Can I just have the surgery... not the expensive HIDA test ?

[blessedmom]

I called my doctor on Wednesday about having severe upper abdomen pain on the right side (for 12 hours). They told me to go to the ER because it sounded like gallbladder problems and I needed an ultrasound. Well I went later that evening and they did an U/S as well as xrays. They told me that they didn't see any problems but I needed to have a HIDA scan done. Gallbladder problem run in my family, so wouldn't it be just as easy to have it removed rather than spending all this extra money on extra test that probably won't show any results ? (I don't have insurance and this HIDA is upwards of 2000 bucks !) I'm currently on three different pain meds and still hurt when I move. Has anyone had this pain happen to them ? Also, what about the HIDA scan ? I know that it's a nuclear medicine test, but don't really know what all it's about... Please help me if you can. THANKS !!!

[Jaybay]

Hi mom!  Since you mention you have no insurance, a HIDA scan is much cheaper than paying for a surgery that may not even be needed.  First rule of medical thumb is "Do no harm".  Doing unnecessary surgery is considered doing harm.

Your ultrasound has ruled out gallstones.  However, not having stones does not mean you don't have an infected gallbladder.  The HIDA scan will check for this by evaluating its function.  The test is simple and painless, although it can take a while.  You basically just lie still for a while and let the machine do its thing.  At one point you will be given an injection to stimulate the gallbladder to contract.  This can cause short-lived nausea in people whose gallbladders are not functioning correctly.  Be sure to tell the technician if this happens with you.

As for the cost, see if other facilities in your area provide the test and do some cost comparisons.  Most docs don't mind where you have it done, as long as you get it done.

Hope you feel better soon!

[mermaid26]

I agree.  Our bodies shouldn't be "cut" into unless deemed absolutey necessary. Then you put yourself at risk for adhesion related disorders, etc. I had the experience with no stones visible.  Had hida-scan score of 20 and removal.  Didn't really resolve some of the pain.  This is a complex problem and requires much research so don't get discouraged.  Good Luck and I hope you find the proper course for treating your pain.

[Ms_Makita]

I had gallbladder attack with fever in the spring,went to er and was admitted,x-rays,ultrasound or endoscopy didnt show any stones,did hida scan and gallbladder was functioning normally,it was just inflammed,after antibotics I was fine and havent had problems since.
    You can have gallbladder problems without stones or inflammation,dysfunctional gallbladder,that would show up on hida scan its best to have the test done than to have a needless expensive surgery.The test itself isnt that bad,just lay there,had some nausea but it went away,ended up falling asleep just laying there...lol
      Best of luck to you and hope you feel better soon,Happy Holidays!

[lisainchicago]

I am going through the same thing. I got the ultrasound done on my gallbladder which came out normal (as I had assumed). Now my doctor wants the Hida scan done which costs about 2,000 (and I have a 1,000 deductible) so i'd rather not do it. However, the surgery is like 20,000.

[frustratedmomdi]

I, personally, had a defective gallbladder since I was born and no one could figure out what was wrong with me.  My mom would tell them to check my gallbladder and they would do an ultrasound and find no stones, so they would say I was fine.  (I had 7 ultrasounds over the years.)  Some doctors even told her I was faking to get attention.  I would lay on the floor and cry at age 2 after eating an egg,  or popcorn.  Finally at age 28, my obgyn told me to try the hida scan and they found my gallbladder would spasm a few minutes after I would eat fat.  They removed it and I have not had any problems since.
My son, who is now 15, had a few stomach aches over the summer.  A couple weeks ago, he was up all night with horrible pain and throwing up.  We thought he had food poisoning.  He was fine until 5 days later and then the same thing all over again.  I looked up online and thought he probably had gallbladder problems.  When I told the dr. this, he didn't think that's what it was because he was too young, a male, and not overweight.  I wanted the tests to be run, and we also have no insurance.  They did the hida scan first because I wanted to be sure on the first test, unlike how I had 7 and they never found stones so they thought I was fine.  They spent the hour with the iv filling his liver and the gallbladder never showed up!!  Because of a blockage.  They stopped that test and ended up doing the ultrasound and found he had huge stones and it was enlarged and full of sludge.  They sent him over for emergency surgery.  
I chose the wrong test for him, but I thought I would do the for sure thing.  It's pricey, but it's worth it for him to feel so much better.  $dang