Just been for scan for suspected gallstones. No gallstones, but enlarged spleen and fatty liver - I'm worried!

[BumgrapesofWrath]

I've just been for a scan for suspected gallstones after having pains around my bottom right ribs. GP examined me a couple of weeks ago, felt for my gallbladder, pressed it and it hurt!! I believe the pain to have been worse after eating certain foods (chocolate and meat) So I've been absolutely convinced I've got gallstones...

Been scanned today, and the lady scanning me said there are no gallstones!! Said my liver is a little fatty, and that is quite "normal" these days, and I've got a slightly enlarged spleen. The strange thing is is the scan actually hurt as I'm ever so tender around my ribs.

I'm now panicking. At least if she had found gallstones I'd have an answer! I obviously don't want an operation, but I was hoping I would come away with an answer for my pain.

Is it possible she could have missed gallstones? Is it possible that gallstones would be the least of my worries with a fatty liver and enlarged spleen?

I've got to wait a week until the results get to my GP, and I think it's going to drive me mad!

Gallstones can be missed on a scan if they are small enough. I had the same symptoms as you, when my gallbladder was eventually removed it was found to be full of 'gravel and sludge' - tiny stones that aren't picked up on scanning (and was also found to have a fatty liver and enlarged spleen).

Until you go back to your gp, try eating a diet that is as low in fat as possible - it really does help.

Crossing my fingers that it all goes well for you.

Thank you!

It is weird, because I was absolutely convinced I had them!

Eating very healthily at the moment, as anything fatty seems to cause me pain (which is most odd!!)

If you don't mind me asking, how did you manage to go from having no gallstones on the scan to eventually having the gallbladder removed?

Bumping...

Sorry - I had to do the 'rl' thing

I'd been having attacks on and off for a couple of months, was referred by my gp for a scan (which came back as no stones), had another attack at work and collapsed. General surgery docs did an ERCP, found nowt but put me on the waiting list for surgery.

Two weeks later, I had a severe attack which resulted in pancreatitis; a different consultant saw me, and I had it whipped out a day later.

They kept a load of the stones to show me, and none were larger than a grain of rice.

There are some really good sites out there that list the fat content of common foods, like apples, broccoli, etc. Well worth a search.