This is my first post in this forum. I’ve read many of your stories and am impressed by how supportive, kind and encouraging you all are. It’s awesome to know that others have been there and survived.
I'm 42 years old, a wife, mom and grandma. I'm not much of a drinker but will have a social drink; I haven't had a drop in a year so I guess I'm not very social. :) 14 months ago, I had some discomfort in my left side, bottom of my ribcage (ULQ).
An ultrasound was done on April 19, 2007 and the opinion was: "dilated
system as above. An ERCP is recommended."
At this point, moderate pain started on my right side as well, just below my ribcage (URQ). My GP sent me to a Gastroenterologist who ordered an ERCP and Colonoscopy. The colonoscopy was done on August 31, 2007 and was relatively normal. I quit smoking at this point. The ERCP was done on September 7, 2007 and the ampulla was normal but they could not get into the bile duct so they had to order an MRI. The notes are pages long or I would provide them. I has post-ERCP pancreatitis for five days after that procedure.
On October 10, 2007, I had an MRCP [MR/MRI Liver With/Out GAD] and the opinion was: "Cholelisthiasis. Otherwise unremarkable."
I went back to the Gastroenterologist on October 29, 2007 and he had no specific intervention planned but felt that it was gastritis and IBS.
At this point, my pain is intense and it's getting difficult to get through the day at work, my lower back is killing me and I still have discomfort in my left side. I went back to my family doctor and she decided to send me to a surgeon.
The surgeon did a GRD [laparoscopic cholecystectomy] on February 4, 2008 to rule out H. pylori bacteria and to double-check the findings of the GI Doc. There was no evidence of H. pylori infection. When I saw the surgeon on February 26, 2008, she suggested a HIDA Scan.
Three days later – on February 29, 2008 - I went to Emergency with an attack [acute pain, high blood pressure, rapid pulse, trembling and, oh, the nausea!]. They put me on Morphine and Gravol and re-did the CT and the Ultrasound with negative results this time [although I was really squirmy]. They sent me home with a stronger prescription which has helped a lot and I can now sleep 3+ hours at a time. The pain is still intense.
I was asked by my employer to take a leave of absence because, even though I would go everyday, I couldn't always get through the day due to pain.
The HIDA is scheduled for April 8 and I'm terrified. What if it’s normal? I'm in SO much pain and if they don’t find any problems, what else can they do? With these results, would they consider removing the gallbladder?
I've had to stop work, which I love. I dropped out of school, which I was enjoying. My family are incredibly supportive but it can't be easy to see me in bed every day, all day. Any insight would be appreciated. Thank you so much for your time – I know I’m longwinded!