severe pain attaacks in upper abdomin(abdomen)

[s.mcm]

I had my gallbladder removed in May.  Over the last few months I have had severe pain in my upper abdomin (abdomen) that radiates to my back.  I get shortness of breath from the pain.  It usually lasts 20 - 45 minutes. (when the attack starts I take Mylox and the cytotec and usually a serax to try and fall asleep) I take losec and cytotec daily for Gastritis.  I had an ultra sound that ruled out any gallstones left in the bile duct and the Dr. has now ordered a  Hida Scan. I have never in my life had pain like this. any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  I have now had 2 attacks in less than 2 weeks and nothing in particular seems to set it off.   thanks

[Tomasello_MD]

The HIDA scan is a good idea, as would be an ERCP. Commonly there can be stones "outside" of the gallbladder (i.e. the common bile duct ... which drains bile from the liver into the intestinal tract). If there are stones in the common bile duct, the symptoms can be quite similar to that of a gall bladder attack.

[MAVA]

question??? I have had a endoscopy, ultrasound and a cat scan and they can't find stones but I still with the same gallbladder symptoms, my doctor wants to have a ERCP ...why??? still possibilities to have stones?... the other test can be wrong?

[Tomasello_MD]

WHile it certainly would seem like an endoscopy, CT and ultrasound would be enough, I would agree that the best test to find a common bile duct stone would be through an ERCP. This allow the doctor to see directly into that small "duct".

[g_stacie]

Recently, my mother has been crippled by severe pains located in the liver/gallbladder area, and sometimes (when really bad), they're everywhere in the stomache and back areas.  Three years prior, she was diagnosed with cervical cancer, and was implanted with rods (because of the location of the cancer).  No complications have ever arosed from that surgery, other than the expected nausea at the beginning.  Several tests have showed the cancer to have remissed, at least for now as it is not officially in remission.  She has had numerous tests, including bloodwork, a barium test, CAT scan, MRI, Hida Scan (...I'm not sure if I'm leaving any out)...but they have all come back negative.  I believe she has also been tested for acid reflux (negative).  She has had a couple pf referals to specialists to locate the pain, within the last few months (with no luck...yet) During this time, she is on a numerous amount of medication (none to COMPLETELY mask the pain...only ENOUGH to allow her to function), one of which includes morphine.  Recently she visited the doctor who performed the cancer surgery (a specialist of some sort...), to see if there would be any related side effects.  I don't believe there were any that may be directly related to the surgery he performed.  I'm concerned, because this pain is still persisting, and has (recently) worsened.  One day was very bad, and she vomitted several times, as well as having more pain than usual.  After visiting the hospital another MRI and CAT scan appointment were made.  (they have yet to be done).  Any suggestions on any other areas to explore with this type of pain, seeing as everything's coming back negative?

Thanks for your help!  (...a concerned daughter)