Gall Bladder

osmotar
osmotar Member Posts: 1,006
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Has anyone had issues with their gall bladder during treatment? My internist who has me have labs done prior to refilling certain scripts, sent me for an ultra sound last weeks as my liver enzymes were a bit elevated, this was no doubt related to the current chemo infusions. Long story short, the ultra sound showed I have "sludge" (their word not mine) in my gall bladder, the nurse then was asking about various symptoms, all of which I replied with no. The internist now has me scheduled for a Hida Scan, radioacive dye injection along with pictures of the abdomin, I spoke with my onco and she said more than likely is the chemo effects, she said she didn't think I needed the scan, but to go ahead and have it done anyway.

Linda

Comments

  • soccerfreaks
    soccerfreaks Member Posts: 2,788 Member
    #2
    no
    I have not had this particular issue, but if you trusted these folks this far, I don't know why you would choose to discard their advice now, unless you are concerned about the additional radiation, and even OncoMan seems unconcerned about that.

    The best way to know for sure it sounds like is to go for it!

    Best wishes.

    Take care,

    Joe
  • osmotar
    osmotar Member Posts: 1,006
    #3
    soccerfreaks said:

    no
    I have not had this particular issue, but if you trusted these folks this far, I don't know why you would choose to discard their advice now, unless you are concerned about the additional radiation, and even OncoMan seems unconcerned about that.

    The best way to know for sure it sounds like is to go for it!

    Best wishes.

    Take care,

    Joe

    Trust
    Trust them all, it just that I don't now nor ever had any gall bladder symptoms. Guess will just have to wait and see what the test results show, and make sure my internist sends copies to the onco.

    Linda
  • soccerfreaks
    soccerfreaks Member Posts: 2,788 Member
    #4
    osmotar said:

    Trust
    Trust them all, it just that I don't now nor ever had any gall bladder symptoms. Guess will just have to wait and see what the test results show, and make sure my internist sends copies to the onco.

    Linda

    trust
    Good luck with the results, Linda. In a worst case scenario...the very WORST case...you can live a normal life without a gall bladder...my wife has for more than 20 years. Not to worry you, as OncoMan's suggestion that it is probably chemo-related is probably correct.

    Take care,

    Joe
  • osmotar
    osmotar Member Posts: 1,006
    #5
    soccerfreaks said:

    trust
    Good luck with the results, Linda. In a worst case scenario...the very WORST case...you can live a normal life without a gall bladder...my wife has for more than 20 years. Not to worry you, as OncoMan's suggestion that it is probably chemo-related is probably correct.

    Take care,

    Joe

    Just got
    back from the test..wasn't bad at all, and the results will be in on monday. Have a busy weekend, going to a relay for life event tomorrow, and the zoo/aquarium sunday..so life is good.

    Have a great weekend Joe

    ..and thanks for comments

    Linda
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #6
    Gallstone, Here
    I developed a gallstone during treatment. It does not cause me pain (I know it's horrible for some). I did not have the stone when treatment started. It did not appear on my CT scans until just over a year past rads. My doc and I are not concerned. Hope your "sludge" is the same sort of thing.
  • KareGiver
    KareGiver Member Posts: 301 Member
    #7
    Pam M said:

    Gallstone, Here
    I developed a gallstone during treatment. It does not cause me pain (I know it's horrible for some). I did not have the stone when treatment started. It did not appear on my CT scans until just over a year past rads. My doc and I are not concerned. Hope your "sludge" is the same sort of thing.

    Interesting...
    My husband is four months out of treatment. He went to the ER two weeks ago for chest pain and feeling "clammy." After 12 hours at the hospital and running cardiac tests, they think it was his gall bladder. He had three treatments of cisplatin - the last two half doses. He has had his blood drawn twice since the ER visit because things aren't right. Very interesting. Hope all gets better for you soon.
  • osmotar
    osmotar Member Posts: 1,006
    #8
    KareGiver said:

    Interesting...
    My husband is four months out of treatment. He went to the ER two weeks ago for chest pain and feeling "clammy." After 12 hours at the hospital and running cardiac tests, they think it was his gall bladder. He had three treatments of cisplatin - the last two half doses. He has had his blood drawn twice since the ER visit because things aren't right. Very interesting. Hope all gets better for you soon.

    Hi
    Thanks for the comment, I've had 2 treatments of cisplatin, toxtore and 5fu, will have my final round tomorrow, then its off to rad treatments and once a week carboplatin.Haven't had any symptoms that would be caused by gall bladder issues, but had the scan done anyway..so will wait to see what the scan results are.

    Linda
  • DrMary
    DrMary Member Posts: 531 Member
    #9
    osmotar said:

    Hi
    Thanks for the comment, I've had 2 treatments of cisplatin, toxtore and 5fu, will have my final round tomorrow, then its off to rad treatments and once a week carboplatin.Haven't had any symptoms that would be caused by gall bladder issues, but had the scan done anyway..so will wait to see what the scan results are.

    Linda

    How much weight have you lost?
    Women also have gall bladder issues after delivery because of the weight loss - possibly because you are breaking down so much of your body fat for energy (and the secretions from your gall bladder are necessary for fat digestion).

    In any case, if your problem turns out to be gall bladder inflammation, I'd suggest you try to put off surgery as long as possible. As long as your gall bladder doesn't get infected, chronic inflammation isn't a real health problem. You will likely be able to locate your gall bladder by pointing to the source of any abdominal pain - generally about 2 inches to the right of your sternum and just below your ribs. If you massage that area and you burp, you are almost certainly dealing with an inflamed gall bladder.

    The treatment - a low fat diet. Not the best thing for a cancer patient. A friend of mine swears by steamed carrots the day after she experiences gall bladder symptoms, and I have to admit it's helped me as well (although it might just be the day of high fiber, low fat, rather than some magical power of carrots).

    I hope the scan relieves your mind - it's just one thing after another. . .
  • osmotar
    osmotar Member Posts: 1,006
    #10
    DrMary said:

    How much weight have you lost?
    Women also have gall bladder issues after delivery because of the weight loss - possibly because you are breaking down so much of your body fat for energy (and the secretions from your gall bladder are necessary for fat digestion).

    In any case, if your problem turns out to be gall bladder inflammation, I'd suggest you try to put off surgery as long as possible. As long as your gall bladder doesn't get infected, chronic inflammation isn't a real health problem. You will likely be able to locate your gall bladder by pointing to the source of any abdominal pain - generally about 2 inches to the right of your sternum and just below your ribs. If you massage that area and you burp, you are almost certainly dealing with an inflamed gall bladder.

    The treatment - a low fat diet. Not the best thing for a cancer patient. A friend of mine swears by steamed carrots the day after she experiences gall bladder symptoms, and I have to admit it's helped me as well (although it might just be the day of high fiber, low fat, rather than some magical power of carrots).

    I hope the scan relieves your mind - it's just one thing after another. . .

    Hi DrMary
    I've lost between 15 & 20 lbs since starting the chemo, but it's weight I should have lost regardless. I eat well and drink a min of 3 qts of water everyday. No abdominal pain , I tried the locate and massage you mentioned , no burping. I will wait for the results of the scan, and discuss with my internist, but will follow the advice of my onco. If in the end surgery is required and I have a vote, it will be at the end of my chemo & rads.

    Thanks again,

    Linda
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #11
    Hi Linda
    In all my treatment I never had an issue with glad bladder but did have a lot of pain in my abdomen that the doctors ran test after test for and could never find a problem. I would seam to think that your Oncal doctor is right that it is more then likely related to the chemo. But to be on the safe side she is saying to go ahead and do the test.

    Wishing you well
    Hondo

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