Hida-Scan

Monday, I had another interesting experience - a Hida-Scan.

A HIDA scan is an imaging test used to examine the gallbladder and the ducts leading into and out of the gallbladder. In this test, also referred to as cholescintigraphy, the patient receives an intravenous injection of a radioactive material called hydroxy iminodiacetic acid (HIDA). The HIDA material is taken up by the liver and excreted into the biliary tract. In a healthy person, HIDA will pass through the bile ducts and into the cystic duct to enter the gallbladder. It will also pass into the common bile duct and enter the small intestine, from which it eventually makes its way out of the body in the stool.

- From http://www.ivillage.com/what-done-during-hida-scan/4-n-142347

This test went really well for me and I didn't have any issues during the test to speak of. It was really boring though - laying on a gurney for 1.5 hrs. and waiting for the dye to show up on the screen. Then, they added something else to make the gallbladder contract. I could feel a slight cramping feeling as the gallbladder did its thing. I was worried about nausea or dizzyness, but I didn't experience any more of that than what I was already feeling due to a migraine.

I was SICK SICK SICK as a dog even before this test. I ate some MSG or something accidentally at a Mexican restaurant Friday and my body has been in revolt :( I literally could not do anything all day Sunday. I managed to drag myself into work Monday to finish some deadlines, but it was extremely harrowing. I took all day yesterday off trying to recoup and still felt like something the cat drug in! I could not figure out if it was the MSG, my gallbladder, the gallbladder scan, the weather or what. It was extremely worrying. Today I am finally feeling somewhat normal. Friday I go back to the surgeon to hear the results of my Hida-Scan!

Bike ride = swollen knee

My knee has been feeling pretty good. I am able to walk moderate distances, but this sometimes causes pain later. At least I can do it without feeling queasy! The other day I walked several blocks on pavement and had a lot of pain the next day. I hobbled around on it for a few days, then finally had the idea of doing some Reiki on it. The knee let out a huge POP and then felt so much better!

I got a new bike with my birthday money this year. A Huffy Cranbook Cruiser. Not a fancy bike, just a standard "cruiser" I can tool around the neighborhood in. Yesterday it was up into the 60s! So I decided to take it for a spin. I immediately found that my legs are weak from not using them for 2 months :-( I was gasping for air a bit and my muscles got tired easily. Plus, the wind was blowing against me so I had to work twice as hard to pedal. . .However it was a nice smooth ride, the seat was comfy and the bike felt nice and sturdy. Plus it is unbelievably CUTE!!! I'm hoping the cuteness will be enough motivation for me to actually ride it and get some exercise! I even bought a little white wicker basket to go on the front.

I was pretty proud of myself I was able to ride around the entire block. However when I got home my legs felt all wobbly, like jello. Then the bad knee SWELLED UP BADLY! Today, it still feels sort of bad. Kind of like I went backwards in my recovery. I really want to ride my bike again, but my knee is popping and still feels pretty unstable. Maybe next time I should wear my knee brace while riding. . .

The gallbladder problem is still weighing on my mind. I asked a massage therapist/energy healer to work on it and I'm also applying Reiki. I'm also drinking a lot of apple juice because that is supposed to soften the stones and help them pass through! I did feel a tad better after this and was able to eat some beef and pasta. However I don't want to "push it" by eating anything sugary or spicy. Tomatoes still KILL ME and cause indigestion for days. My family misses their tomatoe-y dishes like chili and spaghetti but - I just have to be careful. Sucks.

Gallstones

My doctor called me finally to say I have gallstones. I am really not impressed with this finding. I hear that MANY people have them and it doesn't necessarily mean much. According to http://www.emedicinehealth.com/gallstones/article_em.htm, 20% of people have them! 60-80% have no symptoms and require no treatment.

They are referring me to a surgeon to discuss the state of my gallbladder. I am going to work up the courage to say heck no - you are NOT cutting my belly open unless those stones are huge! I am not going to let them cut me up for more money unless I really need it!!!

Then I also found this little tidbit:

Individuals with Crohn's disease of the terminal ileum are more likely to develop gallstones. Gallstones form because patients with Crohn's disease lack enough bile acids to solubilize the cholesterol in bile. Normally, bile acids that enter the small intestine from the liver and gallbladder are absorbed back into the body in the terminal ileum and are secreted again by the liver into bile. In other words, the bile acids recycle. In Crohn's disease, the terminal ileum is diseased. Bile acids are not absorbed normally, the body becomes depleted of bile acids, and less bile acids are secreted in bile. There are not enough bile acids to keep cholesterol dissolved in bile, and gallstones form.

– from http://www.medicinenet.com/gallstones/page3.htm

So I guess I would just like more information about this. If I do have Crohn's, will the stones keep coming back? Do I have Crohn's? I hardly eat any fatty foods anymore. So why else would I have these?

Gallbladder ultrasound

In the never-ending quest to feel normal again, my doctor has decided I need an ultrasound of my gallbladder! I have no idea why, really. I wanted a referral to a GI doc, but my family doc wanted to see me first. He poked around at my belly, asking where the pain was. Basically the pain is all over my entire belly. The upper part feels more queasy and the lower part more crampy. That's all I can say!

He recommended some "FiberCon" tablets and some samples of acid blockers. I will try these cautiously as I await my ultrasound and GI appointment!

This is an example of what I ate yesterday to feel not so queasy:

• Gluten free granola with agave nectar and almond milk (breakfast)
• Sunflower seeds (snack)
• Oatmeal and granny smith apple with almond milk and a touch of maple syrup (lunch)
• Salmon and cooked spinach (dinner)

As you can see, this diet is completely bland and boring :-( I've also been drinking Linden tea when the stomach cramps get too bad. However it tends to make me too warm and give me heart palps if I drink too much of it. So for less severe cramping I've been drinking Chamomile tea instead. This seems to have the same type of effect, just less strong.

I am also having some stomach pains and anxiety type feelings. Why? I hope the new doc. can tell me why!! Is this my gallbladder? I feel nauseous when I don't eat, but more nauseous when I do.