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Are these symptoms of gallstones?

Posted , 10 users are following.

Witch13
Witch13

Hi, I'm new to the forum but have been frequenting the threads here for some time and reading up on gallbladder issues and what not. 

I've been having some trouble recently with extreme heartburn, nausea, indigestion and bloating. I was given Omerprazole for a week but was still having symptoms. I get pain in the center of my chest and my back as well, sometimes before I'm even done eating. I've been cutting out fatty foods and only drink water. I've also tried to switch over to wheat bread instead of white, but haven't found the diet to be super beneficial. 

The gastro is sending me for an ultrasound and an endoscopy early next week, but I don't know what exactly he is hoping to find. He seems caring, but was kind of adamant that someone my age (I'm only in my early twenties) shouldn't be having these kinds of problems. 

Since the onset of the heartburn, I've also had a change in bowel movements. Sorry if this is too much information! Everything has been a lot softer and I've had a lot of urgency, usually immediately after eating. Today I've had what I consider diarrhea, with lower abdominal pain around my bladder and multiple trips to the bathroom. I think eating triggered it, although the only thing I had this morning was a banana and my Omerprazole. sad

Has anyone had these symptoms from gallstones or gallbladder sludge? The diarrhea in particular has me worried because I'm a school teacher and don't really have the opportunity to use the restroom when I'd like to at work. I'm having the tests next week, but I return to work the following Monday. I'm really hoping they find gallstones and can get a definitive diagnosis, but I'm scared they won't. I'm petrified of being saddled with chronic diarrhea while teaching. I don't think I can handle it!

0 likes, 18 replies

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  • thomas1133
    thomas1133 Witch13

    Posted

    Cant say I had these symptoms but everyone is different and Im sure med tests will show up something.  Classic signs, and im sure you can read them on this forum, are pain under right lower rib, middle of back (like you have), over right shoulder and sometimes you think youre having a heart attack.  Thats not all the symptoms, but like I said everyone is different.  Not a nice situ to be in, especially being a teacher.  Good luck
    • Witch13
      Witch13 thomas1133

      Posted

      Thanks Thomas, I'm going to need all the luck I can get!

  • lynda20916
    lynda20916 Witch13

    Posted

    Sorry you're struggling with this. Frankly, age is not a factor in these problems.  Several people in their teens (or a parent) or people in their early 20's have been on this site.

    Seems to me you could have two things going on.  One is a hiatal hernia, and the other might indeed be gallstones or gallbladder dysfunction.  

    One of the indications of gallbladder disease is the presence of too much bile in the system.  Bile is an extremely caustic acid, yellow in color.  Too much of it, and you will find yourself having diarrhea.  

    Another test that could be performed is a colonoscopy. Best of luck to you!  Please let us know how things go for you. xx

    • Witch13
      Witch13 lynda20916

      Posted

      I know a friend who had her gallbladder out at 19, so I was really surprised when the doctor said I shouldn't be having these kinds of problems. I'll have to do some research on hiatal hernias to get familiar with then.

  • holli42677
    holli42677 Witch13

    Posted

    Have you looked into leaky gut syndrome at all. I was having all of these issues, had my gallbladder out, still continued having issues for 9+ months until I finally got diagnosed with leaky gut. Just a suggestion of something to look into if the endoscopy and other tests don’t show anything. Very prevalent problem and very underdiagnosed. Can be fixed with diet. 

    • Witch13
      Witch13 holli42677

      Posted

      I've only heard about leaky gut a few times. What is it exactly, and what is the treatment like? 

  • sharyejane
    sharyejane Witch13

    Posted

    If they don’t find it with those tests, you need to request a HIDA scan. This tests the functionality of the gallbladder itself. You do sound like you have GB symptoms. Your ejection fraction rate % from the HIDA scan will tell you what you’re looking at. Anything under 35% is under functioning and needs to come out. Anything over 75%-80% is over functioning and is called hyperkinetic, which means you’re pumping out too much bile and likely need to get it taken out. Anything between 35-65 is considered normal and you may want to keep searching for other probable causes. 
    • Witch13
      Witch13 sharyejane

      Posted

      I've heard about the HIDA scan and was almost tempted to ask for one during my visit to the gastro. I'm really concerned they won't be able to see any gallstones on the ultrasound, and that they'll rule my gallbladder out completely.

  • BethFairweather
    BethFairweather Witch13

    Posted

    Yes those r symptoms of gallstones, I had all that and had gallstones and leakage from the organ as well.  I hate to tell u this but if you have your gb you will probably have more trouble with diarrhea if you don't cut most fat out of your diet.  IF you follow a low fat, no junk (no greasy, fried, fast food, cut out all junk and eat healthy) you should be okay.  Plus you will lose a ton of weight and feel great.  So there r upsides!  

    • biliarydyskines
      biliarydyskines BethFairweather

      Posted

      I'm not eating fat for past 6 months, but I don't feel.great either. Seems we cannot escape for long time even with bland diet.

    • Witch13
      Witch13 BethFairweather

      Posted

      I've been on a low or pretty much fat free diet for over two weeks now. Pretty much everything I eat still gives me grief in some way or another. The only thing that goes down easy is certain fruits, but I just don't feel like I'm getting enough from my meals to sustain me. I've dropped four pounds unintentionally and feel dizzy and weak quite often lately.

  • joanne_14554
    joanne_14554 Witch13

    Posted

    Hi, my heart goes out to you! Certainly a lot of the symptoms you are describing are what I’ve experienced with Gallbladder problems. I truly hope you get the answers soon from these tests. 

    White bread has caused myself to have an acid reflux, but Gaul stones I found gave me acid problem after most things I ate. Wish luck and quick results to your health concerns. Fully understand your problems with having to run to the toilet. I hope your employer can be supportive at this time for you. Remain positive that this will be sorted and listen to your instincts on your health. If you need certain tests make sure you get them. Know one knows your body as well as you😀good luck kind regards Joanne 

    • Witch13
      Witch13 joanne_14554

      Posted

      Thanks for such a motivational reply! I'm trying to push myself to get to the bottom of this ASAP so I can go back to enjoying my life and job.

  • matt57085
    matt57085 Witch13

    Posted

    Good luck Mitch👍 If you're outside the UK you'll be diagnosed and treated within weeks/months👍 If you're in the UK be ready for a long hard uphill struggle👎

    All The Best

  • Guest
    Guest Witch13

    Posted

    yes all sounds familiar and I was exactly like you when I had my Ultrasound hoping they would find stones but they only found what the Ct scan had already found which is sludge.  I have been like this for years and prior to last year it was diagnosed as a whole manner of unrelated things.

    As has been said we are all different but your post is as a lot of people suffer with but in saying that it does NOT have to be Gall Bladder, the digestive system is vast and covers many organs?

    Hope you get a conclusive diag though soon as it really is not nice what we go through.

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