Doctor suspects gallbladder but...?!
Question: Doctor suspects gallbladder but!.!.!.!?
The pain is on the left side!. Everyone says pain for gallbladder is on the right side!. I ALWAYS have mild to medium pain on my LEFT side just below the rib cage and increases with almost every meal!. I have no nausea or stomach discomfort, just pain on the left side!. I had above normal amylase levels (145) on a blood test, high cholesterol but no overweight!. I thought pancreatitis, but pain is bearable and amylase is not so hight (I heard pancreatitis + 3 times amylase)!. I am a Non-smoker and drink occasionally or never!. Ultrasound was normal, i have been on birth control pills for over a year!. Will go for an X ray of the abdominal area on thursday!. No stones, good inmune system!. Doctor said it will be either quit birth control pills or have the gallbladder removed as I will probably have the same problems when I get pregnant (I am married and planning on having kids in about 3-4 years for finnancial reasons)!. My only concern is pain on the left side!? Help! Thanks!Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
I wish I could shed more light on this, but fact is I can only confirm some of what you suspect!. You are correct that pancreatitis would give an elevated amylase, so also given your other history this should be very low on the list of possibilities!. Gallbladder dysfunction rarely presents as left-sided pain (although the history of colicky pain after meals does fit)!. Additionally, ultrasound is the gold standard for diagnosis, so lacking an abnormal one I fail to see any indication for cholecystectomy!. You don't just yank it out because 'it might cause you problems one day'!. I also fail to see an indication for halting your birth control, but then again I have only limited info here!. Regardless, please seek a second opinion prior to consenting for surgery!.Www@Answer-Health@Com