Dr. C :)

Marimaru · June 28, 2006

First, thanks again for being around. It's nice to get a quick answer every now and then!

I don't know whether this is band related, and at this point, I don't know if it's gall bladder related, but I have some pain in my upper right abdomen. I saw my PCP for it a number of months ago and she ordered an ultrasound, which found nothing, and she just basically said to try some dietary changes and "see what happens".

Last Thursday night the pain got worse than it had been all this time (it was very mild, 2 or 3 level pain). Now the pain gets to be about 5 sometimes, but usually settles around 3, but has started radiating down the right side of my abdomen to about my hipbone. I went to Urgent Care on Monday, and she felt around and took come blood to check Liver function and Pancreas function. She said my blood work was perfect, with the exception of a mild case of anemia.

I am going to make another appointment with my PCP to see what she recommends next, but I wanted to see what you thought. Also, I'm attaching a link to a picture I took of an xray that was taken. There's a dark mass to the right, opposite the tubing in my band which you can see. I know a picture of an xray isn't really probably all that helpful, but I though I'd throw it in anyway; http://joygraffix.com/portfolio/oh/images/bandxray.gif

Thank you!

Trace Curry · June 29, 2006

Just so you know those Xrays are backwards (I can tell from the position of your band) so what looks like is right is actually left).

It sure sounds like gallbladder could be the problem. Sometimes you can have a normal ultrasound and still have a bad gallbladder. If I'm suspicious then I'll order a test called a HIDA scan.

I'd definitely pursue it with your PCP and/or surgeon.

Good luck,

Dr. C

Cincinnati, Ohio

www.TheBandDoctor.com 877.442.BAND

DISCLAIMER: I am not your surgeon, any comments made by me are not meant to be taken as medical advice, just general guidelines. Contact your surgeon about your specific problem!

avilla · June 30, 2006

When my gall bladder was going bad I had severe chest and left shoulder pains...They said it was from some of the nerves leading up there from the gall bladder....All of my testing was normal but I knew that something was wrong...My dr ended up sending me to another specialist that did some type of test where they inject you with some type of liquid thru a mini iv type hookup and they monitor its movement on a screen as it moves thru your body...And low and behold it was the gall bladder

Marimaru · June 30, 2006

Well, I've gone to the doctor. The pain seems more localized to my lower ribs than my actual gallbladder now. I had an xray that didn't show anything and I have an ultrasound schedule for a week from tuesday. If the ultrasound doesn't find anything I am going to get a referral to a specialist. I believe the scan you mentioned, Avilla, is a HIDA scan and I will request one.

Before it was VERY Mild constant pain, and now it's pretty moderate, at times a little more than that (though not severe... yet). Hopefully it doesn't get worse before my ultrasound. Liquid tylenol seems to keep it at bay, but my liver is healthy and I'd like to keep it that way!

avilla · July 1, 2006

Good, I am glad that they are trying to figure out what is going on...I was pretty sure that is was called a HIDA scan but I didnt want to guess at it so I just described what it was...I would for sure ask your dr for one if thats what you think is wrong...I wish you all the luck