Question:
what is a gallbladder attack?

hi, again! i am pre-op, but i guess gallbladder issues are pretty much the same as post-op, right? anyway, i always hear of people having acute attacks and ending up in the er, but i have pain where the gb should be that is more achy and i can feel it back to the kidney area. my ultrasound showed no stones, but i wonder if any of you had my symptoms and showed no stones but you still had gb out? and if the ultrasound shows no stones, how do you get it diagnosed? thanks a bunch for any replies! darci    — darci T. (posted on August 19, 2003)

August 19, 2003
You can have no stones but still have a diseased gallbladder. There is a test called a HIDA scan where they have you swallow dye and see how long it takes to get through your system. If it takes a long time, your gallbladder isn't working and should come out if it is causing pain. As for an "attack" this is fairly individual. Most people have an attack when the stones clog the exit, but in people without stones, the pain is from the inflammation. As for a HIDA scan to further assess your problem if you don't get anything else showing up.
   — bethybb

August 19, 2003
I had a abdominal sonogram to check for gallstones preop, it was negative so my doctor had a HIDA scan done (nuculear medicine scan done in xray dept where dye is injected and scans made to check functioning of gallbladder) mine showed Biliay Dyskenia ( the gallbladder wasn't functioning properly but didn't have stones) so my doctor removed during my VBG
   — Wendy K.

August 19, 2003
I had my gallbladder out 6 years ago and what prompted it was a severe pain in my right side under my ribs and through to my back. It was so back I could not sit up or lay down. They did a sonogram and discovered I had two small stones, and scheduled surgery right away. Some people's pain mimick a heart attack, but mine was local.
   — Happy I.

August 20, 2003
Hey there, I had several attacks over the course of four years and never had stones...then out of nowhere my last attack I was full of stones. It is different for everyone. But my GP wanted me to have it removed even before I had stones...if it bothers you they will take it out. I am pre-op and I am having it taken out at the same time as my Lap/RNY. Good luck!!
   — Sabrina Plunkett