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I have fatty liver and gallbladder disease
I have been having pain under my rib cage, lots of diarrhea, and an electrical pain in my neck vertebrae following the abdomen pain. These flare ups last a week to ten days and happens every month or two.
Had an ultrasound and blood work. Was told I have gallstones and high fatty liver and referred to a surgeon. When I asked him why I have these he shrugged his shoulders and scheduled surgery.
I am a vegan, consume maybe one alcoholic drink a week, and get plenty of exercise. I have been under significant stress the past few years. I am 57 years old and female.
I would like to find the root cause of these issues before opting for surgery. Any suggestions and input is appreciated.
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Have you checked out going to a functional medicine doctor? I found more help through my FMD than any others.
I am working in trying to find a local functional medical dr. Thank you!!!!
High stress can certainly cause health issues. I do not have a stressful life but I use breathing exercises and walking when I do get 'stressed out'. Being vegan may not be enough. I had a fatty liver and went vegan a few years ago. I was not obese and never drank much. My test results and symptoms were better but not enough. I also needed to also cut out the sugar and junk food. I changed to plant based vegan and consume no sugar, artificial sweeteners or anything fried and now I cook more from scratch rather than processed foods. My liver is good now. I have gallstones but have not been bothered by the symptoms since my diet change. Although there are some that say you can correct gallstones naturally I have not found that to be the case. I wanted to avoid having my gallbladder removed. It could be that I just postponed it so only time will tell. I'm 63 yr old female with a past history of a horrible diet. Diet may not be the cause for everyone but it was for me.
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2 ReactionsThank you for your input! I’m happy you changed your diet. It makes a big difference in life, to be well!
@otis6151
Welcome to Mayo Connect!
There are many members with current or past gallbladder issues I’m one of them.
Your flare ups of pain under the rib cage and diarrhea sound like gallbladder/ gallstones.
I can’t explain the electrical pain up your neck. It is possible that some nerves are irritated.
Surgeons usually recommend removing the gallbladder if it is giving you symptoms. The main reason is that it’s much safer to remove it when you are healthy instead of waiting for an emergency when you have developed a severe infection and surgery would be much riskier.
However, there are many people who prefer to watch and wait while improving the diet to lessen the flare up episodes.
You could discuss this option with your doctor and get information on a diet that won’t give you pain.
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2 ReactionsThank you. I appreciate the input. My diet is good. That’s why I’m thinking now, I may just go ahead with the surgery.
@otis6151 - get a second opinion if all that doctor can do is shrug instead of answering your questions and put you at ease! A good bedside manner helps a long way for many medical condition.
Yes you need to find a good GI Dr. who can explain fatty liver disease to you. I had fatty liver which developed into NASH/cirrhosis. I am almost 3years LTP due to the liver disease. Fatty Liver Disease is a very sneaky disease you must stay on top of it, gallbladder problems r a part of it.
Good Luck
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2 ReactionsThank you so much. I am hoping to figure out a root cause because I am not a big drinker.
I was not either “ social drinker”fatty liver happens to non drinkers, they think mine might have been hereditary b/c my mom had a fatty liver. I was 59 y/o when I found out I had it I ended up in end stage liver disease no option but a liver transplant.
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