Hiatia Hernia and GERD - Could it also be a gallbladder problem?

Hello,

I was diagnosed with a small Hiatia Hernia and GERD 2 months ago. I had been suffering with Acid Reflux off and on since November 2006 but nothing like what I've experienced the past 2 month.

I've had the scope done down my throat and my Gastro Specialist assured me he saw nothing serious. I also had an abdominal ultrasound done in August and another done last Thursday (still awaiting the results on the second test). I've tried Prevacid, Zantac, Carafate, Dispas, Prilosec and Reglan but haven't found any significant relief.

At this point, I have absolutely no appetite and am miserable after eating almost anything - so I'm feeling very weak most of the time. My first abdominal ultrasound came back showing no gallbladder problems but I do have a tenderness under my right rib cage and a feeling of emptiness in that area. Neither my Internist or Gastro Specialist seemed too concerned that it could be a gallbladder problem and they are both surprised at least one of the medications hasn't helped.

Anyone have any ideas? I'm beginning to feel a bit panicked since I'm feeling so crummy which is out of the ordinary for me. I've never has digestive problems and am anxious to start feeling better again.

Thanks....

Hi Porcelan Doll,

Thanks for the information. How uncomfortable was the HIDA scan and the Gallbladder surgery?

Hope you feel 100% again very soon.

Hello Tappers,

That would be terrific if you could find the gall bladder cleanse recipe. I really appreciate your help.

Thank you....

Hi Suzy:  Yes, I had the Pipda/Hida scan done in the hospital and I can tell you exactly how it was performed.  When I went to the hospital I was fasting then the technician/radiologist gave me a shot and said it was some type of isotope that goes straight into the liver (you must be fasting on an empty stomach).  You lie on this table while a huge machine is taking images and you are not supposed to be moving.  This took about one hour I would say.  Toward the end of this hour I told the technician that I was starting to feel a slight discomfort but only on my right side and he said it was my gallbladder (that it is on the right side).  So ok, we proceeded and he had my drink a protein drink which was very hard to do because I was lying down and he wouldn't let me sit up because the machine is taking pictures and they don't want you to be moving.  It was difficult to swallow because I have acid reflux and the drink wanted to come back up, he said we also had to hurry because it was supposed to be timed.  Ok then I said "I can't swallow it because it wants to come back" and he said he had a shot of some chemical that would take the place of the drink but I would have to be quick and make the decision if I wanted it because it would make me nauseated and probably make me vomit.  He said try hard to drink the drink and I don't know how I managed but I did get it down.  So then I had to then wait about 30 minutes and this was when the test was extremely painful.  I could feel the pain (only on my right side) radiate down towards my knee.  Yes, I must say again that the pain was excurciating but only on my right side after consuming the drink.  This lasted about 30 minutes (I felt the pain because the gallbladder was emptying he said).  When the test finished I was shaking a little and it took me about 5-10 minutes to gather my composure.  I would say about two days later the results were in that my gallbladder wasn't functioning.  The normal gallbladder has a ejection rate of 35% and mine had an ejection rate of 19%.  I can only think that perhaps my test was painful because I had a gallbladder that wasn't working but I am pretty sure if it had been working it wouldn't of been painful at all.  I hope I answered your question and no I wouldn't be scared to take the test at all.  Good luck....Porcelain Doll Maker.....

Hi Porcelain Doll,

Many thanks for your input on the HIDA Scan and your Gall Bladder surgery. My second abdominal ultrasound came back showing no Gall Bladder problem so I pushed for a HIDA Scan which is scheduled for October 9.

I hope you feel better soon...keep me posted.

Thanks again