Does it sound like an abnormal gallbladder?

[stephann84]

I have been having pain in my upper right quadrant for over 2 months.  I started visiting my family doctor after 3 weeks of the pain.  It gets worse after I eat, especially certain foods, fatty foods like cheeseburgers, pizza, or sugary treats.  Sometimes the pain is so bad I can't sleep, it wakes me up at night, I can't move to work, or I have nearly gotten sick just from the intense pain.  I'm healthy, average weight and BMI, exercise regularly, and eat fairly healthy foods, with the occasional splurge.  

My doctor originally did blood work and urinalysis, both totally normal.  He sent me home with IBS medicine and an acid blocker and told me to come back in 2 weeks.  The pain got worse.  He told me I could stop the medications b/c they weren't making any difference.  Again tested blood and urine, normal.  He then decided to send me for an ultrasound of my gallbladder and other related areas.  My mother, grandmother, and uncle on one side have all had their's removed.  He kept saying he thought I was too young for gallbladder disease, which seemed wierd to me.  (I'm 28.)  

A few days before the ultrasound the pain became so bad that I had to go to the ER.  I was literally afraid something in my body was rupturing b/c it hurt so bad.  They gave me pain medicine, which made the pain tolerable but did not eliminate it.  I had more blood and urine work, still normal, and then a CT Scan, which looked normal.  At that point they sent me home and told me to go to the ultrasound.  They gave me some medicine for stomach cramping and said the cause of pain was undetermined.  He also suggested eliminating red meat, pork, dairy, spicy foods, and fried foods.  For 1 week I ate only soup and the BRAT diet, which did make the pain much more tolerable, but it was still mildly present.  I went to the ultrasound, and called to demand an appointment with my dr. the next day, even though he wanted to wait another 2 weeks.  I was in so much pain during the ultrasound, especially under my ribs, that I almost passed out.  I was in pain terrible pain for the next two days.  The ultrasound showed no signs of gallstones, "sludge," or blockage.  The gallbladder size and cystic duct size looked normal.  My pancrease was blocked by gas, so they couldn't get a good picture of it.  The family dr. finally said he was out of leads and referred me to a gastro.  

It took the gastro dr. 2 weeks to get me in.  He spent about 5 minutes with me.  Briefly examined my stomach, looked over my paper work and said nothing looked out of the ordinary, but the gallbladder seemed to be the best place to start.  He ordered a HIDA test.  I went for the HIDA with CCK two days later, but I can't get the results till I see the gastro doctor in 3 weeks!  I'm very annoyed that I keep getting put off for another 2 and 3 weeks at a time.  Evidentally my doctors don't really care that I'm in pain.  

I went for the HIDA today.  It took 1 hour and 45 minutes from the time the IV went in to the time it came out.  Within 5 minutes of the IV being in the pain in my side intensified.  It was never intolerable, but it was more than average, comparable to after eating a large fatty meal.  I could eventually see the outline of what I assume was the gallbladder on a screen.  It was white.  I could also see a few bright blue spots and two very large blue lines.  It took about an hour before they injected the 2nd medicine.  The other medicine made the pain intensify, but still not as bad as the night I went to the ER.  It has been 9 hours and the pain is still fairly intense.  I have eaten and drank lots of fluids to flush my system, but the pain is still there.  Over the counter pain meds aren't helping.

Does this sound like a gallbladder issue?  Are these results from a HIDA normal, the pain?  Should I call the gastro and try to get in sooner?  I feel like I'm in pain and getting no answers, just getting put off.  It's frustrating to live in pain and get little to no help!  If anyone has been through a similar experience, or has medical expertise in the area, I'd love to hear.  Thanks!!

[MireilleC]

Stephann, I'm wondering how your story ended? I'm going through the same issues but no answers! They are looking at taking my gallbladder out anyway. I'm very concerned.

Thanks
M

[stephann84]

Finally saw the specialist again today.  I had another attack bad last weekend, but they couldn't get me in any sooner, said they were all full.  The doctor didn't even seem to remember that he'd seen me once before, why I was there, what medicines I had been on, or anything we had discussed at the last appointment.  He said the bloodwork looked normal, the ultrasound looked normal (which I already knew) and the HIDA looked normal.  He said the functioning was a little low, but not low enough that a surgeon would take it out.  He said that since the test went normally that meant there were no blockages.  He said, "this is quite a puzzle."  His solution was that the next time I have an attack I should go to the ER or an urgent care clinic to get an ultrasound and bloodwork while having the attack.  I mentioned that I'd already been to the ER during an attack, had bloodwork, urine work and a CT scan.  He kept saying it sounds like a gallbladder issue, but I don't show any evidence to back it up beside the pain and nausea and that I dont' meet the risk factors (4 F's fat, fertile, female, or over 40).  He said that was his best guess and that unless I had another attack he didn't need to see me again.

I'm quite annoyed.  I'm making an appointment with another doctor first thing tomorrow for a second opinion.  It is very annoying to not be taken seriously while living in pain.

[Jax555]

Well thats great that the pain and nausea have decreased on their own...would love to eat and not have pain, I almost forget what that is like.. i have my MRCP on Nov 11th... and then new GI appt in Jan *sigh* although they tell me I am on the cancellation list... frustrated... let us know what your doc says in a couple weeks.  Good Luck!

[stephann84]

The HIDA results came back.  The nurse just said they looked "normal."  She didn't give me any specifics, but said the Dr. would discuss them with me at my next appointment, which is in a week and a half.  The pain has decreased greatly though.  It is just a mild pain now, and I've been eating regular food for almost 2 weeks, which is good.  The nausea has also decreased greatly.  I'm afraid that since the symptoms are decreasing the Dr. might not be as willing to keep investigating to find a cause, and I might end up having the same issues again in the future.

[stephann84]

Luckily I haven't had to wait as long as you.  Tried to get my results but the office was closed Friday, maybe that's why they have a long wait time.  Will try again Monday, and will try to move my appointment up b/c I've had moderate pain since the test Thursday, and nothing is helping.

[Jax555]

Exactly... good luck let us know what they say.  I know waiting is frustrating, I am right there with you....

[stephann84]

I had actually been reading some of your posts last night and was thinking the symptoms sounded very similar!  I do have nausea pretty regularly, which gets worse after I eat.  I have only vomitted a few times, and it's not from the nausea, but it has been on the nights/days when the pain has been very intense.  I've never been in pain so bad before that I've vomitted.  Typically I have either nausea with mild/moderate pain.  I've never had the nausea at the same time as a bad pain.  I think I am going to try to get the results this afternoon.  Can't hurt to ask!

[Jax555]

Hey,  I have been going through exact same thing as yourself, with all tests coming back normal except my HIDA scan I had normal ejection fraction of 54% but mine didnt drop down the ducts for 2 hours i was in alot of pain, same pain that brought me there..they couldnt inject the second medicine until then so i was there for just under 3 hrs... my results were biliary dyskinesia... you might have a low ejection fraction but you wont know that until you speak to your doctor... my GI sent me to have mine removed but then the surgeon said he didnt think that would help me... I am now waiting for MRCP and biliary manometry they think it might be the ducts... here in Canada I have to wait 3 months to get into another GI (mine referred me as he is unable to perform the manometry) hang in there, there is no harm in calling to see if you can get results from the GI secretary??  Sometimes they give it and i know what its liek to wait and wait.. its very frustrating and you just want to feel better... do you have any nausea and vomitting as well??