Gallbladder issues?

[whatdabuck]

Hi. I'm a 19 year old female 5'4" 125 lbs with pain and other symptoms that have lasted over 8 weeks now. I went into the ER mid May with severe chest pain (I had a pneumomediastinum 2 years ago and thought it was that recurring) and shortness of breath during a soccer game. I had multiple tests run and was sent home with no real diagnosis (pleurisy and anti-inflammatories) I began having chest pain all the time that began to restrict my ability to eat due to the pain. I had an endoscopy 4 weeks ago and was told I have chronic inactive gastritis as well as lesions in my stomach and esophagus and am scheduled for an esophageal manometry in 2 days to test for esophageal spasms. I was having massive chest pain but that has been surpassed by the terrible pain I am now having where my gallbladder is located (1 of 3 ultrasounds I have had show polyps in it). I also have cramps and bloating as well as chills (that are only sometimes accompanied with fevers). The last time I ate fried food I lost consciousness and woke up in an ambulance. I suspect something is wrong with my gallbladder but I would like to know for sure before having it removed (which I've discussed with my doctor). None of my doctors can figure out what's wrong with me and they are trying to send me to a pain specialist. I was in perfect health until the pain started over 8 weeks ago and has now rendered me incapable of pretty much everything. Does anyone have any input? The tests I've had have ruled out heart and lungs so it's nothing life threatening so every time I go to the ER (4 times in 6 weeks because I have lost consciousness) they just send me home and I think they think I'm trying to score pain meds (which they won't even give me anymore, even after coming in an ambulance). I'm being treated like I'm a hypochondriac or a drug addict and that I have no idea what's going on, yet I'm a pre-med student and seem to know more than half my doctors. What do I do? I'm completely desperate and would greatly appreciate any input. Thanks.

[whatdabuck]

Thank you so much for all your input. I am seeing a GI doctor (my followup is actually today) and I will definitely discuss having a HIDA scan done. I am also waiting on the results of the esophageal manometry I had done yesterday. If there is anything of interest I will post those results here as well.

[Reruho]

A nuclear medicine gallbladder (HIDA) scan is a diagnostic procedure used to check the function and condition of the gallbladder. A HIDA scan can help determine if you have a form of gallbladder disease or if your gallbladder is functioning properly. (http://www.deaconess.com/body.cfm?id=825)

Are you seeing  a GI or a GP? I might that answer out of a GP. That is the whole purpose of the test to tell how well the GB is functioning. It is the only test that will tell you if you have a low functioning GB.

Having my GB stopped all my problems for 6 months, then my pain returned. I had suffered with this problem for 24 years and think that my biliary tree is damaged from all those years. I will say my returning pain is not as bad as before, it is cramping and tightness in the URQ. Surgery cures 80% of the people. I thought 80% was a good number. I told my surgeon that I had a 100% of being in pain without surgery.

I was told I had IBS 24 years ago when IBS was the catch all diagnosis. Doctors used it when they knew something was wrong but didn't know what it was. I discussed the IBS with my latest GI and the fact I do not  meet the Rome II or III diagnosing criteria. None of the doctors will admit the diagnosis could be wrong or willing to say I do not have IBS.

I had pain in the URQ but never really had a problem with food. Which added to the problem of getting a diagnosis. And my problem became much worse after I was overmedicated with a statin and my total cholesterol was reduced to 105. It went from a sporadic problem to a chronic problem.

About eating, they recommend a low fat diet afterwards. I found that made things worse for me. Too little fat and I have diarrhea and too much fat and I am constipated. I do recommend not eating any gas producing vegetables (i.e. broccoli,  cauliflower, cabbage) right after surgery. The internal gas  pressure will cause a lot of pain. I am fine with those vegetables now.

Reta

[Cdngal]

The HIDA scan is not useless... its actually the only test that showed i had a problem with it, all other scans etc came back normal...I was sick for 6 months with pain, nausea, vomiting and many other issues they kept telling me i had IBS and acid reflux but i knew something else was wrong.  After the HIDA scan my EF was normal but it was extremely sluggish.. I had mine removed in January and ll my symptoms went away.  You will have to watch what you eat (basically eat healthier) but other then that i am glad i had it out.

[whatdabuck]

I actually talked to my doctor about getting a HIDA scan but he said unless it's not functioning basically at all or if you're having an obstruction whilst in the machine. Besides that he told me it's basically useless. But I will inquire further. And to Reta, did having your GB removed alleviate all your problems? What kind of symptoms were you having? And were there any complications from having it removed? Thanks so much for getting back to me.

-Andrea

[Reruho]

It does sound like a GB issue. Have you had a HIDA Scan? This will show if you have a low functioning GB (biliary dyskinesia), which mimics a gallstone attack but all your tests will be normal. The scan tests the functioning of the Gb and will give you an ejection fraction, or a measurement of how much bile is released when stimulated with CCK. This number should be >35%. Mine was 15%. GB removal is the solution.

If you are having fevers during these attacks, that can be a sign of infection.

Get copies of your ER reports and start correlating all the tests and vital signs. It sounds like some one is not looking at the big picture. It may be time for you to play detective and put all the information together. Make sure your regular doctor has all these reports to review.

Good luck and keep us posted.
Reta

[Cdngal]

Have they done a HIDA scan on you yet to check the functioning of gallbladder?  Sounds like gallbladder issues, as some people have chest pains with gallbladder attacks, and since you passed out after eating fried foods sounds like symptoms are heading that way...I would request a HIDA scan as well... at this point you may as well have the full work up.