Anybody have their gallbladder removed but DID NOT have stones?

[jamimb]

I have been having some serious stomach burning and pain for several months. I have had lots of test done and the only thing that showed up anything wrong whatsover was a HIDA scan which revealed by gallbladder was underperforming but no stones. I consulted with the surgeon yesterday and he said it's a possibility that having the surgery would fix the problem but could not guarantee it because I don't have any gallstones. I went ahead and scheduled the surgery for two weeks from now but I'm afraid Ill go ahead with it and my symptoms won't be relieved and it will actually be worse.

 

[canopynut66]

I have been having some serious stomach burning and pain for several months. I have had lots of test done and the only thing that showed up anything wrong whatsover was a HIDA scan which revealed by gallbladder was underperforming but no stones. I consulted with the surgeon yesterday and he said it's a possibility that having the surgery would fix the problem but could not guarantee it because I don't have any gallstones. I went ahead and scheduled the surgery for two weeks from now but I'm afraid Ill go ahead with it and my symptoms won't be relieved and it will actually be worse.

Had the same problem HIDA scan and ultra sound and also a pancreas test to be sure not that all showed nothing but the pain was terrible and "if" I ate a piece of dry toast it helped for a while...try telling that to a doctor...so one surgeon thought I needed valuim and another said if they took out the gall bladder he thought that would take care of it---went ahead and after surgery he said my gall bladder had not been functioning at all and I have felt wonderful since.. was 5 years ago and they did mine with laser...good luck

 

[DVC-Don]

Mine was removed 5+ years ago. It just "failed".

 

[jamimb]

Thanks for the replies! I have had a horrible burning and gnawing sensation in my upper mid abdomen. They ruled out an ulcer, hernia, acid reflux, h. pylori, bile reflux, ulcers and pancreatitis so when my HIDA scan came back abnormal they assumed that was it but I dont have any stones. Im kinda skeptical myself because the dr said my symptoms were not classical gallbladder symptoms but everything else has shown up normal. Im just scared Ill have had it removed for nothing and end up feeling worse than before.

 

[curious3069]

I had no stones, but my hida scan showed my gallbladder had completely stopped functioning. Had the same burning pain you have too and getting it out helped immediately! I still get the pain when I eat too many sweet things, but I figure that's my own fault and I try to avoid them.

Good luck and feel better!!!

 

[cm8]

Thanks for the replies! I have had a horrible burning and gnawing sensation in my upper mid abdomen. They ruled out an ulcer, hernia, acid reflux, h. pylori, bile reflux, ulcers and pancreatitis so when my HIDA scan came back abnormal they assumed that was it but I dont have any stones. Im kinda skeptical myself because the dr said my symptoms were not classical gallbladder symptoms but everything else has shown up normal. Im just scared Ill have had it removed for nothing and end up feeling worse than before.

I hope that it solves your issue, I know first hand how hard it is having things done to your body and then it not improve what they assumed was wrong to begin with

 

[JoiseyMom]

6 weeks ago my DIL went to the ER with severe stomach pains...they did an ultrasound, saw nothing and sent her home saying it was gastritis. They gave her some meds which did nothing. She went to the doctor a few days later, still in pain and throwing up and he admitted her to a different ER. They also kept saying gastritis. They did a scan (not sure what type) and found out that her gallbladder was slightly malfunctioning and did another test and saw that she had an ulcer. She had no stones. They actually didn't want to remove her gallbladder at the time. She insisted, this was 3 weeks before her wedding!! The 3 weeks gave her enough time to recuperate and have a wonderful wedding and honeymoon.

I can't believe the doctors not wanting to operate, and her winding up still sick at her wedding or out of the country on her honeymoon!

If your gallbladder is malfunctioning, it will only get worse, it can't heal. Remove it!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

They can't see everything on the scans. Just because they "think" it isn't that bad does not mean that they are right.

When my 16yodd had her gallbladder out (she had stones), the surgeon came out and said not only did she have big stones but her gallbladder was seriously fatty, which probably what caused the stones and issues in the first place.

She had serious life threatening issues when she was born and the surgeon's theory was that her gallbladder issues were probably related to her trauma then. She was too young and healthy looking to have a gallbaldder in that shape.

You also may NOT be a classic symptom person. I can't see your gallbladder getting "better".

 

[jamimb]

Thanks everyone for your replies. My surgery is scheduled for next Friday and Im still not sure if Ill go through with it or not. I really dont want to regret my decision! Im not scared of the surgery itself just the complications that may arise afterwards. I have a friend who had her removed almost 2 years ago and she now has bile reflux and will be on meds the rest of her life. Not to mention having to run to the bathroom almost everytime she eats.

I tried an experiment last night. I ate Long John Silvers (the greasiest food I could think of) and although I felt really bloated it did not increase the burning sensation in my stomach????? I just dont know what to think or what to do!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Thanks everyone for your replies. My surgery is scheduled for next Friday and Im still not sure if Ill go through with it or not. I really dont want to regret my decision! Im not scared of the surgery itself just the complications that may arise afterwards. I have a friend who had her removed almost 2 years ago and she now has bile reflux and will be on meds the rest of her life. Not to mention having to run to the bathroom almost everytime she eats.

I did get the bile reflux with having my GB out. However my dd did not. Either way keeping our GB's was not an option.

I had tiny "grains of sand" stones which are particularily bad since they can get lodged in the bile duct causing life threatening issues.

What is your diet like? If you can cut out fat and alter your diet you might be able to feel better? Have you tried that route yet?

 

[jamimb]

I did get the bile reflux with having my GB out. However my dd did not. Either way keeping our GB's was not an option.

I had tiny "grains of sand" stones which are particularily bad since they can get lodged in the bile duct causing life threatening issues.

What is your diet like? If you can cut out fat and alter your diet you might be able to feel better? Have you tried that route yet?

I was only eating fruit and veggies with no fat for a few weeks (I lost 9 lbs and was down to 103) and my symptoms did not improve. If anything I think they got worse. That is why im so skeptical that it is my gallbladder causing these symptoms. I normally eat a very healthy diet with little fat and the fats I do eat are "healthy" fats from like olive oil or nuts.

How is your bile reflux being treated? I am so scared of that happening to me! I react bad to acid reflux type medicines!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I was only eating fruit and veggies with no fat for a few weeks (I lost 9 lbs and was down to 103) and my symptoms did not improve. If anything I think they got worse. That is why im so skeptical that it is my gallbladder causing these symptoms. I normally eat a very healthy diet with little fat and the fats I do eat are "healthy" fats from like olive oil or nuts.

How is your bile reflux being treated? I am so scared of that happening to me! I react bad to acid reflux type medicines!

Well fruits and veggies with no fat is not good either. You have to eat a balanced diet.

I will be honest with you. Right now I am pretty bad because I refuse to give up certain food items. I need to give up coffee, soda, tomatoes in any form, and a couple of other things.

Plus constipation plays a role with reflux. If you are not regular, your reflux is worse.

As far as meds, I take Prevacid nightly and Zantac150 for attacks.

Everyone is different of course.

My dh has heartburn issues and totally controls his through diet. Now his triggers are less, like tomatoes, basil, pepper, no citrus of any kind. However as long as he stays regular and avoids certain foods, he is fine. He still has his gallbladder.

 

[Disney Ontario]

DD 21 has had trouble since Feb. A scope plus untrasound showed nothing.Its so hard for her even just to go to work, and sometimes the site of food triggers it. She is booked for October??? to have her gallbladder tested but geees after so long she wants to be normal.Everyone here, thier symptoms sounds like hers.

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

I have been having some serious stomach burning and pain for several months. I have had lots of test done and the only thing that showed up anything wrong whatsover was a HIDA scan which revealed by gallbladder was underperforming but no stones. I consulted with the surgeon yesterday and he said it's a possibility that having the surgery would fix the problem but could not guarantee it because I don't have any gallstones. I went ahead and scheduled the surgery for two weeks from now but I'm afraid Ill go ahead with it and my symptoms won't be relieved and it will actually be worse.

This happened to my mom. She was feeling bad, especially after eating. She had an ultrasound, which didn't show any stones. She then had the HIDA, which showed her gall bladder functioning at less than 30%. She had it removed, and the doctor commented afterwards that it was a very diseased gall bladder. She hasn't had any problems since.

 

[HannaBelle]

I had my gallbladder out about 6 weeks ago. I would have severe back pain and then get very nauseous in the middle of the night after eating spicy and high fat foods.

I debated not getting my GB out b/c I did not want to have surgery. It is a super easy procedure and I am so glad I did it! The surgeon said my GB was very diseased and I had several large stones.

Pre-surgery I was managing my attacks with diet, but what I did not realize is how yucky I felt in general. Now I feel great, I am less tired, I sleep better!

My mom other hand did not have "stone" she had "silt" that did not show up on ultrasounds. I would definitely encourage you to keep your appointment and have it removed.

Stones are not the only thing that could be wrong with it...

 

[donnajon]

DD10 had hers removed 2 years ago after the Hida scan showed her gall bladder functioning at 33% of what it should have been. She never had stones. She had it removed on a Thursday and three days later she made the comment "This is the first time I ever remember not being in pain." It took them a year to find out what was wrong with her.

 

[arminnie]

If your gallbladder is malfunctioning, it will only get worse, it can't heal. Remove it!

Amen!!! I can't tell you the horrible pain and suffering that I experienced because no one thought "silt" was a problem 20 years ago.

I had multiple trips to ER - horrible pain, thinking heart attack, etc. Last trip the doctor told my father and sister that I was mentally ill and imagining this pain!!! Anyone who has had gallbladder pain know HORRIBLE this pain can be. I begged for an ultrasound. By this time I had stones in the bile duct, a severely diseased gallbladder and had a recovery after surgery that took months. I had a tube out my liver for 3 months after surgery. Having a routine gallbladder removal is not a big deal.

How I wish this had been taken care of before I suffered for a decade and ended up with horrible complications.

 

[KLAIT]

I had mine out and did not have stones. I had what they told me was "sludge". Best move I ever made. Several trips to the ER telling the Dr I was having a heart attack...

Before I made the decison to have it out, I had talked with the surgeon who I worked for. she told me that all fruits and veggies are not that great for a sick gallbladder. Things that are hard to digest such as lettuce are bad as well as veggies that can produce gas..like broccoli. I would caution you against ruling out a gallbladder with eating no fat..lots of other foods can cause it to hurt too.

 

[jamimb]

I wanted to thank everyone who replied to this thread it was greatly appreciated! I canceled my surgery but Im leaving the option open and may have it done somewhere down the line. I did, however, quit my job! It was extremely stressful and causing me to feel so much worse! We are poor now having to survive on a single income so this gallbladder thread may turn into a " Does anyone know how I can work part-time from home thread"

 

[OceanAnnie]

Interesting thread.

I have had gastric issues (or so I thought) since mid-Summer. Had the gamut of tests that revealed nothing.

My symptoms were pain in my abdomen right after eating, sometimes nausea and vomiting. Sometimes I can eat what I want, other times I pay the price.
The tests did reveal swelling in the gall bladder duct, but they haven't explored that. I hope whatever it is, it doesn't reach the gall bladder. It doesn't sound good.

So far, I've been ok. The tests were worse than the symptoms! I'll be keeping an eye on things and reading up about gall bladder problems.