Is this my gallbladder or what? - Gallbladder Message Board

alw213 · 05-17-2005, 01:15 PM

I've never posted on here before but I've been reading for awhile trying to figure out what is wrong with me. Here is my long story:

It started out as a dull ache in my rib cage about 4 weeks ago, just when I moved around. Then by the end of that week I woke up about 4 am with a tightening pain in my chest. It was around the right side ribs and through the middle to my back. It really hurt the worst in the middle at my sternum. I could breathe but I felt like it was hard to. This lasted at least an hour. The next night, the same thing. Every night after that, same thing at about the same time. I went to the doctor (an internist) and he said it sounded like my gallbladder and they did some blood work. The blood work came back fine except for elevated liver enzymes. I've also had a sonogram/ultrasound which looked normal. I had more blood work done which included testing for some diseases like Hepatitis. My liver enzymes were normal and everything else came back normal. Just this past week, I had a hida scan without the CCK and it came back normal. I'm now having a Upper GI tomorrow.

I was given antispasmodics which worked when I had pain but I was still waking up in the middle of the night around 4 am every night. One night it lasted 4 hours and I ate some Wheat Thins and it eventually settled down.

Now my pain is sporadic. I actually had some fast food this weekend and the first night I didn't have any problems (just a little achiness when I woke up) but then the next night (i had a pasta meal with a creamy sauce) I woke up and had to take medicine. The pain used to be every night but now it isn't.

It is so frustrating and confusing not to know what is going on and now my one symptom isn't consistent. It may seem strange to complain about NOT having pain but I'm just frustrated.

I'm totally rambling now but if anyone has any ideas, let me know.

kehorner · 05-17-2005, 03:59 PM

Why didn't they do the CCK with the hida scan? That's the most important part! I didn't get the CCK because they had to give me morphine in order to actually visualize my gallbladder, but that in itself is an indication that something might be going on. That's just odd that they wouldn't do that part unless the test was going abnormally. It sure does sound like your gallbladder. I hope you find some answers soon. Good luck and feel better!

actudan · 05-17-2005, 06:38 PM

I agreed with the CCK. I had the test done w/o the CCK and after doing much research on the HIDA, it seems that the test is pretty pointless w/o the CCK. If my liver enzymes have normalized on my next blood work test, I plan to ask for another hida but with the CCK for sure. Good luck!

lindan · 05-17-2005, 07:05 PM

I am currently having the same symptoms...except that it is constant...sometimes more severe than others but constant. AND I had my gall bladder removed 2 1/2 months ago. I am having a hard time getting my doctor to understand the severity of my pain and my frustration at constantly feeling awful. I'd love to know what's up!

alw213 · 05-18-2005, 11:40 AM

Thanks for the responses! I don't know why the doctor didn't order the hida scan with CCK. The radiologist had to call and ask since it wasn't noted if they should include it or not. The doctor said not to. It seemed to me they should do every test possible if they don't know what is going on. I plan to ask the doctor why he didn't include it. Thanks for making me aware that it is the important part of the test.

I had my upper GI. The barium isn't pleasant but the process wasn't bad. It is pretty cool to see everything inside working. He thought he might have noticed a bit of reflux but couldn't get it to happen again. I don't know what reflux feels like but I just don't know that it matches my symptoms. Now I just have to deal with the gassy feeling from the crystals and keep drinking water.

I hope to figure something out soon.