Gallbladder problems anyone?

[chiefmickeymouse]

I took DS15 BACK to his doctor yesterday to ask for a specialist referral for his ongoing stomach problems (this is his primary care manager). He pushed on his stomach a little and told me he wants to do a HIDA scan to check for gallbladder disease. This seems like it's jumping the gun a little bit to me, anyone else ever go through this?

I asked for the referral, so he will be going to a gastroentologist (sp?). I told his PCM I wanted to wait for the specialist before we go injecting radioactive dye into my kid's gallbladder for what is supposed to be a pretty painful test. What do you all think? Should I wait for the specialist or let them go the test?

He has already had an x-ray, ultrasound, blood test for celiac disease, check for milk allergy, tried Nexium, probiotics and extra fiber. Nothing has worked and I just think it is time to get a specialist in on the action. They did do the blood test for Cronn's (sp? again) yesterday, too...but I have read that the test isn't always conclusive.

 

[StacyMarie]

HIDA scan is not painful. You don't even feel the dye going in. It's pretty boring because you have to lay there while the machine takes pics of the dye going through your system. No pain except IV stick.

I have had my GB out and my DD had hers out when she was 14. All of our stomach problems went away after that. I would go through with the test.

 

[chiefmickeymouse]

Thanks Staci. The reason I thought it was painful is that the doctor told me the injection makes the gallbladder spasm and that it can be very uncomfortable. If it didn't bother you or your daughter that is good news, DS was very worried when the doctor told him how uncomfortable the test is. How long does it take?

 

[StacyMarie]

Also, one more thing, my other DD started having stomach problems too and we immediately thought GB problems BUT after seeing the gastroenterologist and having a bunch of testing done, it was determined that my second DD's stomach problems was due to stress. She sees a counselor every 2 weeks now and the stomach problems went away. She just needed an outlet to vent to about problems at school, etc. that she just didn't feel comfortable talking to us at home about.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My dd had her gallbladder out at 16. I had mine out at 30 something.

That being said, I would wait until I see the Gastro. However I do not need referrals so that is not an issue.

If you are referred can you go back to specialist without getting a referral everytime?

Blood test for Celiac & Chrohn's is really not that effective. I do believe you need a colonoscopy in which they take a biopsy to check for celiac or other stuff.

I have had 2 colonoscopies and I highly recommend that as a diagnostic method to check for stuff. It gets right to the bottom of things.

 

[kimmyann]

I had my gallbladder removed when I was 35, my DD was 17. It was diagnosed by our family Dr, so the only specialist we saw was the surgeon. It seemed to be an easy diagnosis of blood tests (for liver) & an ultrasound. I would rather go this route than what you are speaking of.

Now, it did take some time to diagnose my DD simply because she wasn't a candidate for gallbladder problems so they never looked, they always blamed it on something else. Turns out that according to the surgeon she had a gallbladder of of a 55 year old, very diseased & full of stones.

 

[irishtigger]

I have had stomach problems for the past year. The blamed the stones in my gall bladder and I had the surgery to remove it in July. I continued to have attacks well after my gall bladder came out. After 3 more trips to the ER due to pain and two trips to a Gastroenterologist and more tests. First it was acid reflux and grastritis so nexium twice a day an still another attack on New Years Eve just to make life more fun. Finally they did a gastric emptying scan to find that I have lazy stomach or gastroparesis. I am on meds and I have been ok since Feb. Hope this helps. I too have had the HIDA scan its not painful its just boring.

I hope your son feels better I wouldn't wish this on anyone

 

[chiefmickeymouse]

Also, one more thing, my other DD started having stomach problems too and we immediately thought GB problems BUT after seeing the gastroenterologist and having a bunch of testing done, it was determined that my second DD's stomach problems was due to stress. She sees a counselor every 2 weeks now and the stomach problems went away. She just needed an outlet to vent to about problems at school, etc. that she just didn't feel comfortable talking to us at home about.

We are looking at that option too, because he suffers from a lot of anxiety. It seems like there is more going on in this case. He is seeing a new therapist, but the therapist also thought that we should explore the whole stomach thing in addition to the therapy.

 

[lizbaby007]

Had my gallbladder out a couple of years ago. Did not have any stones but it only functioned at 13%. The only way we knew that was because of the HIDA scan. There was absolutely no pain involved at all with the scan for me. I do remember it was pretty long and I wanted to go to sleep

For me having it out ended up being a waste of time. After the surgery I still had pain so had a different test done and it was determined that I had a stomach motility disorder called gastroparesis. I was told after the fact that doctors sometimes jump the gun with the whole gallbladder removal thing. In my case they did it hoping the pain would go away when it did not they began searching for a different thing that could be wrong. I actually would have been better off keeping my gallbladder since it did function and there were no stones but c'est la vie.

So if your son does the scan (recommend) and there are no stones and just a low functioning gallbladder, you might want to look at all possibilities before letting a DR talk you into cutting him open and removing it.

 

[ols386]

I can't believe the amount of threads I read on here about gall bladder.


I think after they do the ultrasound, and if it doesn't show anything, then the next step is usually the hidascan, and I've heard it is painful, and can make you feel extremely nauseous afterwards.

I wouldn't necessarily think a specialist was in order. I would just stick with my PCP and go with what they suggest. Of course, if you don't feel comfortable with that, you could request a specialist.

From an insurance standpoint, I know that with mine, I'd need to have authorization to see a specialist approved by my insurance company, in order for them to pay for it. Not sure what kind of insurance you have, just something to be aware of.

Hope your ds can get diagnosed quickly and get it taken care of so that he feels better.

 

[ols386]

Thanks Staci. The reason I thought it was painful is that the doctor told me the injection makes the gallbladder spasm and that it can be very uncomfortable. If it didn't bother you or your daughter that is good news, DS was very worried when the doctor told him how uncomfortable the test is. How long does it take?

This is exactly what I've heard, and it's the spasms that are painful.

I wonder if there are two types of hidascans (depending on what the test is for)??? One where they don't have to inject the dye, and one where they DO inject the dye. I don't know. I'm just asking.

I know that one time I had some sort of scan on my gallbladder and there was no pain, but it was to see where there was a bile leak.

 

[chiefmickeymouse]

This is exactly what I've heard, and it's the spasms that are painful.

I wonder if there are two types of hidascans (depending on what the test is for)??? One where they don't have to inject the dye, and one where they DO inject the dye. I don't know. I'm just asking.

I know that one time I had some sort of scan on my gallbladder and there was no pain, but it was to see where there was a bile leak.

The reason I was questioning the PCM is that the only indication we had that it could be the gall bladder was that the doctor pushed on his abdomen and he said it "hurt a little" when he pushed on that area. His real problems are constipation/diarrhea type issues. This same doctor went through a bunch of tests last year with no results, so I don't want to spin my wheels anymore.

For those of you who have had gall bladder issues, what were your symptoms? I looked on line and the symptoms listed just don't fit him. I know I'm not a doctor, I just want to figure out what is going on and not waste anymore time or put him through any unnecessary pain and testing.

Thanks to everyone who posted!

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Here's what happened with my HIDA scan which might make you feel more comfortable. They put the IV in and make you lay on a table. They monitor the dye. When it hits the small intestine (I think...long time ago) they inject the other drug to make it react. The first part should take 20 minutes for the dye to go through. If it doesn't, they inject the other stuff at the one hour mark. I got injected at the one hour mark which means the gallbladder was not functioning. When they inject the drug to make it spasm it did feel like I was going to vomit. Other than that, I was okay. It wasn't nearly as painful as an all out attack. Once the gallbladder came out everything was right back to normal.

Hope he feels better soon and you can get to the bottom of his issues.

 

[KPeterso]

My gall bladder is coming out next Friday! I started late last year with horrible reflux and nausea issues. My PCP felt around my stomach and after I was cringing the whole time felt the gall bladder which was really uncomfortable. She said sometimes the nausea/reflux issues mask the gall bladder. She sent me for an ultrasound, and it was found I have gall stones, and a lot of them. Since nothing was making me feel better, and I was getting more and more uncomfortable, it was decided my gall bladder needed to come out. I am nervous, but also looking forward to it in the hopes my nausea ends. I can tell when I am stressed as I have more than my "normal" pain.

Like another poster, I went straight from PCP to surgeon. The surgeon is my only specialist involved in my care.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

The reason I was questioning the PCM is that the only indication we had that it could be the gall bladder was that the doctor pushed on his abdomen and he said it "hurt a little" when he pushed on that area. His real problems are constipation/diarrhea type issues. This same doctor went through a bunch of tests last year with no results, so I don't want to spin my wheels anymore.

For those of you who have had gall bladder issues, what were your symptoms? I looked on line and the symptoms listed just don't fit him. I know I'm not a doctor, I just want to figure out what is going on and not waste anymore time or put him through any unnecessary pain and testing.

Thanks to everyone who posted!

I never had major attacks, just that that dull ache right under the ribcage on the right side.

However I did know it was my gallbladder. I had a gallbladder full of "grains of sand" stones. Nothing large however not good since they are more at risked for blocking the bile duct which risks liver damage.

As far as constipation/diarrhea, that could be so many things. A gastro is certainly the way to go there.

Just thought I would pass this along...not that this is anything to do with your situation but things that are good to know for teens.

1) Eating disorders, can cause gastro distress, esp. constipation.
2) Pain med abuse

I have issues myself. Anxiety meds are certainly a help. Plus there are all kinds of things for "anxiety colon" available, including hard candy to "calm" your colon.

When I FINALLY went to a GOOD GASTRO she took me seriously and I had a colonoscopy/endoscopy at 41. Hello....I had reflux and a precancerous colon polyp. She said that I saved my own life by insisting on a colonoscopy.

Whatever you do, be your own advocate for your child while you have the means and insurance to get at it. Good Luck!!! Don't give up!

 

[englishteacha]

My gall bladder quit working in 2008. I had weeks of stomach issues, nausea, some pain, intestinal troubles. The doctor first thought "Gall bladder" but the ultrasound showed no stones and it looked fine. So they tried a million other things and I didn't get better. Finally I asked for a HIDA scan which showed that my gall bladder wasn't functioning. The test was uncomfortable for a few minutes, but not awful. I felt no worse than I did on a normal day-queasy. 2 weeks later, my GB was out, and sure enough, by the time they took it out, it had started to "die" and had a small section of infection. Super fun.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

Once you c the Doctor how long can you wait to have surgery and how long does it take to recover

 

[Mrs.Milo]

Also had the test. It was uncomfortable because it made me feel just like I did when I would eat a meal that "bothered" my gall bladder, burping, gas, quesy, but no pain at all. All my problems went away when the gallbladder was removed. When I was referred to a surgeon, that appt took a few days to schedule, and the surgery less than a week later.