HIDA Scan Results

[Mommy_oftwo]

Hello! After posting my symptoms about 2 months back, most of the feedback i received was to see a G.I Doc. and that it sounded like my gallbladder.Following a major Gallbladder attack, trip to the E.R and still no solid answers (except for no gallstones).
I saw a wonderful G.I Doc. who recommended the Hida Scan. It was done on Monday, it took my gallbladder almost the full 1st hr. of the exam to start filiing and about 65min. to fill completely. Once they injected the CCK i did experience some nausea and pain but maybe a 3 on the pain scale. While my typical attacks are 7-9. The doc. e-mailed me a copy of the results. Which gave me a function of 43%, and also added that, " The delay of gallbladder filling in contrast to gastrointestinal tract visualization suggests chronic cholecystitis ". My doc. seems stumped as my symptoms are bad and I have attacks almost weekly. But the results are not positive nor negative.
Im wondering if i should push to have it removed due to the pain, how it effects my life, and gallbladder func.??
Can the gallbladder ever get better with diet restrictions etc? or is it all just down hill?
Any suggestions? Input? Advice Etc would be GREATLY appreciated!
Thanks.

[Mommy_oftwo]

Thanks so much for your reply and advice.
I do have a great doctor and he says he is a bit stumped as i DO NOT have gallstones but repeatedly have an inflammed gallbladder and tons of pain. The attacks are almost weekly and are terrible. He hasn't told me he thinks surgury is the best option, yet, as i see him in another two weeks and i am cgarting my pain and meals, etc.
I think you are right and i agree, i don't want to have any major surgery, esp. if it might not resolve the problem completely. I have two liitle ones and i need to make sure i make the most informed decision.
I will def. look into the Complimentary Medicine forum and see if they have any ideas. I would like to see if going on an even more stick diet etc. will atleast make me have less attacks and maybe i can live with this for as long as possible.
I really appreciate your post and care. I'll let u know how it all goes.

[FurballsMom]

p.s.

I think it's a good doctor who isn't quick to push surgery.  Some clinics have a reputation for performing a lot of these surgeries.  This is not a good sign of a good clinic.

Conventional medicine says that nothing diet-wise can change the functioning of the gallbladder.  Natural medicines suggest there might be.  All I know is weigh and balance the whole thing and steer clear of anything that sounds like quackery to you.  The middle of the road, especially while in the decision making period of time is a safer bet.

I do suggest asking dietary questions on Complimentary Medicine forum to see what folks there talk about.  Question everything in your mind.  Some of the cleanses work while others really are just quackery.  There are a couple of people on that forum who seem to be knowledgeable about a wide variety of topics concerning complimentary medicine.  And, mostly they seem to have an integrative medicine viewpoint, which really is in the middle of the road.  Question everything in your mind and do other online research yourself until you are certain what your decision should be.

[FurballsMom]

You should be aware that many people who have their gallbladders removed still experience the same physical symptoms they had prior to taking the gallbladder out.  I don't know if diet can make the stones flush out on their own or not, but I do know that regardless of your decision about surgery, you do still need to be careful with your diet from now on.

I also don't think that pushing for surgery that your doctor hasn't said you absolutely have to have would be a good idea, especially for the above reason.  You will still have the pain and nausea.  I've read a lot of experiences even right here on medhelp.  Plus, I know people who have had the surgery.  They still suffer as if they never had the surgery to begin with.

Only you can decide, and maybe someone else has a different opinion.  I do know that my last GI I went to said the same thing I just said above.  He wasn't going to order a HIDA unless surgery was a strong possibility.