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?

[Cdngal]

Always good to get a second opinion before a surgery.  I feel much better now that mine is out...when will you go for another opinion?

[JamieLL]

Well, I went to the general surgeon on Tuesday and he is 90% confident that my gallbladder needs to come out. He seemed to be knowledgable and he listened to what I had to say. I'm still on the fence about surgery and I'm getting a second opinion.  I'm going to look at finding a doc in Kansas City just to see if I might have luck getting someone who is familiar with the Yaz BCP correlation.  One thing the GS I saw this week was able to shed some light on was the reason for my center abdomen pain: he said that only about 20% of the population has an anatomically correct gallbladder, so many people have no URQ pain but still suffer from gallbladder issues.

At this point, I just really want to confirm that it is my gallbladder, that it needs to come out, and hopefully be able to prove that it's all from being on Yaz.  I'm jumping on one of those lawsuits if that's the case!

[JamieLL]

My pain feels like someone constantly has their fist pushing into my upper abdomen (right at the bottom of my sternum all the way down to about 1 inch above my belly button).  Ever since I had my PIPIDA scan it has been worse, especially after I eat.  It feels almost like I need to throw up, but it has a distinctly different type of feeling.  I get a lot of bloating and I feel like one of those people that has had lap-band surgery and can only eat a very small amount of food at one time.  My stomach is extremely sensitive to the touch...I can't even have my shirt touching my belly lately.  It's so weird....

My appointment is on Tuesday, 26 July.  I'm praying that this doctor isn't completely clueless and will actually listen to what I have to say without just assuming I need my gb taken out.

[Cdngal]

For me my pain was URQ into my back...so i did have the typical pain... plus severe nausea, i lived on anti nausea pills for 6 months...i vomited alot as well lost 44 lbs by the time i had my surgery and couldnt really afford that much brought me to 100 lbs at 5'4...my biggest complaint was the nausea and vomitting for sure, the pain almost felt like someone put an elastic around my upper body and squeezed it was terrible.  Let us know what the doctor says.. when do you go again?

[JamieLL]

Was there a specific name for the issue with your nephew's pancreas?  I've been trying to research any reference I can find to see if I can get something that really explains my symptoms.  

[JamieLL]

I have had an upper endoscopy (in Mar 2009 when I had my colonoscopy).  The doc was checking to rule out celiac disease.  I wonder if it's worth having again just to have a look.  

I had some type of barium swallow testing done back in 2000-2001, but I don't remember specifics...I do remember how horrible that stuff tasted and how uncomfortable I was having to roll over on a table while they took that scans.  The testing was done because of the IBS symptoms I began having.  This nausea/pain is totally different than that, so maybe the GS will want to do some of that type of testing before resorting to surgery.  I have an appt next week, so I'm praying the doc is not "cut happy".

Did you have URQ pain when you had gallbladder issues or the same center nausea pain as me?  I feel like that is a key thing for my doctors to keep in mind to really figure out what's wrong since I don't have classic URQ pain typically associated with gallbladder issues.