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Gastroenterology  (Expert Forum)
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Gallbladder Questions
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin, M.D. Boston - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/ Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
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MedHelp Member's Question

Gallbladder Questions

by bswarts, Aug 29, 2006 12:00AM
I am a 34 year old male.  I have been having sporadic abdominal spasms for 4.5 months (with or without food).  To date I have had the following tests:  normal liver panel, negative for all types of hepatitis, ultrasound with no stones visible, endoscopy with normal results biopsy normal with no H. Pylori, Hida Scan (Ejection Fraction 11%).  I am scheduled to see a surgeon in a week to discuss gallblader removal.  My questions are the following:



1) Are there any life threatening symptoms I should be aware of prior to my surgery date that I should seek immediate medical attention (i.e. jaundice)?  I am extremely concern about inflammation and or rupture due to the amount of time that has lapsed.



2)What kind of diet should I restrict myself to in order not to tax my gallbladder?



3)Is it common to experience fatigue as a result of a dysfunctional gallbladder?



4)Given the above information results how quickly should I have my gallbladder removed?



Thank you for your time.
Doctor's Answer

by Kevin Pho, MD, Aug 30, 2006 12:00AM
To answer your questions:

1) Jaundice is unlikely with a normal liver panel (including bilirubin).  It would seem that the reasonable initial workup has been performed.



2) A low-fat diet may help with gallbladder symptoms.



3) It is possible for a dysfunctional gallbladder to lead to fatigue.



4) A low gallbaldder ejection fraction may lead to abdominal discomfort and pain.  Small studies have shown that removing the gallbladder can help with the symptoms.  However, excluding other causes of the spasms needs to be done before pursuing this route.



Followup with your personal physician is essential.



This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.



Kevin, M.D.

kevinmd_
Member Comments (17)

by trishavo6, Aug 30, 2006 12:00AM
Hello I am having ruq pain.  I have had it for about 6 years.  It has recently gotten worde since I had my twins.  I have had an ultrasound, hida scan, endoscopy, colonoscopy all came back normal.  Except that it hurt severly when they injected the cck during the hida scan.  The pain was the exact pain I HAVE ABOUT AN HOUR after I eat.  No one will take out my GB, but I am tired of hurting.  I am at my wits end.  Does anyone know what I can do or say to get them to either take it out or make the pain stop?  I would love to hear any advice.

Thanks

by orphananne, Sep 05, 2006 12:00AM
hello, I would like to no if i need to have my gall bladder out or they can just take you the polyp they found a polyp when they did the ultrasound and ian have a lot of gas and pain and all my blood work can out ok and the cat scan of the abd-neg so i go see my doctor on wednesday so i would like to no about this before i go to saee him.ok thank you .

by orphananne, Sep 05, 2006 12:00AM
To: dr.kevin pho,m.d.
hello, I would like to no if i need to have my gall bladder out or they can just take you the polyp they found a polyp when they did the ultrasound and ian have a lot of gas and pain and all my blood work can out ok and the cat scan of the abd-neg so i go see my doctor on wednesday so i would like to no about this before i go to saee him.ok thank you .

by orphananne, Sep 05, 2006 12:00AM
To: dr.kevin pho,m.d.
hello, I would like to no if i need to have my gall bladder out or they can just take you the polyp they found a polyp when they did the ultrasound and ian have a lot of gas and pain and all my blood work can out ok and the cat scan of the abd-neg so i go see my doctor on wednesday so i would like to no about this before i go to saee him.ok thank you .

by orphananne, Sep 05, 2006 12:00AM
To: dr.kevin pho,m.d.
hello, I would like to no if i need to have my gall bladder out or they can just take you the polyp they found a polyp when they did the ultrasound and ian have a lot of gas and pain and all my blood work can out ok and the cat scan of the abd-neg so i go see my doctor on wednesday so i would like to no about this before i go to saee him.ok thank you .

by Nikki44, Sep 07, 2006 12:00AM
I am a 21 yr old female and I had my gall bladder removed when I was 15. I had a gall stone. Although I wish I could say everything is fine now, its not. I have a lot of problems. The gall bladder helps break foods down and controls the bile. Since mine is gone, i have a lot of problems eating. I cant eat red meat of any kind and nothing greasy. I have also gotten to the point lately where anything I eat makes me run straight to the bathroom. Since having my gall bladder taken out i have been diagnosed with IBS (Irratable Bowel Syndrome). Some people have this with constipation but mine is diarreah. Maybe youll have a different outcome. I hope so because this is ruining my life. Hope I didnt scare you but i wish someone had warned me.

by pharma2006, Sep 11, 2006 12:00AM
For the lady who had the twins- from the research I have done- it definitely sounds like your gall bladder.  

I have been going through this myself.  It started in March.

I have let it go on so long.  I work in the medical community so I communicate with physicians daily.

I would like to say that Kevin, MD seems like a phenominal person. I have read his feedback to the people posting and he always seems right on.  This all just my opinion- but he seems agressive, realizing that Hidda scans can come back normal even if it is your gall bladder.  

I finally visited a surgeon even though the EGD came back normal, the CT, and the ultra sound showed nothing, I told him something had to be done.  So, I am having the gall bladder surgery tomorrow.  It is constant pain in that area now- it doesn't go away and I can feel it jumping (I guess spasming is a better term).  But I think you may feel a lot better if you can get some relief.  This has been an ongoing nightmare for me.