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gallbladder sludge

Hello, I had a sever attack on Jan. 24th. It was on my left side after eating a fried fish meal. I had several more over a few days. Noticed it was always after eating. Sharp stabbing pains that were excrutiating. Layed down and waited for it to pass, ended up on liquid diet. Long story short, have now had ultra sound which showed gallbladder sludge and dissention and slightly fatty liver. Surgeon ordered HIDA scan and Barium swallow test after that. Gallbladder would not show up so they gave me morphine. I went back to surgeon and he said it was up to me. If it is altering my life have it removed, if not don't. There is no thickening of the walls or stones, but is sludge. Had went on fad diet of raw veggies and smoothies for a month before this started. Still feel small discomfort in left side and some nausea. If I knew the gallbladder could rid itself of sludge and be healthy I might keep it but I really want to feel normal again soon. Also have frozen shoulder now and just healed from torn chest muscles from last Nov. so haven't been to great in awhile. Thank you so much for being there. Have to decide soon. On the fence.
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Avatar universal
Jessie, I know this is a year old topic, but I too have an overactive gallbladder and only left sided pain along with digestive symptoms. I'd love to hear what came of your situation.
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Any updates on this topic?  I am experiencing the exact same thing as Jessee101!  Don't want surgery unless gallbladder really is tied to the left side pain i am experiencing!
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Did you ever get your gallbladder out last year?  I've also been dealing with the left side pain.  I don't have stones, but an over active gallbladder.  Surgeon wants to take mine out, but I'm such a chicken about having surgery.  I was just wondering about yours and how you have been doing after.  Thanks
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Decided to have surgery Tues. the 9th. Another Doctor answered that the gallbladder not showing up was grossly abnormal. I feel good about the decision finally. If the left side pain turns out to be something else, which I doubt, at least I will be getting rid of one problem.  People do sometimes have the pain on the left. just not very common.  
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Hi, have you had your gallbladder removed yet or thinking about it? 2 doctors thought it was the gallbladder even though the pain was on the left upper side. The surgeon was not convinced because he said he had only had 1 person ever that had left side pain from gallbladder and wanted to be more sure. After the hida scan and it not showing up he left it up to me. If I could just feel confident it is the culprit... Maybe even if it isn't but is sick I should get it over with. Just wish I could make up my mind.
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168348 tn?1379357075
Gallbladder sludge can get better or can progress like mine into real stones.  It can be dormant for days, weeks, years and then be troublesome again.  That, at least, is my situation.  

C~
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P.S. I had a greasy meal last night to see what would happen and nothing did.
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Thank you so much for writing me! I am having such a hard time knowing what to do. I never had any pain in the back or front of the abdomen. I only had a sharp pain start in the left side and get sharper and sharper like a knife and then I could feel, with hand on side, jumping. None of the doctors have seemed to address this. I could feel the jumping spasms on  the left side during attack. Like maybe something was stuck in intestine and couldn't get through? The raw veggie diet consisted of asparagus, broccoli,carrots... I ate lots of it. Stupid thing was, i would chew on the raw asparagus stalks on the white end and could not chew the fibrous material up after a few minutes I would swallow it anyway. I know for certain some of this did not digest because I am observent.Is it possible it was lodged in intestine on left side and caused the extreme pain until it passed? Maybe all this with losing 17 pounds through going on liquids, caused the gallbladder to get sick? Maybe gallbladder will get better on its own? So confused?Everbody is telling me to have surgery that has had it but havent had an attack since end of jan. just a tiny soreness barely noticeable in left side.  Would barium swallow or hida scan have shown if there were a small soreness in intestine from food maybe being trapped? Sorry so many questions, but I am being pulled in all directions and my nerves are shot. Thank you so much again!!!
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello and hope you are doing well.

Don’t understand, your pain is left sided and the gallbladder is situated on the right side. Pain on the left quadrant can be due to renal colic. If the pain starts at the back and goes down to the front of the abdomen, it could most probably be a renal colic. This happens when urine is trying to pass through an obstruction usually a stone. Check with your doctor to rule out this condition.

Sludge in the gallbladder is formed from crystals and salts in excess bile. The gall bladder functions as a storage area for bile produced in the liver. This bile is then secreted into the intestines to aid digestion. When then the gall bladder malfunctions, there is stasis of bile and other crystals and salts get deposited forming sludge. This is prone for gallstone formation and sometimes infection. So, based on symptoms therapy is planned.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.
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