Suffering in pain but ultrsound revealed NO STONES :(

Posted , 9 users are following.

I had my first Gastro appt yesterday and considered myself to be lucky that I was having an "episode" of severe pain during the consult after eating 2 hours before I arrived! I was a little upset this morning after an ultrasound revealed no stones.. I mean, I should be happy but I felt like there was no solution to my probelems. My liver and pancreas were also normal. I headed right back to the Gastro doctor with the results and was so happy when he said that the test was'nt the final answer and that he wants me to now do an MRI because sometimes "stones" are in the form of sand and can't be picked up on the ultrasound. He said that if that for some reason didn't show what was clearly going on, then he is going to do an endoscopic ultrasound. I am so relieved that this doctor seems to be knowledable and is taking my pain seriously instead of brushing it off as something minor. In the meantime he prescibed me an antispastic medication to stop the pain until my MRI appt on the 10th!

2 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Michelle, I had a MRI scan and it shows everything, so if you've got stones there they will definitely show. I'm now having my Gallbladder out on 13th July.
  • Posted

    Hi Michelle,

    I had pain,usually right sided, gastritis and stool colour changes.

    The ultrasound found a fatty liver, but the ct scan with contrast

    found nothing despite ongoing issues.

    I was ruled out of having an mri due to a small piece of metal

    from a childhood accident that was decided not to be dug out.

    However, the specialist sent me for a choliangiogram and it

    showed I had naturally occurring narrow ducts with evidence of "sludge". So instead of a stone lodged in the duct, sludge is

    causing issues.

    My local Dr told me the results and seems to think at this stage the Specialist will try to correct issues through a low fat and

    moderate carb diet rather than remove the gallbladder.

    I can fully empathise with what you are experiencing, i hope it is sorted soon.

  • Posted

    Yes it is nice to atleast know what is cauing the problem isn't it?

    Hope you manage to get to the bottom of all this.

    Take care and keep in touch

    Praying for you

    Love Sarah xx

  • Posted

    Michelle,

    I recently had my gallbladder removed after going through 5 months of agony. I had all sorts of tests. Stress test, upper gi, endoscope (showed superficial ulcers) ultrasound (showed no stones), bloodwork, HIDA scan (EF was over 80% and I had pain during the part where they make your gallbladder contract), ct scan (showed fatty liver). 1st surgeon wasn't sold on it being my gallbladder. After 3 months on the brat diet, I got a second opinion. New surgeon specialized in biliary issues and she saw my hida scan and said "that's not normal. More than likely your gallbladder is bad. I had surgery 3 weeks ago. Pathology on gallbladder showed chronic disease and it was FULL of stones.

    The ultrasound isn't a 100% accurate tool when checking for stones.

    • Posted

      Hi now wondering if my recent ultrasound scan which showed no gall stones is similar to what happened with yours. I am waiting for an endoscope due to indigestion/heartburn, pains and bloating issues. I am also tender over gallbladder/liver area and have been told i have slightly fatty liver and slightly raised GGT levels which is why i had ultrasound.  I did not realise ultrasound was not 100% accurate.
    • Posted

      I'm not 100% sure. I thought it was odd that neither of my ultrasounds showed stones. But my mom, who is a radiologist, said it's possible that their could have been sludge, or the composition of the stones made them hard to see, or my size (even though I've lost 150 lbs, I'm still big) could have kept them from getting a clear picture. My surgeon said she sees a case a week like mine, on average.

      But I had a lot of the same symptoms. Indigestion, heartburn, and I have a fatty liver as well. The only time I had tenderness over my liver/gb region is when I had the attack that landed me in the hospital.

      My wife had her gallbladder removed about 6 months ago after an ultrasound showed hers was full of stones.

    • Posted

      Yes, my gastro doctor said that no evidence of gallstones doesn't rule out gallbladder disease.
  • Posted

    Yes it sounds like he really wants to help you. My doctor gave up after my gastroscopy was normal and all other test before that which is 3 ultrosounds, x rays of my stomach and my chest and blood tests. Also she send me to physiatris to see if my pain is in my head . Aftet my gastroscopy i went back to see my results and she told me there is nothing else she can do for me .. She told me i have to learn how to live with this pain. I didnt agree with her and told her i want hida scan done .. She told me i wont get approved because my tests are normal . but she still send the referal. Hospital called me with an appoitment next day . i went 2 weeks ago and today got my rsults.. My gallblader is at 19% . She wanted to book me for surgery right a way and i told her im going to try natural remedies first and see if this helps if not ill come back . I would never think i will be happy to hear my gall blader is bad but after dealing with this pain for 3 years and not knowing where is it coming from its a nightmare. I feel like ivr been depressed for all that time because i didnt know what was going on and wondering day and night what the heck is going there why do i have this pain where is it coming from and reading things online made me even worry more . so im glad finaly i got my dignosis. Only thonk im worried now is the ALP level in my blood is low .. Its at 29 few miths ago was at 33 and norm is 35 .. So not sure if this has to do with my gall blader .. Or there is something else i should be worried about ? Mr google says its mailnutrition , celiac or lukiema.. My doctor says its nothing to be worry .. She would worry if the levels would be higher ...any one lese has this ALP lower ?
  • Posted

    Ask for a HIDA scan. Make sure they do ejection fraction. I went months not knowing why I had pain, nausea, and vomiting until I finally wound up in the ER and they did a HIDA scan with ejection fraction and found my gallbladder was only functioning 7%. They never found stones on CT scan or ultrasound. Best of luck! I know it's miserable!
  • Posted

    Good news Michelle.  Hope all goes well for you.

    Was gonna ask you for your symptoms as I am getting nowhere with mine which I formaly believe are gallbladder related despite normal bloods and normal ultrasound.

    If youve time to repy/listen Id be obliged.  TA. Alan

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.