So, tomorrow morning I go to the hospital for a HIDA scan. I was just doing a little research on it. I mean, I knew basically what it was, but I wanted a little more info.I have had abdominal pain for about 6 months. Nothing major... about once a month I would get a sharp pain just under the rib cage on the right side. Eventually I started feeling almost a cold sensation on the inside of my upper rib cage, on the back right side. This sensation came every time I ate. It's grown more and more annoying, and the sharp pain under the rib cage has become more frequent.
I am the only one of my siblings to still have my gall bladder. My mom has hers, but Dad does not. So my doctor ordered an ultrasound back in May, and it came back negative. When I returned to him a couple weeks ago, he suggested the HIDA scan, which would give a more definitive answer than the ultrasound. Apparently, if there is sludge in there (his word-- sludge), it will be more apparent via the HIDA scan.
They insert an IV (okay, ouch but I can handle it) into the arm, then get this radioactive stuff flowing. Then I drink something (berium, I assume) and they watch how it travels through the liver and gall bladder. The test will also detect tumors. Lovely. They asked me to remain available throughout the day, as they may want to follow up later in the afternoon by taking a second look.
I'm not really worried. I'm planning on hearing that my gall bladder is a mess and needs to come out. My bigger concern is that with all that nuclear stuff in me, the airport security folks will assume I am a threat and not let me board the plane to New York on Tuesday.
That would suck.
5 comments:
So you have this HIDA scan tomorrow, which is Tuesday. Are you going to NYC tomorrow or next week? I'm confused. Does the airport security scan detect radiation? Or just metal? You could get a note from the lab explaining that you had the procedure.
You will, of course, let us know the outcome of the test???
I just looked at the links in this you put in this post. There are some honkin' big words associated with the procedure. Check 'em out: Cholescintigraphy - the other name for the test
hydroxy iminodiacetic acid - The stuff they'll inject in your vein. This phrase is where the acronym comes from.
Pay no attention to the mis-typing in the comment above....
Java:
Hey, doll, I actually had the test Monday. I was blogging after midnight again on Sunday, so it posted as Monday.
The test was not nearly as complicated as the internet led me to believe. I kept my clothes and shoes on the whole time. No IV, just an injection of nuclear stuff. The whole thing was about 2 hours. I got to watch the computer screen and see my gall bladder and intestines after I drank the liquid (which was simply half and half, by the way). I immediately got bloated and gassy, so my gall bladder reacted just as it was suspected.
I should know something in a couple days. Meanwhile, I am leaving for NYC tomorrow, meaning Tuesday the 27th!
Sorry for the confusion. And thanks for the big medical words, Dr. Java!
Hugs,
Doug
Good luck! For once I don't envy you.
Mark :-)
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