ok, I went to see the UAB gastro Dr. yesterday and he by far has given me more info than the other 2 Dr's.
He says that it is my indirect bilirubin that is high not the direct. He says all my other liver tests (3 so far) are all normal indicating no liver damage and possibly no stones in the bile ducts. He also agreed that another ERCP would be a waste of time and money and that the risks outweigh the benefits. He agrees with the local gastro I saw and thinks it may just be Gilberts syndrome. The one thing he did say that puzzles me is that my other symptoms could be IBS. My DH has IBS and I am on the other side of the spectrum when it comes to his symptoms and mine. (no diarreha, no upset stomach, used to be able to eat EVERYTHING without problems, only go poop 1/day or every other day and it was solid)
Here's my dilema, should I go ahead and call my surgeon to schedule gallbladder removal or should I do some more research and bloodwork to rule out any other possible causes of my problems? I feel like the surgeon may be suspicious of something else since he was very adamant about not doing surgery without knowing what is going on with my GI. (BTW, the UAB Dr. was his teacher in med school.)\
Anyone got suggestions?

Heather,
I have waited to see if anyone else had any suggestion!!

How do you feel?

If you getting better then before you have your Gallbladder removed then I think you need a Hida Scan.

Gilbert's syndrome is often misdiagnosed as chronic hepatitis. It is usually a life time thing and as the Doctor said it's not your liver because of the liver test that are normal and the other test you have had are OK.

I think your surgeon wanted to make sure your liver and pancreus are OK-- Your UAB Gastro Doc says they are !!
So, the only problem is --- how well is your gallbladder functioning--now -- a Hida Scan should tell ???

God Bless--- Harry

Harry,
I feel up and down. I think it depends on what I eat. I have learned by reading the messages here what I can eat and what I should avoid, but somethings are just too good to pass up! LOL
My surgeon has scheduled me an appointment on Wed (12/7) to discuss the surgery. He is wanting to do the lapro and also do a colostomy or something like that. I don't know if that is what it is, but the nurse said something that sounded like that.
I do know there is somehthing wrong because I am still bloated, still nauseated, slightly jaundiced, and don't feel well. Hopefully next week I will get some answers and relief.
Thanks for everyones help. I'll keep you posted as to the results.
Heather

Hi hcoke,

I think you mean your dr. might do a colonoscopy?! Because the other thing is much worse, to have done! This dr. is a surgeon and a gastroenterologist? I would think that usually a normal gastro dr. does the colonoscopy and the surgeon would do the lap.? What kind of lap. - looking for what? I guess you will find that out at the surgeon meeting? Plus you will need instructions on the other procedure.

Harry - what is a hide-a-scan? I have never heard of that. Where do you live, I live in Texas!? Does this procedure have another name? I have heard of ultrasounds, MRIs, and many other things, but not Hide-a-scan.

Take care.

Wannabe

She probably said cholosistectomy (sp?) which is the name of the surgery for gallbladder removal. And they do it laproscopically (sp?) which means they poke 2 or 3 holes in you to remove it rather than cutting you wide open.

And it isn't "hide-a-scan" but a HIDA scan. They give you a dye that makes the gb contract and force bile into your digestive system. They can measure at what level it is functioning - 30%, 50%,etc. You can be stone free and have a low functioning gallbladder. I think if it's below about 40% they recommend removal. I had stones so didn't have to go this far.

Go to the top of this page and type in Hida Scan on Google and click on Web Search-- You will find many sites that explain the detail of a gallbladder scan.
Titchou is right it test how well your gallbladder is functioning.
I live in Charleston, South Carolina

thanks for the help with the procedure name. I am hoping that it's not a colonoscopy or some of the things I have read about. I did a search on ectomy's starting with c and most were things I'd rather not have done! Anyway, I will wait til Wed to find out what he thinks. Hopefully by this time next week I will be gallbladderless!

Thanks Harry,

I will look it up. I have never heard of that procedure before. I do not have gall bladder problems, so that is probably why!

Hcoke - I wish you good luck and that you have a very simple procedure, what ever it is and that you get all fixed up!

Take care.

Wannabe

Well I visited the surgeon today and guess what, no surgery scheduled again. He wants me to see another gastro Dr. !!!! I told him to do an MRCP and get me on the other gastro's books just in case. He is very adament that I have a CBD stone and won't listen to anyone.
Just for reference, it is only my indirect bilirubin that is high, all other liver function test are normal and have been on all 3 tests! I am not feeling like some of you on here. I am nauseated alot, and bloated (look like 7-8 months pregnant), and will get loose stools if I eat cheese dip. I do occasionally have pains but not severe like some of you where I am incapacitated. I just get uncomfortable for a little bit.
So, I have an MRCP scheduled for the 16th and will have to wait to see about the other gastro Dr.
This surgeon also wants another Dr. to assist him when he does the lapro just incase there is a stone. Is it common for surgeons to request an assist?
This coming Wed. will be the 3 month mark for my first visit with this surgeon and still no surgery. I am to say the least-VERY FRUSTRATED!!!