Mixed Gallbladder Results - should I have it removed?

[HangryHandful]

after Years of pain and months of trawling Mumsnet threads I came to the conclusion my unexplained back pain was due to gallstones.

a couple of years ago a scan for something unrelated showed possible gallstones. I didn’t think they were causing an issue and I was under investigation for something else so I didn’t think much of it.

I also started waking up in the middle of the night with upper right back pain, sporadically, which was so severe it would cause me to be physically sick. I have since seen a physio, regular chiropractor appointments, GP and I lost circa 3 stone to reduce strain on my back.

finally after various conversations gallbladder was brought up and long story short I saw a consultant who has recommended removal.

my issue here is that this recommendation has come from (alongside my symptoms) the possibility of gallstones 2 years ago - but my gallbladder was collapsed so it wasn’t conclusive.

since then I have had 2 further ultrasounds and a CT and all of them have shown a collapsed gallbladder which means no clear indication of whether there are actually gallstones or not.

I do have surgery booked for later this month and whilst I am certain my gallbladder is not functioning as it should I am hesitant to go for removal without a clear picture of what condition my gallbladder is in.

I guess I am wondering if anyone else has had a similar story and what they did? Very tired of all the back and forth and inconclusive scan results.

I had a lot of issues with my gallbladder and gallbladder attacks and it was just horrendous and exhausting. So not the same.

however, I’ve had mine out and aside from the Nasty infection (it split and spilled during the op) that meant I had a rough couple of weeks I’ve had no issues at all. I could eat anything I wanted and for at least a year afterwards my ibs was improved.

mine wasn’t full of stones, I had stones and symptoms and I’m far better off without it.

it was a straightforward op and recovery for the majority is very easy.

if there’s a chance it is the gallbladder id go for it. Another thing ruled out and no chance of stones is the least.

I would strongly advise getting it removed. I had on and off atypical symptoms for years. Finally I ended up with pancreatitis - luckily my GP spotted it and sent me straight to hospital. My friends mum died of pancreatitis. Believe me it’s not worth the risk.

Thanks for your reply. I’m very tempted to just go for it because clearly it’s not working as it should anyway and from what I’ve read once it starts misbehaving it doesn’t get better.

I have had some horrendous attacks… it somehow just feels irresponsible to take it out when we don’t have clear, up to date information? The consultant seems very laid back about it all… it’s maybe just very obvious to him but there’s a heavy implication that this might not be the reason for my back pain.

the consultant scanning me at the last one was of the opinion my gallbladder is likely, full of stones and that’s why it has completely collapsed but said there’s always a chance that’s not the case and maybe it’s totally fine.

really would quite like someone to seem confident that this is the source of a lot of my pain but so far everyone’s just seemed to say it MIGHT be this but also… maybe not 💁

My gallbladder removal story is as follows. Had moderate back pain, right hand side for a few months, but put it down to too much walking and dog pulling. Then one night I had bad pain in back and front where gallbladder is. Nothing further but had a UTI end of May with really bad side pain on the right, so GP referred me for an ultrasound. I gathered he found something as it was very painful where he was prodding, he told me there and then that I had a gallstone. GP rang 2 weeks later and basically said I needed more tests to see what is going on, but I said I would see a Consultant privately which I did the following week. He said my gallstone was 12mm which apparently is big, and it could rupture anytime, so I agreed to have it removed on 2 August. I’ve just had my check up this week, where he told me my gallbladder was in a bad way and the lining was very damaged, he showed me photos, but obviously they mean nothing to me. I would never of thought you could have a bad gallbladder and admit it’s lovely now not having that constant pain, mainly of an evening and in the night and I have been able to eat everything with no pain. Like me I suppose you won’t know how bad your gallbladder is until it’s removed.

Yes I suppose I maybe just need to get over the not fully knowing until it’s out…

thanks for the advice. All the threads I read in the middle of the night during my many attacks generally all said the same… it won’t get better & just get it out. I think I’ll go for it. After years of pain I’m a little paranoid they’ll take it out and the pain will remain but I think I’ve ruled out everything else and the CT showed there was nothing sinister lurking in the background. Time to bite the bullet I think!

I hadn’t linked the nagging constant pains to my gallbladder, but lots of pains in the region and my shoulder disappeared with it. It’s a simple enough procedure, mine was key hole with a robot.

I had my gallbladder out 12 years ago
It started off causing issues during pregnancy, it was my first pregnancy and I actually thought the pains were practice contractions!

I wasn't diagnosed for another 2 months after I had dd1 after repeated drs appointments

I had sludge not stones when they scanned me and was given the choice to manage it with diet or have it removed.
I chose to have it removed in the end 4 months after I had dd1.

Unfortunately having it removed has left me with other problems
I now have bile acid malabsorbtion, can't tolerate dairy or high Fibre foods and have issues controlling my bowels.

I would still have my gallbladder removed again knowing this.

I had mine out 3 weeks ago, I didn’t even know I had gallstones but my gallbladder perforated and I was in agony and had a severe infection. The operation takes about 2 hours and is usually keyhole surgery. I was home the day after the procedure. I’m noticing that if I eat too fast or have anything spicy I am getting quite painful trapped wind but no other side effects. I would highly recommend getting it out, it will not get better and can cause much more damage to other organs and can lead to sepsis.