HIDA scan

If there is sludge perhaps the gall bladder is not working as it should ?  I can vouch for an article from the USA when they said after grinding all the pulp of a fresh small lemon into warm 1/4 cup of olive oil and stirring much then drinking this (make sure you are near the toilet!) best first thing in the morning this flushes the gall bladder and yes it did mine & I think a couple of small stones were passed too which seemed green in colour.....

What a diabolical episode but better than the feeling of wanting to die if that sickness that lasts all night long & usually for me began just before going to bed! As well as feeling sick and the massive bloating and the feeling as if the meal you just ate had not budged an inch and was stuck  just under the heart and lungs.

This went on for months on and off and yet the doctors did not have a clue until one lady doctor sent me for an urgent ultrasound which confirmed yes there the little blighters were = gall stones.

Our friend the farmer swears by the old wives tale re two teaspoons of raw cider vinegar in a small amount of warm water to keep the gall bladder healthy.

Before removal of any gall bladder with cholesterol type stones that are of the appropriate size for dissolution read up on Ursodioxycholic acid treatment. It does suit some individuals and it does work.

Keep an open mind and do something constructive before those stones get too big to treat.  

I had severe nausea before the HIDA scan and it definitely didn’t make it any worse. Was already in pain as well but it did make it a bit worse. After my gallbladder was out it was notes I had chronic cholecystitis so had had repeated attacks of acute cholecystitis. The sooner you get the scan the sooner you can get the gallbladder out and begin recovery to feeling better. Good luck for your scan. Just keep on top of the pain if you can. I found buscopan did help at times with the cramping. And ondansetron for the nausea as well xx

Hi Kelli, 

I've read up on these scans on the Mayo clinic site which is reliable & they list side effects which aren't bad at all.  I also asked a technician who does the test when I was having another test for the stomach & she said they use a tracer tiny amount of contrast but it's not a problem.  I just drank water after to flush it out.  Don't worry, it's giving you more info to help you & I had no reaction when I had contrast to look at my pancreas other then a bit of diaherria.   Your test is only to get the gallbladder working which it does anyway!  We worry and it's never as bad as we think.  Stay calm, deep breaths which help anxiety & think it's going to help get you better!   

Would your GP be prepared to prescribe a mild sedative due to your anxiety?

Be wary of using gallbladder flushes as they can move gallstones/sludge but it is possible that they can cause blockages of the bowel/digestive system.

Ursodioxycholic acid can dissolve certain types of stones but many doctors are wary of prescribing it due to side effects.

It"s not a difficult exam to have and then at least you will know if the gallbladder is working properly. I can tell you when I had the test done I didn't have any nausea or anything at all. But then everybody is different. Good luck and keep us posted.

Hi. you really need the scan so make sure you've taken yr anti sickness and publishing tablets before it. I've not had a HIDA but had an MRI but without it they'll not know for definite what's going off. Good luck

Rest assured most people don't have reactions to the drug used to start gallbladder contractions. It won't make it spasm out of control but rather simulates what your gallbladder already does when you eat a big meal. I asked the tech who performed my HIDA if people often had reactions and she said not usually, but some people do have a little nausea or mild cramping. I wish I could tell you from experience what the drug did to me, but they didn't get that far because my gallbladder was so diseased it wouldn't even show itself after 3 hours! Oh well, it's gone now.  

Don’t know why they are moderating my reply?? Simply suggested you could ask for a mild sedative and cautioned against trying to flush stones in case they get stuck elsewhere. Also pointed out some doctors won’t prescribe ursodioxycholic acid to dissolve stone due to side effects. 

You do need the HIDA scan for diagnostic purposes. Sometimes you’ve just got to go with it. Take care. X