Dx of gallstones and fatty liver disease
I have had abdominal pain, bloating, indigestion and just had MRI that reports gallstones in gallbladder and slight fatty liver disease. I am waiting to hear from my surgeon whether to have gall bladder removed. From my research today, I feel reluctant to remove gall bladder and more towards trying to eat better and exercise more. What are your experiences or thoughts about this?
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Thank 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.
Thank 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
Thank 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.
Oh my gosh! I hope you are well now.
@otis6151 I have heard - even read somewhere - that fatty liver disease, NASH/cirrhosis (which is what it develops into if not controlled) gall stones, high cholesterol, and pancreatic diseases can be hereditary in some people.
I have NAFLD too because both my parents were alcoholics. I also have hemochromatosis, Lupus, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis along with Graves’ disease. I recently had an ultrasound done that said I had Hepatocellular Disease such as Steatosis was suggested, does anyone know if that is a fancy way of saying I have fatty liver disease?