Gallbladder

[Lena2011]

Hi I’ve been told I have 2 polyps on my gallbladder and they will rescan in 6months I’m wondering if I should ask too have gallbladder removed I recently got told I have pbc and my anixty is tro the roof I don’t no weather I can take the the fear of scans all the time, has anybody else had there gallbladder removed with pbc does it make Pbc worse? Many thanks

[butterflyEi]

I still have my gallbladder although I have read many that don't. Personally I would not have surgery unless it was necessary.

It is understanable to be anxious but once you have settled into the routine of tablet taking and come to accept your PBC life will become easier. I was diagnosed in 2006, it took a while for me to settle down but I keep to a good clean diet, rich in vegetables and barely any red meat. I exercise to keep energy levels up and I look forward to a life that most people without PBC can expect.

If you have not already done so join the PBC Foundation, there is a good deal of up to date information and they have regular live sessions with liver specialists.

best wishes

[Turquoise2075]

Hi Lena,

I was found to have gallbladder polyps at the same time I was diagnosed with PBC. Like you I was advised they are to be scanned every 6 months. As long as they are not growing they don’t usually require further action. It is when they get above a certain size that they are more of a concern. So if the doctor has advised you just need the 6 monthly scan, you don’t need to be thinking about gallbladder removal.

At my last scan mine had actually slightly shrunk. So please don’t worry too much. I know it’s a bit overwhelming at first getting the PBC diagnosis as well, but you do get used to it.

[Lena2011 in reply to Turquoise2075]

Thank you so much for the reply I’m glad too hear yours have got smaller I never relised they could, I think it’s all such a shock too me and so much too take in my anixty is tro the roof x

[Realy in reply to Turquoise2075]

what size was your polyps or polyps. And they shrink?

[Turquoise2075 in reply to Realy]

Hi, I had a Fibroscan in January. Previously I have been told I had polyps plural and that they were in the 6-7mm range. Interestingly the last Fibroscan results only mention one polyp that is 7mm. I have read clinical studies where they shrink and in some cases disappear. I’ve had significant improvements in my liver readings and PBC, so I’m wondering if the improvements have also affected the polyps. I really don’t know. But it seems I only have one polyp now at 7mm.

[Realy in reply to Turquoise2075]

I had fatty liver wich I resolved normal size and no fat , the only thing they found was a 5mm possible polyp report says . Gastro dr looked at report and picture of finding and said it could be a polyp or a stone. Wasn’t overly concerned and said resonoogram 6-12 months. He’s been my Dr for 15 years.I have no symptoms of gallbladder issues so I guess that’s the course of treatment just to follow them.

[Turquoise2075 in reply to Realy]

Hi, yes, I think that’s all you need to do, just have the scans 6-12 months. I think 5mm is considered of very little concern, especially with no symptoms. I think it’s only when they get above 10mm they consider it a bit more of a concern. So I wouldn’t be worried at all and just get the scans done at the recommended intervals just to monitor it.

[Turquoise2075 in reply to Realy]

P.S. That's interesting about the fatty liver. Did you resolve it through diet and/or supplements? I had a small mass on my Fibroscan which they thought might be a bit of fatty liver or possibly a benign tumour, but not something that's been indicated to be of any concern. I've had major improvements with diet and supplements already in terms of liver readings and the gut microbiome, so I'm hoping that if there is a bit of fatty liver that it will resolve as well.

[Realy in reply to Turquoise2075]

I cut out all soda and reduced carbs and sugar. 30 minutes of exercise a day took me about 7 months to get there

[Turquoise2075 in reply to Realy]

Thank you. I'm glad you've had the good result. I've also reduced sugar to a minimum and eliminated some foods I was found to be allergic and/or sensitive to.

[Realy in reply to Turquoise2075]

yes I had a Terrible diet. Sodas, fast food, a lot of carbs and sugars cut them out mostly .Just worried about this gallbladder as the Dr said either a stone or a polyp. I wish I knew wich one it was. I’ve had 4 drs that l know that said it not a big worry. I guess with the 50 pound weight loss maybe I’ve had it for a while and not seen. I had a ultrasound 6 months before this one and it wasn’t seen. I hear they can shrink and sometimes disappear. Mine was 0.47 mm and rounded to 5mm. Hope it either leaves, shrinks or remains the same. I guess if my dr was concerned he would either recommend removal or further testing.

.

[Turquoise2075 in reply to Realy]

I don't think you need to worry. Mine were first picked up in October 2020. I was told in about mid 2021 they were actually slightly smaller than they were in the previous scan. And now the scan results say I've just got one. So don't know what happened to the others but they seem to have disappeared! I'm thinking maybe if you are eating much more healthy now things are really improving and that may well keep the polyps under control into the future and maybe shrink or even disappear.

[Realy in reply to Turquoise2075]

i guess I’m overthinking it as it’s either a stone or polyp. Either way it needs to be looked at down the road. Hoping it shrinks or stays the same and if it’s a stone doesn’t I cause issues. I will have to trust what my gastro dr recommends he’s the expert . If it was anything more worrisome he would say and so would report.

[Turquoise2075 in reply to Realy]

I hope so too and, yes, just follow the gastro dr's advice. They will know what to do. I don't know much about stones but I think they are often ok too and can clear up on their own.

[Realy in reply to Turquoise2075]

what size where your polyps and what size did they reduce down to.

[Turquoise2075 in reply to Realy]

From memory it was 7 down to 6mm, so they shrunk 1mm. Now there’s only one at 7mm. I’m personally not worried about it. I’m in Australia and it’s late here so I won’t be able to reply further tonight as in bed. But don’t worry, you should be fine.

[Realy in reply to Turquoise2075]

thanks for the information, have a great night!

[Turquoise2075 in reply to Realy]

No worries 👍

[Turquoise2075]

I totally understand. I was told about the polyps just after being told about PBC and thought what next?

From what I’ve read 95% of gallbladder polyps are usually benign but only become of concern if they get above a certain size. As they’re going to be checked every 6 months I think it’s safe to not worry. I’ve got my next scan in 2 weeks.

The PBC Foundation are a good source of info about PBC. There is increasing understanding about the condition all the time and I think there will be more options and increasingly good treatments going into the future. Ursodeoxycholic acid, which is the med I’m guessing you are starting, has already improved things a lot for people with PBC, and there are still other options for those who don’t respond completely to it. All the best!

[Lena2011]

Thank you so much you have made me feel a little better, yes I’m on urso 900mg a day I don’t no if I’m a responder yet my alp levels r still in the 700s 😢 just hope they can get the levels under control so that’s good too hear the treatments r improveing as time goes on, x

[rubberglove]

Hi I had my gall bladder removed about 4 years ago. I'm fine though