OT - Gallbladder: Keep it or lose it?

Good Afternoon,

I just wanted to see if anyone out there has had any experience with gallstones. I have gallstones (confirmed last summer via ultrasound), like 3 or 4 of them, and I'm trying to decide whether or not I should schedule an appointment with a surgeon to have my gallbladder removed.

I had my first known attack last summer...horrible pain all night long in between my shoulder blades, crampy fullness in my chest, nausea and vomiting, etc. That attack lasted about 5-6 hours, then finally, slowly, subsided. I did some internet research, thought it sounded like gallstones, and my PCP agreed and the ultrasound confirmed them.

I had another attack last weekend after eating my second day of thanksgiving (i know, I know, bad idea!!). This pain was worse straight off than the first attack, but only lasted for about an hour, then I finally threw up which immediately relieved the attack. I also think I may have had an attack at work a few years ago...I thought it was a panic attack at the time, but knowing what a gallbladder attack feels like now, I suspect that's what it may have been.

Anyway...I'm leaning toward probably meeting with a surgeon. I can still feel tenderness in my right abdomen under my ribcage, which has me a little worried that the gallbladder is constantly mildly inflamed. I don't even know if that's possible, but still a little worried about it. But mainly, I'm just concerned that if I DON'T have it removed, it will just get worse. Does anyone have any experience or advice that they can offer? I can deal with just one attack every year or so, but what are the risks in NOT having the removal surgery?

Thanks!

When I had my first gallbladder attack it lasted a week, off and on. Eventually I ended up in the ER. They found I had over 100 BB size gallstones. I was admitted and had surgery the next day. Keeping my gallbladder never even entered my mind. It was my first real surgery and scared me, but I didn't want to wonder when I would be hit by such excruciating pain again. I was incapacitated for a week as a young mother and that was unacceptable. With the surgery, I could recover and be done.

I would meet with the surgeon and get your questions answered, then you can make a decision knowing that you have all the facts.

Just what exactly does the gallbladder do? 

I don't really know.  Seriously, I don't even know.

But finding that out may help you make your decision on keeping it or not.

It sounds like your GB symptoms have moved to the next stage- meaning it is likely inflamed and that could lead to infection and emergecy surgery- u may end up not having a choice if you don't deal with this soon. I have one GB stone and am on Humira plus other meds... the surgeon I saw wanted my GI to give advice on timing before removing my GB but in the end I have to have it removed. They want to do it soon and laproscopically... if I wait and it gets worse, inflamed and then infected, I will end up with open surgery, u know, the old fashioned open-you-right-up and leave-a-giant-scar surgery. So I am planning on having mine removed as soon as I can to avoid it getting inflamed, infected and becoming an emergency. In the end I think you should consult with a surgeon soon before it becomes an emergency for you and then you will also know what state your GB is in right now. Again, your symptoms sound worse than mine and I am being scheduled for surgery in the near future.

Best of luck

B

Thanks for the responses...sounds like i should go see a doc!!!! Dawg- that's terrible about your friend's dad!

Becktoria - I am luckily feeling better now...the tenderness isn't completely gone (i.e. I can definitely tell that my right side is more sensitive than my left), but it's not as bad as when I initially posted.

I think I'll ask my GI if he knows of a doc to recommend - I don't have any particular attachment to my gallbladder. I'm just more of the "wait and see" type of person. But it sounds like this may not be the best attitude this time.

Thanks!!!!