Gallstones

[buddymac48]

A few people who have posted have, Gallstones which appear to affect the liver readings why don't the medical profession just take them out, or is there a reason not to, that I don't realise. I to have gallstones and elevated readings that appear that iam a drinker iam t total. Iam not sure how much a part the Gallstones might be playing a part in this. and causing damage to my liver.

[jules45]

Hi, I have cirhossis and a gall bladder full of stones and they won't do anything for me. ie, remove gall bladder. I was told the surgery was too dangerous so I have to live with them. I was also told they would only act if the stones moved and my situation was an emergency.

Best wishes

julie

[Beverleylinden22 in reply to jules45]

I too have Gall stones. I also have a fatty liver. I'm Tolstoy leave hall stones if no pain, so Iv had them for 15 years. BUT I do get terrible itching in my arms, makes life miserable! I'm Teetotal!

[Hidden in reply to jules45]

no worry jules im a Docter

[Bolly]

We do need the gallbladder to help with digestion. Taking it out is major surgery (risky), doesn't guarantee to relieve any associated pain, and requires the patient to completely change their diet and lifestyle.

[Fatboytim in reply to Bolly]

Well, Bolly, I am awaiting surgery and I have spoken to several friends who have had their gall bladder removed. They all report a very minor operation, complete removal of pain and no required changes to their diets. Please do a little more research before posting scaremongering items.

[Hidden in reply to Fatboytim]

I think you will find that Bolly is correct 😘😘 my husband had gallstones and they said because of the 'liver' they wouldn't operate and he would have to wait until transplant to have it removed !!!!! Also having gallbladder removed is not 'minor' they do it 'laparosciply' but it is still a serious op !!!! And yes they will have to reduce the amount of fat and cholesterol in their diet afterwards (because gall bladder helps break down fats etc) - so to accuse anyone of 'scaremongering' is totally inappropriate 😢😢😢😢 maybe find out a bit more about subjects (not relying on friends opinions) as I think that you will find that the majority of members on this site are very knowledgeable!!!! And I was (and nearly again) a RN - so I know how good they are 😘😘😘😘

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

The poster who said Bolly is scaremongering is actuate.

All surgery carries risks, but in MOST cases, the gallbladder can be removed by keyhole surgery (laparoscopic cholecystectomy), which is relatively simple and has a low risk of complications. Sometimes those with serve preexisting healthy problems are a poor operative risk and the for them the risks may outweigh the benefits.

People can live a perfectly normal life without a gallbladder. The liver will still produce bile for digestion, but the bile will simply drip into the small intestine.

It's a risk verses benefit analysis. Leaving a problematic (complicated) gallbladder in situ carries risks too and affects quality of life.

[Bolly in reply to Fatboytim]

Im glad to hear positive reports. It was my gastro who told me the op does not guarantee to relieve pain - i hope he is well researched even if I am not! I know he would be offended if I suggested he didn't know what he was talking about, lol :/

[jules45 in reply to Bolly]

Hi Bolly, just a message of agreement with your post. It was my gastro who said 'leave things be' with regards my gallstones unless they became mobile and dangerous. He told me surgery wouldn't help unless it became a life threatening condition and why go through surgery when trying to manage my liver condition unnsessararily.

julie x

[AyrshireK in reply to Fatboytim]

I know that my uncle had his gall bladder removed as an emergency when he collapsed very unwell, it wasn't a straight forward procedure and he definitely has had to change his diet by massively reducing the amount of fatty foods he eats. Even without his gall bladder he still suffers twinges if he does eat anything a little too fatty.

[Hidden in reply to Bolly]

You don't "need" the gallbladder for digestion, you can manage without it. Diet changes are advised following cholecystectomy (extraction), but many people don't with little issue. On the other hand, if you keep a problematic gallbladder, changes to diet are essential otherwise you'll keep having colic. Some people report getting pain even after having the gallbladder removed but it's not comparable to biliary colic and to be blunt, once the gallbladder has gone and there are no stones blocking anything, there's no real reason to have intense pain and much less other complications caused by stone obstruction.

Yes it's major surgery and surgery carries risks; however leaving a problematic (frequent bilary colic, pancreatitis, etc) gallbladder in situ carries risks too. It's always a risk verses benefit analysis. I think certain people on this thread should avoid talking about medical topics they evidently have no or little training in.

[AlexandriaUK]

I agree my friend had his removed and has to be super careful as to diet, it wasn't a minor op either but he was ok eventually

[Anne48]

Hi, I am about to have MRI scan to assess my gallbladder. Last US scan showed "effectively" normal liver but multiple gallstones and thickened gallbladder (but I have no pain!!). My hepatologist is concerned that if gallbladder diseased it could lead to infection and sepsis. He will discuss with gastro surgeon when they have results. All surgery comes with some risk, more so if you have liver disease, but he said op pretty common nowadays and they would take opportunity to do liver biopsy at same time.

The gallbladder is a storage unit for bile and releases bile when you eat to help break down fats. When it's removed bile flows directly from the liver to the common bile duct and you might need to adjust your diet, everybody is different. Unfortunately gallstones can still form in the CBD even after removal. Also, gallstones can be removed via a procedure called ERCP.

There seems to be a lot of differing advice on gallbladder and removal, probably best to discuss with your consultant. I'll know more about it when I've had scan

(Hopefully!). Hope you get some answers. A

[buddymac48 in reply to Anne48]

Hi hope all go's well, keep us posted. Thanks for your reply .

[buddymac48]

Thanks every one for your opinions, some mixed views there. I suppose every one is different I only know of two people who have had their Gallbladder's out lucky for them went well and much better afterwards, would hate to worry any one who might be getting ready to have this done.

[Cat19]

Hi Buddymac48

Gallstones I had terrible terrible pain for two years befor I got mine removed by keyhole surgery, it's great no pain now. Good luck keep going to your GP ask for referral to hospital ASAP just keep pushing the GP till you get to the hospital. Or visit A/E when the pain is bad keep going to a/e good luck Cat19

[buddymac48 in reply to Cat19]

Hi Cat19 I've been to see another Doctor as the last one I saw said there was nothing they can do,i asked to see someone privately the Doctor then agreed the Gamma readings were high and might be due to Gallstones.he has sent me for more blood tests and having a ultrasound in December, not sure what to expect from this will keep you posted. All the best Buddymac48.

[Cat19 in reply to buddymac48]

Hi Buddymac48

I do hope they can help and sort out your gallbladder ASAP, it's horrid to have this pain, it was the best thing I did was to have the key hole and surgery, keep me posted buddymac48 good luck x

[buddymac48 in reply to Cat19]

Thank you I will keep you posted.

[Hidden]

incidentally, I have gallbladder issues too, I've nick named my gallbladder "Gertie". I digress, gallbladder problems can elevate certain liver enzymes, the fact it does isn't too significant, it's the level to which your enzymes are affected that's significant. What's your reading ? It's not damaging your liver in the same way alcohol does. And the mere fact you have elevated enzymes does not mean you have permanent liver damage.

The decision to remove the gallbladder is based on your frequency of colic episodes and your risk/benefit profile for surgery. Obviously, if a stone blocks a duct or another part of the gut, and restricts bile flow, this can be a medical emergency and they need to whip the gallbladder out right quick, regardless of anything else. Or if there's an infection and/or pancreatitis, treatment needs to be given. However, uncomplicated colic does not always require intervention.

Take myself for example, I'm young, no other medical problems and had an episode of constant issues about a year ago, probably due to rapid weight loss, but it went away. I must have passed the stones because an initial ultrasound showed stones, most recent didn't. Therefore the decision was taken to wait and see what happens. Well nothing, it went away but now I've started having issues again. Of course I'm eating the wrong food but that's another matter.

It's quite common for doctors to take the wait and see approach. Note that this isn't synonymous with ignore. Sometimes it's a one off issue that goes away. Usually stones don't go though. Once you have them, you tend to be prone, so there is an argument I guess to take it out as soon as anyone has issues. However, the medical profession, at least here in the U.K. (In the money-medicine orientated US things are different), are not in the habit of removing body parts without careful consideration. Surgery carries risks.

In short, if you're having frequent episodes that aren't helped by diet changes, see your GP and explain the symptoms are affecting your quality of life. I wouldn't worry about the elevated liver enzymes too much. If the readings were very high, your doctor would act, unless you are a very poor operative risk.

Sorry for the ramble. I hope somewhere in there to have answered your questions.

[buddymac48]

Hi i do worry about high readings,often have a yellow tinge to my eyes,and dark urine,had a blood test not long ago ,the Doctor said he would let me know if any concerns have not heard anything,your information is very helpful,thankyou for takeing the time,

[Hidden in reply to buddymac48]

OK, in that case, you need to return to your GP or see another GP with these symptoms, leaving it untreated isn't really acceptable.