Hi

Thank you all for your previous advice. It was really supportive and appreciated.

After almost five weeks, I've had my MRCP results (MRI) and it 'suggests' a gallstone in my common bile duct. (This followed an ultrasound showing a dilated bile duct). I paid no attention to the word suggests and concentrated on the gallstone.

However, afterwards I looked up symptoms of gallstones and unintentionally losing a lot of weight isn't one of them (along with an aching lower back pain and a quiet dull ache under my right rib, etc). Neither are some of my other symptoms - and I don't have acute pain. But I was relieved to finally have a diagnosis so I didn't care too much.

The consultant's secretary read out the letter, which had already been posted (I don't know who was more suprised that I'd got through to her), advising that I'd have an ERCP - and then warned me that gallstone operations have a very long waiting list. The letter arrived later that day.

But a day later the PCR screening people called me to arrange my test. I said I didn't have a date for the procedure and they said the letter must be in the post and my procedure is in a fortnight.

Then I reread the letter and spotted the words 'suggests a gallstone'.

My query is:

*Is this standard wording? Doesn't the MRI (MRCP - so specific to the bilary area) show up gallstones?*

I had an ultrasound and had to wait five weeks for the MRI and then a further five weeks almost for the results. Now, even with a long waiting list, I'm being given the procedure in a fortnight. I shouldn't complain, but my anxiety has increased again after I'd reassured myself.

Obviously no one here can help on the medical side, but you might have an idea why an ultrasound and then a specific MRCP aren't showing a gallstone - but 'suggesting' one.

Ella x