Normal testing and still have bad gallbladder/pain?

Hi Samantha,

I went through similar issues that actually lasted 5 years!! Part of what made my diagnosis difficult was that for the 1st 3 years, I only had the pain; the GI symptoms didn’t start until the 4th year.

I saw many doctors, had endless procedures & tests:

2 HIDA scans, 3 ERCPs, 4 MRCPs, Upper Endoscopy, ultrasound, CT scan & MRI. I did tons of physical therapy, massage & had numerous Intercostal Nerve Blocks. I went to the Mayo Clinic last February & March, & after they ruled out cancer, they were done trying to help. I even had 2 surgeries, to move & then later, remove the spinal cord stimulator that helped mitigate chronic nerve pain from an unrelated spinal cord condition (The battery & wires were under my skin on the right side of my belly & one doctor suggested that they were aggravating nerves.).

I went to a new GI doctor last month, & she was shocked that no one had suggested taking out my gallbladder (Even though I'd had 2 HIDA scans that showed it was working). She referred me to a surgeon & I saw him on 12/6. On 12/8, he did exploratory surgery & found that my gallbladder was stuck to my liver with tons of scar tissue (adhesions). Additionally, my gallbladder looked infected & was leaking bile into my stomach cavity. He removed my gallbladder & the adhesions, & when the pathology came back, it showed I’d had a long term, chronic gallbladder infection. The condition is called Chronic Cholecystitis.

I’m just past 2 weeks post op, & while the pain is still there intermittently (it used to be constant), my surgeon said that was totally normal, & it should resolve in the next 4-6 weeks. I can’t believe it took 5 years…it was physically & emotionally draining; I withdrew from my friends & I haven’t been myself for a long time. I can’t wait to get myself back, & be able to do the things that my husband & I used to enjoy.

My suggestion is to get a referral to a surgeon, & bring up Chronic Cholecystitis.  I’ll pray that this is resolved for you ASAP. Wishing you a Joyful & Peace Filled Christmas!

Kat Heatherley

How did you handle your issue? I've been struggling for months with pain under the right rib cage,pain in the right back, and right shoulder pain. Ultrasound, MRI, CT and blood test all came back normal. Now thinking about HIDA and endoscopy. This is quite frustrating.  

Tammy

add me to the long line here, in my early 50s, problems going on two years now, ultrasounds negative, HIDA scan just below normal @ 35. Runs in the family, disease with out stones.  A small but fatty meal at relative's set me off - like my right lower rib was smacked with a hammer, unusual low appetite (nausea was the worst the day after, but my appetite is still lower than normal), night sweats and heat-like pain now a few days later, some pain radiating back, up and to the left, urine slightly darker. 4 days in and pain is waning slowly, slow healing. Waiting for latest blood results, but don't expect much because I waited too many days, you have to do it in the worst of the pain. Sometimes I have apple juice with a spike of apple cider vinegar to help manage the issue, have a low to medium fat diet, but may have to go back to just low fat diet.

Hello I see this post is a little bit older but I wanted to respond in hopes that my experience might help someone else I have had abdominal pain mostly left-sided off and on for the past 5 years I started getting severe pain about 7 months ago since then I've had an endoscopy colonoscopy another endoscopy numerous CT scans a HIDA scan and blood work which has all been normal time and again I was so frustrated I was nauseated vomiting sometimes felt terrible no energy and a persistent pain in my upper belly the doctor just kept putting me on proton pump inhibitors for gastritis which wasn't making any difference finally I want to see a surgeon and I had surgery yesterday they removed my gallbladder it was full of adhesions and scars I cannot begin to tell you how different I feel today that gnawing pain in my left upper abdomen is gone. there is pain from the surgery but it is nothing compared to the pain that I've had for the past 9 months my doctor showed me a picture of my gallbladder and it was most definitely in need of coming out I share this with anybody who's going through this and tell you to not give up and feel free to share my story with your doctors go to a surgeon who has years of experience who has seen people feel so much better after their gallbladders come out!