Sickle cell disease - Gallstones

What are gallstones?

The gallbladder is a small sac on the right side of the abdomen. It is just below the liver.  Gallstones are hard lumps that form in the gallbladder.  If some of the liquid in the gallbladder gets hard, it makes stones.    

What are the symptoms? 

There may be one or more of these symptoms: 

• Stomach pain.  This pain will feel different from sickle cell pain.  It will normally happen after eating fatty foods.
• The white part of the eye may look yellow.  This could be jaundice.
• Nausea and vomiting. 

What if there are gallstones?

• If there are symptoms, you will need to be seen in the Sickle Cell Clinic.
• The sickle cell doctor, called a hematologist, may order a special x-ray.
• If the x-ray shows that there are gallstones, you will need to be seen in the Surgery Clinic.  A surgeon will talk about possible surgery.  
• Some people with gallstones do not have any symptoms.  Gallstones might be found on an x-ray that is done for another reason. If this happens, someone will talk with you about what to do.