Gallbladder Sludge?--No Diagnosis
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| Thu, 01-20-2005 - 12:22pm |
Long story short: In 2001, while pg, I had a severe gallbladder
attack and an u/s indicated the presence of biliary sludge. I had no
further episodes during my pregnancy and didn't think about my
gallbladder again until 2004. During the past year I had 6 or 7
attacks lasting anywhere from 3 hours to 4 days. These attacks were
characterized by all the classic gallbladder symptoms and the pain
was identical to 2001. I finally saw a GI at the end of 2004 and
related my story to her. She sent me for an u/s that showed nothing--
no stones, no sludge(of course, at the time I was not having any
symptoms).
My doctor then sent me for an upper GI/small bowel series to rule
out ulcer, hernia, reflux, etc. Those tests are in and everything is
fine. The doctor had her PA call today and recommend I take Zelnorm--
an anti-spasmodic for better "bowel motility". This seems idiotic to
me because my small bowel series showed no motility problems and none
of my symptoms are even large-bowel related. It seemed more like a
recommendation to get me to go away. . .I asked the PA about sludge
and the possibility that it was causing my problems or the
possibility of sluggish gallbladder. She outright dismissed this due
to the clear u/s. Now, my research indicates that sludge comes and
goes, can only be visualized on u/s about 50% of the time and
visualization depends a lot on composition--I asked about this and
she blew me off. I asked about a HIDA scan and she said that my
doctor doesn't think that test is accurate.
So what do I do now? Find a new GI who will seriously consider the
sludge? Wait until my gallbladder gets infected, end up in the ER in
the middle of the night and have it taken out on an urgent basis?
I understand the doctor not wanting to remove a "normal" gallbladder
but I am frustrated by the fact that she won't even consider that
mine might not be normal despite the u/s findings. I know my body
and I know this is my gallbladder.
Thanks for listening.
--abc

Hi and Welcome
Hi Abc,
Just wanted to second what Wren said. Getting a second opinon, in my opinon, is a smart thing to do if you have doubts. When my IBS-C (The problem Zelnorm is designed for) was dx'd I went for a second opinon. My symptoms were so close to gallbladder problems that they almost took it out. I was in the hospital NPO for 5 days. My Gallbladder is fine. A very smart man refused to take it out. From what I've been learning it's not something you want to loose if you don't have to. I hope you get some answers soon. Let us know.
Love,
Jamie
Love,
Welcome Abc!
Sorry to hear you are having some problems and not getting any answers.