My first (well, kind of) HIDA scan

My new medical practitioner is obsessed with my gallbladder. Lower left abdominal pain? GALLBLADDER. Headache? GALLBLADDER. Constipated? GALLBLADDER. (Seriously.)

The HIDA scan was something that I had been dreading for awhile. For starters, I'm claustrophobic, so the thought of laying on a metal table for up to 4 (!) hours sounds excruciating. I have heard that the test can cause nausea and cramping, regardless of whether or not your gallbladder is bad, so that's also something that I obsess over. But, I had a scan scheduled for about three weeks ago and I decided to just be brave and get it done.

I went in prepared for this test. I had taken my Klonopin and I was ready to start figuring out what was happening with my body. I signed in and took my seat in the waiting room. A few minutes later, a technician came over to bring me back to the room. And that's when things got weird.

First of all, this guy refused to answer any of my questions. It's like his head was somewhere else entirely. On the way to the room, he was answering phones, talking to nurses, signing papers..fine, it's a busy department, I get it. He put me in a small waiting room and a nurse came in to start an IV in me. She was the nicest person that I met during this ordeal, and I greatly appreciate her professionalism.

After the IV was inserted and the nurse left, I sat there for a few minutes and pondered my surroundings. It didn't look so bad! There was a metal table with some kind of big camera above it, there was a TV, and there was a computer where I assumed the technician would be chilling out for at least part of the time.

Then in came the nurse/technician/whoever she was, who I will refer to as Becky, because she looked like a Becky and acted like a Becky that I used to know. "Pick up your things and follow me." She started walking out of the room, stood at the doorway, and sighed. It took me literally less than ten seconds to gather my things (winter coat, purse--and I had an IV in one arm and tendonitis in the other). I asked her if she could carry my purse for me since my arms were both experiencing pain, and she looked at me in disgust (!) as she grabbed my coat and practically ran out of the room. Whatever.

She led me to a room with an MRI tube. That's it. It was an MRI tube and a counter, possibly a computer but I didn't see it. She instructed me to lay down and she injected the nuclear tracer. Keep in mind that during this, I was trying to ask questions about the procedure and she was also brushing me off. Finally, I stopped her and asked if she was staying in the room with me. The conversation went about like this:

"No. *laughs* We're all pretty busy, running around. Nobody will be in here but we'll check on you every once in awhile."
"Wait. What if I'm in pain or I need to get up or something goes wrong? There's no panic button or anything?"
"Nope."
"And if I do need someone?"
"I mean, you can try yelling and someone might hear you and stop in."

I started to express more concern and she gave me a look like I was the absolute bane of her existence.
"So you can't do it? Let me know. Let me know right now." She already started reversing the machinery and preparing to undo my IV.
It was at that point that I realized that, no, I wouldn't do this. Not only did this team refuse to answer my basic questions, but they were going to leave me alone, in a tube, with no panic button? I let her remove the IV and I sat up. As I stood, she condescendingly patted my shoulder and sneered, "Oh, you lasted..a whole 30 seconds! Good job!"

After I got home, I called my student health center to see if someone could see me. I am required to pay a fee, and since I pay co-pays and deductibles for my insurance, I decided to not only get a fresh opinion, but to visit a medical professional without having to waste more money. Unfortunately, this call didn't go as well as I would have hoped. When the receptionist asked me what my issue was and how long, I said abdominal pain for a few weeks. Her tone immediately changed and she seemed to challenge this, asking why I didn't go see my doctor during winter break. I explained that I did and unsuccessfully performed a test, but that my doctor hadn't given me a thorough examination and that I wished to see someone at the health center. (There are some great nurse practitioners there!)

She absolutely refused to schedule me. I explained what happened during the test and she flat-out said that she found that hard to believe. She then told me that I needed to get that test done before the health center would see me. What? Not only was this against protocol, but highly insulting considering I have always paid fees and have never really used their services.

After that call ended, I cried. Partially in frustration, partially in fear for my health. It's scary not knowing what's going to happen to you, or why your body acts the way it does.

Later that day, I calmed down and scheduled the procedure at another, closer facility. I spoke directly to the nuclear medicine department at that facility and they were kind and reassuring; all too happy to answer my questions. I had to reschedule my scan appointment with them due to my newly-developed throat problem (I cannot imagine laying on a flat surface for up to 4 hours with this!), but I will soon get it done there. I am far less scared to get it done there than I would have been at the other facility.

An amusing? annoying? sidenote: I called the health center again last week when my throat got messed up, because I wanted to make an appointment instead of being a walk-in case and having to wait for an opening. The receptionist, upon hearing my name, greeted me with, "Oh, you're the one who needs the HIDA scan but won't get it done." Instead of being my exceedingly polite and deferring self, I cut her off with, "Yep, but this is for something completely different and not related." She continued her attitude problem, but I did manage to get an appointment. The appointment was inconclusive, but I consider it to be a small victory for my own self-esteem, at the very least.

I'll update you all when I get the scan done--hopefully within the next week or two.

Until then,
K

Introduction

My name is Kelly and this is my journey towards good health.

My issues started around January 1, 2013, when I started having light, cramping abdominal pain near my bellybutton. This progressed to random abdominal pain, which would go to any quadrant, and sometimes went to my back. Never severe, just annoying. Soon, I found myself unable to eat much at once without getting insanely bloated. Constipation and..the opposite were also perpetually present.

On the evening of February 2, I coughed and suddenly developed a tight, swollen feeling in my throat. This feeling makes it hard for me to breathe (feel like I'm unable to), eat (can no longer eat solids), and even drinking makes me feel like I'm going to drown. I have an irritating cough and a constant flow of burps.

I saw six different medical practitioners in a four-day period. My throat issue has been diagnosed as a neck strain, throat muscle strain, and GERD (varying diagnoses, all with varying treatment plans). I have been prescribed steroids, acid reducers, and muscle relaxants--none of which I can actually take, due to my swallowing issues.

None of the doctors I have seen seem to take me seriously, and none of them gave me a definitive diagnosis. I went to an ENT specialist, a GI specialist, two nurse practitioners, and a registered nurse. Heartbreakingly, I used to have the most amazing physician--but she stopped practicing two months ago.

You find me, now, searching for answers. What could it be? Could it be some kind of tense muscle in my neck or throat? Could it be acid reflux? Could it be LRD, the "silent" reflux? A hiatal hernia? Ulcer? Something else entirely? My endoscopy is scheduled for the 27th, and until then, I will continue trying to take whatever treatments that I can. I will not stop until a doctor takes me seriously, and I absolutely refuse to live with this problem, which is currently impeding my life in a massive way.

The abdominal pain is waning, because I no longer eat more than 300-400 calories per day. But, I am going to be scheduled for a HIDA scan to check for gallbladder issues, and I am also going to insist on a barium swallow or eating study to see if I do have some kind of muscle problem now, preventing me from eating.

The posts in this blog, therefore, will be focused on my journey towards a healthier, pain-free life, and the tests and office visits that I will endure in the meantime. If you have any questions, advice, or just want to make yourself known, please feel free to leave a comment or send me a message. I heartily encourage this blog to be a place for people who have gone through these issues, are currently going through these issues, or in general are interested in topics of healthcare.

Until then,
K