Gallbladder / Gallstones

[ToadSprocket 12]

I'm interested in knowing about anybody who has been in this predicament.

[TimmySmith 2,782]

A buddy just had his out on Monday. Apparently he pushed it for years, and ended up in the ICU after a complete blockage. Not much help, I know.

[BunnysBastatrds 1,909]

My dad died because he was misdiagnosed with kidney stones. He had a bad gallbladder that went septic. His blood pressure had gotten so low that they couldn't go into surgery to remove it. Had they diagnosed it correctly, he'd still be alive. I would have mine removed if I had any problems with it.

[penultimatestraw 473]

I have a gallbladder.

[Mookz 1,287]

I have a gallbladder.

 

And it has some nerve.

[Gepetto 979]

I've had my gall bladder removed, two years ago. What do you want to know?

[wiffleball 4,631]

I don't know the difference between a gallstone and a kidney stone.

[Hardcore troubadour 12,588]

Keith Stone got a DUI for driving into a house.

[ToadSprocket 12]

UPDATE: Ok, after my Doctor said that I had a 2cm stone in my gallbladder AND that the ONLY way to remove it from my gallbladder was surgery, the stone has now left my gallbladder and is moving through my bile duct. Hopefully out through my stool within time. Maybe because I have been drinking apple juice 2-3 times a week. Maybe just how it is. Regardless, it wasn't the ONLY way.

To me, Doctors have become like lawyers and used car salesmen. The only difference is health and that's scarier than buying a lemon or paying a ton of money and getting nothing in court.

 

Oh, also blockage wasn't my problem. Just the opposite; loose stool every morning.

[penultimatestraw 473]

UPDATE: Ok, after my Doctor said that I had a 2cm stone in my gallbladder AND that the ONLY way to remove it from my gallbladder was surgery, the stone has now left my gallbladder and is moving through my bile duct. Hopefully out through my stool within time. Maybe because I have been drinking apple juice 2-3 times a week. Maybe just how it is. Regardless, it wasn't the ONLY way.

To me, Doctors have become like lawyers and used car salesmen. The only difference is health and that's scarier than buying a lemon or paying a ton of money and getting nothing in court.

You still need your gallbladder removed, and you aren't doing yourself any favors delaying the surgery.

[ToadSprocket 12]

You still need your gallbladder removed, and you aren't doing yourself any favors delaying the surgery.

 

Why? Are you a Doctor?

[penultimatestraw 473]

Why? Are you a Doctor?

 

If you were symptomatic from the stone (not just an incidental finding on a scan ordered for another indication) and are a candidate for surgery, it should be performed rather than waiting, as the latter strategy increases your risk of complications down the road.

[ToadSprocket 12]

If you were symptomatic from the stone (not just an incidental finding on a scan ordered for another indication) and are a candidate for surgery, it should be performed rather than waiting, as the latter strategy increases your risk of complications down the road.

 

Symptomatic? Not sure. Loose stool and some stomach issues but no real pain. Not even in the area of the gallbladder.

The reason I asked if yu were an M.D. is I just learned that if a General Practitioner prescribes Radiology or Pathology or anything from a specialist, the original Doctor gets a 'finders fee'.

[Djgb13 2,338]

If it passes completely through your body you should be ok. I would monitor myself if I were you since you have a history of gallstones now. However, the stone could potentially still get stuck on its passage out. Commonly in the bile duct which wood require surgery.

[BufordT 371]

Not a doctor....but you should change your diet. Ask a dietician what you should or should not be eating. Gallstones will probably keep coming back unless you make some dietary changes.

[Djgb13 2,338]

Not a doctor....but you should change your diet. Ask a dietician what you should or should not be eating. Gallstones will probably keep coming back unless you make some dietary changes.

Diet change, drinking more water, and exercising regularly can help a lot of ailments. It's one of the regiments I always suggest. The body is a natural healing machine so changes like that can help its natural healing abilities.

 

That being said, even with surgery gallstones can still come back. It's always good to get a second (and third) opinion from different doctors at different locations to see what they say

[penultimatestraw 473]

Symptomatic? Not sure. Loose stool and some stomach issues but no real pain. Not even in the area of the gallbladder.

The reason I asked if yu were an M.D. is I just learned that if a General Practitioner prescribes Radiology or Pathology or anything from a specialist, the original Doctor gets a 'finders fee'.

Dont know what you mean by "stomach issues", but loose stools can be a symptom of biliary disease. Why did your doctor order the test which diagnosed the stones in the first place? As a general rule, symptomatic stones = surgery, as non-surgical therapies, including dietary changes and medications don't work very well. Asymptomatic stones are sometimes watched, but often will also warrant surgery. You should at least see a surgeon to discuss the pros and cons of each approach.

 

And there is no such thing as a "finders" fee in medicine. Not only is it unethical, such practice probably violates the Stark law or anti-kickback statutes created to prevent such activity.

[wiffleball 4,631]

Penultimate's full of shiit. THE hot investment (and has been for 30 years) is to get together with your other GP (and other) buddies and form an LLC that does various forms of imaging. Tax laws allow for some very beneficial treatment by leasing the equipment, building, etc.

 

You then recommend all your imaging to this one particular (offsite 'independent') location. Skirts all the rules as there is no direct kickback, but that's how these guys turn thousands into millions. And, while your patients have their choice, their doc saying "I know a place that can get you in today and we've had great success..." is the golden ticket.

 

On the other note, I'm convinced if I didn't drink like 4 gallons of fluid a day, I'd be dead.

[penultimatestraw 473]

Penultimate's full of shiit. THE hot investment (and has been for 30 years) is to get together with your other GP (and other) buddies and form an LLC that does various forms of imaging. Tax laws allow for some very beneficial treatment by leasing the equipment, building, etc.

 

You then recommend all your imaging to this one particular (offsite 'independent') location. Skirts all the rules as there is no direct kickback, but that's how these guys turn thousands into millions. And, while your patients have their choice, their doc saying "I know a place that can get you in today and we've had great success..." is the golden ticket.

 

On the other note, I'm convinced if I didn't drink like 4 gallons of fluid a day, I'd be dead.

 

The existence of weasels in the medical profession does not invalidate the intent of the laws. Nor does it change medical standards of care, which is what I am recommending to the OP - I have no financial interest in anonymous message bored posters.

[Hardcore troubadour 12,588]

From reading the back and forths these last few years, I would have to say Djgb13 is the most ethical medical professional around here. Seems to know his stuff as well.