I'm scared now...any suggestions or support?

[AshleyBaker]

I have been seeing 3 different doctors for my right upper quadrant pain. 2 don't think it's my gallbladder. My GP does. Anyway, all the tests were negative...except my liver enzymes and my copper level. Both are elevated. The first thing that comes to my mind is Wilson's Disease. I also have Sjogren's Syndrome which is an autoimmune disease. As for the gallbladder....I tried a 10 day trial of carafate to help with nausea. It didn't work. They said surgery is next but said that my gallbladder may not be the cause of the nausea. I have pain now...sometimes burning, sometimes dull, sometimes sharp on the right side. I'm concerned. Should I go forward with surgery? I'm scared now. But the quality of life sux for me....any suggestions?

[AshleyBaker]

Thank you.That was very interesting abd very helpful.

Ash

[boron]

As said, altrasound can miss a lot of gallstones. CT is more accurate. If even CT would be negative, then you have to have tests for bile ducts function, one is manometry of sphincter of Oddi or maybe ERCP.

But first CT, I think. 18% function of gallbladder is very likely to be the sign of either gallstones or gallbladder dysfunction from fibrosis or other.

[AshleyBaker]

Thank you for your input. I will not push the issue. I have been having other problems also which they tend to think it's NOT the gallbladder. I don't have a clue. I had the HIDA scan and it DID show a low ejection fraction of 18% for my gallbladder, but the didn't see any stones on the ultrasound. So who knows. I see one of the docs in early June. I'll ask more questions. Thanks again for the input.

[KeyD]

I would definately wait to have your your gallbladder removed until the problem is confirmed to be caused by it, I've had alot of GI problems since having mine removed and now wish I hadn't

[boron]

Wait with any surgery until it gets clear what is with your liver and gallbladder.

Gallbladder disease may be gallstones - in this case, you'd experience a CRAMPING upper right abd. pain, after a fatty meal. Ultrasound - if negative, DOES NOT exclude gallbladder disease. More accurate is CT, but...I think the next step from ultrasound can be a HIDA SCAN.

Nausea very often originates from BILIARY DYSKINESIA or SPHINCTER OF ODDI DYSFUNCTION, which may be tested first with HIDA scan and then with more specific manometry tests of bile ducts.

WILSON'S DISEASE is confirmed by liver biopsy and genetic tests.

Wilson disease may cause both right upper pain and nausea, and so may the gallbladder (or biliary tree), and...it can be both. So do all appropriate tests before any further decision.