Considering Gall Bladder Surgury? - Gallbladder Message Board

buxfan · 09-28-2007, 07:37 AM

I'm new to this forum. I'm a 29 year old generally healthy male. I'm in law enforcement so I need to stay fit. I've been ill for about 7 weeks now. Began with constant nausea and bloating related to an intolerance to certain foods which I used to enjoy, ie: Coffee, Banannas, anything spicy, some greesy foods, eggs. I have givin up those foods and have been on acid blockers and anti-nausea meds for over a month and they are contolling alot of the stomach pain and nausea but not completely eliminating it. I have had every test imaginable, and the only irregular test showed a small polyp on my gall bladder. My HIDA scan showed an ejection fraction of over 50 % and I felt good the day of that test but went right back to feeling lousy the next day.

Now that the nausea is under control, for the most part, I am having pain on my right side under my rib cage and my back is killing me around my right shoulder blade. I even had what I would consider to be a gall bladder attack a few days ago with the pressure and intense pain under my rib cage. All signs point to gall bladder problems but there is no difinitive answer. My will remove the gall bladder and said that removal of the gall bladder poses a maximum of 40% chance of improvement in my symptoms, but further stated that if he were in my shoes he would have the surgury. I have a couple days to decide. Is there anyone out there with any similar experiance that can give me some advise?

Alexandra321 · 09-28-2007, 07:58 AM

I have gallstones, and have really bad attacks every few months or so. I'm going to have my gallbladder removed in two weeks. The only times I have symptoms like nausea is during an attack.

I don't know why you would be having constant nausea or bloating, I don't think those are symptoms of gallstones. Have you had an ultrasound to see if there are actual stones? That's the only way to know for sure.

butrfligirl28 · 09-28-2007, 03:48 PM

I agree with more tests and a second, or third opinion. Surgery is surgery, period. Don't let anyone tell you that it's minor. Many people have gallbladder surgery, and still suffer the symptoms. I would have more tests and an endoscopy by a GI specialist before even considering it. I had a "minor" surgery, and suffer from post-surgical chronic pain to this day. This is a big decision, so get as much info as you can before making the decision. Good Luck!

buxfan · 09-28-2007, 06:21 PM

Thanks for the replies. I have had all the tests and more. I've had blood, urine, stool, ultrasounds, hida, endoscopy, CT, and Stomach emptying. All normal. I've been to three doctors, that is including the surgeon and GI doc. It appears as though I'm at the end of the road, it's this or continue to feel bad. My nausea has been slight over the last couple of weeks now that the bloating is contolled by the acid blockers. I did have BIG nausea when I had the episode a few days ago. My back right shoulder is the biggest nagging thing right now. This pain has only been present for about a week and has been reported to the Dr's. It feels like something is standing on it. Again, no stones but I do have polyps.

tiffany1496 · 09-28-2007, 07:47 PM

I had my Gall Bladder taken out back in Feb. (the day before my 25th birthday). I was having problems for years! Doctors always told me it was heartburn.

I had a bad night with it one night, so I went to the doctor the next day. They did an ultrasound and said I had gall stones. Come to find out I had 4 of them!!

I now feel great, have not had any problems. I would recommend having it removed.

Good luck!!!!!!