I am 46 and started having right upper quadrant pain in June 2003 and was admitted to hospital with RUQ pain and 103* fever. U/S, CT scan, HIDA scan, Indium scan all negative. Discharged after five days. Started having right upper quadrant pain again July 4 - a lot worse than in June and was throwing up. Went to ER and they diagnosed biliary colic and discharged me home to see my surgeon. Scheduled to have another HIDA scan this time with CCK injection next week. When they inject the CCK will that cause the excrutiating pain and if so, does that indicate that the gallbladder is not working properly????

Hi there - yep, you're right. The CCK is a chemical secreted by the stomach normally to start the digestive process. If your GB is acting up, the CCK should elicit a typical gall bladder attack. Yes, it may be excruciating - mine was. The CCK actually caused my gall bladder to go into spasm (the tech & I saw it on the monitor) eliciting a typical "attack" along with severe nausea. Even though my ejection fracture (output of the GB) on the hida scan was considered "normal", the fact that the CCK elicited an "attack" enabled my surgeon to justify surgery. I didn't have stones, just a severely inflamed gall bladder that had been giving me problems for about a year, before it was removed.

Good luck and keep us posted,
Katie G

I feel for you with that pain. My HIDA scan (first one ever) is tomorrow and they told me to plan on being there about four hours. I have lots of stones, seen on ultrasound, and some vague pains that came on about six months or more ago.

Recently I had one big stabbing pain attack lasting hours. Two smaller ones took place within the past week. So... don't know what to expect with HIDA, or whether CCK will be part of it; probably so, if necessary.

I've been slightly nauseated at times but have never vomited (yet).

For the test, do I just wear my regular clothes? Or do they make you put on some gown, or what? I have been unable to get much info from the hosp. nuclear medicine site that I'll be visiting Friday.

THANKS!

Many THANKS To KATIE G for her valuable information regarding the HIDA scan with CCK. My doctor got me in this week instead of next week. I started having pain within a minute after they injected me with the CCK - it wasn't as bad as my past attacks, but it sure got my attention and the nuclear medicine tech's. I received the news from my doctor yesterday afternoon that the gallbladder was not performing adequately (slow) and that I am scheduled for surgery next Wednesday, 7/16/03. Will let ya'll know how I make out.
Thanks again Katie G!!!!!!!!!

You're very welcome. Please keep us posted regarding your surgery. I'll keep you in my thoughts/prayers.

Katie G

I have a question, im 21 years old and for the past 7 months i have had major pain after i eat anything. my doc told me it was ibs, but i dont believe thats it. I found another doc who is going to do some gallbadder tests in a couple weeks. I was wondering if it is my gallbladder and i have to have it out is it a long recovery period and is it really painful? Im terrified about haveing to have it out and always think the worst possiable things. Im just pretty sure that its not functioning right.

Hi there fellow Michigander! As far as gall bladder surgery, it can be done laproscopically and you can be in/out of the hospital the same day. You may be limited in your activities for a week or two, but should feel back to normal within a month. It can be quite painful the first week (you may feel like someone has rearranged your insides), but pain pills help a lot. I'm glad to have had mine out - I felt HORRIBLE when it was acting up all the time. Keep us posted on your gall bladder test results.

Katie G

Hi, thanks for the reply. I finally got my blood test results back all normal so i am not waiting to get in to my doc and have my gallbladder tested. I have a gut feeling thats why im in so much pain. I will let you know soon, i hope.