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GERD or Gallbladder?

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 8/9/2010 3:57 AM (GMT 0)
I have seen my doctor several times in the past month or so with symptoms that are making me miserable, but it's taking a long time to get to the bottom of things, so I wanted to know if anyone else has an opinion about whether I have GERD or gallbladder issues or something else. I am having an ultrasound this week. I am taking 40 mg of prilosec which helps a little. The doctor has done a chest x-ray and EKG and I work out regularly without issues, so it shouldn't be a heart problem. Here are the symptoms:

Chest Pressure (mainly near the breast bone)
Belching even in the morning after not having eating in a long time
Upper stomach fullness. I can only eat a few bites at a time before my stomach feels like it's going to explode
Upper back pain (could be a side effect of the prilosec)
Blood test for ALT came back a little high

I think that's it. It's been a rough few weeks, since I can't eat much. I should also mention I have lost about 25 lbs in the last two months. (I was on a regular exercise program and eating better when this all happened) I've been losing 4-5 lbs a week since the problems started. I am 34 year old woman with no other health issues. Anyone have an opinion about which it could be? Thanks for any replies!
Posted 8/9/2010 9:43 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the GERD forum. The ultrasound will only tell them if there is stones and such on the gallbladder. If there isn't any I would ask about a hida scan. That tests the gallbladders ability to fill and empty. Might also want to see about an EGD to see how your esophagus and stomach look like.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 8/9/2010 10:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kristin I've just had my gallbladder taken out after 5 years of attacks that I thought were reflux. It seems that everyone who has had gallbladder attacks experiences them differently. Mine was a burning sensation at the top of my stomach that would rise and rise until I vomited. I did not get back pain all the time but have heard of many others who did. Definately get your gallbladder tested. Also try cutting all fat out of your diet (hard but possible) no cheese, no dairy, no eggs and no animal fat. It's the fatty things that cause the attacks because the gallbladder constricts to push concentrated bile to help digest the fat and that is what causes the pain.
Posted 8/9/2010 11:10 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for both your responses! It's just taking too long to get things diagnosed and I'm so uncomfortable all the time. So, I guess another questions is if there are gall stones in the gallbladder how likely is it that my issues are just with my gallbladder and not caused by acid reflux? I have had gall stones in the past, but they caused different symptoms. 4 years ago when I had stones, they caused excruciating pain in my stomach after eating and now it's just the constant chest pressure and inability to eat much. I have already cut out almost all fat and acidic foods out of my diet and that doesn't seem to help. Anyways, I am so anxious to figure out what's going on. I will ask for an endoscopy even if they see gall stones at the ultrasound.
Posted 8/10/2010 12:22 AM (GMT 0)
Since I've had my gallbladder out I get a little bit of indigestion which goes away if I drink cider vinegar mixed with a glass of water. Thankgod I don't get the horrible painful attacks anymore they were definately all gallbladder caused.
I've talked to a lot of people who have had theirs out and it seems a lot of people get vauge indigestion feelings after but not the painful attacks anymore. It does take a long time for the docs to get their crape together sometimes. My doctor appologised to me after mine finally got diagnosed (after spending a week in hospital with acute pancreatitis) he said he never considered gallstones for me because I was slim under 40 and fit. I was also seeing a naturopath who missed it too. Both thought I had acid reflux. It was very depressing. Kind of comical that if I hadn't got so sick with pancreatitis it might still be undiagnosed. The horrible painful pancreatitis was my saviour in a way :-)
There is an interesting post titled "A story of recovering from GERD" by Gerdo that you should read. She kept experiencing fullness even after eating tiny amounts and her problem turned out to be the pyloric valve which is at the bottom of your stomach. It's an interesting post. You can do a search in the search box to find it.
Posted 8/10/2010 7:11 PM (GMT 0)

I just came home from my 3rd scope. Right now I am on the 48 hr Bravo. I have GERD and gastritis.  I have had my gallbladder out and the TIF sugery (for the GERD)  The jury is still out on weather or not it worked.

Ever since my gallbladder stopped working my stomach has been a mess.  I have been nauseous more hours than not. Also ALL the Gerd symptoms andemergency room gallbladder pain.

So the Dr. took the gallbladder.  I did all the tests to  verify that I have GERD. I do so they did  the TIF surgery. 

Today my doctor found that since I don't have a gallbladder anymore .  All the bad stuff like bile is being dumped in my stomachcausing pain and the nausea.  He also thinks my TIF worked and looks perfect and to go back to my Gallbladder Dr. so he can fix and move my intestines.  Whick he said is MAJOR surgery.  Help..... someone.  Anyone ever have this.

So to answer your ?'s I had the Hida scan which showed my gallbladder wasn't working.  However, they didn't find the stones until they took the gallbladder out.  From my experience it sounds like your problem is twofold; GERD and gallbladder.  Both difficult and time consuming to diagnose.

Good luck

GERD11

Posted 8/10/2010 9:20 PM (GMT 0)
GERD11 yes I have heard of this happening and was really scared about getting mine out in case this happened to me too. Fortunately for me I have not had that experience. I hope they get you sorted asap. That sucks having to deal with nausea all day!!
Posted 8/10/2010 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
Did you know of this happening to anyone?  If so how did they or the Dr. resolve this?

Gerd11

Posted 8/10/2010 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for more responses! It's been amazing to read this forum to realize how hard GERD is for everyone to deal with. I truly hope that each person can find the right cure or at least balance in life to live with the issues they are dealing with!

Gerd11-How long ago did you have your gallbladder out? Was it pretty recent? Is it common for people to have GERD AND gallbladder problems? I wish you all the luck in getting your body functioning the way it's meant to! I also hope the doctors can properly diagnose and treat you. Keep me updated.
Posted 8/10/2010 10:52 PM (GMT 0)

I believe it was Jan. 09.  I think its common to have both but I'm not sure.  Thank you also.  I hope your feeling better too.

Gerd 11

Posted 8/11/2010 5:50 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry GERD11 I don't know anyone personally who has experienced this I read about it on a website about gallbladder surgery and my surgeon highlighted this as a possible risk before I went into surgery. He assured me however that he had never had this happen to him and it was unlikely. From memory it occurs when the common ducts are not reconnected properly and bile leaks back into your stomach continually. It is fixable by operation to reconnect the ducts properly.
Gosh I hope they sort this for you. Be squeaky jump up and down lots!
Posted 8/18/2010 11:48 PM (GMT 0)
Ok, so I had an ultrasound and an endoscopy. The ultrasound showed that I still have gallstones. The endoscopy showed that everything looks healthy in my esophogus and upper stomach. Does this most likely mean that my issues are caused by gallstones?? Is it possible to have GERD without any signs of problems in an endoscopy? Anyone have an opinion? My doctor is on vacation for the next week or I'd be sending an email to her.
Posted 8/19/2010 1:47 AM (GMT 0)
You might have bile reflux.
Your gall bladder is probably the problem.
Posted 8/19/2010 2:38 AM (GMT 0)
Joy,

I was you were my DR.  It might have saved me a TIF surgery.

Kristin,

Strong evidence of stones is a gallbladder issue.  I had mine out and now have bile reflux.  Maybe bec/ of surgery who knows???  Try to see if DR can get rid of gallstones

w/o taking out the gallbladder bec/ ever since they took mine out I'v e been worse.  Most aren't but I was one of the unlucky few.

GERD11

 

Posted 8/19/2010 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not a doctor, I just play one on TV. :D

Really, I just listen to others and put two and two together.

I've been here for over a year and have heard so much from others. When I see someone suffering like someone I've read about, I share what they discovered.
Posted 12/1/2010 12:36 AM (GMT 0)
So, I haven't posted in a long time, but wanted to let you all know about my life the past few months.

Back in September I ended up in the ER with severe pain and it turned out my gallbladder had become very infected. They took out my gallbladder the next day. Two weeks after removal of my gallbladder I ended up back in the ER and it turned out I had small blood clots in my lungs. (SCARY!) Now I'm on coumadin for the next few months. Yuck! (I'm way too young to have stuff like this happening!)

Now that I am better from surgery, it's definitely been determined that I suffer from bad GERD and it sucks. I'm back on prilosec 40 mg a day, but it seems to be losing it's effectiveness AGAIN. I'm not sure if there is a better drug out there. I definitely know another surgery is not something I can even contemplate at this point in time after what happened last time. (o: It seems like most foods still cause chest pressure and shortness of breath for me and it sucks. If anybody has advice on foods that have been good for you and meds that have really worked, please let me know.

The positive of the last few months is that I've lost 50 lbs and am officially back to my college weight! hahaha! (o:
Posted 12/1/2010 12:42 AM (GMT 0)
I should also mention that I get a mild sore throat every afternoon and occasional mild dizziness. It's crazy to me all the different symptoms GERD can cause!

I also forgot to mention the upper stomach fullness is mostly gone since the surgery. I'm glad it took away one symptom!
Posted 12/1/2010 12:57 AM (GMT 0)
Glad you got the bad gallbladder out. Sorry it didn't cure everything. I hate to say it but it sounds like gerd surgery is in the future for you.
Nexium is stronger than prilosec. Can you take that?
Posted 12/1/2010 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
I have GERD problems as well, the doctors in my town couldn't figure it out. I had a HIDA scan test and my gall bladder was not working. There's the problem! My gall bladder was removed with no difference, I still have a major GERD. I went to the MAYO clinic in Scottsdale they did and EGD and found Barrets in my esophagus so presently I am in the processs of having that repaired. I am going next week for another EGD and hopefully the Barrets is gone. Then they are going to schedule me for a 270' Nissen. I hope that works better than the gall bladder diagnosis. I am tired of living like this, so I am ready for anything. A good friend of mine that I have known for 30 years had a Nissen about 8 years ago, said it was the best thing he ever did. He said the first 2 weeks was the roughest after that it just got better.
Posted 12/1/2010 3:21 PM (GMT 0)
drgrcr/kristinichka

sorry to hear the gallbladder removal didn't fix things for you two. i had mine out in april. i didn't have stones, but the organ was non-functional, so it gave me a lot of problems. for a short while after, i felt great. then the GERD took over again and i am getting a full wrap next week. I wish you both the best of luck. i know how it feels to hang your hopes on a surgery and find out it didn't solve everything. makes me wish they'd have been able to do both at once and go through recovery once instead of twice.

hang in there and keep us updated on how you are feeling.
Posted 12/1/2010 9:22 PM (GMT 0)
You to Lovie, keep us posted.
Pat
Posted 8/22/2011 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
I'm wondering if any of you have tried taking enzymes. I had GERD for 2 years and got rid of it by taking Jarrow's Zymes and Betaine HLC-Country Life brand. Take a couple of enzymes in the middle of each meal and the Betaine at the end or you can experiment for yourself. I sometimes used about 2 teaspoons of vinegar in water -sweeten if you must. I hope some of you try this and that it helps.
If you are sure it's your gallbladder, you can try bile capsules.
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