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O/T Gallbladder removal

Ljcapp1's picture

Submitted by Ljcapp1 on Thu, 10/02/2014 - 9:12am

Ok anyone here had a HIDA scan and GB removal? I have a HIDA scan tomorrow and freaking out. How do they work, is it awful, is it painful?

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Ljcapp1's picture

Submitted by Ljcapp1 on Thu, 10/02/2014 - 9:23am

Same here sweet pea - I can't eat lettuce. Bacon or sausage. I've been in bed for 4 days. I couldn't put my feet on the floor yesterday or I would throw up. I threw up so much I got a migraine. I feel better today and have the HIDA scan tomorrow. I'm scared of needles big time...

Teas83's picture

Submitted by Teas83 on Thu, 10/02/2014 - 9:42am

I had a HIDA scan a few months ago and then had my gallbladder removed. The scan showed that my gallbladder wasn't emptying properly.

The HIDA scan wasn't painful. They just inject something into you and then you lay there for two hours. I downloaded an audio book onto my phone and listened to it while I laid there because it was so boring.

ETA: Gallbladder attacks are PAINFUL. It felt like labour to me whenever I had one. I ended up in the ER so many times before I was diagnosed. My doctor gave me a prescription for morphine while I was waiting for my surgery so that I didn't have to go to the ER anymore.

Teas83's picture

Submitted by Teas83 on Thu, 10/02/2014 - 9:54am

Haha, I've got the same two F markers as you. And yes, I agree about it being worse than labour.....you're right, you get no relief. At least there's relief between contractions during labour.

Are you going to have yours removed?

B22S22's picture

Submitted by B22S22 on Thu, 10/02/2014 - 9:49am

I've had a HIDA scan also -- and had the same experience as posters above. I listened to podcasts and napped Biggrin

I still have my gallbladder, no time seems like the "right time" to have it removed. I had the worst attacks years ago when I was REALLY overweight and under a lot of stress, not eating well. I have them occasionally now, but frankly the thought of surgery creeps me out.

Yes, the attacks are painful. Feels like a vice grip all around my upper midsection, complete with nausea/vomiting. Maybe someday I'll have it taken out...

Ljcapp1's picture

Submitted by Ljcapp1 on Thu, 10/02/2014 - 12:52pm

When you say labor - did you have mysterious feeling cramps like a period was coming even though you weren't close to starting?

ltman's picture

Submitted by ltman on Thu, 10/02/2014 - 10:37am

Hida scan is easy peasy. The surgery is fairly simple. It's the diarrhea afterwards that can be unremitting. Keep an extra pair of panties in your purse and never, never,never ever trust a fart.

Ljcapp1's picture

Submitted by Ljcapp1 on Thu, 10/02/2014 - 10:54am

My right side is not painful per se, anymore. It's a pressure that makes me feel sick and it goes into my back ribs like a ball being squeezed. Sometimes it feels like a runner's cramp. Then I have a lump in my throat that feels greasy. Yesterday I couldn't put my feet on the floor without yaking, but every time I did I felt so much better for a little while.

ETA-I've been exhausted for weeks even when I don't feel and attack is present. Did any of you?

Itman - I don't trust one now. I made that mistake once!

Teas83's picture

Submitted by Teas83 on Thu, 10/02/2014 - 11:20am

My pain for me wasn't on my right side, it was right in the middle near my diaphragm. It took awhile for mine to be diagnosed because I didn't have stones and the pain wasn't in the usual place. The HIDA scan is what diagnosed it for me. I had blood tests and an ultrasound previously that showed nothing. I also felt quite tired constantly, like you said.

I recommend getting it removed. You'll feel so much better. The surgery is laproscopic - it's fairly quick and leaves minimal scarring. I felt back to normal within 4-5 days. The hardest part for me was being told I wasn't allowed to pick up my 1 year old for 2 weeks (I broke that rule after about a week).

Teas83's picture

Submitted by Teas83 on Thu, 10/02/2014 - 5:55pm

Some of my attacks made me think I was having a heart attack too (before the GB issues were diagnosed). I had to remind myself that I'm young, thin, eat right and exercise and a heart attack was unlikely.

Ljcapp1's picture

Submitted by Ljcapp1 on Thu, 10/02/2014 - 12:34pm

Thanks for validating this...I fall asleep at 7 pm most days and can nap on and off everyday.
I thought maybe I was depressed or just being lazy