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Distended stomach... gallbladder issues?
I am a 23 year old female, and I've been experiencing severe upper right quadrant pain for the past two weeks. It's at its worst within an hour or two after I eat, but can occur even when I don't eat. This pain is debilitating, and lasts anywhere from half an hour to six hours, depending on the attack. I've also lost my apatite since then, and have lost 13 pounds in these two weeks.
The day after my first attack, I went to my university clinic and had an abdominal ultrasound done. I was given Donatal, but this only seemed to make the symptoms worse, including diarrhea within an hour of eating and some shortness of breath (it hurt to take a deep breath), and occasional asthma like reactions that only lasted a few minutes. After four more days of these symptoms, I went to the ER. Another Ultrasound and abdominal CT came back normal, I was released with an anti acid and pain killers. The next day I followed up with a GI doctor, who thought my symptoms were severe enough to be admitted to the hospital.
After a week in the hospital, the doctors were still clueless. I had every test imaginable run, most came back with unremarkable results. Ultrasound was normal, abdominal CT showed a distended stomach but otherwise normal, pelvic CT was normal, HIDA scan triggered a severe attack when CCK was injected, but had a 70% ejection rate. Chest CT and X-rays were taken to rule out broken ribs, normal results. Endoscopy came back with esophagitis NOT caused by acid reflux (otherwise normal), and colonoscopy came back with normal results. I was given multiple antispasmodics, anti acids and ulcer medicines, with no change in symptoms. CBC and other blood tests showed nearly everything as running low (though this may be caused by not being able to eat), and WBC came back extremely low, at 299. The surgeon seemed to believe that this was still somehow gallbladder related, but didn't have enough proof to operate. The GI doctor was very apologetic, saying that they didn't handle a lot of unusual cases, and was given orders to follow up with another GI specialist that's use to dealing with unusual cases. The appointment is set for next week.
I've been out of the hospital for two days, and the symptoms are still the same. If anyone has any ideas as to what may be causing this, any insights would be greatly appreciated!
The day after my first attack, I went to my university clinic and had an abdominal ultrasound done. I was given Donatal, but this only seemed to make the symptoms worse, including diarrhea within an hour of eating and some shortness of breath (it hurt to take a deep breath), and occasional asthma like reactions that only lasted a few minutes. After four more days of these symptoms, I went to the ER. Another Ultrasound and abdominal CT came back normal, I was released with an anti acid and pain killers. The next day I followed up with a GI doctor, who thought my symptoms were severe enough to be admitted to the hospital.
After a week in the hospital, the doctors were still clueless. I had every test imaginable run, most came back with unremarkable results. Ultrasound was normal, abdominal CT showed a distended stomach but otherwise normal, pelvic CT was normal, HIDA scan triggered a severe attack when CCK was injected, but had a 70% ejection rate. Chest CT and X-rays were taken to rule out broken ribs, normal results. Endoscopy came back with esophagitis NOT caused by acid reflux (otherwise normal), and colonoscopy came back with normal results. I was given multiple antispasmodics, anti acids and ulcer medicines, with no change in symptoms. CBC and other blood tests showed nearly everything as running low (though this may be caused by not being able to eat), and WBC came back extremely low, at 299. The surgeon seemed to believe that this was still somehow gallbladder related, but didn't have enough proof to operate. The GI doctor was very apologetic, saying that they didn't handle a lot of unusual cases, and was given orders to follow up with another GI specialist that's use to dealing with unusual cases. The appointment is set for next week.
I've been out of the hospital for two days, and the symptoms are still the same. If anyone has any ideas as to what may be causing this, any insights would be greatly appreciated!
I believe I recently passed a gall stone. My ultrasound shows no stones now, but my HIDA shows no release at 10, 20, and 30 minutes (test results didn't come with % figure). Question: What's the rate of of false positives for HIDA? Not excited about surgery if it's not necessary. Today I feel OK. Any thoughts about this?
Hi Amber. I have the exact same problems and I don't know what to do. I am wondering what happened to you. It's been almost a year since your last post. Please tell me how you are and what they ended up doing with your situation. Thank You!
Bloating and hard swallowing? Burping also?
Have you heartburn maybe? You might want to have a breath test for H. pylori.
You can make an elimination diet experiment. Drop fibers from your diet (vegetables, fruits...) for a week or so, and you'll see if it helps. Next time you can drop fats.
If this doesn't help, bloating may be due to bile acids which constantly leak into your intestine. When bacteria eat them, they produce gas. One wek after the gb removal isn't the right time for any major conclusions though - things may settle down - try with a diet first.
Have you heartburn maybe? You might want to have a breath test for H. pylori.
You can make an elimination diet experiment. Drop fibers from your diet (vegetables, fruits...) for a week or so, and you'll see if it helps. Next time you can drop fats.
If this doesn't help, bloating may be due to bile acids which constantly leak into your intestine. When bacteria eat them, they produce gas. One wek after the gb removal isn't the right time for any major conclusions though - things may settle down - try with a diet first.
I had my gallbladder removed Feb. 29th. I have been bloated and miserable. Went to the doc on Mon. She said the bloating is from the gas they fill you up with so they can see the organs better. I don't agree this is terrible. I also have a hard time swallowing and my throat feels like there is a chunk of meat in it. If anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated. thanks kim
From your symptoms - it sounds like gallbladder. 70% function on HIDA is not normal, it's lowered. "Severe attack" on performing a test also speaks for gallbladder disease, or - disease of bile duct. Well, I'm not sure if HIDA scan should show this or not; there's another investigation - ERCP - they go with endoscope into your duodenum and inject contrast in biliary system - this may reveal eventual stones or stenosis. I'm not saying you need ERCP, these are some thoughts to speak with your doctor.
Gallbladder disease goes with *one or more* of these: pain, like spasm in minutes or few hours, especially after the fatty meal, pain may radiate toward the upper right back or shoulder, nausea, vomiting, diarhea with pale/yellow stool.
Gallbladder disease goes with *one or more* of these: pain, like spasm in minutes or few hours, especially after the fatty meal, pain may radiate toward the upper right back or shoulder, nausea, vomiting, diarhea with pale/yellow stool.
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