HIDA shows delayed gb emptying-- now what? - Digestive Disorders Message Board

mizzaj · 01-26-2008, 08:36 AM

Hi all,

For those of you who have read my other posts, you know that I went through hell trying to get a doctor to give me a HIDA scan WITH a CCK injection (the first time they did it they didn't administer the CCK). I finally begged my new doctor, and even though he was reluctant, he agreed.

I had my HIDA Wednesday. On Friday my doc left me a message and said, "You definitely have delayed gb emptying, but given your circumstances, it's of little significance." He has never believed that my symptoms were gb related, and even said that if my HIDA came back low, he would NOT recommend surgery.

I don't know what my ejection fraction is but I hope he tells me. But I figure that since he said I definitely had delayed gb emptying, it must be below the 35% threshold. He thinks I have non ulcer dyspepsia. I feel that if my gb is not emptying well, it could definitely be the cause of my symptoms, but I'm not a doctor, so all I can go by is what I've read on these boards (that everyone presents differently) and the research I've done (which indicates a lot of symptoms as possible gb culprits.)

I don't know what to do next-- should I seek a second opinion? Should I just accept what he says and move on? If I have a sluggish gb, is there anything that can be done non-surgically to improve its mobility? I'm at a loss here....any advice is appreciated...

AJ

LAwoman75 · 01-26-2008, 08:45 AM

Wow, I'm thinking you should take those results to a new doctor. Is this a GI doctor or just a GP?

From everything I've been reading, a low functioning gallbladder does NOT get better and usually leads to further problems. It is usually enough for a dr. to refer you to a surgeon for g/b removal. My GI basically told me he wanted to expedite my tests because he feels my g/b needs to come out and I haven't even had the HIDA done yet.

mizzaj · 01-26-2008, 09:41 AM

The doc I saw is a GI. I'm not sure why he doesn't think my symptoms could be gb related. I think he believes that because I don't have intense pain, ranking 9 out of 10 on a self-assessed pain scale, that it must not be my gallbladder. I'm at my wit's end. I have wondered for a long time if my problem was gb related, and now that I finally have test results that demonstrate something is not right with it, I'm frustrated that my doc has totally dismissed it. I don't wanna give up on him yet, but he is kinda stubborn and not very open minded, so I can't imagine what kind of discussions we could have that would change his mind or at least get him to consider that the gb is a possibility. Uggh!

Collector167 · 01-26-2008, 07:41 PM

Now that they know that the gallbladder has delayed emptying, they may be interested to know why, before deciding what to do about it.

For example if you have stones, sludge or other growths that are partially blocking the duct out of the gallbladder it might be a different treatment than if the gallbladder is inflamed and needs anti-inflammatory drugs.

If you are on PPI's like Prilosec they might take you off as the PPI's can reduce gallbladder function.

It may also be possible that the "sensors" in the digestive system that send out the cck to the gallbladder telling it to squeeze out some bile are not working correctly or the gallbladder is ignoring the cck signals.

It is true that many people live with low level gallbladder issues for many years. It is also true that people can have multiple issues going on at one time.

mizzaj · 01-27-2008, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Collector167

Now that they know that the gallbladder has delayed emptying, they may be interested to know why, before deciding what to do about it.

For example if you have stones, sludge or other growths that are partially blocking the duct out of the gallbladder it might be a different treatment than if the gallbladder is inflamed and needs anti-inflammatory drugs.

If you are on PPI's like Prilosec they might take you off as the PPI's can reduce gallbladder function.

It may also be possible that the "sensors" in the digestive system that send out the cck to the gallbladder telling it to squeeze out some bile are not working correctly or the gallbladder is ignoring the cck signals.

It is true that many people live with low level gallbladder issues for many years. It is also true that people can have multiple issues going on at one time.

Thanks, Collector for your insight. I'm not on any PPIs, though I was on them for 6 weeks almost a year ago. I did test positive for gallstones, or "flecks" as they called them 10 months ago, but my previous two US's were negative. I wonder if I do have sludge that could be impairing the gb emptying, but hasn't shown up on the ultrasound. If the sensors in the digestive system aren't working properly to signal the gb to squeeze out the bile, what does one do for that? And I also wonder what would be done for inflammation. I've been on antibiotics for H Pylori-- would that have any effect on inflammation? I guess I'm just frustrated because I feel that my doc will just write it all off and not want to even discuss it-- it's too bad you're not my doc! At least you've brought up several possibilities and explanations for all of this! Thanks again!