Yes, your gall bladder can "malfunction" so to speak and empty improperly. The best way to find out if this is happening is by having a hida scan. This test is a nuclear medicine study which studies the "ejection fraction" ie: the amount of time it takes for your bile to exit your gall bladder. Often times, if the amount of emptying of the gall bladder is abnormal, there is a "sludge" that is left in the bottom. This causes the sufferer to experience pain which is identical to gall stones. Also included in the symptoms are nausea, and possible vomiting, pain in the upper right quadrant (right under your rib cage) which often is referred to middle back pain. If you have been screened for gallstones and you are still having symptoms, return to your physician to discuss whether or not this test is appropriate for you.
(By the way, your chances of having gallbladder problmes are increased by: Having children, being overweight, being over 40 years old, and being female.)