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Gall Bladder Issues
In December, 2020, I had a partial colectomy to treat colonic inertia after multiple medical approaches
didn't work. Since then I have been dealing with daily abdominal pain. I talked about this earlier in a separate post but now there has been a new development that I wanted to discuss.
Recently I had an MRI and a HIDA scan because of sludge noted in my gallbladder on earlier CT scans. Unfortunately, the results show multiple gallstones, delayed filling and only a 27% ejection fraction suggesting chronic cholecystitis. The usual treatment for this is laparoscopic removal of the gall bladder, but I don't feel I can face another surgery at this point, feeling traumatized by my partial colectomy in December and the continued abdominal pain. The thought of another surgery frightens me. One question is whether the gall bladder issues could be contributing to my abdominal pain although my pain is not very gall-bladder-like, being in a band around and below my navel, not radiating anywhere, and not increasing particularly after meals. There is no nausea or vomiting. I discussed this with my gastroenterologist.
I discussed this with my gastroenterologist. He said since I was not having clinical symptoms of gall bladder disease at this point and my pain was not gall bladder - like, he was in no rush to suggest surgery. This was a great relief to me because I didn't feel I could face another surgery at this point, still dealing with the aftermath of the partial colectomy in December. I know that there are medical treatments for gallstones but they only work on certain types of gallstones and can take 1-2 years to work. I was wondering if people have had success avoiding gall bladder surgery over time, either with medication or a wait and see approach. I realize that sooner or later I might have to face more surgery hopefully after I have had more recovery from the previous surgery. Thanks.
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Hi, @ron7614 So your problem is gallstones, not a problem with the gall bladder being infected or not functioning well? My mother had gall bladder problems, which was very long ago, about 50 years probably, and spent a year avoiding fatty foods and being very careful of what she ate. She finally did give in to having her gall bladder removed and things were so much better after that. She could finally eat normally again too.
My sister just had her gall bladder removed, laparoscopically, on Saturday morning. It was basically an emergency surgery. She had a colonoscopy on Thursday and had some problems after that. The problems got much worse on Friday night so she went to the hospital and they removed her gall bladder. They claimed it was badly infected and borderline gangrenous. I know little about this but I would think she would have had problems prior to that if her gall bladder was that infected. Regardless, she was only in the hospital for one night, home on Sunday, and is doing very well now. I think the laparoscopic procedure is not like the major surgery that gall bladder was when my mother had it so if you do have to have it try to not be too worried.
I am sure unless there is a way to get rid of the gall stones you will eventually have the surgery but if your gastroenterologist says there's no rush and you need more time then take it. I think you will get very tired of the daily pain and at some point want the surgery. I know I would. I had gall stones before I had a liver transplant but they never gave me any pain. When you have a liver transplant they take your gallbladder too so that's gone now.
JK
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1 Reaction@ron7614 - I had my gallbladder removed many years ago. My mother did too and my daughter at young 19. It does run in families.
It sounds as if you don’t have to worry right now. Your Gastroenterologist is not very worried. It also would be better for your health to recover from your last surgery.
Try to avoid triggering fats for now.
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2 Reactions@ron7614 I had gallstones and about 8 years ago they removed the gallbladder laparoscopically... It was the easiest surgery I ever had. They went in through the navel, I spent 1 night in the Hospital .. and no gallproblems or digestive problems for several years.. until I had another GI surgery... A fail Nissen... I had always had GERD so that continued..and the last surgery caused gastoparesis... so I can't give you a long range view..
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1 ReactionThanks for all your comments
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1 ReactionI had my gallbladder removed two years ago after a gallbladder attack. Sharp pains. Fever
You are probably better off having it removed and problem solved
Mine was done as day surgery. No real pain Otherwise, you never know when it can strike
I hope this helps you decide
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2 Reactions@ron7614 I tend to side with Inge on this. If your pain isn't stemming from your gall bladder and you doctor doesn't consider surgery necessary right now. I would forgo it until symptoms arise. I can tell you from personal experience that having my gall bladder out caused other problems which would not be good for your body during recovery.
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1 ReactionThanks. That helps support my own feelings along with relief that I won't be immediately encouraged to consider surgery
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2 Reactions@ron7614 I had my gall bladder removed laparoscopically too and have had no gallbladder issues since. I did have to avoid deep fried foods for a while but now I can eat those too, in reasonable amounts, of course. My surgeon explained to me most people have gallstones and have no symptoms, but once the stones start migrating into the bile duct it’s time to remove the gall bladder.
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