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Hey Doctor, I’ve Been Having Issues With My Gallbladder For
Question: Hey Doctor,
I’ve been having issues with my gallbladder for the last 6 months. I’ve been getting digestive symptoms mainly consisting of nausea, an upper right side ache, bile reflux, gas and diarrhoea. Before this I’ve have had digestive problems for about 3 years but mainly consisted of stomach pain and nausea but has now transformed into this. I’ve done gastrosocpy/colonoscopy in the past which were clear and I just did an abdominal ultrasound last week which was clean no gallstones or sludge but now I have to do a HIDA scan so I am assuming my gallbladder is dysfunctional. With the HIDA scan would being in a flareup or gallbladder attack effect the results in any way? Would it be better to do it while it’s calmed down to see how it’s really functioning whilst not under stress it seems to be spasming out bile? I seem to get these flare ups every 2-3 months but then it would go back to normal and I’d be fine for another month or two.
My other question in terms of symptoms is what can I do for the upper right sided pain? What can I do for the bile reflux?(ppis don’t work for me) and once I’ve done this HIDA scan and it is in fact dysfunctional is there any treatments besides removal? Can gallbladder dysfunction also be life threatening and dangerous in anyway? What food/drinks can I also have during these flare ups everything seems to make the pain worse?
I’ve been having issues with my gallbladder for the last 6 months. I’ve been getting digestive symptoms mainly consisting of nausea, an upper right side ache, bile reflux, gas and diarrhoea. Before this I’ve have had digestive problems for about 3 years but mainly consisted of stomach pain and nausea but has now transformed into this. I’ve done gastrosocpy/colonoscopy in the past which were clear and I just did an abdominal ultrasound last week which was clean no gallstones or sludge but now I have to do a HIDA scan so I am assuming my gallbladder is dysfunctional. With the HIDA scan would being in a flareup or gallbladder attack effect the results in any way? Would it be better to do it while it’s calmed down to see how it’s really functioning whilst not under stress it seems to be spasming out bile? I seem to get these flare ups every 2-3 months but then it would go back to normal and I’d be fine for another month or two.
My other question in terms of symptoms is what can I do for the upper right sided pain? What can I do for the bile reflux?(ppis don’t work for me) and once I’ve done this HIDA scan and it is in fact dysfunctional is there any treatments besides removal? Can gallbladder dysfunction also be life threatening and dangerous in anyway? What food/drinks can I also have during these flare ups everything seems to make the pain worse?
Brief Answer:
Laproscopic removal of gall bladder is the best.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for choosing "Ask a Doctor" service for your query,
Have seen your details and I appreciate your concerns,
See firstly your symptoms are a result of improper breakdown of fat. Fat is broken down into small particles called micelles by bile and bile salt.Now as you gall bladder is dysfunctional this fat is not digested properly causing symptoms.
The primary treatment of choice in a patient with non functional gall bladder is it's removal. Post removal patient is kept on a low fat diet or urodeoxycholic acid substitution is done to break down fat and digest it properly.
So removal is the best and safest.
If bike reflux is disturbing normal life get gall bladder removed. PPI's are also not helping hence the only way out is either try urodeoxycholic acid tablets 300 mg for 21 days if not useful go for laproscopic removal of gall bladder.
No gall bladder dysfunction is not life threatening but it can hamper the quality of life.
Just have home cooked simple vegetarian low fat food.
No aerated beverages and fast food.
Avoid red meat for few days.
Hope I was helpful,
Feel free to follow up,
Thanks.
Laproscopic removal of gall bladder is the best.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for choosing "Ask a Doctor" service for your query,
Have seen your details and I appreciate your concerns,
See firstly your symptoms are a result of improper breakdown of fat. Fat is broken down into small particles called micelles by bile and bile salt.Now as you gall bladder is dysfunctional this fat is not digested properly causing symptoms.
The primary treatment of choice in a patient with non functional gall bladder is it's removal. Post removal patient is kept on a low fat diet or urodeoxycholic acid substitution is done to break down fat and digest it properly.
So removal is the best and safest.
If bike reflux is disturbing normal life get gall bladder removed. PPI's are also not helping hence the only way out is either try urodeoxycholic acid tablets 300 mg for 21 days if not useful go for laproscopic removal of gall bladder.
No gall bladder dysfunction is not life threatening but it can hamper the quality of life.
Just have home cooked simple vegetarian low fat food.
No aerated beverages and fast food.
Avoid red meat for few days.
Hope I was helpful,
Feel free to follow up,
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thanks for that doc these are some good tips however in regards to doing the HIDA scan would it be best off doing it while I’m still in pain or should I wait for it to settle down a bit? Would doing it while in pain give a false-positive as it may function not as badly while I’m not in a flare up? Does the test cause any pain how does it work I was planning on doing it next week?
Brief Answer:
Follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for follow up,
While you are in pain it means that there is inflammation in that area.
Initially take a course of augmentin twice daily along with anti inflammatory like Ibuprofen twice daily.
Once pain settles down you could proceed for surgery.
HIDA scan has already been done. Repetion won't show any thing new.
I am sorry but I am confused..initially you have written HIDA had been done now you are saying you are planning for HIDA.
Please clear.
waiting.
Follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for follow up,
While you are in pain it means that there is inflammation in that area.
Initially take a course of augmentin twice daily along with anti inflammatory like Ibuprofen twice daily.
Once pain settles down you could proceed for surgery.
HIDA scan has already been done. Repetion won't show any thing new.
I am sorry but I am confused..initially you have written HIDA had been done now you are saying you are planning for HIDA.
Please clear.
waiting.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Hey sorry to be clear I haven’t done the HIDA scan as of yet but my gastroenterologist assumes that it’s dysfunctional as the ultrasound came out negative for gallstones, sludge etc. So would it be best of doing this test this week or waiting for the pain to settle?
Brief Answer:
Follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks a lot for the follow up,
No pain as such does not have any effect on results of HIDA scan.When pain there your are symptomatic so rather it's the best time to get the test done.
Hope I was helpful.
If I've provided useful and helpful information to your question please be kind enough to close THE QUERY being sure to include several fine words of feedback along with a 5 STAR rating? Again, many thanks for submitting your inquiry and please let me know how things turn out.
In case of any further suspicion do feel free to follow up.
Thank you.
Follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks a lot for the follow up,
No pain as such does not have any effect on results of HIDA scan.When pain there your are symptomatic so rather it's the best time to get the test done.
Hope I was helpful.
If I've provided useful and helpful information to your question please be kind enough to close THE QUERY being sure to include several fine words of feedback along with a 5 STAR rating? Again, many thanks for submitting your inquiry and please let me know how things turn out.
In case of any further suspicion do feel free to follow up.
Thank you.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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