I do agree it would be beneficial to request copies of all labs and tests, and keep a file or binder at home of all his results. In the long run, it really helps. I think this is essential for anyone who seems to have chronic health problems.

Cara

Finally got an answer. Con's gall bladder doesn't work. Won't empty.

We go to the surgeon for a consult on the 28th. My oldest asked what we do if it bursts before then.

I haven't looked yet, but can a gall bladder burst? (yeah, I am that freaked out. I am such a dork when it comes to my kids being hurt. UBER neurotic.)

We'll let ya know if it's coming out or not.

Why does it have to take so long to a.) see a doc and b.) find out what the hey is wrong?

Yikes! That does sound scary! Is there something you can do to make it empty? A higher fat diet or something? Is something blocking the exit? Could there be an anatomical issue? (My mom has a phrygian cap or wrinkled exit area to the gall bladder. It causes blokage symptoms, which right themselves if given time)

Hope the dr can see you very soon and prayers he knows the best treatment for you!

Well, I am hoping that the gall bladder problem does explain his symptoms!!

You know... it seems like that shouldn't have taken so long for the docs to figure this out, but I suppose they are not used to looking at gall bladder problems in young kids. I think it is "fat and forty" they look for . I do know a two year old who needed her gall bladder removed (she's now 20).

I am happy that they have figured this out, though! Keep us posted.

Cara

I assume a white count was taken?
If it is elevated, then there could be an infection there.

The duct can be blocked by stones/sludge.

There are things that help bile flow better...doctors don't know about them as rule.
1) Taurine-- this is an amino acid and can help
2) Yerba Mate tea, is choleretic..and really helped me with this.

Gall bladders can be malformed at birth, or twisted. ( I had a friend who had this twist..they had a hard time finding it and removing it.)

And yes it can rupture. Some drugs can cause further spasms of the duct,
called the sphincter of Oddi. Narcotics typically can do this.
Anticholinergics like Levsin can relax it, as well as a heating pad.

This is a pretty good website with suggestions:
http://www.liverdoctor.com/Section4/gallbladder.asp
I would NOT do any flushes, without asking your doctor, however, since
this diagnosis is still pending..and treatments unknown.
The food suggestions are useful however.

I hope now that you know the culprit, a solution can be found!
Hang in there!

Going to see the surgeon today. FINALLY. He still hurts so bad, he just won't eat.

I will let you know what goes on.

You guys are great with all the info. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

There is a type of surgery they can do if they remove the gallbladder to kind of make a gallbladder like organ. I don't know exactly how it works, but a guy I work with, his wife had this done. The same guy also started having gallbladder problems. I don't think his empties either. As long as he doesn't eat fatty foods, he's fine. He's opting to avoid surgery for now.

If it is something that can be dealt with alternatively (i.e. without removing the gallbladder), you might want to look into Chinese medicine (acupuncture & herbs). The only way to know is to see an acupuncturist. Most western doctors aren't familiar enough with Chinese medicine to say anything positive about it.

Claire

Thank you, my dear. We haven't tried accupunture because our Dr of CM has retired and I haven't found another doc I trust.

But the danged thing is coming out on the 15th. Pretty unanimous that if it's this bad now at 13 it will only get worse. My sister's got so bad it got infected. Bad situation when you are 7 months pregnant. Brother Bears just stopped working alltogether and my little sister had so many stones they stopped counting after 100.

It's time. We can't wait anymore.

Speaking of Brother Bear...how's he been doing?

Wow, it definitely sounds like something genetic. I didn't know that something like that could run in the family.

I hope they can do the surgery laparoscopically. I had laparoscopic surgery for something else in April. The recovery is fairly quick, and I didn't have to stay in the hospital overnight!

Good luck to Con! Claire