Gallstones, no symptoms

[BadgerW]

Hi,

I recently went to see my GP as I have begun experience periodic abdominal discomfort (roughly every 2 months). He sent me for an ultrasound and this found that my gallbladder is full of stones. However, he told me that this was not the cause of my symptoms of discomfort as the Gallbladder wall was thin and this suggested that it hadn't become inflamed. He said that as I had 4 spells this year the gallbladder wall would be thick if this was the cause. He has therefore suggested we continue looking for the cause for my symptoms elsewhere. He has suggested a blood test and stool sample test (the next time I experience the discomfort). After this I believe it would be a referral to a Gastroenterologist for scans etc.

What I am keen to know is, now that I know my gallbladder is full of stones, what is the likelihood of me developing complications with this, such as stones being trapped in bile duct, inflammation etc? Am I just waiting for this for this to happen?

What is the medium and long term prognosis?

Many thanks.

[susansusansusan]

This sounds very similar to my story of about 15 years ago. At the time my doctor said IBS. Now, I am in a mess, as I have a very inflamed gall bladder and a problem with stones passing into my bile duct and causing an obstruction. This impacts on my liver and the NHS is now reluctant to operate because it can be dangerous to take the gall bladder out when there might be stones in the bile duct. I would push to get on the waiting list to have your gall bladder out. You will probably be waiting 18 months anyway. It is usually a relatively minor day-case operation at the stage that you at.

[Mel2637]

I had my gallbladder out in 1989 there was a good size stone caught in my bile duct. I was in a lot of pain and just about everything I ate caused pain. I had it taken out and had no more problems.