Anyone had an abdominal CT Scan done after RNY for abdonimal pain?

Got to have an abdominal CT Scan next Monday.  Having some pain in my upper right side of my abdomen, near my lower rib cage area.  Pain isn't constant but it's a dull discomfot that comes and goes every few days or so.  Don't know what triggers it but I'm tired of dealing with it so am in the process of figuring out what it might be.  I had blood work and Ultrasound done yesterday.  Found out from my surgeon's nurse today though that the tests didn't shed any new light on what is bothering me so my RNY surgeon has ordered for me to have this abdominal CT Scan.  Not sure what to expect.  Guess they'll run dye in and see what lights up. 

Anyone else had this done for abdominal pain/symptoms?  I didn't have any gall stones present in the untrasound but I understand that it's possible to have gall bladder problems/issues without having visible stones.  Perhaps this CT scan will give a better view of the area.  Hoping so.

Thanks!

I have had several (4, if I am counting correctly) over the past year in an attempt to diagnose the mysterious, intermittent, severe belly pain that I have been having (not my gallbladder because it came out 2 years ago).  None of them showed anything and the general agreement is that it is related to adhesions.  Hopefully yours will be more successful at identifying the source of the problem and solving it.

Lora

I had a CT scan two days after my original surgery.  I had a intestinal blockage.  I was in severe, unbearable pain though.  I am guessing this isn't the case for you since your pain seems to be manageable.  Drinking the dye was difficult for me but I was able to get some of it down.  Best of luck!

I had gallbladder problems within 6 weeks of my first surgery Lap band.  I did not have gall stones but severe pain in right side like a poker being pushed in my stomach.  I had the neuro test and had a ejection fraction of 8%.  If they are doing a CT scan it sounds like they are looking for more than gall bladder problems.  If its gallbladder they usually do ultrasound and the hyda scan.  Not to scare you but I would want to know what they are looking for with the CT scan.  Ask questions.  THats a very expensive test for them to do if they think it is gallbladder


Tamara

I asked the nurse on the phone today if they saw something with my blood work or with the abdominal ultrasound that prompted them to want me to have this CT Scan.  The nurse said that nothing turned up in either test (blood or ultrasound) that was abnormal/bad.  I guess since I'm still having some slight dull discomfort/pain the RNY surgeon wants me to do this scan.  I haven't had any pain in that area prior to the surgery and I didn't have any pain or discomfort during the liquid phase either.  Seems like it started up for me about a week after I started eating "soft foods".  It's not constant pain either, not severe.  It's just aggravating, dull, discomfort.  Hurts me near my upper right hand side near my rib cage area.  Feels better when I rub it.  Nurse mentioned that it might be discomfort from my surgical scars...affecting nerves.  That makes sense too.  Perhaps they are doing this CT Scan on me to rule out possibilities.  I did read that sometimes ultrasounds don't pick up on gall stones or perhaps sludge might be causing problems with the gall bladder and it's hard to detect with an ultrasound.  But then again I have read about the HIDA scan/test too for gall bladder so perhaps they have ruled out gall bladder so that's why they want to do the CT Scan.  I don't know and I'm going to try to NOT worry about it.  I've worried about so much all of my life when it has come to mammograms, breast MRI's, endometrial biopsies and breast biopsies.  I worried myself silly over stuff and everything turned out to be nothing.  Of course, I do want to make sure that they don't see anything serious...I hope not.  The nurse today didn't indicate that they saw something with my ultrasound that concerned them...she just said that the Dr wanted to do a CT scan based on the fact that I was still experiencing discomfort in my abdomen.  Guess she's trying to determine what might be going on and I'm glad she's trying to figure it out for me.  I'm willing to do the CT Scan, my insurance is maxed out at this point anyways so I won't have to pay for the scan...insurance will.  If the scan might shed light on what might be causing my pain then I'm willing to get it done.  I'm going to try to think positive and not dwell on the worst.  They gave me no indication that I should worry about what the blood work said or the results of the ultrasound.  So, hopefully I'll know more next week.  Thanks for your willingness to share.

I've had two.. since my gastric bypass. For a little information, when they bring in that nasty drink, remind them you're post op of a gastric bypass. They have a smaller drink for you. They bought in a large bottle for me to drink the first time. The second was less than half the liquid.

One thing I learned is a ct scan can show inflammatory processes, which can lead to a re-operate situation. The first time they thought appendix. It turned out I had an ulcer on my bowel (large bowel), from adhesions. The second time, so far all I do know is I have a pocket of fluid from the second surgery that resulted in an infection. The would closed but I still have fluid. Will keep an eye on that. If it doesn't go away, it'll need to be drained. UGH!

I hope you get to the bottom of your pain.

Teri

YES about 3 of them! I too was having same exact pain, but with burning sensationa nd rapid heart beat, come to find out along with many other things is my Pancreas and Gallbladder issues for me.!
Good luck with yours hope you feel better.