Model
DarcieK
Posts: 10876
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
After 5 months of waiting, it is finally approaching. I'm nervous as hell and my GP is upset that the specialist is not doing an ERCP as well as he is fairly certain my pain is gall bladder related. I hope he does both at the same time so that if the gastroscopy doesn't produce any results as to what's wrong, I don't have to get a tube stuck down my throat a second time....  Boo...
Photographer
Jerry Nemeth
Posts: 33355
Dearborn, Michigan, US
It's taking a long time to diagnose your problem.
Model
DarcieK
Posts: 10876
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Jerry Nemeth wrote:
It's taking a long time to diagnose your problem. Yep. There are only about 4 or 5 GI specialists in my city and all of them are booked solid. Thankfully, by changing my eating habits I have helped reduce the pain to a fairly manageable level without the help of pain killers.
My GP said that if I absolutely have to, to go to the ER cause I'll get results a lot quicker that way
Photographer
Jerry Nemeth
Posts: 33355
Dearborn, Michigan, US
I also think that your problem is your gall bladder. Did they check for stones in the gall bladder?
Model
DarcieK
Posts: 10876
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Jerry Nemeth wrote:
I also think that your problem is your gall bladder. Did they check for stones in the gall bladder? I had an ultrasound which didn't show anything, hence the gastroscopy. My GP really thinks I need either a HIDA test -- a non-evasive x-ray type test that would show a blockage in the gall bladder. Or, an ERCP which is similar to a gastro except they put a camera into the gall bladder as well. Perhaps the GI will do both...at least I hope he does.
Model
Fergy
Posts: 22436
Fenton, Michigan, US
DarcieK wrote:
I had an ultrasound which didn't show anything, hence the gastroscopy. My GP really thinks I need either a HIDA test -- a non-evasive x-ray type test that would show a blockage in the gall bladder. Or, an ERCP which is similar to a gastro except they put a camera into the gall bladder as well. Perhaps the GI will do both...at least I hope he does. I had 2 HIDA scans and they showed NOTHING. They basically show if your gallbladder is working properly. The worst part of that test is that they inject this stuff to make your gallbladder contract. It made me feel like I was gonna toss my cookies!
Finally after 2 years of pain under my ribs I had an ultrasound and they found the sludge in the gallbladder. It came out and man did I feel so much better!!
Model
DarcieK
Posts: 10876
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Fergy wrote:
I had 2 HIDA scans and they showed NOTHING. They basically show if your gallbladder is working properly. The worst part of that test is that they inject this stuff to make your gallbladder contract. It made me feel like I was gonna toss my cookies!
Finally after 2 years of pain under my ribs I had an ultrasound and they found the sludge in the gallbladder. It came out and man did I feel so much better!! Yeah my ultrasound showed nothing.  The gastroscopy would show inflammation at the bile duct but that's about it. An ERCP gets a camera right in the gall bladder via a gastro tube, which is why I am hoping they do both at nice.
Model
DarcieK
Posts: 10876
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Grrr, so frustrated.
I just got a call to confirm my appointment, which is fine. When I asked if it's just the gastro or if an ERCP has been added as well, the receptionist told me that it's just the gastro based on the renewal letter that was sent. I call b.s. on that as my doctor straight out told the GI specialist where my pain is -- upper right quadrant of my abdomen -- and that there is a history of both gall stones and Crohn's disease in my family.
So now, I have to call my doctor to tell him to call the specialist to add on the ERCP, cause, ya know, the GI's office can't do it themselves...grrr!!!
I understand the need for the gastroscopy, and want it, but I'd like to have both procedures done at the same time so I only need to have a tube shoved down my throat once!!!
I can now see why my doc said that if my pain gets too unbearable to just go to the ER as things would be a hell of a lot faster.
Photographer
Vivus Hussein Denuo
Posts: 64211
New York, New York, US
Tell the guy with the gastroscope you don't do nudity, but implied is OK, but no TFP.
JK. Best wishes, Darcie.
Model
DarcieK
Posts: 10876
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Vivus Hussein Denuo wrote:
Tell the guy with the gastroscope you don't do nudity, but implied is OK, but no TFP.
JK. Best wishes, Darcie. 
Thanks, Vivus!
Photographer
scrymettet
Posts: 33239
Quebec, Quebec, Canada
Vivus Hussein Denuo wrote:
Tell the guy with the gastroscope you don't do nudity, but implied is OK, but no TFP.
JK. Best wishes, Darcie. all that and don't forget to smile
best wishes, Dawling.
it's no comfy but not painful if I can speak from the few times I got a camera in my ...
you get my drift
Model
DarcieK
Posts: 10876
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
scrymettet wrote:
all that and don't forget to smile
best wishes, Dawling.
it's no comfy but not painful if I can speak from the few times I got a camera in my ...
you get my drift I'm actually not worried about the pain, I'm more worried about the sedative as a simple muscle relaxant will knock me out...I can only imagine what a hospital grade sedative will do to me. Now, all I need is to arrange someone to pick me up after the procedure as they won't let me leave alone.
Photographer
scrymettet
Posts: 33239
Quebec, Quebec, Canada
DarcieK wrote:
I'm actually not worried about the pain, I'm more worried about the sedative as a simple muscle relaxant will knock me out...I can only imagine what a hospital grade sedative will do to me. Now, all I need is to arrange someone to pick me up after the procedure as they won't let me leave alone. it's a really mild sedative.
and they will keep you a while in a bed afterward.
Model
DarcieK
Posts: 10876
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
scrymettet wrote:
it's a really mild sedative.
and they will keep you a while in a bed afterward. Yeah, I just don't like feeling out of it is all.
Model
Lumen Sky
Posts: 1802
Center Moriches, New York, US
DarcieK wrote:
Yeah, I just don't like feeling out of it is all. if feeling out of it will get you answers....... its very worth it. You will do great. You can be worried about what they are looking to rule out. The other stuff is all filler. Its all a waiting game.
Model
DarcieK
Posts: 10876
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Lumen Sky wrote:
if feeling out of it will get you answers....... its very worth it. You will do great. You can be worried about what they are looking to rule out. The other stuff is all filler. Its all a waiting game. I know, but I'm impatient. I had a bit of an attack today. They are definitely less frequent and briefer than before, but are way more intense. This one made me cry
Model
-Jen-
Posts: 46880
Howell, Michigan, US
DarcieK wrote:
I'm actually not worried about the pain, I'm more worried about the sedative as a simple muscle relaxant will knock me out...I can only imagine what a hospital grade sedative will do to me. Now, all I need is to arrange someone to pick me up after the procedure as they won't let me leave alone. They gave me the sedative and knocked my ass completely out.
Model
DarcieK
Posts: 10876
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
-Jen- wrote:
They gave me the sedative and knocked my ass completely out. I read my sheet, they will sedate me, and knowing my history with muscle relaxants, etc, I'll be out like a light in a matter of minutes.
I tell ya though, it says I'm allowed to eat for 6 hours prior to the procedure. My check-in time is at 11 am, and my procedure could not take place for 6-8 hours after that. I am going to be one ravenous bitch when I wake up. I can only imagine what I will say when I come to
Model
DarcieK
Posts: 10876
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Tomorrow is the big day! EEEEk!
Photographer
scrymettet
Posts: 33239
Quebec, Quebec, Canada
DarcieK wrote:
Tomorrow is the big day! EEEEk! :holds your hand:
Model
Calli Pygian
Posts: 8101
Atlanta, Georgia, US
*squeezy hugs*
Everything's going to be okay.
Model
DarcieK
Posts: 10876
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Thx scry and Callie 
Photographer
DougBPhoto
Posts: 39248
Portland, Oregon, US
break a leg? 
Photographer
MesmerEyes Photography
Posts: 3102
Galveston, Texas, US
Good luck tomorrow! I'm sure that everything will go off without a hitch.
Model
Kitty LaRose
Posts: 12735
Kansas City, Missouri, US
DarcieK wrote:
Tomorrow is the big day! EEEEk! Good luck! From my experience, the pre-surgery nerves are far worse than the post-surgery grogginess. Hopefully this will be the end of your wild gallbladder chase. *squeezes*
Model
DarcieK
Posts: 10876
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Kitty Katia wrote:
Good luck! From my experience, the pre-surgery nerves are far worse than the post-surgery grogginess. Hopefully this will be the end of your wild gallbladder chase. *squeezes* Thx Kitty.
I'm heading to the hospital now. I'll keep you posted after it's done.
Model
DarcieK
Posts: 10876
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Well, it went well....all I remember is spraying that nasty numbing agent in my mouth and putting in the mouthpiece and then waking up in a recovery room. The GI isn't convinced it's gall bladder related, but as the gastro didn't show much except a bit of GERD, I have been sent home with an antacid and the next test will be a HIDA which will test the functionality of my gall bladder. I'm just really tired and have an air bubble in my belly that won't go away
Model
Calli Pygian
Posts: 8101
Atlanta, Georgia, US
Glad it went well!
*moar hugs*
Model
DarcieK
Posts: 10876
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Calli Pygian wrote:
Glad it went well!
*moar hugs* Thanks, love!
I'm in shock how the sedative affects people differently! The woman beside me went for her gastroscopy right before mine and when she came back she was wide awake and chatting with the nurses. And, she was stating she could feel the endoscope a bit.
Me, on the other hand, the last thing I remember was them putting the mouth guard in...and then waking up in the prep/recovery room. I don't remember a thing about the actual procedure and I was asleep for over an hour!!!
Next up is a "nuclear medicine" test. I better have some kick ass super powers after that!
Photographer
Pinup Fantasies
Posts: 1553
HIXSON, Tennessee, US
DarcieK wrote:
Next up is a "nuclear medicine" test. I better have some kick ass super powers after that! You'll just glow in the dark. We can photograph you without lights.
Model
DarcieK
Posts: 10876
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Pinup Fantasies wrote:
You'll just glow in the dark. We can photograph you without lights. hahhahaha, awesome.
We'll have to schedule a shoot then 
But, who knows when that will be. I just found out that I am on a waiting list for the HIDA exam as there is a shortage of the radioactive material here so when they get it they just have a "blitz" so to speak with about 8-10 patients in one day....
And my follow up appointment with my GI specialist is on October 31. My doctor was not kidding when he said that I have a long road ahead of me
Photographer
Jerry Nemeth
Posts: 33355
Dearborn, Michigan, US
DarcieK wrote:
hahhahaha, awesome.
We'll have to schedule a shoot then
But, who knows when that will be. I just found out that I am on a waiting list for the HIDA exam as there is a shortage of the radioactive material here so when they get it they just have a "blitz" so to speak with about 8-10 patients in one day....
And my follow up appointment with my GI specialist is on October 31. My doctor was not kidding when he said that I have a long road ahead of me Yes, it has been a long road!
Model
DarcieK
Posts: 10876
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Jerry Nemeth wrote:
Yes, it has been a long road! Indeed. Hopefully the HIDA test gives some answers so I don't have to wait even longer for more tests. And, the next test would more than likely be either an MRI or CT scan both of which really long waiting lists.
Model
DarcieK
Posts: 10876
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
HIDA test scheduled for Aug 22....appointment with GI specialist isn't until Oct 31, though ETA: My follow-up appointment has been changed to September 12.
Photographer
scrymettet
Posts: 33239
Quebec, Quebec, Canada
DarcieK wrote:
HIDA test scheduled for Aug 22....appointment with GI specialist isn't until Oct 31, though
ETA: My follow-up appointment has been changed to September 12. baby steps.
|
