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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2014 16:07:16 GMT
Since you all were so helpful the last time I had a medical mystery (I was having neuropathy in my foot that I thought might be related to being diabetic but took several Peas' suggestions to try B12 and it has completely resolved itself!), I thought I would come here and throw another one at you.
Pain - upper right quadrant of abdomen; some pain in lower right quadrant also but not as much. No pain on left side at all; upper abdomen feels rigid and hard when this happens; intense nausea; generally only happens a couple of hours after the last meal of the day; happens no matter what I eat - whether it's a higher fat food or a simple salad with lean meat and light dressing. Slight nausea after eating occasionally at other times, but nothing like in the evening.
The easy guess is gallbladder. But I had an abdominal ultrasound - as well as blood work - and nothing. It all looks normal. I hate it when the answer is "we can't find anything."
Any guesses?
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Post by mcscrapper on Jul 12, 2014 16:16:23 GMT
It could still be a gallbladder issue. Just not seen on a "regular" U/S. You may need a Hida scan.
Have you had any belching or gas? We women tend to get really constipated and not really even realize it and our symptoms can be more upper GI appearing. Have you taken any meds yet? Tagamet is a great GI med and is actually used for a lot of different ailments....even warts! No joke!
hope you feel better! meredith
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2014 16:20:37 GMT
It could still be a gallbladder issue. Just not seen on a "regular" U/S. You may need a Hida scan. Have you had any belching or gas? We women tend to get really constipated and not really even realize it and our symptoms can be more upper GI appearing. Have you taken any meds yet? Tagamet is a great GI med and is actually used for a lot of different ailments....even warts! No joke! hope you feel better! meredith I'm definitely not constipated because I had surgery a few weeks ago (this started before that) and I'm still using a stool softener. I am also on Protonix for acid reflux - although I suppose it's possible that for one reason or another it's no longer effective.
I'll have to see about the Hida scan. Is it possible for the gallbladder to just be irritated and not have stones? My doctor was sure that it was a gallbladder issue initially (although to be fair to him, the US was just yesterday, so I haven't had a chance to consult with him further on his thoughts).
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2014 16:28:22 GMT
I'd vote for acid reflex/heartburn/indigestion. I've had my gallbladder out but still experience you symptoms if I eat too much at one sitting.
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Post by mcscrapper on Jul 12, 2014 16:35:31 GMT
It could still be a gallbladder issue. Just not seen on a "regular" U/S. You may need a Hida scan. Have you had any belching or gas? We women tend to get really constipated and not really even realize it and our symptoms can be more upper GI appearing. Have you taken any meds yet? Tagamet is a great GI med and is actually used for a lot of different ailments....even warts! No joke! hope you feel better! meredith I'm definitely not constipated because I had surgery a few weeks ago (this started before that) and I'm still using a stool softener. I am also on Protonix for acid reflux - although I suppose it's possible that for one reason or another it's no longer effective.
I'll have to see about the Hida scan. Is it possible for the gallbladder to just be irritated and not have stones? My doctor was sure that it was a gallbladder issue initially (although to be fair to him, the US was just yesterday, so I haven't had a chance to consult with him further on his thoughts).
Yes. Your g'bladder can be just irritated so to speak. I've had that happen and it usually resolves itself after a few days of kind of "resting" my gut. I try to limit all the fried and high fat foods and stick to some bland foods for a day or two. One of the big symptoms of g'bladder issues can be clay colored stools. Your symptoms certainly point to some gallbladder issues. I would definitely talk to your doc more about it. It could just be a little "colicky" episode but they do sometimes recur and can be pretty miserable! m
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Post by mcscrapper on Jul 12, 2014 16:36:32 GMT
Oh, and usually Protonix can be used for years w/o building too much of an intolerance to it. We use it A LOT with pretty good success.
m
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2014 16:39:04 GMT
Thanks. I think I'll give it a rest and really try to limit the foods I'm eating and try to keep a detailed food diary to see if there's any correlation.
I appreciate all of the input.
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akathy
What's For Dinner?
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Post by akathy on Jul 12, 2014 17:33:20 GMT
Have you tried a low fiber diet?
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Post by mellyw on Jul 12, 2014 17:34:48 GMT
My gallbladder started mis-firing for lack of better word. No gallstones at all. Basically, I had a mechanical failure. The little tube running out of my gallbladder would squeeze shut, causing bile to back up behind that point. Very unpleasant sensation. No rhyme or reason as when or why it would happen, had no risk factors (I was slightly underweight at the time, lived in Japan & ate a terribly healthy diet, & was only 26).
Only found the malfunction thru a HIDA scan.
The two main symptoms I really remember, besides pain. Remember being pregnant and feeling like baby was using your ribs as a jungle gym? I'd push on my belly to get the kid out of the there, but that same pressure from the inside, swelling under the ribs feeling. And two, sorry to be kind of gross, but that back up of bile? When the valve opened, all that bile dumped out making for some really special diarrhea.
Other suggestion, you mentioned just having surgery. Any chance of liver problems? That's where I'm feeling my liver issues, same area as where my gallbladder used to me. That one threw me a little. Wasn't expecting to feel liver problems there, but a quick google search will give you an idea of location.
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Post by mellyw on Jul 12, 2014 17:38:21 GMT
Thanks. I think I'll give it a rest and really try to limit the foods I'm eating and try to keep a detailed food diary to see if there's any correlation. I appreciate all of the input. That's one of the things that tipped my Doctor off. Didn't matter what I did or didn't eat, symptoms stayed the same. So I'd suggest keeping track of that with your food diary too.
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Post by hennybutton on Jul 12, 2014 17:50:43 GMT
Have you had blood tests to check your liver and pancreatic enzyme levels? I'm pretty sure an ultrasound will pick up gallstones, but might miss other issues with your gallbladder. Your symptoms could also be pancreatitis or liver issues. Is it your PCP who sent you for the ultrasound? If they didn't find anything, it's time for a referral to a gastroenterologist. I hope you feel better soon.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2014 18:01:18 GMT
I'm not sure exactly what blood tests were run although my GP is generally very thorough. I still really suspect that it's related to my gallbladder in one way or another so I think the best route to go is to wait another couple of weeks and keep some detailed info on time/food intake, etc. and then we have something (or nothing!) to go on. Gallbladder would be preferable to pancreatitis, that's for sure.
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Post by pierkiss on Jul 12, 2014 18:02:35 GMT
Still gonna go with gallbladder.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2014 19:21:59 GMT
It could still be a gallbladder issue. Just not seen on a "regular" U/S. You may need a Hida scan. Have you had any belching or gas? We women tend to get really constipated and not really even realize it and our symptoms can be more upper GI appearing. Have you taken any meds yet? Tagamet is a great GI med and is actually used for a lot of different ailments....even warts! No joke! hope you feel better! meredith That was my first thought too. My gallbladder issues didn't show up on an ultrasound but on the HIDA scan it showed that it was only functioning at 27%. I hope you feel better. I know how painful it is!
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jayfab
Drama Llama
procastinating
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Post by jayfab on Jul 12, 2014 22:03:21 GMT
Very possible it could be a gallbladder issue. I had an ultrasound and a ct scan with nothing showing. But the HIDA scan showed a diseased gallbladder, no stones. Out it went.
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craftchickapowpow
Full Member
My Circus My Monkeys
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Jun 26, 2014 16:12:18 GMT
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Post by craftchickapowpow on Jul 13, 2014 0:02:46 GMT
not a doctor and don't play one on TV so feel free to take this with a grain of salt but your symptoms sound the same as my fathers and he had Pancreatitis. Hope you get this resolved and start feeling better.
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Post by BuckeyeSandy on Jul 13, 2014 0:09:19 GMT
Another voting for keeping a food diary for a couple weeks (my PCP had me do it) and write down TIME of day.
In my case it actually some mild GERD and when I eat a meal AFTER 7pm. Changing habits, occurs less often and only when I did eat late.
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Post by anniefb on Jul 13, 2014 0:18:01 GMT
I agree about the food diary because it would be helpful to be able to link it to something in particular if you can. Could also possibly be liver, particularly with the nausea. Hope you get it resolved soon.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2014 0:41:10 GMT
It could still be a gallbladder issue. Just not seen on a "regular" U/S. You may need a Hida scan. Have you had any belching or gas? We women tend to get really constipated and not really even realize it and our symptoms can be more upper GI appearing. Have you taken any meds yet? Tagamet is a great GI med and is actually used for a lot of different ailments....even warts! No joke! hope you feel better! meredith I'm definitely not constipated because I had surgery a few weeks ago (this started before that) and I'm still using a stool softener. I am also on Protonix for acid reflux - although I suppose it's possible that for one reason or another it's no longer effective.
I'll have to see about the Hida scan. Is it possible for the gallbladder to just be irritated and not have stones? My doctor was sure that it was a gallbladder issue initially (although to be fair to him, the US was just yesterday, so I haven't had a chance to consult with him further on his thoughts). It's definitely possible to not have stones and have your gallbladder not function. Nothing showed up on my ultrasounds but like I said on the HIDA scan, It showed that it was functioning at I think 27%. That pain is awful. I hope it gets better!
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Post by ilovelucydog on Jul 13, 2014 1:03:53 GMT
I would guess gallbladder. I had the same exact symptoms as you, with a normal ultrasound and even a normal HIDA scan. The surgeon took it out anyways and pathology showed it to be very sclerosed. That was almost 2 years ago and I've never had another symptom.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2014 2:04:30 GMT
Thanks again for all the input. This is why the Peas will always survive - they are a great source of information. It's so frustrating to get no answers when you know there is a problem so it's at least comforting to hear that others have had similar issues.
I'm going to assume there isn't a problem with my liver - or at least one that is visible on an ultrasound - since the tech did the entire abdomen area.
I do think I'll go to a gastroenterologist if the symptoms continue because my GP would just end up referring me anyway (and I don't need a referral for insurance to cover).
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Post by KiwiJo on Jul 13, 2014 2:33:51 GMT
Have you had any abdominal surgery before? If so, perhaps it is adhesions.
i am currently in hospital after a year a symptoms such as you describe, happening periodically. over the year, all doctors I saw were pretty sure it was something to do with gall bladder, and I had various tests but all came back negative.
Eventually they decided to admit me when I had the next "episode" - which happened 3 days ago. After many different tests, scans, ultrasounds, x-rays etc, they have decided on adhesions. (Which is what my GP said in the first instance!)
The symptoms you describe sound just like mine.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2014 2:42:18 GMT
Have you had any abdominal surgery before? If so, perhaps it is adhesions.
i am currently in hospital after a year a symptoms such as you describe, happening periodically. over the year, all doctors I saw were pretty sure it was something to do with gall bladder, and I had various tests but all came back negative.
Eventually they decided to admit me when I had the next "episode" - which happened 3 days ago. After many different tests, scans, ultrasounds, x-rays etc, they have decided on adhesions. (Which is what my GP said in the first instance!)
The symptoms you describe sound just like mine.No, any abdominal surgery I've had done is much, much lower (endometriosis, etc.) and all done laproscopically so I doubt that there are any adhesions that would be sufficient to cause any problems.
I'm just going to have to give it time and see how it plays out. I'm going to be super careful about my diet in the next week to sort of give whatever seems to be the issue a bit of a rest and then ease back into my normal diet and see where it goes from there. Eh, maybe the bright side is that it will help me lose those last few pounds so I can get that long term care policy I've been wanting to purchase.
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Post by Zee on Jul 13, 2014 3:34:34 GMT
It all sounds very much like your gallbladder, and the next step is a HIDA scan. I'd try to wait until after that to get a gastro referral, because if it shows something, the next step may be referral to a surgeon rather than gastro. If the scan shows nothing, then I'd go ahead with the gastro referral.
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azredhead
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Jun 25, 2014 22:49:18 GMT
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Post by azredhead on Jul 13, 2014 4:13:51 GMT
I sound like a broken record but it does take a while for the result for them to find stones depending on where they are. I had four. The last one they didn't find until after the gall bladder surgery. Could it be your appendix if not stones. Mine was infected from the stones so they took out both plus part of my intestines where it was infected from the stones. I was a rare case. My liver is still recovering. They did a biopsy on it well and check it every 6mo now as part of that and my heart condition. It's now been compromised. I also do the Prilosec 14day meds. Its OTC but it's made a world of difference. I still have flair ups depending on what I eat. I hate it because I do like not have to worry about what I eat. If the pain worsens don't hesitate to make them triple check. How's your blood work?
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Post by anonrefugee on Jul 13, 2014 4:28:39 GMT
I had similar pain this past year and finally went to the Dr. We skipped ultrasound and went straight to a scan with wonderful blech barium. It showed constipation/ impaction. I protested, because I am nothing if not regular! Apparently "stuff" can be built up but other can eek past. It took a week to accept this. I did what dr ordered (milk of magnesia) and cleared it out. I am making a gastro appt now because I need to know if it's something more- but currently I am symptom free. Unless I eat pizza, quesadillas and cheesy bread for three consecutive meals/ snacks.
Prior to this I was 2.5 years last colonoscopy - they told me to come back in five. Sorry TMI
Ps I. An sick to my healthyish diet during the week but crash on weekends with unhealthy DH home. Pleaee advise!!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2014 4:37:07 GMT
Ps I. An sick to my healthyish diet during the week but crash on weekends with unhealthy DH home. Pleaee advise!! Get him a hobby so he's gone on the weekends?
I don't know what to tell you - LOL. My husband works five shifts pretty much back to back and then is home for 5 days in a row. If he goes to the grocery store, it looks like he's a teenager whose parents are out of town and he's having a party.
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M in Carolina
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Jun 29, 2014 12:11:41 GMT
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Post by M in Carolina on Jul 13, 2014 4:54:30 GMT
I didn't have stones, I had sludgy bile that would back up into my liver and pancreas. Salad made me hurt more than fatty or fried foods. A HIDA scan revealed that my gallbladder was only working at 17% capacity. I was in school and wanted to wait until the end of the semester--2 weeks--before surgery. I got another severe gallbladder attack and another HIDA scan that revealed that my gallbladder was dying. The gallbladder was full of scar tissue.
I had a third accessory bile duct that got severed during the surgery because the surgeon couldn't see it due to all the scar tissue. The bile leaked into my abdomen.
I also kept getting acute pancreatitis. I tried all sorts of treatments--ERCPs, a drainage tube, flushes--and the pancreatitis kept coming back.
I finally went to Mayo and was diagnosed with a small bile duct tree and scar tissue on the sphincter at the bottom of the bile duct tree. The damage had already been done, and I have chronic pancreatitis now. The average life span of chronic pancreatitis patients is 10 years. I'm on year 7.
Pancreatitis is so serious because the bile buildup digests the pancreas from the inside. You are also at risk for diabetes because a damaged pancreas can't produce the insulin and other hormones needed.
While I think that keeping a food diary is a great idea, I don't think you should wait a week or two to see your doctor. Your general physician could order blood work to make sure that you don't have Pancreatitis. --I have to get blood work anytime my pain gets out of control and I can't eat (even my Ensure shakes) because I can't tell the difference between chronic and acute pancreatitis.
If the bile is backing up because your gallbladder is not working or there are stones, it can bother the liver and cause pain. The lab work will show if the liver and pancreatitis enzymes are abnormal.
Clay stools can be a sign that the gallbladder isn't working--there's extra fat in the stool. If there's a lot of bile, the stools can be green from the bile salts.
Once you get your bloodwork done, if you're still in a lot of pain, you could do a liquid diet to let your pancreas and gallbladder rest. I love the Ensure vanilla shakes because I get the vitamins and nutrients I need without horrible pain.
If your pain gets severe or moves more the left, please go to the ER. My dh had to have his gallbladder removed as well, but his gallbladder actually got infected. He had to be hospitalized for 3 days on antibiotics before his surgery. Thankfully I had already had my problems, so we recognized how sick he was.
I hope you feel better. Gallbladder and pancreatitis pain is horrible.
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azredhead
Drama Llama
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Jun 25, 2014 22:49:18 GMT
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Post by azredhead on Jul 13, 2014 5:32:08 GMT
M- that sounds very similar to what happened with mine. I was in the hospital for two weeks. Literally on my death bed. I was so swollen after one surgery that the CT techs asked me how far along I was. I was full of bile. They were gonna do the hose down my nose procedure but they couldn't do it. I got lucky and finally was able to do the ct liquid that have to drink. That finally got things moving. That s the nice part of it without TMI. I still need schedule my new GI at Mayo with my heart team. It totally screws with your liver and your stomach. It's is yucky. Funny you mention the vanilla shakes because that and icecream sandwiches were what I craved. Even after they took the Pic line out that was the first thing I requested. They thought I was nuts!
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MDscrapaholic
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Jun 25, 2014 20:49:07 GMT
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Post by MDscrapaholic on Jul 13, 2014 10:33:19 GMT
Have you had blood tests to check your liver and pancreatic enzyme levels? I'm pretty sure an ultrasound will pick up gallstones, but might miss other issues with your gallbladder. Your symptoms could also be pancreatitis or liver issues. Is it your PCP who sent you for the ultrasound? If they didn't find anything, it's time for a referral to a gastroenterologist. I hope you feel better soon. Another vote to get liver and pancreas enzyme levels checked. Since you're diabetic, the pancreas is already struggling.
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