Hida Scan with cck & sod

[AmyCab]

I was just told I need to have this done. Can someone give me some insite? I read all the questions on here, but do not understand what you are talking about when it comes to the PERCENTAGE??? My whole life has been on hold and I do not know what to expect.
Thank You so much


This discussion is related to CCK/HIDA Scan  - what to expect?.

[gnorb]

In the HIDA/CCK scan, the percentage refers to how much the gallbladder squeezes in a given amount of time.

Here's how the test works: During the HIDA phase, they inject you with radioactive material then lay you under a geiger counter for about an hour. This is to see that the gallbladder's getting full. (Problems here indicate an obstruction of some sort disallowing bile from entering the gallbladder.) In the CCK phase, you get another injection. This one will contract your gallbladder (and make you want to vomit, plus possibly give you pain and bloating), and takes about a 1/2 hour. Again, you're laying on the table, still as a corpse, under a geiger counter. The percentage refers to how much your gallbladder shrinks during the alloted time. Anything above 35% is good, 30 - 35% is borderline, and everything under that is considered "bad."

Note that the radioactive material in your system may have some unintended side effects, such as granting you the ability to crawl up walls and shoot lasers from your eyes. Sadly, these aren't common.

[gnorb]

(By the way, a problem with the CCK part can indicate that your gallbladder is either not squeezing enough, or that there's an obstruction disallowing bile's transfer from the gallbladder to the small intestine.

[CalGal]

In your subject line, you used the terms HIDA scan and SOD. Has it been suggested that you have SOD? Have you already had your gallbladder removed and are having continuing problems?

[anmijumi]

Can any one tell me how long I can expect to feel sick after the test?  I am having a hida w/cck.

[gnorb]

You won't. The sick feeling -- if it even comes (and if you have gallbladder problems it very likely will -- will pass within about 5 minutes after the injection.

[sugarcatmom]

I just had a HIDA scan a week ago.  I basically slept on the table through the first hour.  The CCK wasn't bad. I just experienced some severe nausea for about a minute.
No other pain, except about 3 hours later, I had very sharp right shoulder and back pains and (sorry to be graphic) explosive yellow diarrhea.  

My ejection fraction was 20%.  I have a surgeon's appointment next Wednesday.  My RUQ pain is pretty much always there, give or take, radiating to the back, side, chest and shoulder blade (much worse after eating something bad, when we can add squeezing, cramping and burning to the description).  I'm hoping for an end to this particular nightmare.

[Nikki5395]

Has any of you experienced LUQ pain.  I have pain that radiates from my ribcage through my heart and shoulder.  My cardiologist ruled out that it was my heart and ordered an ultrasound of my gallbladder.  That came back normal and I was sent for a HIDA scan.  My % came in very low - 8%!  I'm meeting with a surgeon in a couple of days, but I don't seem to have the typical symptoms that others have with gallbladder dissease.

[chicapc]

I too have been having LUQ pain.  I am going for my hidascan in a week.  They have done all sorts of tests and all come back normal.  hope this helps come up with answers.  I also don't show any typical gb symptoms but the doctor says some people show atypical symptoms and would rather rule out the gb.  how are things going for you? did you have the surgery?

[Cheri70]

I had left lower pain and my ejection was 0%.  They told me it was my GB causing the problem and told me to remove it.  I did.  I didn't have any stones, it was just inflamed and not working.  Everything got worse after surgery.  It took a good 4 months before I felt semi normal and I am right back where I started.  I have cramping and new 3 months ago LUQ pressure pain.  I recommend a 2nd opinion if you don't have stones.

The CCK injection made me nauseas and caused cramping, but passed quickly.  I've read people with bad GBs can have no reaction to the CCK.  It just depends on your body.

[sugarcatmom]

I had some left chest pain as well before surgery. I'm wondering if that was anxiety induced...

I had my surgery on 5/12 and am now 3.5 weeks post op. I wish I could say that the pain is all gone, but I can't.  It's getting better VERY slowly, but I still have days of cramping and pain in the RUQ and at times, the LUQ, although that seems to be more "gas"related.

Since the surgery, I've had to continue on Advil at times, which seems to handle the pain fairly well.

Cheri, I had 3 "second" opinions, and each one said the gallbladder, at 20%,  had to go.  

I'm still eating very low fat, slowly introducing things back into the diet.  Bowel issues are not my concern at this moment, as that seems to be okay.  It's the continuation of the pain post surgery that bothers me. The pain is somewhat different than pre-op, but it's annoying. I expected to feel much better by now.  The surgeon is not concerned, and said it can continue up to six weeks and one gastro doctor told me I may feel this way for up to 6 months. So, I'm trying to be patient.  

[Maryanna316]

Hi,
When you said earlier -before you had the surgery- that you did not have the typical GB symptoms, can I ask you what symptoms you had? For example, did eating or not eating fatty foods effect you one way or another- etc.? I am going for the HIDA Scan on Friday and when I read about GB problems, it just really does not completely fit- I had a negative ultrasound already and am concerned. If I do find that my gallbladder % says that I need surgery, I am afraid that it won't end my problems as I have read for many-  I hope you are doing better- One friend of mine had GB surgery and now competes in triathlons so hey =)

[ArmyWife1006]

I have been having pain in my RUQ for almost 5 years. It would flair up for a couple of weeks, and then i wouldn't have anymore problems. Everynow I would. Well for the past 1 it has been acting up again. The pain after you eat, nausea, back pain, chills. I have been to the hospital twice, and they did an ultrasound, and said it was neg, for gallstones. I went to my DR. today and he said you can never tell with those ultrasounds, because that just shows gall stones, and the anatomy of it. With the HYDA scan it will tell you how it is functioning, and that's what they need to know. So, I get to go do that on Thursday, and I'm kinda nervous. Can anybody tell me about the gallbladder surgery procedre?? Thanks for all your help.

[NiseSwartz]

Thanks for all your comments, I learned so much reading about your experiences. To respond to some of the comments on pain, yes I too did not have "typical" GB symptoms at first, just generalized pain from my upper abdomen to my lower intestines starting in January or February. I had a colonoscopy, CT scan, internal ultrsound (but NOT regular kind, make you ask for one), pelvic exam, UTI test, and bloodwork for my KIDNEYS. I had a tentative diagnosis of IBS, but I KNEW that was wrong as soon as I read more about it. Eventually the pain localized in the RUQ and wrapped around to my back. Three weeks ago I went to see my PCP, not the PA or nurses like I always end up with. When he pushed on the area of my gallbladder I flew off the table. He sent me for a HIDA scan right away, which I had Friday. (The health care system red tape maze delayed it until then).
THE HIDA SCAN EXPERIENCE: First...no big deal, do not worry! If you are having GB attacks you have already been through much worse! I went into a little room, had an IV started. Then I went to another part of the hospital and there was a machine you lay on, similar to an x-ray machine (the bed is cold), with a pillow and blanket. I remained fully dressed, but took my shoes off for comfort. The technician put a pillow under my knees for comfort. He then position a machine over my chest area (but not my whole body), and tilted a little screen over my face that allowed me to watch the entire test. Throughout the test he explained everything. For those who are waiting on your HIDA scan...ask, ask, ask! I knew there was a problem right away! My liver popped up (looks like a hat). After ten minutes my GB didn't show up, the tech said this is slow, so after 50 min. we knew this was too long. At 55 min. it started showing, took another 10min. He told me right away this too slow. We had to delay the 2nd injection a little to give the GB time to fill. Another tech joined us, he gave the 2nd injection over a period of 15 minutes. We discussed the merits of giving it slowly, as it it causes less pain (I read that and he agreed, don't be shy, ask the tech about the timing).  We all sat and watched the white ball that was my GB for 20 min. then I felt discomfort that was about 50% of the pain I usually feel when I get one of my lesser GB attacks. Ten minutes later the test was over, I was still a little uncomfortable, the white ball that was my GB was still on the screen. It should empty out and not be visible, so if you get a tech who won't tell you anything, look and see if the dye leaves your GB. My ejection rate was 21%, below normal. The tech told me this, combined with the "delayed filling of the gallbladder [from the liver]," would warrant a call from my doctor on Monday. BTW, you do fast before, it was all day for me as I had an afternoon appt.-no water either!, I did drive myself, went out to a dinner party after, no problems (just ate VERY light...but what's new there?), I suggest bringing a bottle of water and light snack to have as soon as it's over.

[sugarcatmom]

That's pretty much how my experience with the scan went, too. Although the injection of the cck was done much faster.

To update, I am now 12 weeks out from the surgery and most of the pain is gone. Anything that that is left is entirely positional.  If I move the wrong way or sit too long in a certain way, I do feel "things" on my side and under the ribs. But it is a vast vast improvement since my last post.

The most positive thing to happen is that my pre-surgery digestive issues and pain are completely gone (knock on wood).  I can eat again and life is back to normal.

Good luck.

[chelytoad]

Wow...I just had my HIDA  test with CCK done but wish I would have read this before going in. The techs I had were really nice but didn't say BOO about what was going on. They told me the second part would last 15 minutes but let it go for 25. My gall bladder was still glowing pretty bright on the screen. I am a Medical Lab Tech student and unfortuanely no stranger to tests. So I asked if that was normal or if my gall bladder should have completely emptied by then.

They wouldn't say but instead gave me a canned speech about my doctor calling me with results as they couldn't diagnose. I understand and totally respect that but geesh! It is nice to have a little clue as to what should happen, etc. etc.

For the originally poster....Amy how are things going now? Did you have surgery? What happened? I hope you (and all others) are doing better by now!

[johnboy78]

i am experiencing abdominal pain and had a ultra sound and found a stone.Doctor Says gb has to be removed,i did a cleanse and am amased of what comes out of your body,but still feeling cramps in the abdominal,mostly after eating.Does anybody have any sugestion if i should go through with removing the gb.I thank you for all your replys and my prayers go out to all that are having complications that arent being resolved.  Thanks, John

[kerkat28]

i just had my hida scan done yesterday, it wasn't bad at all. after they put the iv in they injected me and I layed there waiting. I layed there for an hour and a half and my gall bladder never showed up. They took me off of the table anf then went to talk to the doctor. She prescribed morphine, which is suppose to irritate the spinchter, which most narcotics do. As soon as I was injected I got sick right away, severe pain, but it didn't do the job right away, i took almost twenty minutes for my gall bladder to show up. They didn't do the cck b/c of having to give me the morphine. I talked to the nuclear doctor afterwards and she said it was deffinately signs of gall bladder disease now I  just have to see the surgeon.