Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
Diarrhea, gallbladder sludge, diverticulitus, parasites....I'm confused
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
 |
Diarrhea, gallbladder sludge, diverticulitus, parasites....I'm confused
by mamaterri, Jul 28, 2001 12:00AM
My husband began having frequent diarrhea nearly a year ago. He also has lots of very foul smelling gas. The stool is also foul smelling and floats. The problem has gotten worse in the last four months. The diarrhea occurs several times daily, and he's lost almost 35 pounds.
When he finally saw a doctor, the doctor thought he had diverticulitus (he also did blood tests to rule out cancer). He prescribed an antibiotic and ordered a lower GI. The lower GI came back normal. He stopped the antibiotic and prescribed Lomotil which did absolutely nothing. The last round of tests included blood tests for liver functions, an upper GI, ultrasound and stool sample for parasite testing.
His blood tests for liver function came back "not normal" (sorry, I don't have any more information right now - I wasn't at the appointment). The upper GI was normal. The ultrasound showed sludge in the gallbladder. The stool sample came back negative.
Now, the doctor is saying that the sludge in the gallbladder is affecting the liver which is causing the diarrhea. He wants my husband to have his gallbladder removed. I'm sorry, but that simply doesn't make sense to me. I read lots and lots about diarrhea AFTER gallbladder removal, but haven't found anything about it causing diarrhea.
Does anyone have any insight or a source I can consult to get information?
When he finally saw a doctor, the doctor thought he had diverticulitus (he also did blood tests to rule out cancer). He prescribed an antibiotic and ordered a lower GI. The lower GI came back normal. He stopped the antibiotic and prescribed Lomotil which did absolutely nothing. The last round of tests included blood tests for liver functions, an upper GI, ultrasound and stool sample for parasite testing.
His blood tests for liver function came back "not normal" (sorry, I don't have any more information right now - I wasn't at the appointment). The upper GI was normal. The ultrasound showed sludge in the gallbladder. The stool sample came back negative.
Now, the doctor is saying that the sludge in the gallbladder is affecting the liver which is causing the diarrhea. He wants my husband to have his gallbladder removed. I'm sorry, but that simply doesn't make sense to me. I read lots and lots about diarrhea AFTER gallbladder removal, but haven't found anything about it causing diarrhea.
Does anyone have any insight or a source I can consult to get information?
Expert Activity
Related Expert Forums
Related Communities
Crohn
Crohn's Disease
Crohns
Digestive Process
Dry Skin
IBS
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Stomach Ach
Sunburn
Ulcerative Colitis
abdominal pain
bowel
colitis
colon
crohn's
crohns disease
diarrhea
gallbladder
irritable
irritable bowel
large intestine
liver
nausea
pain
rectal bleeding
red skin
redness
stomach ache
stool
ulcerative
Communities
Ask a Doctor Forums
Tools and Applications
Personal Information
Medical Information
Doctors and Partners
I have the malabsorption and lactose intolerance. Recently found out I have a contracted gallbladder with alot of sludge in it. The nuclear scan showed a fraction % of 35 which is considered normal - normal is 35 or more - a year ago I was 70, so I guess in a few months it will probably go below 35 but until then, I can't have the gallbladder taken out. I suffer severe upper right abdominal pains. I am going for an Endoscopic Utlrasound in the next few weeks, we will see what that shows.