Gallbladder

Hi Susy,

It's always SMART to get a second opinion, I work in the medical field and all of the patients that call my department are getting 2nd and 3rd opinions. It never hurts especially from a general surgeon that specializes in Gallbladders/Gallstones. I would get a copy of your ultrasound from the radiology department from where you had it done and then research surgeons that specialize in laparoscopic gallbladder removals. Goodluck! PS You will def. need to hand carry your ultrasound and report with you to the 2nd opinion dr.

T.

Listen to that small voice inside you. If your in doubt about the decision from your doctor get a second opinion. I am fighting breast cancer for a year now. I was told not to worry about the "cyst". That was Dec 2005. In May 2006 I started cancer therapy. Moles, polyps, cysts or anything abnormal get it checked out. Your here searching for advice because you have doubt. I had a wonderful doctor that I first saw. Months later she was calling saying she was sorry for not paying closer attention. Dont go into a panic state. Keep a level head. Get that second opinion and move on from there.

Hi Susy,
From my experience as an Oncology nurse ( specialty in cancer) polyps are precursors to cancer. They are a red flag that something is brewing, I reccommend you get a second opinion. Barbara

Good morning Susy,

I'm sure your doctor feels as if he is doing what he is suppose to. However, it is not about his feelings right now, but yours. You can tell him that you want additional testing done. If he doesn't do it then let him know that you will find a doctor to ease your worries...and then do so. You can never be too safe about anything like that. My mother did eat healthy, did take vitamins, and still got cancer at 42 years old, we buried her this past November. Please don't give up until you know excactly what your body is host to. Best of luck, I send my prayers. ~ Liss

Hi there -- I had gallbladdder symptoms after having my first child. I will also be 41 this year and just had my second son (now 5 years after my first son). Gallbladder problems are sometimes due to overconsumption of meat and other animal (dairy) products and are definitely related to the health of the liver. I really recommend reading Dr. Sandra Cabot's book The Liver Cleansing Diet and looking at her website online. She has some great information on dietary changes and lifestyle changes that will be helpful no matter what the doctor or the second opinion doctor say. MDs are not renowned for their education in nutritional counselling, so I really recommend talking with someone who is an expert in this arena.
Another thing to consider is that 41 is a bit young for perimenopause and the liver book will talk about hormonal imbalances and liver health. Check it out.
It sounds like your concern is warranted, but I am sure all will be well in the long run. Good health to you in 2008. aloha JP

Hi Susie,

Check out http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/ate/weightandnutrition/204586....
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gallbladder-polyps/AN01044
http://www.answers.com/topic/gallbladder?cat=health )near the end of the page),
http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/polyps-in-gallbladder...

I hope everything works out well for you.

R.

Susy, I would strongly recomend getting your Gal Bladder removed. My grandmother recently died from Gal Bladder cancer which is rare and it was extremely painful for her. She had the cancer for some time (probably a few years) before she even had symptoms and went to the ER with Gal Bladder pain and was diagnosed that next day with 2-6 months to live. She died 2 months and 1 day after the diagnosis. I know that this type of cancer is very common in women because it gets misdiagnosed and women tend to think it's gas or cramps. I know that if she would have had it removed long ago when it was giving her a hard time she would be alive today. I would see an Oncologist or Dr specalizing in cancer of the organs. You have to be an advocate for yourself and it would be better knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are healthy.

Before getting a second opinion I would probe your doctor as to why he/she doesn't seem to have any concern. When you do get a second opinion make sure it's with a gallbladder specialist (gastroenterologist). I find it hard to trust family and general medicine doctors with specialized conditions because they aren't specialists.

Hi Susy -
I went thru the same thing about 6 months ago. Reading over your responses is making me question if I need to get a second opinion too.

When in doubt get your second opinion. A good doctor will always let you get one. If he/she throws a fit then it is in your best interest to find another doctor period!

Please contact Debbie Graefer a local Encintas acupunturist and specialized in gallbladder attacks and problems. She is a wonderful source, please see her web site http://www.gallbladderattack.com/

Good Luck
G. / Healingwithherbs

Im getting mine removed on Tuesday. anything thats in your gall bladder can lead to extreme pain. I almost fell down the stairs holding my son when it hit the first time.

I'm not sure about a polyp, but here's some information about gallstones. Some Shaklee supplements might be very helpful to your gallbladder (especially organic lecithin and a great organic liver detox herbal formula).

Research indicates that 80-90% of all gallstones are cholesterol gallstones. They form in the gallbladder because the liver begins secreting bile that is unusually saturated with cholesterol (Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 1985:44). The cholesterol then crystallizes to form stones while in storage in the gallbladder or cystic duct. The specific mechanisms in the body which cause the bile to reach these high cholesterol levels are not entirely known. However, the liver appears to play a large part in this process since it is the source for making bile from which gallstones form. Other evidence shows that stones can form because the amount of bile acids and bile lecithin are low. Bile acids and lecithin act as an emulsifier in the bile within the gallbladder. Therefore, any inefficiency in this emulsifying process would accelerate the formation of stones. To correct the problem without surgery would suggest finding a way to make the liver operate more efficiently so it can produce bile that is less concentrated with cholesterol and more concentrated with the emulsifying bile acids and lecithin.

1) Consume Whole Grains (unrefined)
2) Increase Vegetable Protein (soy products rather than meat)
3) Consume foods containing Pectin (Apples)
4) Consume foods containing Cellulose (Celery and Crisp Fruits & Vegetables)
5) Reduce (eliminate)saturated Fat intake
6) Reduce (eliminate) animal meat intake
7) Eliminate all white four products
8) Eliminate (at least reduce substantially) drinks and food containing white sugar.

Since maximum liver function is essential for proper bile formation, it is also important to reduce chemical stress upon the liver (remember, the liver produces the bile which must have proper levels of cholesterol, bile acids and lecithin, and synthetic chemicals are well known for weakening liver function). Therefore, you may want to eliminate as many chemical sources as possible that may compromise proper liver function. This may include chemicals in the home or job such as solvents, gasoline, paints, fingernail polish, hair sprays, facial cosmetic products, vinyl products, pesticides, artificial food additives (a very important factor) such as artificial colors, artificial flavors and preservative chemicals such as sodium benzoate and others. If you'd like information as well about Shaklee's wonderful nontoxic cleaning and personal care products, I'd be glad to help.

J.
www.shaklee.net/healthyfriends
Creating Healthier Lives & Homes for Over 50 Years

I'm not sure if this helps any, but after having my second child I developed gulbladder symptoms. I didn't know what it was. I had severe sharp pains and felt as if I was having a heart attack. It was very scary. Turned out I had stones in my gulbladder. If it had only been one stone they would have told me to just ride it out, but I had several stones. They told me that they wanted to remove it. I hadn't developed gangreen (which is possible) so that was good news, but they had to remove my gulbladder completely. And they even gave me the stones in a jar to take home. Yuck! Looked like little sesame seeds all clumped together. There were a lot!
It turns out my mom and sis had the same thing (tends to be genetic, and really probable mostly among white women who have gained and lost weight rapidly, like I just had a baby) and my mom had a large incision to remove hers, but my sister and I were lucky, with new technology these days they are able to remove parts without such large holes! I have three tenny little pin hole scars that I can't really find anymore (where they inserted the camera and cutting tools, laser?), and one tiny inch long incision by my belly button where they pulled the gulbladder out, that has since shrunk and changed color to blend with my skin so you really have to look hard to even see it! Remarkable!
The doctor's explained to me that we dont' really need a gulbladder. It's just a regulator to release more bile when we eat rich foods. Our intestines can take over this without the gulbladder, but I do have to watch it since it's just now a regular trickle of bile and no regulator to push out more when I eat more rich foods. Also, I was warned that the stones can come back, but next time in the intestines and that's not good. They would have to remove parts of the intestine, which isn't as easy. So I watch what I eat for the most part but have been pain free for going on 15 years now. That's a releif! Once in a great while I'll get a really sharp gas pain that reminds me of that pain I had when I had the gulbladder and I tend to freak a bit, but phazyme tablets (anti gas tablets, fast acting) help get rid of that quickly so I am once again feeling like myself.
So, if having that removed becomes an issue for you, feel relieved to know that it's possible to live without it without much inconvenience.
It's remarkable what medicine has become!
Lot's of luck to you!
V.

Hi I am dealing with gallbladder stones and have already had the bloodwork done and the ultra sound done surgery is next, I've lived with them for 2 years now and can't wait for them to be gone, I take b-12 vitamins and muti-vitamins and try and watch what i eat cause if it's the wrong foods i'm in trouble, 600 mg ibiprophen usually do the trick. stone free soon patty

You should absolutely get a second opinion. I will tell you about my best friend and the “cyst” on her kidney. In March of last year she went for an ultrasound for a stomach issue, the tech that was doing the ultrasound decided to do the scan all over her abdomen. While doing this he noticed a white area on her kidney, he told he was nothing to worry about – just probably a cyst. She called her doctor’s office for the results and was told “no news is good news, you would have heard from us if there was a problem”. A month later she was seeing the doctor with her son and asked him what the result of her ultrasound said. He became apparent that he hadn’t even read the report, because he read out loud to her… pausing only when he hit the words “renal carcinoma”. He sent her for another ultrasound – but was so sure it was just a cyst that she got the next available appointment, which was in June. After that ultrasound, he sent her for a CAT scan – but still was very clear that it was just a cyst. CAT scan was on Wednesday; the following Monday she got a call to come in for a talk. Yep, she had kidney cancer. He then told her that she would loose her entire kidney within two weeks and should start chemo/radiation by the end of July.
She then went to a urologist, who had a different set of plans for her. She was lucky in that her cancer was encapsulated and had not spread to any other part of her body. He was able to remove about 10% of her kidney, got all the cancer, and she didn’t have to do chemo or radiation.
So… her story has a happy ending – but can you imagine what would have happened if she hadn’t pushed her doctor further? The cancer was slow growing, but had been there for three years. It is vital that you take your health into your own hands. Do research, so you can talk to your doctor and ask all the questions you need to. You gotta realize that they will answer you, but most times are so busy they don’t have time to go above and beyond answering your questions. Get a second and a third if that is what will make you feel better – you only have one you! The other advice is to not freak out – all the cancer stories on the web tend to be doom and gloom and it’s easy to fall into the “HOLY CRAP… WHAT IF???” frame of mind.
Good luck, and in reality it is probably nothing – but it’s better to sure and not have it hanging over you head.
J. Bulie

To your doctor I'm sure it's not a big issue. To you however the issues are different. It never hurts to get a second opinion. I had issues with my gallbladder some time ago and instead of getting a second opinion I went ahead and had the surgery to remove the bladder, they also found two gallstones which they removed along with the bladder. I'm still not sure if it was the stones that were causing the pain or something else, but the removal of the bladder I now feel was not necessary. I was in excruciating paid and wanted it just to go away. Since the surgery I find that my cholesterol has heightened to a level that it never was before consequently I'm now on daily medication. I find it difficult to eat certain foods and even though all I wanted was to be pain free at the time, I now wish I had gone for that second opinion. Don't just take your doctors word for it. It's your body and no one knows it like you do. You are worth it regardless of the financial cost. Good luck...

My husband had the same experience you're having. He was told if they were going to go in to remove the polyp, they might as well remove the whole gallbladder. My husband didn't like that answer but thought about it for a while; meanwhile his symptoms decreased and a few months later he had another ultrasound and they found no trace of the polyp. Same healthcare facility, same Dr, (probably different Dr reading the ultrasound image though). Your Dr probably knows what he's talking about, but go ahead and get a second opinion. It's better to be sure about your health and well-being.

I was diagnosed with a polyp in my gallbladder in December. I however had a few small gallstones so my gallbladder was removed. But the doctors told my several times that polyps in the gallbladders are very rarely cancerous, unlike polys in other parts of the body. They did a bisopy to be sure and it came out fine. If you start having symptoms of gallbladder attacks I would definitely seek medical attention and thus another opinion.