Gallbladder Sludge

Hi,

I haven't been diagnosed yet but I think I have a diseased gallbladder and maybe some sludge problems. I had an ultrasound which showed no stones but have had some other symptoms that otherwise point that way as well as a family history.

Some 'natural' things that can help move the gallbladder can be found by searching (major sites) on 'gallbladder diet'. In addition to foods to avoid, like EGGS, it will show you what's good to eat.

Of the good foods, I've tried beets (jarred w/out sugar added) ; milk thistle ; and olive oil (in place of other fats). I'm not talking about doing a flush, I've never tried that, but those same items are often used for that. I'm just saying along with my regular food I substituted or ate those items at various times daily. I also have been eating apples regularly. For me, It definitely seemed to help me get by some of the bad times, the beets especially. If you have stones then moving stuff around could make things worse, but, with sludge if you can keep it moving/thinned out, in theory it shouldn't be too bad. That's what the GBDiet foods are supposed to do.

For the indigestion you can also try DGL Licorice pills (20mins before eating) and/or whatever your doc prescribes. I also tried Mastic Gum pills which supposedly help restore the stomach lining and seemed to make me feel better. The stomach / indigestion problems took a few weeks to get better, and taking pepcid AC was at least helpful right away. The other food / suppliments seemed to keep it from coming back as bad as first but, I'm still learning so who knows. I understand eventually it will get worse anyway, but, it's really a no win (when it' sout you have to watch foods still) so doing what I can to live healthy with it before it has to go I guess.

Good luck!

I had the same thing, last year around this time..... After several months, and only finding a "sludgey" gallbladder, they opted to remove my gallbladder. I feel much better than I did initially, but I still don't feel myself. There are many things I can eat again and several items I stear clear of. The acid reducers they prescribed me (I tried them all) never worked well and in fact gave me many side effects.

I would say good luck, but also that it does get better.

Hey guys I have been suffering from gallbladder pains, back pains, heartburn, etc since November. A small polyp was found in my gallbladder. When I first researched polyps what I found was that they weren't suppose to cause symptoms. The doctors around here seem to only want to do surgery, but I am terrified it will just make me worse from all the forums I have read of other peoples problems.
I am going to try some supplements to help the gallbladder contract and thin out the sludge. I ordered some, and am taking the ones I already have. I just started today. They are: Vit C, lecithin, fish oil, taurine and IP6 rice bran. I am waiting to get the last two.
Also, it is suppose to make the gallbladder worse if you don't eat any fat. It needs to be contracting. Saturated fats are not a good choice though. Also exercise is suppose to help, so if I feel well enough I try and walk on our treadmill for a bit. I am really hoping this works because I don't want chronic health problems for the rest of my life. I am determined to fight this!

Let me know how the Fish Oil and Lecithin works out for you. I've been tempted to try them but haven't yet. Fish oil I read is supposed to reduce inflamation (among other benefits) and Lecithin is supposed to help the cholesterol mix with the fat in bile so its 'consistent' and easier to pass, and therefore reduce the risk of stones. I'n not sure either of them thin out the mix but both should be good in any case.

I've also read that having the GB out is not always the cureall and you would still have to watch your diet either way. So, if you aren't experiencing pains then it might be to your benefit to try some diet alternatives before surgery. Of course, the story goes that the GB only gets worse over time, but, that time can be many years for some people.

Hi there eihcet! I am feeling better today. I'm not in as much pain, but I still have a lot of nausea.
Yesterday with every meal I took 2 caps of lecithin, 1,000 mg of fish oil, 1000 mg Vit C and 400 mg of magnesium. The magnesium is suppose to help the muscles relax and not spasm so much. I am also eating apples. The malic acid in them is suppose to help.
I had very severe symptoms last week and ended up going to the emergency room. They did blood tests and a cat scan to make sure it wasn't my appendix.
I've got other symptoms as well which seem to be a side effect of the gallbladder not working properly such as dizziness and shakyness, blurred vision, feeling weak, a low fever, chills, cold hands and feet, cold most of the time actually.
Today I don't feel cold however. I was wondering if the Vit C had something to do with helping that.. Maybe my inflammation is going down. Could be the fish oil too, like you said.
My docotor told me that I would not be able to get better without surgery.
I happen to believe that it is possible to reverse at least some gallbladder diseases, if they are caught in time. I have spent hours and hours looking up every possible source I could find, just so I can help myself. I am a 38 yr old mom of 5 and that has motivated me quite a bit. That and the fact that I hate being sick and am not willing to accept the risks of surgery/ loss of gallbladder when it includes a risk for bowel cancer, weight gain, chronic diarrhea etc.
I will only do the surgery if it becomes a life/death situation. As long as my life is not at risk, I will try and reverse my gallbladder disease.
When I was first misdiagnosed, they told me I had an ulcer and I tried the mastic gum. It did seem to help my stomach. It also seemed to help my dry nose.
But when the symptoms became worse, we were able to pin point the pain on my upper right abdomen, just under my ribs and when the doctor examined me and "felt my gallbladder" we were both sure that was the culprit. Then, the ultrasound showed 2 small polyps, the larger one being 2mm in size. Most doctors will say that polyps do not cause symptoms. Another person told me that it was the sludge in my gallbladder causing it to not beable to contract properly, resulting in spasms, and all the rest of the symptoms. I seem to have all of them. The only one I don't really have is chest pain.
I was fine not that long ago. I was trying to lose weight and went on a pretty much no fat diet which for a few months. I am highly suspicious this has contributed to my problem.
I am hopeful this regimen will work for me and if it does, it would be great if it could help someone else to save their gallbladder.

thats why i had to have my Gallbladder removed it was packed with sludge it was from antibiotic use everytime i used antibiotics i used to have to run to the bathroom all the time because greenish-yellow bile would pour out of me after about 6 month later i was in intense pain went to the er and they told me it was packed with sludge i know it was from the antibiotic use now8 months later i have a ton of right flank pain off and on since it was removed but within the last week it has been there everyday now also with some back pain on that side to.

Hi msthec1. I am sorry for the troubles you've had with the gallbladder and pain. It is very hard on a person, physically and emotionally.
Do you think that if you tried some supplements to help your liver it might help you feel better?
I have read that people who have had the surgery to have their gallbladders removed should be taking bile salts or enzymes to help digest fats and do liver cleanse and herbs to support the liver.