chronic cholecystitis

[jenifer]

I have pain in the area under and below my right rib cage. It also hurts in the back area under the sholder blade tips and radiates downward. I am nauseated and fatigued. This has been going on for approximately 2 months. The only meds I take is 12.5 mg. of Coumadin nightly for pulmonary emboli (no reason ever found for these after a slew of tests were done, but they happen out of the blue.) Pro-time is 2.3 with Coumadin. All regular bloodwork is normal.
   I recently had a HIDA scan with the following results: There was a somewhat delayed filling of the gallbladder with the radionuclide. At approximately 60 minutes there did appear to be a gallbladder that was visualized, however, it appeared to be somewhat smaller than normally expected.
   When injected with Sincalide, the ejection fraction was a negative percentage that suggested that the gallbladder filled somewhat more after the injection.
  The radiologist recommended a gall bladder ultrasound. My family doctor is ready to schedule surgery. My surgeon wants me to follow a "gallbladder diet" of no fats, etc. for a couple weeks. My diet is actually already high in grains, fruits and vegetables and low in fats.
   Is there a recommended course to follow?

[wendell]

Hi Jenifer:

If you'd like to e-mail me, I may be able to help your condition with some natural herbal recommendations (NOT drugs).

By the way, I thought it best that you know - the drug Coumadin is used for RAT POISON!!! These are just some of the shameful drugs they give humans and expect them to heal???

Let me know if I can help.

Sincerely,

Wendell  <***@****>

[Shirley Roberts]

I believe a gallbladder operation would help, because I have had all those test's and they saw two small stones, which they believed did not ccause me all this pain, but they took out my gallbladder 8 days ago and found several small stones, two huge stones, a swollen and inflamed gallbladder. The test's showed none of these. I go to get my stitches out tomorrow and I am really sore, but I do not know if my problems will be solved, as I have numerous problems. This is my second time on a computer and really do not know what I am doing, so please forgive me if I have done this badly. I wish you a lot of luck and hope all goes well for you.

[Martha]

I had similar symptoms, with right upper abdominal pain which would move to my back.  I had rather severe pain when the doctor pressed on my upper right abdomen.  I was also experiencing quite a bit of nausea and my blood test showed a slightly high alkaline phosphatase.  They ordered a sonogram, and it came back negative.  I went to the emergency room when the pain got severe and the emergency room doctor ordered a HIDA scan.  My ejection fraction was low.

I had the surgery two weeks ago.  The pathology on my gallbladder showed that I had been suffering from chronic cholecystitis, and there was a stone which hadn't shown on the ultrasound.

Since I had the surgery, the symptoms are gone now and I'm feeling much better.

[peggy]

HAVE THE SURGERY....YOU WILL FEEL BETTER SOON AND BE UP AND GOING.

[s.evans from england]

i have had same problems here and it has been controled by diet and occasionally if i eat wrong foods then painkillers.
i refused surgery as i felt it uneccassary if i can mange it with the exclusions of certain foods, such as dairy products and fatty foods.
you need to decide whats the best option for you and forget what everyone wants or the doctors want....only have surgery if you want to.

good luck

***@****

[monica]

Jenifer, here is a web site that you might want to check out.
http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Villa/2975/Index.html
I hope it helps!
Monica

[Arlene Sovran]

Jennifer: I am having similar problems. In February I had an attack of pain which my family doctor felt could be gallstones but wanted to see what else would develop because the tests done
were inconclusive.  Just before Easter I wound up in emergency two nights in a row with my appendix being removed the second night.(The appendix was ready to go!!!)  However, I am still having problems with my abdomen and am going for a second HIDA scan but this one is to include a CCK infusion==this second test was "recommended" by the nuclear medicine unit at the hospital where the first one was performed.
Re: surgery--I would like to have it!!!--Why? you might ask?  My mother has lived without hers for almost 40 years with no side effects.  Two girls I work with have had theirs out and highly recommend the procedure saying they have never felt better.  They also told me that the surgeon who did the procedure believes that gallbladder problems are often hereditary in females who are healthy weights.  He often finds  that the patients have a history where mothers, aunts and grandmothers have had theirs removed, and that the problem often starts after having had a baby. Does any of this ring any bells for you??  I am tired of waiting around for the next attack and quite miffed that my last month of maternity has not included Gymboree and Aquafit classes with my daughter.  She's now 6 months and a lot of fun!  Instead I've had to put her in daycare fulltime already because I'm still recouperating from the appendectomy and don't have the energy to take care of her all day.  All of the above is why I would gladly have the surgery so that I can get on with enjoying life with my husband and daughter.    
THIS IS JUST ANOTHER VIEWPOINT FOR YOU TO CONSIDER--GOOD LUCK WITH WHATEVER DECISION YOU FEEL IS BEST FOR YOU.

[Beth]

The pain sounds exactly like what I experienced from gallstones during pregnancy.  My OB couldn't figure it out.  The ER doctor did a last ditch effort and scanned my gallbladder and found stones.  These are very uncomfortable!

[J Summers]

I am going through the same thing.  My Hida scan/ CCK showed a constriction of 7% (35 or better is normal).  My family doctor said as long as I am in pain, take out the gall bladder.  Especially after he saw the results of the test (even though the ultrasound didn't show anything).  So I was refered to two surgeons, one said to become a vegetarian; the other wants to rerun all of the tests!!!  What is wrong with doctors today?  Is this part of the HMO insurance scam?  Everything that I have read says that my Hida scan is probably causing the pain, so why aren't the surgeons willing to do the surgery?  I am confused.  I don't really want the surgery, but if it helps me to get on with my life, so be it.  I have been to the doctors 8 times now in 5 weeks, and I am far from done.  If this keeps up, I'll probably get fired from my job and won't have to worry about the HMO thing anymore!!!

[cha cubio]

diagnosis is chronic cholecystitis. Treatment is cholecystectomy.

[Sean kelley]

I had laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Fine, no more pain. But problems with constipation and diarrhoea.

[Kumar Ratnayake]

Month ago my local doctor send for ultrasound for gallbladder
they check and told me wall thick so they arrange me to go to
hospital. Doctor in hospital  remove the gallbldder today
is the third day still I got pain inside everywhere when I moving
my body and pain when I breathing .They cut four places cut my
belly button too and all the way up between the ribs.So please let me is that normal or not?

[Kumar Ratnayake]

Month ago my local doctor send for ultrasound for gallbladder
they check and told me wall thick so they arrange me to go to
hospital. Doctor in hospital  remove the gallbldder today
is the third day still I got pain inside everywhere when I moving
my body and pain when I breathing .They cut four places cut my
belly button too and all the way up between the ribs.So please let me is that normal or not?

[Kumar Ratnayake]

Month ago my local doctor send for ultrasound for gallbladder
they check and told me wall thick so they arrange me to go to
hospital. Doctor in hospital  remove the gallbldder today
is the third day still I got pain inside everywhere when I moving
my body and pain when I breathing .They cut four places cut my
belly button too and all the way up between the ribs.So please let me is that normal or not?

[jeff]

I had gall bladder removed on 1/2/01 it is now 2/14/01 and I still have bloating and some upper abodominal pain. Getting on my nerves to be honest.  and man.. my Bowel movements.. they are way different and very odorous .. not trying to be common.. but it is way different.  Anybody else have these problems?  If so.. when did they start to clear up? Thanks.

[kristin]

I had my gallbladder out 3 years ago and I haven't been the same since.  They found alot of sand in my gallbladder and said that it was best to take it out.  Since my surgery I have had numerous attacks that give me upper right pain under my ribs and in the center of my ribs also with profuse sweating and nausea and at the same time I can't talk and bearly breath. My first attack was 2-3 hours after surgery and needless to say the nurse did nothing for me.  These attacks last from approx. 5 hours.  I was hospitalized once and had elevated liver enzymes.  They did not seem very concerned at the time. They are excruciatingly painful.  I have been to numerous dr.'s and they keep treating me for IBS.  does anyone out there experience this same thing???
I have had numerous tests also and nothing shows up except elevated liver enzymes sometimes?! I would go back to having my gallbladder anyday!!!  Please contact me if anyone has been though these horrible attacks.  ***@****

[stephanie]

I had my gallbladder out in 1978. Since then I have had upper right quadrant pain, with some nausea and gas episodically. I have had every scan in the world with no findings. The doctors just say 'maybe there are stones in the liver ducts'. I get very queasy and have pain with ANYTHING fried and with dairy. Best when I eat apples, belive it or not and eggwhites for protein. I am so sick of this. My diet is clean but am willing to change it to avoid these attacks. Suggestions????? Post here or email m e at ***@****

[jennifer]

I have had right upper quadrant pain for about three months.  My doctor ordered a ultrasound and that was normal.  It doesn't always happen after fatty foods.  It sort of flares-up every so often.  I sometimes have nausea.  I also feel discomfort when leaning forward at times.  Did anyone with gall bladder problems have this discomfort when leaning forward?  I would like to have a hydascan, but my doctor doesn't want to order one.  For those of you who have had one, what does the test involve?   Liver function test was normal.  Thanks, Jennifer

[Dee]

I had my gall bladder removed back in October 2000.  One morning, 2 weeks after my surgery, I woke up and had breakfast.  20 minutes after eating, I had the same exact symptoms I had when I had my gallstones.  The pain become so intense my husband had to call an ambulance.  When the paramedics arrived, I had vomitted and the pain went away.  I was taken to the hospital and the doctor found my liver enzymes still a little elavated.  My gastroenterologist did an ERCP and put a stint in me to help widen the opening of my bile duct.  At this time, this was the 2nd ERPC.  I had another ERPC in December 2000 and the dr put a bigger stint in me.  I am schedule for a 4th ERPC in March where the dr is going to run a camera in that narrow area of the bile duct to see if there is another stone.  He is also going to have me on a table that is able to be elevated to see if my bile is draining like it should.  Almost every night I wake up at least once with a very sudden upper abdominal pain.  This pain only last a few minutes but it is very intense.  My doctor believes that the reason it lasts only a few minutes is because the bigger stint that is in me allows the bile to drain.  There is the possibility that when the doctor pulls out the stint and my bile will still be unable to drain and that I might have to have surgery to widen that area.  In some rare cases, a surgeon may have to bi-pass the bile duct with the intesines.  This is a very complicated surgery.  

I hope this information helps anyone experiencing pain after gall bladder surgery.  If you are, then you should make an appointment to see a gastroenterologist.  A gastroenterologist will probably do an ERCP.  This allows the dr to see if there are stones or if the bile duct is too narrow causing the bile to be clot up.  These are the 2 most common reasons for pain after the gall bladder surgery.  But don't live with this pain, see a doctor.

[krisg]

I just wanted to let anyone know that I think there is a link to having your gallbladder removed and also these attacks.  If you look up esophageal spasms, it sounds exactly what alot of us are experiencing.  I beleive there is a connection between the surgery and these attacks.  These attacks I get are usually in the middle of the night when I am sleeping soundly.  They wake me with a start.  I was rushed to the hospital once and they thought I was having a heart attack(agina like pain).  I have done alot of extensive searching and have found esophageal spasms to be the closest in relation.  Funny how none of the doctors want to relate anything to the surgery??!!  It has been 3 years now since my gallbladder surgery and I have finally found an anti-spasm medication to help.  Too bad I have to be on it for the rest of my life.  When the attacks start to happen I jump for the pill bottle.  Levsin is an anti-spasm medication and it is used for many different medical ailments.  I have found that if I take one pill followed by another within 10 minutes they calm down the spasm within 1 hour and I don't have to go through that period of excruiating pain and vomiting. I hope this info helps anyone who is still going through this mess.kristin

[Kelly B]

My husband had his gallbladder removed as well with no relief. He has had 7 months of agony along with diarrhea and vomiting.
We finally asked the doctor to test for Celiac Disease and lo and behold, he has it.  It causes a multitude of symptoms and is a lifelong disease.  The only cure is dietary which is very disruptive.  My husband has been on the diet for 3 weeks and is finally getting some relief.  It will take 2-6 months to feel 100% better.  Check out www.celiac.com.  Or search this site for "celiac"
And to the guy with the stinky stools.....yep it causes that too!

[LindaLou]

I have had a problem now for over 3 months.   It started with a stabbing pain in the center of my back radiating to my right upper quadrant area under the ribs.  I was in such severe pain, I was put in the hospital for pain managment, the docs thought I had pancreatitits because of something do to with the St. Jude Mech. Valve I have and Coumadin Therapy? However the Ultra Sound showed negative, the CT Scan showed negative, the Hidascan showed a normal functioning gallbladder, x-ray showed normal.  
The stabbing pain has only occured maybe twice since then (which has been approx. 2 months ago) and it was only for a few seconds, however the pain I have now is constant and always in the RUQ area under the ribs, the ribs are tender to touch, I even went to Physical Therapy the doc thinking it was more of a muscle problem, which caused more pain than before.  
Went to surgeon which wanted to do an EGD, which I did and found only Barretts'Esophagus, but no stomach ulcers, etc....so I go back to the surgeon this friday to decide on gallbladder surgery, He said it was possible to have all test show negative and still could be the gallbladder, what do you say?

[ShadowLin]

For the last year I have had an aching feeling in my right lower side from just under my ribs and down. The pain is bearable and sort of nagging.  I have recently begun to wake in the night with my right side sort of feeling knotted  up. This discomfort has continues day and night and occasionally I feel slightly nauseous and a too full feeling. I had my gall bladder out over 2 years ago. At that time I had a stone in my duct. I am getting tests run with no solution in sight. I am so aware of this ache or colic type feeling! One thing...after most of my tests even my back is sore..both left and right... Anyone have any ideas??
THanks Linda

[rking]

For the last 6 months, I have been waking up anywhere from 3 to 5 am with pain in my right side under my ribcage, going thru to my back and sometimes the lower right flank.  It's actually the pain that wakes me up.  In my back it almost feels like a muscle spasm, and that's what I first thought it was, but I've also had a lot of belching, various bouts of indigestion, and abdominal-type pain in the URQ, which has all steadily increased in the last 6 months. It's to the point now, that the pain doesn't ever totally go away it's like a chronic dull ache - I just block it out and keep on going. All of my bloodwork is perfect (two weeks ago). My doctor put me on an acid blocker saying it could be an ulcer, but, it hasn't helped at all. Last week, an abdominal ultrasound of my gallbladder revealed some small polyps. The ultrasound technician said that you can definitely feel gallbladder symptoms in your back, and as the gallbladder fills with bile during the night, it can become painful. However, the doctor believes the polyps are no big deal. He has me scheduled for a HIDA scan on Monday. I don't want to have surgery, but I'm getting a little tired of waking up every night at 3:30 or 4:00 am with a sore right side and back. A friend of mine said it took 3 years for them to finally get around to taking out his gallbladder, because they couldn't decide if it was infected or not. He's been fine ever since. Is what I'm going through indicative of gallbladder problems, and is it always this difficult to diagnose?