my side that I had put up with for years gone! My Father died from gall bladder cancer and that was enough reason to have it removed.I live in Australia and I know that our diets are similar but coming to terms with eating a very low fat diet was the hardest. I am now about 13 kilos lighter and eat sensible diet so I dont end up with fatty liver diease or any other complications due to not having a Gall  Bladder.Forget health flushes.Remove it, because you cannot see into your body to watch what is happening. I bet My Dad wishes he could have. Bye and good luck.

[Genevamom]

I would just give it a little more time and if you continue to get sick you'll finally get sick of it and get it out.  Mine was not working at all and one of my doctors who usually chooses the "natural" method said that I needed to get it out and would save myself from a lot of problems years down the road.  Good luck.

[gerddyone]

Thanks for all the posts.  I'm not interested in a gallbladder flush.  First of all I think I will get sick on it (can't even stand fish oil tablets) and second I have no stones at all.  None on two ultra-sounds,ct scan, or the hida scan.  I have a motility disorder and GERD and the non-functioning gallbladder fits right in with this.  The surgery decision is hard to make but right now I think my body is pushing me in that direction. I appreciate those who answered with their experience and I am walking into this knowing that I could have problems afterwards.  Then again...who knows I might be better.  Tough choice!

[Lor]

The problem with keeping a non functioning gallbladder is that you don't know when it completely fails. When it stops completely it can turn into gangrene. Which can make you sicker than you already are. My gallbladder was taken out because it was only functioning at 15%. In most cases they remove it and you are fine. About 10% of people have sphincter of oddi dysfunction. Which causes more pain once the gallbladder is removed. This is what caused my gallbladder to stop functioning. The bile isn't being able to be released by the bile duct, so it backs up into the gallbladder. Over time it starts to fail. If you decide to go ahead with the surgery. Read up on this first so you are aware if this happens to you.

[TAMI2530]

NO, YOU ACTUALLY DO NOT NEED YOUR GALLBLADDER. AND IF YOU HAVE A SICK GALLBLADDER AND DECIDE TO KEEP IT YOU CAN END UP WITH PANCREATITIS.. THE DRS I WORK FOR DO THESE DAILY..ITS DONE THROUGH A SCOPE AND TAKES NO LONGER THAN 30-45MINS TO DO.....YOU WILL BE A NEW PERSON W/THE RIGHT SURGEON