98% HIDA Scan Ejection Fraction

[cmross1108]

A few years ago, I had a bout of indigestion when I ate some lunch - unfortunately don't remember what it was. It went away shortly, but then I lost my appetite for 3 days. I went to see my GP and he suspected ulcer and threw me on omeprazole, told me to take a probiotic and scheduled me for an upper GI series. I took the pills for about a month (had a few instances of nausea when waking up but that went away) and since I hadn't had any other instances, I stopped. Upper GI came back normal. I asked for blood tests which all came back normal so then I got referred to a GI specialist. I was feeling fine at this point so I didn't feel the need to call. After about a month of being OFF of the omeprazole, I noticed I started having mild right side discomfort/burning (more towards my side). I wouldn't call it pain but certainly not normal. Then after eating a spicy sausage alfredo meal I made, the discomfort/burning intensified. I had a hard time finding a position to fall asleep in, but once I did I slept through the night. I called my GP again and he told me to call the GI. Appointment was scheduled a month out since I was new, so my GP squeezed an ultrasound in - turned out normal but it was painful when they were looking at the GB. This was about the time that I found out that my family had a history of gallstones. I waited for the GI appointment, they took more blood work - liver, pancreas, inflammatory markers - all normal. Also ordered a HIDA scan which came back at 98% ejection fraction. I didn't have "recurrence" of the symptoms, per say, but the burning was there before, throughout and afterwards. No worse, no better. By the time I got the HIDA scan results, all my symptoms were gone and I felt better so I didn't feel the need to pursue further.

Fast forward to a few months ago - the symptoms came back but not as intense. I had an annual physical so I figured I would bring it up to my doctor at this point. I also noted to him that I was having lighter colored stools. He seemed to brush it all off and said if it changed, to call him back. I dealt with it for a bit, but one day I had burning in my lower right flank/back and called him up. He figured kidneys, had me due a urinalysis which came back normal. I also mentioned to him that I've been having diarrhea (more softer stools than anything). He referred me right back to the GI so I went (got me in much faster this time). She did more blood work, sent me for another ultrasound and a stool sample. Blood work normal, stool sample normal, ultrasound normal. She gave me some antispasmodics, told me to follow a low FODMAP diet and scheduled a follow up appointment for a month. I did my best to do the low FODMAP diet, but was out of town for a week and met with some clients so going out to restaurants isn't the easiest, but I significantly reduced all FODMAP foods. No big difference. The burning/discomfort pretty much went away like I stated, almost making me forget I had it - but I definitely recall shifting in my sleep before to find a comfortable position so I know it was there at some point. The diarrhea over the month has ranged from light soft stools, to fatty/floating orange diarrhea, to acidy yellow diarrhea. About a week ago, I started having horrible sour stomach and a sore throat. Tums was not helping at all. I just had the follow up appointment this past Wednesday. She did one last lipase and liver blood panel (came back normal) and has referred me to a surgeon for gallbladder removal since she noted an overactive GB. She also told me to take some Zantac which helped, but I'm waking up nauseous in the morning again and have lost my appetite - I get hungry but I don't crave/want anything specific anymore.

I'm willing to go talk to the surgeon, but I'm petrified this isn't my gallbladder since it's not clear cut or that I'll be worse after surgery. Has anyone gone through this? Or had a high EF and got their GB out?