Gallbladder Problems?

Question

So twice I've been to the ER for severe abdominal pain (in the center and right below my sternum). Once in December of 2005 and again just yetsrerday. They put me through some tests yesterday, an abdominal flat & upright x-ray, bloodwork, as well as an abdominal ultrasound. The doctor says that there were no stones seen on eiter test, but scheduled me for a HIDA scan to be done on Tuesday, because he says that my gallbladder may not be functioning properly, if at all. Has anyone had this problem? Could I have gone for 2 years between attacks? Help! Whats going on with me?!?

Answer 1

Gallbladder problems, also called biliary colic, are usually due to gallstones which can periodically block the drains from the gallbladder. Yes, you can go two years between episodes, it is not unheard of at all. The gallbladder doesn't really have a function, per se, it is simply a holding tank for the bile produced by the liver for the breakdown and digestion of fats. Small stones can be missed even on the most detailed and careful ultrasound exams, which is why your doctor is asking for a HIDA scan to be done. It may be you don't have actual stones, but rather something more like grit, or crystals, which are able to temporarily block the duct leading from the gallbladder to the stomach. Attacks are more common after a high fat meal, and in the evenings- they think because when we lie down, the gallbladder is lying in a horizontal position and it's harder to drain that way. In any case, it's not really a big deal to correct anymore. You have several options, depending on what they actually end up finding. You could simply adjust the diet to lower fat intake, and wait. If they find stones and think they are cholesterol based, you could take medication to dissolve them. You can also opt to simply have the gallbladder removed. The liver will still produce bile, it just won't have a storage tank anymore. The bile would go directly to the stomach, and you likely would not notice any problems unless you really had an overdone fat content meal. Some folks have foods that give trouble, usually cabbage and broccoli, but there are just as many who suffer no ill effects at all. Having the surgery will eliminate future attacks, since there will be no gallbladder left to make stones in, or hold them. So after you have your tests, talk over the options with your doctor, and decide what works best for you. If you opt for the surgery, it's a small incision nowdays, just under the ribs on the right, and usually only one or two days in the hospital. It's not nearly as ugly as it used to be.

Answer 2

i had lots of problems with my gallbladder'and it would hurt 'then quit for a couple of weeks/it went like that for awhile,after about 6months it came back'the pains and getting sick.i had it removed 'and 1day i was out of the hospital....hope they find whats going on with you,,,,good luck

Answer 3

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallbladder