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 !!!

[mjaesq]

So injecting someone with radioactive material and a hormone to trick the gallbladder into functioning a certain way and then making some lay still for over an hour under radiation is better than removing an organ that you can function perfectly well without?  

This is what's wrong with our out of control healthcare system.

[MedNP]

Yes, especially when the risks of anesthesia, intubation, perioperative complications, and post op infections outweigh the benefits of removing an organ that is potentionally functioning perfectly normally. Is our health system out of control? Yep. Is it made worse by people with no medical training trying to act like doctors and make medical decisions? Absolutely.

[Spidermandy]

Have you had any further development with your Gallbladder?  I've had the same happen to me--fever, vomiting, severe heartburn, pain on upper right side and back, and test indicated nothing was wrong.  Should I suggest antibiotics to my doctor?  Did this come back for you?

[Coolaide]

I totally  agree with you.try to hang on to the parts your born with!  My good friend  had gallstones and she was in so much pain in the ER that the easy thing to do was to  remove her gallbladder. Now for years she has been dealing with feeling nauseous, headachey  and has gained weight she really  regrets the surgery it destroyed her health!  My other friend went to the dr and they said he had gallstones he quickly called his nautropathic doctor who gave him Chanca Piedra tea,  and some simple cleanse and poof no gallstones! He is perfectly fine today and drinks the tea as a preventive!  . There is a simple gallbladder and liver  cleanse that people can do . We do a  gallbladder cleanse  annually..  The gallbladder is important it helps emulify fats. My  husband read somewhere  there was very high  liklihood of becoming  diabetic in 10-15 years  if you have it gallbladder removed? I know for some  people that have no choice due to  serious health issues.to have it removed which  I understand, but to have an organ just removed for no known reason in my opinion is never a good idea .Althought there are  people that have chronic appendicitis and finally just have it removed and regain there health.  

[rnd631979]

Your story basically was like I was reading about myself....I have had pain in abdomen and upper right side for 2 months now.  I have been to E.R. 4 times and they have done U/S, CT scans and they can't find anything.  I also have no insurance and know I need the hidascan done but don't know how to get it done...so I'm in the same boat you are and it *****.  I am on a couple different medicines for pain as well and I still hurt and can't even stand up straight to walk...I'm tired of being miserable, but do not know what to do at this point.

[Heart3]

So blessedmom... What did the hida scan show... I know you were reluctant to have it at first... Did it show it is the gallbladder that is causing you the pain...?????  I am wondering if it is worth having that test.. The radioactive thing doesn't sound like it is good for the body...

So do you have your gb or are your getting it taken out what were the results of  the  hida scan...?

[ShellyR]

Hi, you are not alone. I've been suffering from abdominal pain for yrs. I'm 31 and always had issues since I was little. I've increasing had female and bowel issues, pain under my ribs on both sides, and the docs keep labeling me IBS and just handing me a rx, for the 4th doc, it's really frustrating. Last Oct, I made it to a gastro and he did an ultra sound and it was normal, just like everything keeps saying. He blew it off as female bloating and so I've been working on those issues. Well, a month ago I got so constipated that it was up in my ribs and it almost turned toxic in me. I threw up for 3 or 4 wks straight and this is the 4th day I can eat solid foods. I still have the pain. My reg doc questioned gall bladder and the gastro said I checked that. Well, I said, "I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired and you need to do something about it."  He  ordered a Hidascan. He didn't tell me one thing to expect. I just had it done yesterday. It took about 2 1/2 hrs total. Sat me in a chair, poked 2 spots on my arm for ivy and the dye. They shoot radioactive dye/tracker in your arm and watch how your liver empties into the gall bladder.. at least that's what the tech told me. You will be layed down flat on your back for 2 hrs while they watch the function of the gall bladder. I watched the screen and it was a neat screen, I just wish I knew what it was showing. As for the $$, I haven't always had insurance and I've been through a lot of pain for 10 yrs. It's not worth it not to get your health. My suggestion is keep going and push, push, push...You can pay them $5 or $10 a month if you have to. I work at a grocery store and don't make much now and sure didn't in the past, I understand, and I have a family. It is best to get this stuff done so you know and can move on. It can effect you worse down the road possibly.

[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

[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.

[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!

[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.

[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!