Gallstones Support Group
Gallstones (choleliths) are crystalline bodies formed within the body by accretion or concretion of normal or abnormal bile components. Risk factors for pigment stones include cirrhosis, biliary tract infections, and hereditary blood cell disorders, such as sickle cell anemia. Stones of mixed origin also occur.
So... I had a hida scan years ago and my ejection fraction rate was 93%. The doc said that was too high and I have overactive gallbladder and he wanted to take it out. BUT, my insurance ended so he didn't since I can live with it. I changed my diet and all that good stuff.
FFWD to now. I have horrible debilitating pain. I went to the ER a few times b/c of it. They gave me pain meds to help until I could get a consult with the General surgeon. He had me do a hida scan first. Then I went to see him. He kept saying my gallbladder is fine. It's fine. It's working fine. I asked what the number was and he wouldn't say, only that it was fine. So i called the next day and asked the nurse what my EFR% was and she said 93.
With all my research, the normal rate should be above 35% and below 80%. 93% is high and means gallbladder disease without gallstones. But the surgeon won't take it out.
I am going elsewhere for a second opinion. But I was wondering if anyone else had this issue and if you have any advice. What to ask the doctor. What to say to the doctor. Anything that I may be missing.
Any help would be desperately appreciated. I am scared I'll lose my job over it b/c I can't work from the pain.
FFWD to now. I have horrible debilitating pain. I went to the ER a few times b/c of it. They gave me pain meds to help until I could get a consult with the General surgeon. He had me do a hida scan first. Then I went to see him. He kept saying my gallbladder is fine. It's fine. It's working fine. I asked what the number was and he wouldn't say, only that it was fine. So i called the next day and asked the nurse what my EFR% was and she said 93.
With all my research, the normal rate should be above 35% and below 80%. 93% is high and means gallbladder disease without gallstones. But the surgeon won't take it out.
I am going elsewhere for a second opinion. But I was wondering if anyone else had this issue and if you have any advice. What to ask the doctor. What to say to the doctor. Anything that I may be missing.
Any help would be desperately appreciated. I am scared I'll lose my job over it b/c I can't work from the pain.
deleted_user
I had a problem with an underactive gallbladder (18% functioning)...don't know much about an overactive gallbladder...but definitely get a second opinion!! I had my gallbladder removed yesterday, and I felt immediately better when I woke up. Like you, I didn't have stones...but I would get sick from everything I ate...don't give up hope...keep going to the doctors until they can give you the solution to the problem!
deleted_user
I was sick for over a year with what I suspected was my gallbladder but my hida scan was "normal" at 98%. I also did the research about overactive gallbladder as all my symptoms lined up with gallbladder disease. I was very, very ill and no doctor that I went to could come up with any diagnosis. I finally was able to find a surgeon that agreed with me and had it removed last October. I have to say it was the best decision I ever made. I almost immediately felt better and within a month or so, all of my symptoms completely subsided. Find a doctor that will listen to you. I actually told my doctor that I wanted to have my gallbladder out and that all of my symptoms lined up with gallbladder disease and that there were no other options. It was the surgeon that agreed with me and finally performed the surgery. There was nothing physically wrong that they could see with my gallbladder, yet, it was not working properly and I am completely back to normal post surgery. The surgeon told me that he sees it all the time...normal looking gallbladders that just don't work properly for whatever reason. He also said that the hida scan is not necessarily a good indicator of gallbladder functionality unless you have stones. You can have ten normal scans and then one abnormal one depending on the day or time. If you have all of the symptoms of gallbladder disease and everything else is ruled out, than that is most likely the cause regardless of the test results. He is also a surgeon from one of the top medical centers in this country.
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