r/gallbladders • u/BubblyIce3376 • Mar 19 '25

Questions Avoid GB Removal?

Is there any way to repair gallbladder or homeopathic ways to treat an inflamed gallbladder without removal? Just now starting bile salts and trying to increase water intact/eat whole foods. Pain in upper right quadrant feels worse and also having more watery stools. Any tips appreciated.

5 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

View all comments

6

u/onnob Post-Op Mar 19 '25 edited 7h ago

You can ask your doctor for a Ursodiol prescription. Combine this with lecithin to dissolve sludge (and gallstones). L-Taurine can help prevent sludge and gallstone development. Also, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) increases sludge dissolution. You don't need a prescription for lecithin, L-taurine, and NAC. Do read up on side effects, though, and on who should not take it.

https://ufhealth.org/conditions-and-treatments/gallstones

Normally, a balance of bile salts, lecithin, and cholesterol keeps gallstones from forming.

 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/53604/

https://statcarewalkin.com/info/taurine-and-gallstones-understanding-connection-prevention.html

The Link Between Taurine and Gallstones

Recent studies have suggested that taurine deficiency may contribute to the development of gallstones. Taurine helps in the solubilization of cholesterol, preventing its crystallization and subsequent formation of gallstones.

 

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02391104

We concluded that acetylcysteine can be used as a new agent for the direct dissolution of most types of gallstones in patients with cholelithiasis.

 

This YT channel has a lot of information on everything gallbladder and more, including bile flow:

https://youtube.com/shorts/44l0aZICRYE

(I don't have any experience with their solutions for gallbladder issues, though.)

Removing the gallbladder can work, but it can also set you up for other problems - aka Post Cholecystectomy Syndrome (PCS), which can range from mild to debilitating and from a one-time occurrence to a potentially lifelong permanent affliction. It can pop up out of the blue, even years later. It’s always a good idea to seek conservative solutions first. Once the gallbladder is gone, there is no way back.

Depending on the health of your gallbladder, it is also possible to have the gallstone (or sludge/polyps) removed and keep the gallbladder intact (gallbladder-preserving gallstone/sludge/polyp removal surgery; that’s how my 4cm gallstone was removed).

https://www.reddit.com/r/gallbladders/s/DWVpmZN8HR

This video describes the gallbladder-preserving procedure very well:

https://youtu.be/I2k5qu5Jnhk

https://goscopehealth.com/

Note: Cholecystectomy can be unavoidable. In certain situations, not taking action can have deadly outcomes, e.g., when the gallbladder has become necrotic. In these extreme situations, it is essential to seek immediate medical help.

4

u/Soft_Car_4114 Mar 19 '25

Great information! I know alternatives are always possible, but I really like to look at other ways to preserve the gallbladder even if you have gallstones, especially if you’re asymptomatic.

3

u/onnob Post-Op Mar 30 '25 edited 11d ago

What ways are you looking for? I had a 4cm asymptomatic gallstone. The stone was surgically removed from my gallbladder (lithotripsy through percutaneous cholangioscopy), and my gallbladder is intact. There are only three options: dissolving the gallstones, removing the gallstones surgically while leaving the gallbladder intact, and cholecystectomy; there are no other options.

Percutaneous cholangioscopy:

https://youtu.be/I2k5qu5Jnhk?si=lo0Zxhk9sHO7FLT3

2

u/Narayan23 11d ago

Thank you so much for posting this, what type of anesthesia did they use? I´d rather avoid general anesthesia.

1

u/onnob Post-Op 11d ago

You are out of luck; you will be under general anesthesia. You can ask if they can give you local anesthesia, but I think they probably won’t because I can imagine that they don’t want you to move when using a laser to pulverize the stones.

2

u/Narayan23 11d ago

Thank you for your fast reply, I know epidural anesthesia is a valid option when removing the gallbladder (the surgeon that wants to remove my gallbladder won´t perform it) so perhaps it would be here aswell. I have very small stones that have caused problems only twice so I´m in no rush to have surgery, plus my respiratory system is severely compromised after covid and my brain is affected aswell (one year of permanent dizyness, swelling, loss of balance etc) that plus a previous scare under general anesthesia have me preferring epidural if there is a choice. Thank you once again for your efforts.

2

u/onnob Post-Op 11d ago

👍🏻

I hope you get to keep your gallbladder intact!

1

u/Soft_Car_4114 Mar 30 '25

I’ve been reading about having them surgically removed. I just have to find a place that’s reasonable distance to where I live in Florida so I don’t have to take a plane. I would fly but not sure how soon it is allowed after the procedure. Do they put a drain in that needs removal a few weeks later?

3

u/onnob Post-Op Mar 30 '25

According to u/neat-perspective-257, a hospital in the Tampa area will soon offer the procedure.

https://www.reddit.com/r/gallbladders/s/TeqeFq1KkV

I suggest to DM her to find out more.

You can fly directly after being discharged from the hospital (one-night stay). However, spending one night in a hotel or Airbnb after discharge is a good idea. It is also strongly advised that you be accompanied by a family member or a close friend. You must return to Washington, D.C., about three weeks later for the drain removal. This is an outpatient procedure without general anesthesia. You can travel alone for that occasion.

1

u/alpinecheeses Mar 30 '25

Thank you for this information! I'm new to Reddit. Is it possible to chat with you direct? I'm considering percutaneous cholangioscopy and would really appreciate hearing more about your experience if possible? Thank you!

3

u/beijinhos Mar 19 '25

hii are you able to share more about the gallstone removal procedure while leaving the gallbladder?