What is Gallstones
Gallstones (choleliths) are crystalline bodies formed within the body by accretion or concretion of normal or abnormal bile components.
Cholesterol stones are usually green,...
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Need some input...Could it be gallbladder issues?
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Hi there,
I am new to this group and I would be extremely grateful for need some advice. I am a 31 year old female and I have been very ill for over 8 months now. I've been to numerous doctors without getting any answers or resolutions and I'm hoping someone out there can offer some input. My symptoms started off like the flu-fever, fatigue, chills and nausea. It went away for a couple of weeks and then started back up again and hasn't gone away completely ever since. I'll feel ok for a week or two and than it comes back again. I have pain in upper right quadrant (under rib cage) that is extremely severe at times (in the middle of the night and worse than childbirth), milder at others. Nausea, vomiting, weight loss (over 20% of my body weight), fatigue, chills, pale stools, pain/nausea after eating anything fatty, sugary or drinking coffee. To me, it all points to symptoms of gallbladder issues, however, all tests to date have been normal. I had an ultrasound and a Hida scan that were both normal (hida scan showed 47% ejection rate). I have also had an endoscopy, upper GI, chest X-ray, blood tests among many others—all normal. Acid reducers do not help much at all (Prilosec, Zantac etc.). Is it possible to have gallbladder problems without having any stones or to have normal tests and still have problems? Any advice on what to do next? I am at my wits end with being sick and I don't know what to do. My doctors keep telling me to try more antacids or that it is IBS but I don't think that is the problem. I've always been extremely healthy and I just want to feel normal again. Posted on 07/03/09, 01:07 pm |
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wow, that really does sound like gallbladder, I thought my pain was my liver, since I had hepatitis in 1975 ish.. but I was told it couldnt be my liver.. so I thought the drs were morons,, lol. Well I kept saying it was my liver so this new dr ordered those tests, ultrasound and the one where you laydown for two or three hours and they inject dye into you and watch it go through, I have a gallbladder FULL of large rocks, and I also have kidney stones. I think it would be a brilliant idea if you go and have a blood test called a SMAC test, it is a test that tells all of the blood levels, and get a hepatitis C test too. I feel strongly that we know our bodies, we know when something is wrong, please keep trying. Pale stools could be liver, pain in your upper right chest area, and all of the other symptoms you mention are similar to what mine were. The pain could be a stone passing through an area that doesnt show up on those tests, dont let the drs blow you off, keep after them. I have found the following statement to be effective:"I do not feel right, I feel bad, I want to feel healthy, please help me sort this out".
List your symptoms, heck keep a journal and bring it to them. Have you been to a gastrointerologist? Please see one, so even if it is IBS they can help more than a regular dr. Good luck and please let us know, keep us updated, hugs, Cynthia 
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omg it sounds like you are going through the same thing as me. I have had an ultrasound but it didn't show anything. I had an endoscopy and it showed acid reflux so they think it is that and ibs. But I know it is more that that. I have taken prevacid and am on prilosec but am still in pain. I get it on the right and the left. But because I have said it is on the left when they push my stomach, they say it can't be gallstones. but gallstones can cause acid reflux. Also there is a family history of gallbladder problems, I had a awful high fat diet, I lost lots of weight last year quickly (this problem didn't start till then) and I was on the pill. I just know there is something more than just acid reflux but the doctors won't listen to me! let me know how you get on
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Thank you both for your replies! The strange thing is that I was feeling completely, 100% better for two full weeks and then it started up again last week. All of my symptoms were gone and I felt normal for once! I actually thought it was gone for good but then last week it started up again. Not as bad as normal but still not great. I think that hormones really affect whatever is wrong with me as it seems to act up much more around my cycle and then subside again. That is why I don't think it is IBS or Acid Reflux as they wouldn't just go away completely for periods of time and none of the medications I have been on for either one have helped at all. I have been to a few GI specialists and they don't have any solid answers for me. I have yet to get one single diagnosis...all I get is it might be this or that but nothing affirmative from anyone. I really think it is my gallbladder but I have to convince my doctor's of that since the tests say otherwise. I also have a family history of gallbladder issues. I am not overweight but I've had two children and with the family history, I know I am a likely candidate. I'll keep you posted and thank you for your thoughts!
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please do keep us posted. From your reply here and the one in the topic I started it sounds like we are going through the same thing. Lets hope we both manage to convince the doctors!
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Well, I spoke to my doctor again today and I have another HIDA scan scheduled for next week. I really hope that this time it shows that it is my gallbladder. Not that I really want surgery, but I want to feel better! My last one was six months ago and the ejection fraction was on the lower end of "normal" at 47% so hopefully this time it will be more telling. I just wish I could fill up on fatty, sugary foods before the test just to make sure. Wish me luck!
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