Chronic nausea and gallbladder ejection fraction of 38%

[JamieLL]

I have read several posst and I've been able find other people with similar symptoms like mine.  I have had IBS type symptoms for about 11 years, but a few years ago I began having stomach issues that just didn't seem like the usual IBS stuff.  I started having severe abdominal bloating almost 3 years ago and began suffering from on and off constipation. I started to notice that I was feeling this terrible nauseous feeling in the center of my upper abdomen...it's so bad that I can't even stand to have my bra pressing on my ribs or have my shirt or a sheet touch my stomach.  In the beginning I was tested for colon cancer and celiac disease.  I had a colonoscopy done at the age of 29 in 2009 and also had an EGD to check for celiac - everything was negative.  The first GI specialist I saw (who did all of those tests) told me I probably had IBS. I wasn't happy with that general answer....it just didn't seem to really explain the symptoms that started in 2008.  All of my previous symptoms that started in my early 20s were very much like IBS: food would go right through me....no matter what I ate.  I learned to deal with that and just tried to follow a very healthy diet and stay active.  Everything changed when I started taking Yaz bcp in 2008.  I didn't put it all together until a family member mentioned my symptoms sounded like gallbladder issues.  I researched online and found the connection between gallbladder problems and Yaz.  I am not sure if that's my issue, but none of the symptoms I started having in 2008 began until AFTER I took Yaz.  I stopped it in Jan 2010 and felt a bit better, but have continued to have issues.  My GI doc said it probably isn't my gallbladder because I'm in good shape and I eat healthy....he said it's probably just IBS.

I stopped seeing the GI doc in April 2010 and I was just dealing with everything. I recently started seeing a new PCP and she sent me in for an abdominal ultrasound to rule out gallstones. Last week I had a PIPIDA scan and my ejection fraction was 38%. Ever since the test I have been having worse pain afer I eat...it's been pretty unbearable nausea and it last for several hours.  It's always in the center of my upper abdomen, though...I have never had that sharp right upper quandrant pain typically associated with gallbladder disease. I have been referred to a general surgeon to discuss options.  I don't know that taking out my gallbladder would help, but I can't live like this.  I was so sick when I ate after my scan last week and it just seems to be getting worse.  I don't know if it's damage done from the Yaz or if it's even my gallbladder.  I don't want to have unnecessary surgery nor do I want to be on any medication for the rest of my life.  I haven't had kids yet and I'm worried I will feel worse when I'm pregnant or worse after having kids if it really is related to my gallbladder.  

Has anyone been able to get a concrete diagnosis?

[cocobd]

I don't think you got my message yesterday because I accidently had "blocked" checked in my profile---how long did it take for the nausea to go away after your gallbladder surgery? I am almost as nauseated as before the sugery and I am 10 days after surgery---this is miserable----did you take any meds after surgery? any info would be greatly appreciated...

[Cdngal]

I had to change my diet before and after, I eat alot more low fat, i dont eat red meat  or pork, no fried foods (well once in awhile but pay for it) and when i have dairy i have skim and non fat... no pop, or caffeine either...I also take a fibre supplement every morning, 2 metemucil pills.  So I have done well... I know people that have it out and then go back to eating crap have issues... unfortunately without the gallbladder its alot harder to digest, so better just to make it easier on your body.  YOu will get used to the new diet, so worth not having the pain and vomiting.

[JamieLL]

I can't even imagine living like that for all those years!  I am having such a hard time now (ESPECIALLY after my scan) that I am almost losing my mind!  I am really staring to have what I would consider classic gallbladder/gallstone symptoms every time I eat and it just last forever, so I really don't get relief.  I don't even know what to eat to keep from feeling bad.  I don't know how I can be having all of this pain when I was told I don't have stones.  I still have 3 weeks before my second opinion and I'm not too enthusiastic about getting my gb removed without being completely sure that is the cause of my problem and that it will get rid of my symptoms.  I have sharp pains under my right breast, the same continual center abdominal pain (which makes it VERY uncomfortable to wear a bra), some random back & shoulder pain, and even sharp pains down lower into my abdomen.  It's so frustrating not knowing if someone will be able to confirm a diagnosis before taking out an organ.  It sounds like you have had to adjust your diet....the doctor I saw said no dietary changes are needed and I knew that had to be wrong!  How can a digestive organ be taken out of someone's body and no dietary changes put into place?  I've talked to people who have no problems after surgery and talked to some who have tons.  

I have been looking on this website called *****************.com - has anyone been on there?

[JamieLL]

I have been reading about the sphincter of odi dysfunction and I was planning on asking about that when I go in for my second opinion at KU Med.  I REALLY want to be sure that it really is my gb and that taking it out will fix the problem.  So, the MCRP would be a way to diagnose that?  And, looking at my liver and enzyme counts?  How did you get diagnosed? And, what were your symptoms?

[Reruho]

Jamie,
I only had the sharp pains a couple of times in the 23-24 years I suffered with this problem . I mainly suffered with a cramping like pain under my right breast and along my diaphragm for many years (20) before I had a Hida scan and it showed an ejection fraction of 15%. I had been going in for RUQ ultrasounds every 6 months for years, normal was always the results. Labs were always normal. I had intermittent referred back pain..I found out that this is normal for biliary dyskinesia.  I went to the ER and wound up being treated for back strain-pain medicine and muscle relaxers.

The last year the back pain became constant and I described it as having a knife stuck in my back. I had problems sleeping and wearing a bra. I already suffer with chronic pain. I had been taking daily pain medication, so my pain levels would probably rated higher. A nightly vicodin was the one thing that allowed me to sleep those last 6 months.

Food never really bothered me until the last couple of months before surgery. An anpple had me doubled over in pain. I later found out that the pectin in apples and oranges will stimulate the Gb to contract.

Surgery was a godsent. I felt better immediately. I went on a low fat diet and it gave me diarrhea. I made the mistake of eating some gas producing veggies (cabbage) and paid for that one. I used some digestive enzymes from the health food store for a month and that help settle things done. I found I need some fat or I get constipated, too much and I have diarrhea.

Reta

[Cdngal]

I was same could barely eat anyting before my surgery, you are doing better then i was, for the first 10 days after surgery i was so sick I got dehydrated and ended up in emerge from all the vomting, once they gave me some IV fluid and some meds are started my road to recovery took about month before i didnt feel exhausted everyday, the nausea went away couple weeks after... both my surgeon and GI told me that will take my body a year to settle from the surgery... I guess makes sense since afterall they did remove an organ, so your system has to get used to it... You should take anti-acid pills for few weeks... thats what my surgeon gave me and really helped with the nausea.  Also they suggested to take 2 metemucil pills every morning, also will help you not get constipation or diarrhea.