Surgery or no surgery?

[bettysue55]

Hida scan w/CCK shows 23% ejection fraction GI Doc says to remove. Primary Doc says no.
Difference is Primary says I have no stones and surgeons are standing in line to take it out.GI doc says I could have sludge and is NOT the surgeon but recommended one.  
EGD says I have Barrets. Mild squamous hyperplasia.

I'm not a doctor and don't know which way to turn. Diagnosed 11-30-12 and on Pepcid 40mg and Librax. No Prevacid AC. 2 pills about killed me. So no PPI's for me.

Did the Fosamax 70mg cause the Barret's? ( just quit taking after 1 year) Is the Barrets causing gall bladder disease? or the other way around?

Pain in right waist and flank.
Yes, I am on diets for both and it is easier to tell you what I can eat than the other way around. Not much. I have lost 15 lbs. in 26 days.

A doctor's opinion is requested please. I have read internet so much I see that sites and comments are contradictory.

Thanks, Doctors!

[bettysue55]

Thank you for your comment, Dr Kaul. Sorry I was slow in responding, but another medical concern (bilateral breast biopsy) arose and thankfully was benign.

My understanding of a 23% EF is that my gall bladder is not working properly, and removal is recommended by GI Doctor. Primary still says no, so I will listen to him, for the time being. I see the GI Doctor again in March for a follow up for Gall bladder and Barrets. I was told he would recheck esophagus at this time. (Although, I'm not sure insurance will pay for another EGD under one year.) Time will tell. My first Amylase & Lipase numbers were very good. I will repeat the test again in six weeks.

Since my original post, I have not taken anymore Fosamax and will not because of the Barrets, since it is NOT recommended. Primary doctor also disagrees with this gyne doctor also.  I would like to note that I NEVER laid down or even sat down after taking the Fosamax, because I knew it could cause esophageal problems.
I believe (now that I look back) my esophagus problems stem from all the pain and anti-inflammatory  medications I was given before and after my shoulder surgery July 2011.

If truth be known, I also believe my gall bladder and Barrets symptoms were originally misdiagnosed or missed. Oh well, I now have to play with the hand I have been dealt. As long as I take the Pepcid 40mg and Librax with being very VERY careful what I eat and drink I seem to be doing alright without surgery. (For now, at least.) My health is more important that some food or drink craving.

Thanks for your time and expertise.

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Well, an ejection fraction of 23% is not an indication to remove the gall bladder, while wit reference to sludge if there is no radiological evidence of any not any associated symptoms, it is unlikely to be associated and for the time being we can leave the Gall Bladder as such (though removing it would not be radical either).
                  While GB disease and Barrett’ s are unlikely to be related to each other, Fosamax could be responsible for Barrett’s, which would require regular endoscopic follow up. I would suggest discussing the situation and the management plan in detail with your treating gastroenterologist.
Hope this is helpful.

Take care!