does this sound like gallbladder?
 

hi all I hope someone can help. I have had digestive issues for 2 and a half years. These are my symptoms at the moment; rhs abdominal pain under the ribs which wraps around to my back; its just above my navel; it never goes away completely but is better in the morning and gets worse after food. Occasional nausea but not too bad. Sometimes my bowel movements are light in colour and float but sometimes they are ok. I think fatty and spicy food make it worse. I get headaches and feel tired frequently:
I have had a slightly raised amylase of 129 for a couple of years; all other blood tests have been fine. I have had two ultrasounds scans, one CT scan with contrast, gastroscopy including biopsy all these tests have been clear. I went to see my consultant this morning and he said the pain is muscular and that he cant find anything wrong with me. I have done some reading and I thought it was classic gallbladder problems but nothing shows on the tests. Does anyone have any comments? This is really getting me down :(

Re: does this sound like gallbladder?
 

You need a HIDA Scan to test for function. Lower than 35% and above 75% is considered non functioning. People have reported on this board that HIDAs are often hard to come by in the UK but I suggest you strongly try for one. Sounds like your gallbladder is non functioning.

Re: does this sound like gallbladder?
 

hi thank you for responding, I think you are probably right, convincing my doctor is going to be difficult he has convinced himself my pain is muscular because I said "the pain improves when I exercise" which it does. Do you know why the gallbladder stops functioning? Is there anything I can do to help its function.? I have lost some weight and don't drink alcohol any more; eating healthy; exercise etc; it doesn't seem to help :(

Re: does this sound like gallbladder?
 

It get damaged over time...previous gallstones can score it inside (stones are spiney). Could have thickened too. May get infected at some point. Diet causes these things-too much or too little fat in your diet. It's not reversible. I'd push for the HIDA if just to totally rule out the gallbladder issues. A little caution -if it is your gallbladder, it can rupture and that is potentially fatal. I know 2 people who died from that and one who narrowly avoided it (gallbladder weighed 6pounds and was full of gangrene).