I am scheduled for one on Wed. and I have already rescheduled it twice b/c I'm scared. Worried about reaction to whatever it is they inject.
Has anyone here had a HIDA and if so can you please share your experience with me? It really is time for me to have this done as I've had ongoing suspected liver/gallbladder issues I'm just really scared of a reaction. Thanks!
Posted by Winni (Member # 36772) on :
I have had a hida scan, as far as the procedure goes, in my opinion, not bad. When they inject the solution, you can get some cramping, but honestly, I have felt worse things.
I am not sure exactly what the solution is that is injected, but you may want to call and find out first so you can have some peace of mind.
I had no reaction. That is just me though and thought I would add a positive response.
Posted by faithful777 (Member # 22872) on :
I have had two of them. Eventually, the gall bladder had to come out.
As Winni said, you may experience some cramping, but otherwise, not bad at all.
Posted by tickled1 (Member # 14257) on :
Thank you both. It is that I am so sensitive to everything that I worry about an allergic reaction.
May I ask you both what the HIDA showed? I have had several ultrasounds that show nothing yet I still have intermittent issues of elevated bilirubin and often have pain in the upper rt. side of my abdomen and sometimes have pale stools.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Pale stools sounds like a liver problem. I've had a HIDA and it said LOW functioning GB. It came out 8 yrs ago.
Posted by Winni (Member # 36772) on :
Are you asking what the Hida scan is in general? If so, the scan will show the functionality of your gall bladder by what passes through it (this is my understanding, sorry if that is really non-technical).
My hida scan revealed that my gall bladder was functioning at about 26%. My doctor told me the normal percentage is about 32-36%. He advised me that I should not be having symptoms at 26%. I was however and ironically, when i stopped taking Biaxin, all my symptoms ended. Just my situation and thought i would let you know what happened with me.
Posted by tickled1 (Member # 14257) on :
Tutu,
Will the HIDA show what is going on with my liver if anything?
Posted by Littlesprout (Member # 7406) on :
I had no problem w my hida scan. Was having GB symptoms for yrs. getting worse over time, went to ER had scan, showed gravel in GB. Once in surgery it was enlarged -elongated - a sign of chronic stress. I was so happy to get it out.
My mom had GB out at 30 also.but we weren't fat, forty, and fertile like docs are taught in Med school
It was like a big load of Lyme was gone from my body, easy recovery these days unlike my mom's surgery in the 70s
Posted by Littlesprout (Member # 7406) on :
I had no problem w my hida scan. Was having GB symptoms for yrs. getting worse over time, went to ER had scan, showed gravel in GB. Once in surgery it was enlarged -elongated - a sign of chronic stress. I was so happy to get it out.
My mom had GB out at 30 also.but we weren't fat, forty, and fertile like docs are taught in Med school
It was like a big load of Lyme was gone from my body, easy recovery these days unlike my mom's surgery in the 70s
Posted by tickled1 (Member # 14257) on :
Littlesprout,
Love what you say about feeling like a big load of Lyme was gone afterward. Would love if that's the outcome for me as well.
Well, wish me luck. Tomorrow's the big day for the hida.
Posted by Winni (Member # 36772) on :
tickled, you are going to do great. Good Luck, keep us posted. Take Care.
Posted by tickled1 (Member # 14257) on :
Thanks so much Winni!
Posted by Littlesprout (Member # 7406) on :
I had no problem w my hida scan. Was having GB symptoms for yrs. getting worse over time, went to ER had scan, showed gravel in GB. Once in surgery it was enlarged -elongated - a sign of chronic stress. I was so happy to get it out.
My mom had GB out at 30 also.but we weren't fat, forty, and fertile like docs are taught in Med school
It was like a big load of Lyme was gone from my body, easy recovery these days unlike my mom's surgery in the 70s
Posted by tickled1 (Member # 14257) on :
Had hida today. Wasn't fun. First hour was fine but then when they injected the CCK I had severe cramping and nausea.
Don't know what my result is but it took over an hour for my gallbladder to start filling and at the end of the test my gallbladder was still visible on the screen.
Not sure if all that indicated an abnormal test or not but from what I've just read on the internet about it, it doesn't sound normal. I read that for it to take that long for the gallbladder to fill that is not normal and also at the end of the test the gallbladder should no longer be visible on the screen. Does anyone know?
Posted by Laura_W (Member # 31491) on :
It is normal to still be able to see the gallbladder on the screen. The techs have to input data, and use the image from before they gave you the cck, and at the end of the time of the cck. Then the computer will calculate the ejection fraction.
That is the percentage that tells the dr how well the gallbladder is working. A HIDA scan doesn't tell the dr if you have gallstones, the dr should already know that you do not. Nuclear Medicine tests are not for seeing what an organ looks like (although we can see some but not very clear)
Nuclear medicine exams are functional, how an organ is functioning. If your gallbladder is not functioning well, then the ejection fraction will be low. Each dr has their own standard as far as what percent you should be at before they are willing to take out your gallbladder.
Some say 35%, 30%, 25% as cut off of normal to take out a gallbladder.
What you actually would be looking for on the screen would be how much of a difference there was in size (if the tech didn't mess with the settings of the screen) of the gallbladder at the end of the exam compared to the begining.
However, you really can't eyeball it.
Also, It's a normal protocol to watch the gallbladder for 60 min, before administering the cck. Just so you know. And then typically you have another 30 min after that.
Hope this helps tickled.
I was an intern in nuclear medicine (i did graduate, but have never worked in the field) before i became sick. Im not an expert tho... and i have lost alot of knowledge becuase of lyme, I know some of my terms i wrote may not be exact, but are close. I can't work in the field, because of my cognitive issues plus tons of others.
Posted by tickled1 (Member # 14257) on :
Laura,
Thanks for that info. I did know that they do wait 60 to administer cck but the tech told me that the gallbladder should start filling at about 45 min. and at 60 min. she said it was just beginning to fill.
I guess I'll just have to wait and see what the results are. I was hoping she'd give me some feedback but she didn't. Thanks again.
Posted by tickled1 (Member # 14257) on :
Finally got my results today. Ejection fraction is 17%. Says "Abnormal gallbladder ejection fraction is likely secondary to biliary dyskinesia/chronic cholecystitis."
Doctor says I may want to consider having it out.
Posted by Suzy50 (Member # 30466) on :
Light colored stools can be gluten intolerance. Good luck with gallbladder removal. Had mine removed, that is when they found the stones. In my opinion, ultrasounds for gallbladder are worthless.
Posted by tickled1 (Member # 14257) on :
I'm very nervous about going under general anesthesia. I've never gone under before. Also nervous about all I read abou how some people have diarrhea the rest of their life after gallbladder removal.