TEST results from Gallbladder.

[yogabonnie]

I had a Hipa test for gallbladder squeeze and it showed I have 18% function. Supposed to have 40-100%... BUT I now am wondering if anyone did a "cleanse" for sludge etc. I have not had an ultrasound for stones but in 2019 I did and there were none. No more attacks. and I am hoping to keep it that way. Not completely sure I want to have surgery and have it removed although it is looking like docs are leaning that way. Anyone do it with DIET? I dont want a PMR Flare from surgery. On the other hand I am a healthy (sort of) 75 and only medication I am on is Prednisone. so perhaps better to do it NOW rather than in 5 or 10 years when age will be a bigger factor and recovery more difficult ? Help! my friends!

[Amkoffee]

There is no such thing as a cleanse as it relates to diet or the way you eat. Your body does a very good job of cleansing your system by way of your liver.

[yogabonnie in reply to Amkoffee]

I thought that too. !!But always looking for another way! thanks

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to yogabonnie]

About all you can do in future is restrict calcium intake - especially supplements. But formation of gall bladder grit is an ongoing process.

[SheffieldJane]

I am so sorry that this has happened to you. I know that the pain is awful. I was hospitalised with a suspected inflamed gallbladder when I was in my 20’s. I am wracking my brains trying to remember all that they said to me at the time. I was in agony. I think they told me that I would be unable to digest fat, following its removal. So it was a big deal. They were about to operate and had given me a pre-med for surgery - powerful Valium I think, when the surgeon came to tell me that the tests had come back clear. I know that I felt a great deal of drug induced love for him. This was never explained, the Valium got rid of the pain. I now think that it may have been Costocondritis. I was unable to lie down with agonising base of the rib pain on the right hand side I think. I wasn’t really given a choice when the operation was being planned under emergency conditions. I haven’t thought about this for years. I can only hope that you experience some sort of miracle too. ❤️

[yogabonnie in reply to SheffieldJane]

thanks Jane... it does hurt! what a shocker. But now I am fine. What an experience you had. wow. I will keep you posted if in the end it comes out. I have lots of questions before doing it.. i.e. what about Prednisone_ will I have a flare of PMR.. can I wait.. what to eat. etc etc. But right now I am holding off a bit...hoping Daughter will be here for the month of july. perhaps I can do it in August and still go to Sweden in September! everything up in the air but for now I will keep my pecker up. hahahahahahahahaha that makes me laugh ! keep my CHIN up here!

[HeronNS]

Interesting question which led me to enquire of Dr Google. Amid some interesting but possibly ineffective advice one thing began to emerge. Vitamin C may help. Worth reading up on this, perhaps?

Additionally I have known a few people in my life who have had gallbladder removed and after an initial adjustment they have been perfectly fine without it.

[prospecter7 in reply to HeronNS]

I had mine out, possibly 8 years ago, and I had no issues. Surgery was early morning and I was home by noon. Up and out in a couple of days.

[yogabonnie]

thanks! I will. I also read some YOGA poses help! that is a good thing.!

[Stellamavis]

I was diagnosed with a gall bladder full of stones only by chance, I was in discussion with Rhuemie nurse as to taking Zelandronic acid for diagnosed Osteopenia but chose to put on hold as I couldn’t tolerate added pain as at the time was experiencing excruciating pain on right hand side under ribs and crying in such agony keeping me awake most nights till 4/5 am when it would slowly ease off and I’d get some sleep..just thought it was very bad indigestion due to steroid use..showed where pain was she said I should get in touch with GP as it could be gall stones and yes it was after an ultra sound scan showed it was full so after doing a bit of research decided to try plant based diet and that was my turning point as from then till I saw the surgeon 8 weeks later to discuss treatment plan (keyhole surgery) I didn’t have any pain at all so he put me under RV for 12 months at my request as son was due to get married in the July and I didn’t want surgery to interefere with there wedding plans but then Covid did that as 1st lockdown was about to start so all change for their plans anyway..and since then I have had telephone appt and still no pain so surgeon discharged me..but I still dare not sigh in relief as steroid dose has be bumped up from 5 mg to 40 mg as possible GCA symptoms so sometimes have slight pain in that area again..can’t believe that a small thumb sized pouch can cause so much pain when full of stones..so one step forward a 2 back in this frustration that is PMR/GCA ..one good thing I can’t abide dairy milk of any kind (soya all the way) or pig meat and red meat anymore..so something worked for me..just got to wait for GCA to get under control now as high dose steroids does make me feel out of control with balance even taking lansoprozole has started making me feel whoosy most of the day..but dropped to 30 mgs today so hope it will ease off as time goes on..

[yogabonnie in reply to Stellamavis]

Thank you so much for this information! I’m so sorry about the possible GCA And hope that clears up quickly I read one article that said prednisone could contribute to rupture of gallbladder (what DOESNT PREDNISONE contribute to!) but not sure about validity of that... I think I will hold off if I can but mostly do plant based diet although definitely had a fall off that wagon right before the gallbladder attacks .. I will keep you posted and you me please! Thanks!

[Grammy80 in reply to Stellamavis]

Take good care~💖

[KellyInTexas]

Was it perhaps a HIDA scan? It measures the ejection fraction of the gallbladder.

We only really ever contract 80%, that would be at 100% efficiency.

How well you contract, or your ejection fraction, really does not have too much to do with gall stones.

Mine stopped contracting efficiently when I was 28- no stones.

Mine had to do with dysautonomia, ( antiphospholipid syndrome causing clotting and gastroparesis) and additionally a low thyroid.

A low thyroid can be linked to a lazy gallbladder as well.

sciencedirect.com/topics/ph...

[yogabonnie in reply to KellyInTexas]

thank you so much for this information. I dont think I have stones.. but going to ask for another ultra sound (in 2019 I did not have stones.) and no symptoms until 2021 again. Also do you still have your gall bladder?? and did they do anything for low thyroid? thanks!!!

[KellyInTexas in reply to yogabonnie]

No, the section of the article I was referring to deals with “no stones.”

I was put into immediate surgery to have my gallbladder removed. ( I had no stones.)

I had ( and still have) a marginally low thyroid. It has flagged low on some tests off and on . It’s really not enough to warrant medication. ( some would argue this point.)

Really what has helped my ileus ( gastroparesis) more than anything is blood thinners- as the true root problem in my particular case was Antiphospholipid syndrome. This will very likely not be the case for others here.

My feeling first and foremost is you should really let your doctor guide your decision on whether or not you should have it removed.

If you really think about it, it’s only natural to be very worried about it and not want to go through a surgical ordeal. However... I suspect ( again let your doctor guide you- only he or she knows the particulars about you and your situation) you will be glad you did it once it’s over with.

Start a list of questions for your doctor.

I started to have a bit of an infection from my gall bladder going to the common bile duct to towards the pancreas. I was put on antibiotics while in hospital recovering. ( easy while I still had IV.) so this is a complication that can happen with gall bladder dysmotility...

Ask about recovery. It’s not too terrible. You are already uncomfortable.

You get the idea...

[Gris34gray in reply to KellyInTexas]

I have low functioning gallbladder and need good information on this disease. If it's healable without damaging other organs through diet. Any books/videos/ information out there?

[KellyInTexas in reply to Gris34gray]

Honestly, I don’t know.

Obvious you should reduce the amounts of fats you consume- yes. But that’s not the entire picture. It’s only a temporary fix. It may not be a holistic fix.

In my opinion, the important question that only your doctor can answer is the,”why?”

“ Why is your gall bladder experiencing a sluggish or low ejection fraction ?”

A thyroid test is one test to be done to help answer this question. If that’s low, a cholesterol test is often run also.

Only your doctor can and should be guiding you and advising you in this.

I hope you do speak with your doctor soon - so you can get a plan you feel comfortable with.

[yogabonnie in reply to KellyInTexas]

I set up a surgery..but cancelled because of family things.. but am hoping to have it in November. and hoping to be lower with the prednisone the surgeon wanted me to be lower even than 3mg. if I could manage it. thanks for your advice!

[Grammy80]

My OH had sharp pains one evening, felt better and then sharper pains in the morning. We took off for the hospital and it was gall bladder. That was the only time he was in any discomfort. When they removed it, it was gangrenous but they did it with just the three little one-inch incisions~~~~he never missed it and had a speedy recovery. I feel your pain and hope you have as good an outcome as he did. He never missed it a bit! I'd kick it to the curb!💖

[Devonspinner]

I had my gall bladder removed 5 years ago after a couple of years of excruciating pain. Best thing I ever did. Day surgery. I stay away from fatty foods so no keto diet for me but don't miss the gall bladder at all!

[Bloomsbury123]

I had gallstones and tried diet I.e. very low to no fat diet to try to avoid surgery but even vegetable soup set off an attack so I gave in and had it removed and I eat normally. Just after surgery I took care not to eat much fat but gradually I adjusted and now I’m glad it’s gone. I wasnt taking pred at the time though or suffering with PMR so I think try to adjust your diet first and see how you go? Good luck 😉 x

[Daffodilia]

I had gallstone attacks but seem to be under control by watching fat in diet

[Loopy65]

I had an attack about 4 years ago which resulted in gallbladder removal (22 stones and massive infection!) and I’ve not suffered at all since. I am able to eat whatever I like but tend towards a lower fat diet anyway but, as far as I can tell nothing has been an issue.

[yogabonnie in reply to Loopy65]

did you have PMR at the time?

[Loopy65 in reply to yogabonnie]

No, sorry. Well not sorry I didn’t have it but sorry if that makes the post useless 😉

[yogabonnie in reply to Loopy65]

Oh no~ not at all.. actually I asked that question to the wrong person! any and all answers are helpful!! thanks!

[yogabonnie]

I would worry about the Prednisone. and having a flare. but thank you!! I'll read about it!