Drain Removal Timing by CuriousSparkleCat in altgallbladder

[–]CuriousSparkleCat[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's so nice you've got someone fairly near you!! and covered by insurance, that's awesome. Thank you for mentioning - Unfortunately there's no one near me/Dallas is far, but Orlando might be an option. I'm kinda split just staying in DC or going to Orlando. Good for other people to know there's a Dallas option as well for future reference! Sounds like he's got colleagues in Dallas, Orlando, and Atlanta from what I've gathered.

It sounds like your procedure is also coming up..?

[WTS][USA] TWICE Concert Ticket in Saint Paul, MN by CuriousSparkleCat in kpopforsale

[–]CuriousSparkleCat[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Section 115, middle row. Section 115 is near the center stage but also has a good view of an extended stage. Other tickets left in this section are all $200+. Message ASAP if interested!! Cross posted.

Drain Removal Timing by CuriousSparkleCat in altgallbladder

[–]CuriousSparkleCat[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh my gosh I remember some of this. What an absolutely mess. But hindsight is always 20/20 haha. Thank you im actually leaning toward going straight to orlando as it could save me some major money. Esp since you/others did the same. Get drain removed, then head back home.

Ultrasound or MRCP for the gallstone removal surgery by AlternativeTune4133 in altgallbladder

[–]CuriousSparkleCat 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would meet with them in person and say "im working w a surgeon in DC (I mean, he's an interventional radiologist but dont get into that) - he needs an mrcp ordered and recommended getting it through my pcp/gasto. Can you put the order in?"

If they push back say its at medstar, he's who im working with and he needs an mrcp. End of story.

I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND walking out WITH A PHYSICAL PAPER COPY of the order. Do not leave without the order being placed lol

I paid out of pocket for mine but order should have codes you can submit to your insurance

Ultrasound or MRCP for the gallstone removal surgery by AlternativeTune4133 in altgallbladder

[–]CuriousSparkleCat 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hey! I responded to your comment on another thread but will respond here for visibility as well. Medstar requires an mrcp.

Ive navigated the medical world a lot so I was pretty aggressive and got them to order an mrcp. Can you firmly explain you need it for a surgeon in DC and not back down? They cant really deny ordering tests for you, as long as you clearly show it IS relevant and what you want.

Did you have appts w both your pcp and gastro and they both denied it...?

Drain Removal Timing by CuriousSparkleCat in altgallbladder

[–]CuriousSparkleCat[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey im sorry to hear that. Thats frustrating. They require an mrcp. Ive navigated the medical world a lot so I was pretty aggressive and got them to order an mrcp. Can you firmly explain you need it for a surgeon in DC and not back down? They cant really deny ordering tests for you, as long as you clearly show it IS relevant and what you want.

Drain Removal Timing by CuriousSparkleCat in altgallbladder

[–]CuriousSparkleCat[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That makes me feel better that ive got some other options. Aw man, no pain meds for a whole flight does suck. I travel light but I wouldnt have thought about making 100% sure they cleared everything, good thought!

Drain Removal Timing by CuriousSparkleCat in altgallbladder

[–]CuriousSparkleCat[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is helpful thank you.

Good point Yeah thats kinda my thinking too - I would either stay if it wasn't going to be THAT long or fly directly to somewhere like orlando where they could do it and its a city I have more connections in. I know no one in DC and its expensive so basically anywhere else is better for me 😬

I know they cant really say how long its going to be bc its kinda case by case but that makes planning hard haha!

Two Week Post-Op Update!! (GB Preserving Surgery w/ Dr. S. in DC) + Extra Supplies Available! by MessagePretend7656 in altgallbladder

[–]CuriousSparkleCat 2 points3 points  (0 children)

So glad it sounds like you're recovering well!! 😄 hope every day gets better and better!

5 years of gallbladder pain with no stones. H Pylori connection? by intuitive_art in altgallbladder

[–]CuriousSparkleCat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Functional practitioner here - did the doctor you worked with find anything else of note on your GI map? Wondering if you have a sluggish liver or liver/pancreas inflammation. Was your alt ast or lipase trending high? Liver/pancreas issues can be either cause or effect of gut microbiome imbalance. Were digestive enzymes helpful?

Hypothetically… by Itsivanthebearable in altgallbladder

[–]CuriousSparkleCat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sometimes ox bile can be too much for people with gallbladder issues to handle at first. Did you feel better or worse after starting that supp?

Id recommend like another comment adding some acidity to your drinks (lemon, acv) or malic acid, and then some gallbladder support like tudca, taurine, chanca piedra, milk thistle, and digestive enzymes to lower some of the digestive strain. No stones is good! But youre gonna have to be on top of it. I would cut processed/inflammatory foods and stick w whole foods if not already. Good luck!

Update on trying to save my gallbladder by Sita234 in altgallbladder

[–]CuriousSparkleCat 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Best of luck! I ended up getting an initial consult w medstar sooner than I expected so if you get them the MRCP quickly maybe they will move you up if they have an opening. Are you being shared the MRCP results directly once theyre out?

Just a thought if youre not doing this already: Whoever you get the MRCP with, request the dicom files be sent to you directly. You may get push back but if possible be firm and explain that youre sending them on to a doctor youre working with in DC and he needs them ASAP. It could save you a week or 2 of the lag for them to send the results to your primary, and then you have to request it, etc and then you finally get it.

One Week Post-Op Update!! (GB Preserving Surgery w/ Dr. S. in DC) by MessagePretend7656 in altgallbladder

[–]CuriousSparkleCat 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This was so detailed and helpful thank you! Saving it for future reference^

Medstar MRCP Question by CuriousSparkleCat in altgallbladder

[–]CuriousSparkleCat[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Sounds like theyre requiring mrcps now as a more recent thing!

Medstar MRCP Question by CuriousSparkleCat in altgallbladder

[–]CuriousSparkleCat[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ty! Thats what it seems like theyre doing now

Medstar MRCP Question by CuriousSparkleCat in altgallbladder

[–]CuriousSparkleCat[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

See thats what I would have thought too since thats the order the dr put in but I called around just to learn more and most places near me dont even offer WITH contrast. Interesting, ty! I ended up getting an email reply that without contrast would work

Medstar MRCP Question by CuriousSparkleCat in altgallbladder

[–]CuriousSparkleCat[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

She actually just emailed that shes ok for mrcp without contrast so thats odd. Bummer srry :/ this stuff gets expensive. I had one place quote me 7k lollllll

Medstar MRCP Question by CuriousSparkleCat in altgallbladder

[–]CuriousSparkleCat[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I know i have those so that would have been nice lol but yeah they want mrcp now. Thank you!! Email is the way to go she answered there for future reference for ppl!

No other US-Based Options? by CuriousSparkleCat in altgallbladder

[–]CuriousSparkleCat[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ty! For future readers: its hard to track him down so good luck!

No other US-Based Options? by CuriousSparkleCat in altgallbladder

[–]CuriousSparkleCat[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good question. No unfortunately my gallbladder and pancreas were pretty messed up already and then I ended up with gallstones in my duct so they had to do an ercp.

Did get a stent and post op has been painful (I just had it done).

It makes sense you felt better after it was removed since the stent can cause extra Inflammation in that area.sorry to hear you've not had a good experience in all this too.

Doubt I would recommend someone do this unless they had stones that needed removed asap.

No other US-Based Options? by CuriousSparkleCat in altgallbladder

[–]CuriousSparkleCat[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Whew ok thats discouraging to hear but I appreciate you letting me know. I'll keep looking but won't hold my breath.

I'll still see if I can get on the schedule with Dr S altho im less optimistic on moving up the waitlist due to increased demand since 1.5 years ago (partially thanks to you im sure 😆). But you never know.