#biliary colic

What Are the ‌First Signs of a Gallbladder Attack? Introduction Gallbladder attacks,‍ medically termed biliary colic,‌ are acute and sometimes severe episodes of abdominal pain resulting mainly from gallstone⁢ obstruction⁢ in ⁢the biliary tract. In the United States‍ alone, millions‌ are affected by gallbladder disease each year, with cholelithiasis (gallstones) affecting ‍approximately 20…

Causes of Biliary Colic

In this article, we will discuss various Causes of Biliary Colic. So, let’s get started.

Causes

Choledocholithiasis (70-75%)

Biliary stricture

Malignant obstruction of biliary tract

Parasitic infection (ascariasis, clonorchiasis, sinesis)

Ductal compression by lymphadenopathy

Primary sclerosing cholangitis

Congenital anomalies of bile ducts such as choledochal cyst.

Chronic pancreatitis

I'm anxious to go back to work. I spent most of the week at home suffering from what we assume is gallbladder pain. Went home early from work Tuesday, called out Wednesday, went to the ER Thursday, and took my pre-approved day off on Friday

My ER visit lasted 9 hours. They told me I'd broken their record for longest ER visit. I wish I'd rememered at the time that my dad went to the ER once and didn't leave for a month. 😅

I was seen imediately. Went to take a piss test as soon as I got my room, came back, and found the entire 7am staff waiting for my return. Some questions and Fentanyl later and I finally felt like I could breathe without tremendous pain in my side.

We ended up doing labs before going ahead with a HIDA scan that I was supposed to have that day anyway. HIDA scan took hours to complete because we had to try it twice before they could see my gallbladder thanks to the Fentanyl. Took another hour and a half to get the results because radiology got backed up with multiple stroke cases.

At the end of all of that, the poor PA looking over me could only give me an "I don't know." My labs were negative for gallbladder infection and my HIDA scan was almost inconclusive because one of my organs moved abruptly in front of my gallbladder during the first 3rd of the study. RIP me. This was after not having anything to eat or drink since the day before.

Doc came in and we talked about what they did see on the scan. Despite my bloodwork being negative for infection, my gallbladder looks like the textbook definition of infected. This won me a diagnosis for biliary collic and a referral to see a surgeon. My appointment is scheduled for Wednesday.

Given the nature of my test results, I don't know if I'm gonna be told I need surgery on Wednesday. The surgeon may send me for more tests before deciding. However, the ER doc was fairly certain that it was my gallbladder causing all the pain, and once they go bad, the only choice is to remove them because they will continue to become infected, which can then damage the liver and such.