Who here has had gallstones and/or gallbladder removal? UPDATE:FINALLY GOT THE HIDA!

[Tinijocaro]

Your symptoms definitely sound like gallbladder problems. I had those same symptoms about 2 years ago....they came on suddenly (or so, it seemed to me) and were BAD!! I much prefer naturopathic medicine to traditional, so I did a gallbladder cleanse, and then I began taking milk thistle for my liver (the gallbladder supports the liver, so when it gets clogged, so does the liver). It is still AMAZING to me how many stones I passed from the cleanse, and I have not had any problems since.

Good luck!!

I've done cleanses too, and they really help. I'vew passed tons of stones , but I just can't stomach the epsom salts.

I believe that a gall bladder attack is when stones get stuck in the duct. The epsom salts open the bile duct so they can pass easier. This is actually considered a "traditional" method, and what modern day doctors are doing is more of a "new age " thing.

 

[Nutsy]

Tuesday is not bad! Since my doc said "come back in 2 weeks" I guess I will have to make the appointment for 2 weeks later. Maybe he didn't think there would be anything pressing?
Maybe your US tech didn't push as much as mine did. She kept saying she was sorry, but I guess she needed to push that hard to get a good picture. Or maybe mine is just worse off?

That's cool that you got to talk Disney with her! Mine seemed very focused on what she was doing so I didn't talk too much. I really didn't want to mess her up at all. I can't afford to have to do this again!

Awww man...thanks for telling me that. I've never tried to make a doctor's appointment on Memorial Day, so I wasn't sure. I guess I will ask anyway, but if they are closed I might make the appointment for this week instead. I just don't understand why he said 2 weeks!! Ugh!!



Thank you!...

Maybe that is the norm, as I was told to come back in 2 weeks also, but I was also told to go on a fat free diet for a month prior to surgery.

 

[Nutsy]

Just read about your Grandma Cherbear. Hoping it's not as bad as it seems and that she does gain some feeling.

 

[DMRick]

I had mine out several years ago. I always had aches and pains..in my back, my chest, etc. I figured it was old age. Then I had a really bad attack while at my grands baseball game, and we went from there to the doc's. I had a cat scan and two days later my gall bladder came out. I was laid up for just a couple of days, then was careful with what I did for about a week. Compared to the pain I had been in, this was a piece of cake. So many aches and pains stopped, as well as a big change in 'regularity'. I had no idea all of these things would have been related to my gallbladder. I had tons of stones that they lasered to remove, and they became part of a school show and tell for someone (at that time they let us 'keep' them..ugly green things!).
I still have a little problem with lettuce, but not enough to stop eating it, and sometimes cheese is a problem..but I still eat that too.
The improvement was great..as I said, so many aches and pains gone forever. I wish I had had an actual attack earlier, and had it out. Could have saved me a lot of grief.
Good luck!

 

[Piglet]

Had my appointment with my doctor yesterday for the pain I have been having. She ordered blood work and an ultrasound set up for Friday. While I was there she noticed that my Thyroid is enlarged so now I am having an ultrasound on that too. Ahhhhhhh!!!!!! I go back to see the doc next Tuesday to get the results. So now I am more worried about the thyroid than the gall bladder. Can't wait to get this all over with.

Melinda

 

[Wishing on a star]

I have had 2-3 times in the past where I felt like I was having gall-bladder problems...

I would love if somebody were nice enough to PM me more specific info or links on their gall-bladder cleanse?

TIA!!!!

 

[Just Jan]

I met with the dr this afternoon. Everthing was perfectly normal on the ultra sound and it didn't show any stones. So that was good news! Dr didn't want to jump to do the HIDA Scan as my symptoms are sporadic and I agree! I don't want to have tests done that I really don't need. Dr did say that if I have the symptoms again I am to call and then he will do the HIDA Scan.

I am so ok with that!

Jan

 

[cherbear]

I've done cleanses too, and they really help. I'vew passed tons of stones , but I just can't stomach the epsom salts.

I believe that a gall bladder attack is when stones get stuck in the duct. The epsom salts open the bile duct so they can pass easier. This is actually considered a "traditional" method, and what modern day doctors are doing is more of a "new age " thing.

yuck...I couldn't stomach that either.

well either way it sure is painful!

Maybe that is the norm, as I was told to come back in 2 weeks also, but I was also told to go on a fat free diet for a month prior to surgery.

well they told me they say 2 weeks because of BLOOD WORK and I didn't even WANT that stupid Celiac bloodwork done!!!

Just read about your Grandma Cherbear. Hoping it's not as bad as it seems and that she does gain some feeling.

thanks! She actually can feel up to her knee in her left leg now!!!!! Hopefully, it continues up her leg, and whenever they fix her broken right ankle, that she'll gain feeling in that leg too

I had mine out several years ago. I always had aches and pains..in my back, my chest, etc. I figured it was old age. Then I had a really bad attack while at my grands baseball game, and we went from there to the doc's. I had a cat scan and two days later my gall bladder came out. I was laid up for just a couple of days, then was careful with what I did for about a week. Compared to the pain I had been in, this was a piece of cake. So many aches and pains stopped, as well as a big change in 'regularity'. I had no idea all of these things would have been related to my gallbladder. I had tons of stones that they lasered to remove, and they became part of a school show and tell for someone (at that time they let us 'keep' them..ugly green things!).
I still have a little problem with lettuce, but not enough to stop eating it, and sometimes cheese is a problem..but I still eat that too.
The improvement was great..as I said, so many aches and pains gone forever. I wish I had had an actual attack earlier, and had it out. Could have saved me a lot of grief.
Good luck!

thank you for the post!

I know what you mean...I wish I had one, too. And I wish these doctors wouldn't have blown me off last year.

1 week til I find out the U/S results!!!

Had my appointment with my doctor yesterday for the pain I have been having. She ordered blood work and an ultrasound set up for Friday. While I was there she noticed that my Thyroid is enlarged so now I am having an ultrasound on that too. Ahhhhhhh!!!!!! I go back to see the doc next Tuesday to get the results. So now I am more worried about the thyroid than the gall bladder. Can't wait to get this all over with.

Melinda

awwww good luck! Try not to worry. I know how you feel! You have less than a week til your appointment. Hang in there!

I have had 2-3 times in the past where I felt like I was having gall-bladder problems...

I would love if somebody were nice enough to PM me more specific info or links on their gall-bladder cleanse?

TIA!!!!

Hope someone was able to help you with that.

I met with the dr this afternoon. Everthing was perfectly normal on the ultra sound and it didn't show any stones. So that was good news! Dr didn't want to jump to do the HIDA Scan as my symptoms are sporadic and I agree! I don't want to have tests done that I really don't need. Dr did say that if I have the symptoms again I am to call and then he will do the HIDA Scan.

I am so ok with that!

Jan

Wow....you must not be in too much pain. Or you're just a big plate of STEEL. I'm hurting to much to put anything off anymore. I wish you the BEST of luck!!!

 

[cherbear]

I called the doctor's office again today, and left a message for the nurse. Even though they say strictly that they will not give test results over the phone, I really just wanted to know if mine were in. I figured the Ultrasound results would be in, but not the Celiac.

Well, she told me the results anyway. She said "the Ultrasound was normal"

Now I have to try and get this HIDA scan done next week! I tried to get in to see the doctor for this afternoon but they were booked. I am going to call and hope for a cancellation for the morning of the 28th, so I can get an EARLIER appointment. Right now it's scheduled for 3:15 on the 28th and I have a day off to use next week so I picked that day. If they can get me in earlier, at least I'd have a better chance of getting the HIDA scheduled for the next day.
This is VERY disappointing news for me, as I was hoping to not have to do any more tests. I have been miserable for the past week, and today proves to be no different. I ate a few pieces of seedless watermelon this morning, and my stomach has been upset since then. Basically, anything I eat messes with me, so I don't eat much---and when I do eat, I get full VERY quickly.
I'm 5'0 and 110 pounds(just lost 5 pounds over the past couple days) but at this rate I'll be 100 pounds by my doctor's appointment next Wednesday. I don't know how much more of this I can take!!
They BETTER do the HIDA scan! And if that doesn't show something, I just don't know what I am going to do. I can't imagine that my gallbladder is even working at ALL right now. I've been having almost constant pain in my back, shoulder, and just below my ribs in the front.

What else could it be? I have ALL the symptoms of gallbladder dysfunction.

 

[cherbear]

Okay, SO since I'm really tired of waiting, and I can't seem to eat anything without feeling sick...

I called my REGULAR doctor (who I've only seen once, by the way, for an ear infection) and HE didn't have anything open today, BUT the Nurse Practitioner is going to see me at 2:45!!!!!!

I'm hoping that if I tell him about all my problems, and all the hassle I've been through, that he will order the HIDA scan for me. The scan would be done at the hospital where I had my Ultrasound done---so I know they are open to do tests on Saturdays, it's just a matter of whether they do HIDA scans this Saturday.
So I'm praying for 3 things

1. That the practitioner will pity me and order the HIDA scan
2. That the hospital does them on Saturdays
3. And that they will be able to get me in TOMORROW so I can once and for all find out for sure!

Obviously I also hope that they determine that my gallbladder is working less than 35%....I think that's the point where they advise removal.

Since I wasn't sure if NP's could order tests, I did some research (okay, I googled ) and found this:
http://www.womenshealthchannel.com/nursepractitioner.shtml

and the most important bullet in there was:

• Ordering, performing, and interpreting diagnostic studies (e.g., lab tests, x-rays, EKGs)

Now...do y'all think they will order it???? What are my chances here?

 

[Calliaz]

Cherbear,

I think the NP will order the test if you request it; however, there is no way I could get in for a test next-day around here. I don't know what things are like in your neck of the woods.


Good luck!

 

[cherbear]

Cherbear,

I think the NP will order the test if you request it; however, there is no way I could get in for a test next-day around here. I don't know what things are like in your neck of the woods.


Good luck!

thanks! I hope so! Yeah, you're probably right--but it's worth a shot! If not, maybe they can get me in Monday(Memorial Day) if they are working that day. (It's at the hospital, not a dr's office, so maybe there's a chance)

 

[cherbear]

Well no luck on getting the HIDA scan ordered; I think he felt like he'd be stepping on the GI's toes if he did. Dangit!

He ordered me more bloodwork- including a Complete Metabolic Panel and helicobacter pylori. And prescribed Zegerid which is for GERD (basically Acid Reflux disease)

Looks like I'm back to waiting til Wednesday to see about ordering the HIDA scan.

 

[Christine]

I wanted to chime in and say that I had many of the symptoms that you had and it turns out that I had GERD (which caused nausea for me--no heartburn). I also have something called gastroparesis which means that my stomach empties a bit slower than the normal times. This causes feelings of fullness early, indigestions, nausea, being very uncomfortable.

The GERD never gives me heartburn but when it flares up, I do have pain in my chest and back. So, you could very well have untreated GERD.

 

[Mic_n_Min]

Good luck with getting your diagnosis. My gallbladder came out just 9 days ago after having a lot of problems with it for the past 3 months. I have lost 31 pounds as a result of not being able to eat. Which is a good thing, but still not a good way to do it.

In the beginning I also had a kidney stone on the same side as my gallbladder. My GI doc would blame the pain on my kidney stone and my urologist would blame it on my gallbladder since the stone was small and still in the kidney. Since then I passed the kidney stone and still had problems. I saw a new doc as my GI doc kinda gave up and only ordered the first part of the HIDA scan (where they inject you with radioactive dye to check for inflammation).

My new doc ordered the full HIDA scan and found that my gb was only functioning at a whopping 5%!! I had an appt with a surgeon a few days later and had surgery scheduled for 2 weeks later. I didn't make it that long though- I ended up in the ER on a Monday with pain, nausea and vomiting. On Thursday I was back in the ER as I was still having problems. They admitted me to the hospital for IV fluids and antibiotics (I was showing signs of infection) and had my gb taken out on Friday. I was in the hospital until Sunday due to nausea and pain.

It's been just over a week since the surgery and am finally feeling like life is getting back to normal. I am still in pain at times, but nothing like before. The incisions are tender and keep me from sleeping comfortably in my bed each night- the sofa has been my friend lately.

Good luck to you! I never had gallstones, so it made my diagnosis that much harder to make. Every ultrasound, endoscopy and every blood test came out completely normal. Only my second HIDA scan which showed that it wasn't working, was what finally convinced my dr that we needed to do something soon.

 

[TIGGER1981]

I just had my gallbladder out almost 2 weeks ago.

my attacks were very frequent. EVERYTHING made me sick.
I wasn't lucky enough to lose weight though hehehe
I went for an ultrasound after an attack and they saw stones and scar tissue forming so they set me up for surgery 2 weeks later.
I was home the same night after surgery...I healed up real quick!! I only needed 4 days off work.
Since having it out, I can eat ANYTHING without an attack.

I hope you feel better and get the answers you need.

 

[Poohbear123]

I had my GB out last Friday, May 16th. It was badly imflamed.I had to spend the night due to some internal bleeding, they cut a small artery, below the GB and I had to have a Drain put in. So.. I got to go home Sat. around 2pm. Now, let me say this...I WAS IN A LOT OF PAIN, MORE SO THAN WHEN I HAD MY HYSTERECTOMY 4 YEARS AGO!! I guess due to the drain thing that didn't help either. You know, for a "simple operation" it wasn't so simple for me. This is day 9 of recovery, and I am just now feeling back to normal so to speak. I have lost 10 pounds so far, and go to the bathroom A LOT!!! After I had the tube taken out, rather, ripped out of me, I felt better. That was on Thursday. I still have to be careful of what I eat, but the Dr. said that should be OK in awhile. Cherbear I wish you the best of luck, and hope its not your GB, but something simpler, and easy to treat.

 

[cherbear]

I wanted to chime in and say that I had many of the symptoms that you had and it turns out that I had GERD (which caused nausea for me--no heartburn). I also have something called gastroparesis which means that my stomach empties a bit slower than the normal times. This causes feelings of fullness early, indigestions, nausea, being very uncomfortable.

The GERD never gives me heartburn but when it flares up, I do have pain in my chest and back. So, you could very well have untreated GERD.

did you ever have lettuce in your uhh...yeah, ya know?

Good luck with getting your diagnosis. My gallbladder came out just 9 days ago after having a lot of problems with it for the past 3 months. I have lost 31 pounds as a result of not being able to eat. Which is a good thing, but still not a good way to do it.

In the beginning I also had a kidney stone on the same side as my gallbladder. My GI doc would blame the pain on my kidney stone and my urologist would blame it on my gallbladder since the stone was small and still in the kidney. Since then I passed the kidney stone and still had problems. I saw a new doc as my GI doc kinda gave up and only ordered the first part of the HIDA scan (where they inject you with radioactive dye to check for inflammation).

My new doc ordered the full HIDA scan and found that my gb was only functioning at a whopping 5%!! I had an appt with a surgeon a few days later and had surgery scheduled for 2 weeks later. I didn't make it that long though- I ended up in the ER on a Monday with pain, nausea and vomiting. On Thursday I was back in the ER as I was still having problems. They admitted me to the hospital for IV fluids and antibiotics (I was showing signs of infection) and had my gb taken out on Friday. I was in the hospital until Sunday due to nausea and pain.

It's been just over a week since the surgery and am finally feeling like life is getting back to normal. I am still in pain at times, but nothing like before. The incisions are tender and keep me from sleeping comfortably in my bed each night- the sofa has been my friend lately.

Good luck to you! I never had gallstones, so it made my diagnosis that much harder to make. Every ultrasound, endoscopy and every blood test came out completely normal. Only my second HIDA scan which showed that it wasn't working, was what finally convinced my dr that we needed to do something soon.

wow! I am glad you are feeling back to normal!

Thanks for the info on the HIDA, I need to make sure I request the FULL HIDA just so they definitely give me the right one. I'm done with tests...I'll do that one and I hope that will be the answer I need!

5%....that's terrible! I have a feeling mine will be pretty low.

So, for the full HIDA, do you have to fast from the night before? I was reading up on it and I found some conflicting info....I saw one place where it said fast for at least 4 hours before, and no medication for 12 hours before.

I just had my gallbladder out almost 2 weeks ago.

my attacks were very frequent. EVERYTHING made me sick.
I wasn't lucky enough to lose weight though hehehe
I went for an ultrasound after an attack and they saw stones and scar tissue forming so they set me up for surgery 2 weeks later.
I was home the same night after surgery...I healed up real quick!! I only needed 4 days off work.
Since having it out, I can eat ANYTHING without an attack.

I hope you feel better and get the answers you need.

4 days off work is not bad at all!

that is great! Glad you feel better!

thanks..I hope so too!

I had my GB out last Friday, May 16th. It was badly imflamed.I had to spend the night due to some internal bleeding, they cut a small artery, below the GB and I had to have a Drain put in. So.. I got to go home Sat. around 2pm. Now, let me say this...I WAS IN A LOT OF PAIN, MORE SO THAN WHEN I HAD MY HYSTERECTOMY 4 YEARS AGO!! I guess due to the drain thing that didn't help either. You know, for a "simple operation" it wasn't so simple for me. This is day 9 of recovery, and I am just now feeling back to normal so to speak. I have lost 10 pounds so far, and go to the bathroom A LOT!!! After I had the tube taken out, rather, ripped out of me, I felt better. That was on Thursday. I still have to be careful of what I eat, but the Dr. said that should be OK in awhile. Cherbear I wish you the best of luck, and hope its not your GB, but something simpler, and easy to treat.

hey Poohbear! Thanks for checking in!! I am so sorry you experienced all that pain. Where did they put a drain in? In the artery? I've never heard of that.

Are you glad you lost the weight or upset? (I know so many of us see it as a "good" side effect )

Hope your condition continues to improve.

Thanks...but truthfully I hope it IS my gallbladder because I have already undergone so much bloodwork and tests that it would be a much longer road, and I'll probably end up spending a lot more money, if it's not my gb.
And I'd rather it be my gallbladder than something more serious, such as Chrones. I know some people who have that and it's NO FUN.
Plus I want to be done with this before my birthday (and WAY before Disney, I hope!)

3 days til my appointment!

Thanks again everyone for posting!

 

[Mic_n_Min]

So, for the full HIDA, do you have to fast from the night before? I was reading up on it and I found some conflicting info....I saw one place where it said fast for at least 4 hours before, and no medication for 12 hours before.

Yes, you need to fast, but it's no big deal. Good luck!

 

[cherbear]

Yes, you need to fast, but it's no big deal. Good luck!

okay, I was just checking to see if it's a test they only do in the mornings. (if you have to fast overnight, I think the hospital here will only do them in the first hour or 2 of opening)