Right side pain under ribcage

Yes, I had a bad gallbladder with no stones. For the HIDA scan, you lay down on a table and they put a machine over your abdomen. You'll have an IV in your arm that they'll inject dye in. You lay there for an hour and they take pictures of the dye going through your liver and accumulating in your gallbladder (simulating bile flow). Then after an hour (assuming its a HIDA scan with CCK which it should be), they inject the CCK into your IV which simulates eating a fatty meal. They continue to take pictures for another hour to see how your gallbladder functions. The doctors will then calculate an ejection fraction - the percentage of bile that is pushed out of your gallbladder after a certain amount of time. A normal ejection fraction is 35-75%, anything outside of that range is abnormal and reason for gallbladder removal. Mine was 98% meaning too much bile was being pushed out too quickly and causing me issues. Mainly morning nausea and softer lighter colored bowel movements. I didn't have "pain", just discomfort in my upper right abdomen, right side and closer to surgery I had back pain. Good luck!

Hi Gwyneth, I've gone through very similar to yourself and I had my HIDA scan just before xmas. I'm in the UK, they inject you with the radioactive tracer , then I had to sit and wait for 1/2 hour before they took me into the machine, where you lie down with support under your knees, then they scan you for 10 minutes then they give you a very milky drink when you're laying down. Its very cold so easier to drink as it is very rich but its a good glassful. You then continue laying down for over an hour before they let you go. I've just got my results and my gallbladder isn't working properly. I have an ejection fraction of 14% and I've got my appointment next week to see a surgeon. 

I hope you have a scan soon, good luck

That's how it started for me. First I had an ultrasound to see if I had any stones. I didn't. The next was the Hida scan. It's not the worst but it's not that pleasant either. It showed that my gallbladder was borderline low functioning. I was than told to see a surgeon. Long story short I ended up in the ER after months of pain and I just couldn't do it anymore. They did other tests in the hospital making sure I didn't have a stomach virus etc. I had my gallbladder out and shortly after the same pain was back. They suggested I have sphincter of Oddi surgery. I had that and still have the pain. I have done everything I can to try and figure out where this pain is coming from but the doctors have no answers and don't go out of there way to try and figure it out. My Gallbladder was taken out June 2015. I'm seeing the surgeon Jan 3 2017 to see if he has any suggestions. It's been a very rough road. Good luck.

Hi Gwyneth I have had similar pains in my back and side but when I describe to my doctors they just say it is muscular. However it is very uncomfortable and my sister had similar pain before having her gall bladder removed.  I have suffered with indigestion for over 40 years and have coped. More recently due to arthritis in my knees I take quite strong paîn killers which I think ease the pain in my shoulder area. However, the doctors  insist that nothing will be done. At least your doctor is checking your say to s out.  Good luck.