gallbladder sludge

[franko481]

after an untrasound ,i was told i had  gallbladder sludge, high liver enzeme from a blood test. What is gallbladder sludge? Is this life threating?

[franko835]

HI,DID YOU HAVE LAPORSCOPIC SURGERY,TO REMOVE YOUR GALLBLADDER?

[NewAtThis984]

I was in the exact same situation about six months ago.  After some convincing I had my gallbladder out.  The doctor convinced me that I can either do it now or take my chances but odds are I would eventually need the surgery, probably five years from now when it is really bad.  You can help control it with diet and it does work as a long term solution for some.  I am glad I had the surgery.  Several small problems I had been having for years, long before the severe pain and nausea started, that I chalked up to digestion have went away.  I was pleasantly surprised.  But new problems have developed.  I am glad I did it but be prepared.  Many make it sound easy and for many the surgery is, but it is surgery.  While it is an unnecessary organ it is still an organ.  I guess what i am saying is don't be shy to ask for more test and be 100% sure before you do anything.

[franko835]

THANKS,

[CalGal]

It applies to either male or female.

[franko835]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR ADVISE.I AM A FEMALE,DOES YOUR ADVISE APPLY TO ME AS AS WELL AS A MAN?
THANKS,

[CalGal]

As in life or death right now? No. But it can make you extremely ill and miserable. And if it impacts your pancreas it could produce a long term problem, which is something you don't want to have.

Unless you get another 'attack', you should be okay until you see the doc. But if you start to feel really rotten, call.

Stay away from anything fatty in the meantime.

[franko481]

THANKS AGAIN,THE REASON I HAD ULTRA SOUND,WAS BECAUSE I WAS VOMITING,HAD SEVERE STOMACH PAINS,NO FEVER ,ITS BEEN SEVERAL DAYS
MY PAIN IS NOT AS BAD,SCALE OF 1-10 --IT WAS A 9 WHEN I HAD THE ULTRA SOUND,IT IS NOW A 5.--I DON'T TAKE ANY MEDS. --IF THE SLUDGE IS AFFECTING
MY LIVER AND PANCREAS--IS THIS LIFE THREATHING? I HAVE AN APPOINT TUESDAY WITH MY DOCTOR, IS THE WAIT TO LONG? I HAVE BEEN TAKING PARSLEY TEA,WITH 1 TABLESPOON OF LEMON,EVERY HOUR.

[CalGal]

It depends on why you had the u/s in the first place - so I would assume you're having symptoms. You'll need to discuss the issue of having your GB out with your doc and come to a decision based on all the factors, including the fact that the sludge may be affecting your liver and possibly your pancreas. There are 'stone dissolving' meds you might be able to try, but not everyone is a candidate for them. In addition, you may have to stay on the meds for extended periods of time.

Take a close look at your diet and your hormone status (if you're female), and any other meds you're taking. Put all the factors together and 'weigh' them. You and your doc are the only ones who can say whether or not the GB should come out.

If you do decide to remove it, keep in mind that you may have problems processing fats for some time. So to give your body a chance to adjust, stay on a low-fat diet for a number of months.

[franko835]

THANKS, IS THIS A REASON TO HAVE MY GALLBLADDER REMOVED?HOW DO I GET RID OF GALLBADDER SLUDGE?

[CalGal]

It's small 'condensation' particles that could go on to form stones, in some cases. In other cases, it remains as sludge. It's not life-threatening as such, but it can cause problems in some people. If/when it's ejected out of the GB it can irritate the cystic duct, the common bile duct or the sphincter of Oddi, the muscular opening to the duodenum. The fact that you have elevated enzyme levels may be a result of the sludge, if you've been having other symptoms as well.