Gall Bladder Symptoms???

[SlugGB]

Has anyone that has had gallbladder problems experienced anything similiar to what I am going thru? (or does this problem sound like something else?)

For the past 2 yrs I have had pain in the upper rt abd area that has varied from severe to mild.  When the pain is severe I would definately describe it as "an attack".  When the pain is bad I sometimes get pain under the right shoulder blade also and have a general feeling of not being well.  

Two key things I would like to have answered are (in relation to it being a gallbladder problem):
  1.  Whenever I am in the sitting position the pain causes the most discomfort.  Anyone else experience this?
  2.  Any use of alcohol causes the greatest attack.  Has anyone ever had a gallbladder attack due to the use of alcohol?

Other things that cause problems are fatty/fried foods and recently, the use of Vicodin for the pain makes it worse.

I have had 4 ultrasounds, 3 CT scans, HIDA scan, Barium enema, x-rays, endoscopy, numerous blood tests, Barium swallow, and stool analysis.  All have been normal with the exception of the first ultrasound that was done in Oct 2000 - it showed "mild gallbladder wall thickening could represent mild acalculus cholecystitis - correlate with symptoms".  The doctor did not think it was a gallbladder problem and the 3 ultrasounds I have had since have not showed anything abnormal (no stones, no wall thickening).  Any ideas?  Thanks for taking the time to answer.

[nadia]

I live in Canada and as far as I know the substance they use while performing the procedure is an organic compound which comes under the heading of nuclear medicine.  I was assured that there is no harmful effects from using this substance.  I assumed it was called CCK.

[SlugGB]

Thanks for responding.

I have been told they no longer use CCK at this time anymore.    The procedures unit where I am getting a HIDA scan done at the end of January have told me they will use milk to check for proper contraction.  Does this jive with what you have heard?

[Zoie68]

I had a HIDA scan with CCK about 6 weeks ago in Memphis.  I haven't heard that CCK was no longer being used.

[nadia]

It sounds like your gallbladder, you should have another Hida scan with the CCK.

[Tasha31]

I can relate to your symptoms.  I have have had similiar problems, fo the last 4 yrs or so.  It started out with mild like runners cramp in the RUQ.  They would come and go, and would have attacks of such bad pain that i have gone to the emergency room twice now.  I find when the pain goes from mild irritation to the constant crampy achy burning pain i would have to pace, sitting made it worse, laying down does not help either.  To the severe pain that bending over and pacing was all i could do.  I have not found alcohol to make it worse, vicodin only helps if i can take one when the pain is mild.  When the pain comes on hard vicoden does not help at all.
i have had an ultra sound, an endoscope, ct scan with contrast of abdoman and pelvic, hida scan with no cck, and a colonoscopy.  Found a small heital hernia, nothing to worry about.  A small hernia below my naval, nothing to worry about, and a polyp (removed during the colonoscopy), not cause of the pain.  Still no answers, One Dr. suggested my weight was the problem, another Dr. suggested it was still my gall bladder, or IBS.  I have no problems with having a BM, sometimes constipation.  I go back to the Dr. on the 2nd for a follow up of the colonscopy.  Good Luck with your health, i hope you find answers faster than i have had.