So remember that time I was complaining about my gallbladder? Well you all convinced me that I needed to get it checked out. Soooo I went to the doctor, who said, “sounds like it’s your gallbladder. Go have an ultrasound.” So I did. But after waiting almost a week for the results, I found out that the ultrasound didn’t show anything wrong. Yet, I am still having these classic gallbladder symptoms. So, as you read this, I will be preparing for a gallbladder SCAN. Which, will be expensive AND require me to lay still on my back for TWO HOURS. And hopefully show something if there is something to see.
I am totes freaking out about the two hours thing. The idea of it just flips me out!!! I am taking my phone and my headphones and have downloaded an audio book to listen to. I hope it works!
But anyhoo, when I was endlessly waiting for my ultrasound results, I decided to take matters into my own hands and do a natural gallbladder “cleanse”. I know, I’m totally nuts. But my crunchy friend Laura kept telling me to do one involving drinking olive oil and grapefruit juice, and I got so desperate from the pain and the waiting that I DID it.
I cannot believe I did it.
Not just because it’s weird, but because I am a total wimp. And yet, I drank THIS:
8 oz of fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice and olive oil. It took me about 10 minutes to get it all down! I really cannot believe I did it. The worst part was drinking two 4-0z glasses of water mixed with Epsom salts before hand. That stuff was NASTEEEEEEEE.
It definitely cleansed a whoooooole lot of stuff, but unfortunately it was not the cure-all for the ol’ gallbladder.
So it’s off to the hospital I go for the scan.
And hopefully, some answers. Wish me luck!
______________
So what are you doing with your Friday? (If you need something to do, why don’t you go take our survey and enter to win a $25 Lands’ End gift card!?)
You’ll live…don’t worry, be happy…life is just a bowl of cherries…blah, blah, blah!
UP
Sounds like we’re in the same boat! I had a gallbladder ultrasound in the ER about a month ago. Nothing showed up so was referred to a surgeon. I had the two-hour scan you’re talking about — it’s no big deal. You’re even allowed to nap during it if you want to! My scan didn’t show much except cause some pain like I’ve been having, so off I go to a gastroenterologist.
Good times “WOO HOO”!
Shannon I have a gut feeling my scan isn’t going to show anything. My pain has been a LOT better, but it’s still there – something’s not exactly right…I don’t feel like being a lab rat. 🙁 We’ll see! Let me know how yours turns out!
Here’s what you need to do….
Wait until you have another attack and go to the ER. They will do the scan and get it out all in one stop :). That’s what worked for me. Mine just wasn’t functioning.
Good luck. Start listening to the Audiobook before hand so you know it is one you will enjoy.
I’ve had classic gallbladder symptoms as well, had the ultrasound and nothing. They offered the HIDA (Sp?) Scan but I turned it down since it was so expensive and my symptoms weren’t as drastic. I have a flare up here and there but as long as I watch the fatty/greasy stuff it helps. I have had several mom friends though who had A LOT of luck with the scan, their ultrasounds were clean for stones, but their gallbladders were only functioning at like 20% which was causing the issues (and the scan DID show that!) Good luck!