GB - Opinions please? - Digestive Disorders Message Board

mct224 · 10-26-2006, 07:35 AM

I would really appreciate any input anyone may have....

For many years I have had pain in my right side and along the side of my back up to my shoulder blade...I never really paid attention to when the pain occurred but in hindsight it was mostly after fatty meals. I went on LA Weight Loss last March and lost 48 pounds in a very slow and healthy manner (I am now about 129 lbs and have been maintaining - meaning I just re-introduced fatty items into my diet that I haven't had in months so I am thinking the start of the pain may not be a coincidence). Well...about a week ago I started feeling terrible...awful pains in my stomach (worse with meals) only on the right side - from right by my belly button up to my ribs. Low grade fever, nausea, just generally feeling bad. On Friday it got really bad (I was shaky and my boss said I was white as a ghost and insisting I go get checked) so I went in, my Dr's immediate reaction was appendicitis or gallbladder and sent me for a CT. It was normal. He said there was a trace of white blood cells in my urine so put me on a 5 day antiobiotic and said to call Monday if the pain was still there. It was, so I called him. He said he is still suspecting gallbladder and sent me for a HIDA scan - but didn't order it with CCK (which he now admits was an error but he just was thinking blockage at the time, not disfunction) - about 1/2way during the scan when my gallbladder appeared and started emptying I had the same terrible pain - got so bad in my back I had a terrible time laying still the last 15 minutes - but b/c there were no blockages (and function was not tested) it came back "normal". Yesterday I was still miserable (now it feels like someone is sitting on my chest and making it hard to breathe as well) so my Dr. had me come in for more bloodwork (first round on Friday was normal) and an ultrasound - waiting on the bloodwork now but the u/s was normal - no stones. My Dr. said he wasn't surprised, that he doesn't think it is stones, but a generally disfunctioning gallbladder, esp. given the pain during the HIDA w/o CCK. He had said that he'd probably want me to get a surgical consult regardless of the u/s - but that the surgeon would want to repeat the HIDA with CCK to see if that was actually the problem (which, as an attorney myself, I totally understand). My father-in-law is a radiologist and chairman of diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine at a major hospital - he can get me in for a HIDA whenever I want. I am thinking that this is the way to go - just to rule it out if anything else - but I wanted to get some opinions before subjecting myself to another uncomfortable test.

For those that have had GB issues (esp. w/o stones) do my symptoms seem consistent with a non-functioning GB? Do you think I should go ahead and just do the HIDA w/CCK to see for sure? The pain is worst after eating anything or if I push on the middle of my right side just below my rib cage. Any info is greatly appreciated. Thanks and GL to everyone with there own illnesses/conditions. :heart:

Harry · 10-27-2006, 08:22 AM

mct,

Your symptoms certainly sound like gallbladder not empting properly. And, a HIDA scan should show up the problem.
Some people try just taking a teaspoon of olive oil to force the contraction of the gallbladder. It could be a small stone blocking the bile duct that needs to come out.

I have had my GB removed 9 years ago and your digestion is never the same because as you know your GB regulates the bile salts from the liver to digest fats,

With a free flowing bile w/o control it can cause digestive problems. And, according to one report I read from the Mayo clinic -- removing the GB affects 20% of the people in an adverse way.

So, I think --if at all possible it is best to keep your gallbladder and not have it removed but as you already know --- many people live well with their GB removed.

I wish you well~~~Harry

LALASIX · 10-27-2006, 06:19 PM

Your symptoms sound alot like mine.After suffering for over a year my gi dr sent me for a hida scan.It showed my gallbladder was at 29%.Normal low is 35% from what I understand.I had minor cramping during the test until the very end I felt like someone stabbed me in the side.Previous to this I had 2 ultrasounds and a ct and no stones were seen.I have /had pain in my side,back.and shoulder(front and back).I have serious reflux issues and have been on medicine for that.As far as the gallbladder goes I went for a surgery consult but have yet to get it out.I have been trying some natural methods.Hope it helps to know your not alone.I know it did for me when all of this started.These digestive issues are confusing and upsetting and my heart goes out to all sufferers.
Heather