wubbie3, what was the out come of your question. I was told my gallbladder function was 17% and removal is what was needed. The only difference with me is, I have everything you stated dizziness,fatigue, etc. but one day I had sever pain on my right side. I was unable to go to work and I was very tired after that. Ever since then stomach and gall bladder has gotten worse.
I agree with the others' suggestions to see a GI. Be careful though, I didn't need a referral according to my insurance, but I did as the policy of the GI's office. It took forever to get an appt - FYI. As far as your pain, the pain on the right back and chest sounds like you passed a stone. You may have had stones at one point, but not at the time of your tests. I described the same pain on the right, especially in my back and my GI said that pain in my back was during the passing of a stone down the bile duct. I am not sure about the pain on the left, a GI could tell you if the pain could have been displaced for any reason, or if he or she wants to look for somethimg else. It could be IBS, or acid related - the upper GI is a real pain at times to deal with and diagnose things.
The GI will probably want to run a few blood tests to determine your liver functionality, etc.
Good luck, and keep us posted with any updates!
If it is the gall bladder you are concerned about, I would definitely see a specialist whether it be your GP/GI specialist. Let them do more tests. Don't make the same mistake I made - I was referred, via ER, to a specialist surgeon with a once-off attack of nausea and stomache pain, the U/S picked up inflamation only, no gall stones, nevertheless my gall bladder was whipped out the next morning, due to the fact that I was 5 months pregnant and they couldn't risk a 'flare-up' later in my pregnancy. Be careful. I was 29yrs of age at the time. Despite the above, 7 years later, I still believe that if there are gall stones, the best option would be to have the gall bladder removed. Take care.
My suggestion is have the US to determine gall stones. If there are - have the gall bladder removed. You can only hold the pain out for so long. Those stones will eventually catch up with you sometime in your life, so why suffer, but only have the surgery if there are stones and of course along with your GI's recommendation.
See original post... Ultrasound showed no stones and gallbladder was otherwise completely normal.
See, now I'm confused about something. When I talked with my GP about possibly having the consult, just so everything is set up and I can talk to a specialist, she told me that a GI dr would not handle gallbladder surgery, that a general surgeon would. So who would I go to? My insurance does not require me to have a referral, but who would I look for? A general, or a specialist?
~Marianne
A general surgeon would be the one to actually remove your gallbladder.
Best bet is to get a second opinion from a GI doctor.
But, my wife was diagnosed with gall bladder issues some time ago as she had the same symptoms you describe (pain, weakness/disorientation spells after eating, etc.) She had a HIDA scan and it showed gall stones.
The doctor mentioned surgery, but she never had it and hasn't had problems in some time.
Do you drink beverages with sucralose (Splenda) in them? From what I've read on the internet it can cause problems with your gall bladder.