Getting gallbladder ultrasound

06-12-2017, 08:12 PM

I first presented with issue many years ago for something else, but in recent months have noticed the odd bout of diarrhea. I am NOT prone to diarrhea - quite the opposite. A few weeks back, I had strep throat (so did my daughter). Had the antibiotics. As soon as antibiotics were over, I ended up with a wicked bout of diarrhea and I understand that is normal for many antibiotics, but I'd never had it before.

Anyway to backtrack a little, two days after I was dxed with strep throat, I was back at the doctor because I thought I had lung pain. Right side, and going up into my back toward the middle. They x-rayed me and said it was clear. So, great. Felt better the next day. And then when I finished the antibiotics this is where this picks up.

I had diarrhea and then felt pain and could hardly eat anything for several days, both a combination of "it goes straight through you" - and it hurt. It now hurts to drink water and I work outside in 90+ degree weather, so this is really a pain. I'm still waiting for the ultrasound, but I don't feel hungry. Forced myself to eat tonight, but won't eat during the day as water is hard enough to handle. Grapefruit has become my best friend as of late - it's hydrating and seems to soothe a little.

I have a complex gastric history. I had cancer and then after the ovarian cancer surgery, I had 8 years of mysterious and horrendous pain before they found that I had an adhesion that closed up and obstructed my small bowel. My gastritis (non h. pylori) had settled down in recent months, which was a godsend. And this is similar, but not the same as what I've experienced over the years. It's painful. Not quite doubling over yet, but earlier in the shower, I was groaning. I'd just had something to drink and thought geez...is this how the labor starts. I haven't felt fullness in my abdomen like this since I had cancer and no, I don't think it is cancer. But I'm guessing my gallbladder has an infection, or it's trying to pass stones? It seems that most people experience nausea etc, where as I have mainly pain, diarrhea (although settled in the last few days) and feeling of fullness. Still trying to get in touch with the person organizing the ultrasound - we're playing phone tag. But, I am concerned. I've already got gastritis and esophagitis. I was wondering, how would I know if my gallbladder ruptures? What if it's not even my gallbladder causing the issues? Kind of ranting here, forgive me. Been taking my migraine pain killers to try and subdue the pain, but I'm almost out of those and I'm stuffed when I get a migraine as I just had the prescription filled a week ago.

Is it normal to be pained by drinking water if you have a gallbladder issue? Could my case of Strep Throat (which I think went unnoticed by me for over a week as I thought I had a cold) have caused this? I've been drinking kefir, eating yoghurt to try and get my probiotics back up, but slacked off a bit the last few days while not working and just been trying to eat for protein and energy so I could mainly fast my work week (this week it's a six day week). If it is my gallbladder, I think it's been talking to me for a few months and I even raised issue with a doctor, but it was in conjunction with a bunch of other things and they wanted to do a heart stress test and I said "it's not my heart".

I have a funny feeling if I need to have my gallbladder out, that they'll want to do open surgery because of my history and approaching 40.

06-12-2017, 08:23 PM

Well I had a lap procedure for mine at age 59 so age is definitely not an indicator for a full cut.In fact I'd say it was the other way around. Lap is so much easier for recovery. If there is any way, they prefer to do it that way. think positive!!!

06-13-2017, 03:00 AM

I also had lap done- recently. You asked if you would know if it ruptured, the answer is YES! Gallbladders which rupture are extremely painful and due to the nature of the rupture, you would have a fever and be in significantly more pain than you are describing.
What you are describing could very well be gallstones however. Push for that ultrasound!
MSNik

06-13-2017, 04:09 AM

Thanks for both of your replies. I need to keep working (and drinking water). Isn't it amazing how you are totally unaware of this organ until it doesn't work right? Haha! At least I know it's not my appendix. I don't have one.

06-13-2017, 05:25 AM

I know two people who died from a ruptured gb. So if yours ruptured you would die within 2-3 days if you didn't have emergency surgery immediately. Don't let it get to that point. Push for the u/s and then a HIDA scan if the u/s is negative.

06-13-2017, 02:14 PM

I have the ultrasound scheduled for next Monday. I might have some good news. I noticed drinking water is an irritant and causes pain, but at lunchtime I grabbed a pink lemonade and found that didn't irritate me. If anything, it soothed me and I think it's the citric acid. I've been eating grapefruit since this started and I haven't found 7up to be a problem, so I am suspecting gallstones - which I would hazard is good news if that is what it turns out to be. At least I can find some relief that doesn't require taking a pill! So, normally one would assume water would be the best medicine, but not if it hurts. I think the citric acid might be aiding my system, but not sure how.

06-13-2017, 02:25 PM

One more thing - if it is gallstones, do they often cause UTIs? I think I may have suddenly developed one (over last few days). Got that urgency, but there's nothing happening...trip to the doc, I suppose...geez...all this started with Strep throat! Don't send your kids to school - they'll make you sick.

06-13-2017, 06:07 PM

Well,if the gb is infected I suppose that could cause issues. But not normally.

06-14-2017, 04:49 AM

Titchou, given my history of ovarian cancer, I would hazard that if the 'bloat' feeling isn't found to be caused by a gallbladder, then I shouldn't have much issue getting further testing done. Only ever had similar issues before with regards to cancer, and bowel obstruction. Nothing else. So, my body is telling me something is wrong and I am listening - not only to my body, but to the good advice...better to talk to people who have been through the gallbladder thing before as sometimes we find out there are weird anomalies that aren't as often reported. I didn't think it was a gallbladder issue until they suggested the scan. I thought I might just be reacting badly to the antibiotics and then I guess a week later, they're thinking not so much. So far, my new PCP seems decent.

06-19-2017, 06:04 PM

Had the ultrasound this morning. Apparently, they don't see gallstones. Good news. Gall bladder appears normal on the screen. Liver, kidney and pancreas appear okay, although radiologist also said that this is not a good test for pancreas. I did ask her before we started, "I suppose you're not allowed to tell me if you see something abnormal". She said no, but if you don't tell anyone. I said great, because I won't freak out. I just want to know what's going on. So, from what I can garner, everything on the ultrasound appears normal. But, I haven't had pain for a few days either...so, probably need some blood work done when my pain is kicking in - that's what I'm figuring. Last time I had gastric issues, I would wait until I was basically 'well enough' and so it took them forever to find the problem via scans and such. But, no sign of gall stones, so can rule that out - although was convinced that must have been the issue. Is it possible I already passed one?

06-19-2017, 07:49 PM

Could be but if it is non functioning it won't show up on the u/s. You need the HIDA Scan for that.

Getting gallbladder ultrasound

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