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Need some info on gallbladder diease

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 10/18/2010 7:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, everyone. First came to this site for Fibromyalgia, which I have, then found out that I have Diabetes. Now an old friend is returning. I found out 2 years ago that I have a gallbladder that doesn't function properly, but not bad enough to remove. Didn't really think much about it, just stayed on the prilosec the doc gave me and ate a lot of tums. I also have acid reflux with a narrow esophagus. Lately, for the past 3 days I have had most of the symptoms of a gallbladder attack, especially the pain in the upper right side of the rib cage. One minute constipation the next I have loose light colored stools, not normal for me, with lots of gas. The chills are there, but no fever. I even read that someone had elbow pain. I have been told that my elbow pain is golfers elbow, but I don't golf. I also bletch so much after eating or drinking. Have had no appetite, but since I am on meds I have to eat, so the pain stays with me. I had the hideascan, but I have moved away from all my doctors since, so I am starting fresh with new ones. will try to get those results from the doc. My confusion starts with the foods to eat. Because I have diabetes I have to stay away from carbs and sugar already. I read on a site that artificial sweetners are bad for your gallbladder, so how do I balance that? My doctor said the sugar is most important to watch. She said to just watch what I eat, that's it. How do you know if your gallbladder is so bad that it needs taken out. My sister went in on emergency for hers due to infection, so it was sudden. So many things going on at once I think I can go crazy at times. My boyfriend doesn't like to talk about all these things wrong with me, so it's nice to come to a site where your not alone. Any advise on all this will be very helpful and appreciated.
Posted 10/18/2010 11:35 PM (GMT 0)
There is really good info on diet for those having gallbladder issues:

http://www.gicare.com/diets/low-fat-diarrhea-gall-bladder.aspx

You really need to get into the doctor get to the bottom of your issues. Until then I hope the dietary guidelines at the site I provided help control or rid you of your symptoms.

Posted 10/20/2010 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
I have had my gall bladder removed. A strict low fat diet should help keep the gall bladder attacks at bay. Discuss with your doctor if he or she will get a liver panel lab test DURING your next attack, if your liver panel comes back elevated, most likely that will help confirm the diagnosis. My gall bladder was loaded with stones and I had stones stuck in my ducts that were not moving, the liver panel was extremely elevated. Since I've had my gall bladder out, I have daily diarrhea. Everyone that has this problem is quick to point out taking a couple of different meds (Questran or Welchol) but those meds can lower your fat soluable vitamin levels and of course no meds are without side effects. Calcium Carbonate with vitamin D can help lessen diarrhea for a few. I've come to realize the gall bladder is worth it's weight in gold. Proceed to what is only absolutely medically necessary.
Posted 10/20/2010 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
sleepybear, so you don't know actually if you have that problenm or not yet? Your weren't officialy diagnosed yet?

Be careful as some people have them removed when they actually have IBS.

But some info

Gallstones and gallbladder disease - Symptoms

http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_symptoms_of_gallstones_gallbladder_disease_000010_2.htm
Posted 10/21/2010 9:59 AM (GMT 0)
shawn 12, thanks. I have talked to the doc, but since I have no insurance for test at this point she wants to just try getting into check with diet and exercise like with the diabetes I have, so narrow window of what I can enjoy in the way of food anymore, but it did work 2 years ago, so in case it gets bad enough to go to the hospital I guess I will take that road.
Posted 10/24/2010 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
I've joined this forum in search of answers. In January I was hospitalized for severe pain in my right side. At first, I felt a squeezing and tight sensation which seemed to be in my back on the lower right. Then over the next 2 days the pain progressed to the point I could not move and literally had to be helped out of bed to the ER, and then admitted to hospital. The docs couldn't agree on a diagnosis. Since then I've had the following tests:
MRI of abdomen w/wo contrast
Catscan
Upper GI
Small bowel series
Bladder scope
Colonoscopy
2 Hida Scans, had to be given morphine on the 2nd one because it failed to appear. (The machine crashed twice but I was assured that did not affect the results)
EUS (endoscopic ultrasound)

I was initially diagnosed with IBS even though I didn't have any symptoms except constipation. Then I had attacks and my ASL and ALT was elevated. I removed fat from my diet and ate smaller meals and the attacks stopped. It was due to AST/ALT that my doctor ordered the EUS which showed 2 very tiny imageds near the neck of the gallbladder.

I live have access to one of the best medical centers in the world. The doctor who performed the EUS has said he does not think it is my gallbladder as he did not see inflammation and blood work is ok. However, the doctor that referred me to the above physician says the 2 things on the image could be stones or polyps and said he "thinks" it could be causing my issues.

I also have a hernia which I've been needing to repair for awhile. I have met my deductibles on my insurance from all the above testing and hospitalization and my GI doc says this to me: If you are going to have your hernia repaired, then take out the gallbladder. If you are not going to have the hernia repaired, then don't take out the gallbladder.

I went to see the GI who did the EUS and he stated that he didn't think I should take out the gallbladder but then again, if I have a horrible attack in 2 weeks, then he might change his mind.

I don't know what to do with this information. My insurance is met and next year we may not have insurance as my husband's company as already said if the Obamacare takes effect, they will not be offering insurance anymore (they are small family owned business)

Yet, I don't want to remove an organ if diet alone will allow me to keep it. I guess I'm wondering if I'm only putting off the inevitable or if I could really live with this by adjusting diet?

Any ideas? I'm running out of time being November is around the corner, but yet, I can't bring myself to do this without complete accuracy it really needs to be done.

I can say that I've had issues for the last few years of something in my side that felt like laying on a stone. I've never had diarrhea issues or vomiting but felt nauseated sometimes and had bloating. But since changing my diet radically to very low fat, I'm controlling the systems.

I've thought of trying the herbal remedies but haven't yet. Any shed light on this subject would be greatly appreciated.
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