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As a side effect of MC, many of us experience symptoms that appear to be associated with improper gallbladder functioning, and doctors are typically quick to recommend surgery to remove it. But maybe they're being too hasty because many members have found that after they get their MC symptoms under control, their gallbladder no longer causes any problems. We've known for years that MC can affect various other digestive organs other than the colon, and I've long maintained that these issues are actually rather common among MC patients. GI specialists typically tend to ignore such possible associations, however.
And now research shows that the procedure (cholecystectomy) is associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with having undergone cholecystectomy, but not with the presence of gallstones, according to recent results.
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Since having an early total hysterectomy at the age of 32 and living with all the changes that happened as a result of that, I am a firm proponent of keeping any and all organs as long as possible. I was pissed off that they randomly removed my appendix, "just in case." Deb
Unless a life or death situation get second and/or third opinions before any surgery. The surgeons recommendations can very widely from operate immediately to you can get by for another 20 years.
After an initial gallbladder attack that convinced me I was suffering a heart attack, it wasn't hard to make the decision to have it removed. I had been having minor symptoms for a very long time but didn't make the connection. Pre gallbladder removal, I rarely burped. After it was removed I became a virtuoso belcher. Since MC it's even worse. Thank God it mainly occurs in the evening and when I get up during the night. Gross but necessary to relieve bloating and gas.
I was told that if I suffered one major gallbladder attack, it would definitely happen again. I had a second attack, not quite as severe as the first attack, right before I had it removed.
I was told my gallbladder had no stones but was full of gravel.
Sheila W
To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.
A person who never made a mistake never tried something new. Einstein
Mine has been gone for many years. I had never heard of MC when I had my attacks. I had major D with pain, which disappeared after having the gb removed. What comes first? The chicken or the egg?
I was having really bad indigestion. Went to a primary care doctor, a GI specialist, and others. No one offered to examine me, even though I suggested it, repeatedly.
Thank God for my PA, Carmen. When I told her my symptoms, she did a simple Murphy test. She said "gallbladder".
She recommended a HIDA scan, which showed a low functioning gallbladder.
Went to GI, and he shrugged and said casually, "well... let's take it out." (Idiot).
So, I went to see a gallbladder surgeon, reluctantly.
Just before surgery, I decided to have a colonoscopy done. Well, guess what they found. LOL
I decided then and there that I wouldn't have the gallbladder removed and found this site with all its diet info.
And I haven't had any problems since with my gallbladder. It's just fine. It's not going anywhere. Especially out of my body!
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Desertrat - thank you so much for posting! I have been having what I can best describe as a grumbling gallbladder for a while now, which has been a bit more niggling of late but not so severe that a couple of painkillers can't abate. I don't want to mention it to the doctors because here they whip them out! And there is a family history ... it is a relieve to know that I stand just a good chance of it resolving if I bear with it!!
Anne
Thanks for the confirmation.