TeresaGrooms-- One test down, one to go

As I was discussing with Teresa in her thread down below "I spoke too soon", I have been really sick. THAT'S why I haven't been around. UGH. I had an upper GI with SBFT (small bowel follow through) today and he said everything looks normal. I guess that's good- but I have my Hida scan for my gallbladder on Monday and I hope to god that thing is diseased and needs to come out- there has GOT to be an explanation for the way I've been feeling! I'll let you know what I find out on Monday. Teresa, I was just reading that some people can still have gallbladder spasms even though they've had their gallbladder out! Interesting, isn't it? So, if we don't get to the bottom of your pain too- it's something to investigate I guess. When we lose weight rapidly (and even though we think we're slow, it's happening pretty quickly) it causes gallstones- but you would think it may also cause some sort of symptoms even if you don't have the gallbladder. What kind of symptoms were you having that led to you getting your GB out? Your sister in pain, Michele

Hey sister pain! LOL I was just hurting, bent over turning green hurting in my upper abd when my gallbladder was bad. I think it will turn out to be your gallbladder, they should have tested that first! I think I need to have the SBFT done also, what all did they tell you they were looking for with this test? Are you supose to have a egd or scope done? I think they should do all of these things until they find the problem, for both of us! I have been a little better today, not hurting as much and actually wanting a little food, which I havn't been, so perhaps I am slowly getting better, I hope you do too, real soon! I have always still had some pains around where my gallbladder used to be, it does feel kinda weird when it happens, took me a while to get used to it also. I appreciate you keeping me up on what you find out and learn, I will do the same for you. Please take care and email me anytime! [email protected]

I already had the endoscopy- about a month ago. It was clear. My surgeon said that he wanted me to have a Hida scan for my GB if the endoscopy was negative. Thing is, I didn't want to have another surgery, and the gastroenterologist who did the endoscopy said he didn't think it was my gallbladder because the ultrasound showed nothing (had that first trip to ER in late August) nor did the blood tests. Sooooo.... I wasn't listening to my surgeon. Well, I may end up kicking myself for that because it may very well be my GB after all, and I could have saved myself some grief. I ADORE my surgeon, I just didn't want to have another surgery! They didn't really say what they were looking for- but, they didn't find whatever it was. I guess abnormalities or blockages? You have to drink that lovely Barium ****tail you know (blech!)- it's not really that bad though, kinda like Maalox. I've had worse. One thing they did tell me though is that the barium went right through my pouch- I mean, FAST. He had to have me drink some more because he wasn't prepared for it emptying out so quickly. And my bowels sure do look funny in places! LOL! They said it was normal- but you would think you'd see sausage shapes, right? Not true in some places- it looked more like long arms with fingers. It was enlightening, although I could have gone my whole life without seeing it..... LOL Hopefully we will both get to the bottom of this. I'm glad you were feeling better today!

Michele, Is the barium supose to go that fast? How was your stoma when they scoped you? I keep thinking my stoma is a little big because when I do feel good and can eat more food it seems to go through kinda fast. My doctor doesn't plan on doing any test on me right now because he said my symptoms wern't "right" for certain problems, so I don't know what is next for me. Lots of luck to you! Teresa

M- Sorry to hear you are feeling so awful! I am crossing my fingers that you will feel better and that it will soon be resolved. Hugs, Andrea

Yall, I just had my gallbladder out 3 weeks ago. I had the HIDA scan done, that test is Horrible! I was having symptoms like couldn't keep my food down, nausea. Surgery really is not that bad. I thought it was at first, but after a couple of weeks, I felt much better. Main thing is, we have just had major surgery already, so you will be tired for awhile. I still am.

Uh oh Cristi- why do you say the Hida scan is horrible? Please give details so I know what to expect on Monday....

I'm sorry you ladies are having all this trouble. Truthfully, the fact that gallbladders go bad so often after WLS is the reason mine came out at the time of my surgery. I don't understand why more surgeons don't just remove it, given how often problems occur. Hope you are all feeling better soon. Big hugs, Sharon

I agree Sharon- I was just thinking the same thing this morning! The doctors should at least inform the patient of how often this happens, and give them the option to have their GB removed at the same time as WLS.

Good Luck Monday! I asked my surgeon about taking a pill for Gall Bladder. Some post ops take a pill to help prevent gall bladder attacks. (for the life of me I cannot think of the name of it). He said he did a study and opted not to offer to his patients. I will look around the site to see if I can find the name of medicine some take. My sister had her gall bladder out last year. She was having spasms and said it helped to raise her arm above her head to help with them. Hope you feel better... hugs