Back again need some advice 😣

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As posted before I have been struggling with gall bladder symptoms for 5 weeks now. After an ultrasound just showed only an enlarged bile duct and no stones, the doc at the hospital are thinking more gastro infection. So far my blood test have all come back fine apart from showing an infection (not enough to keep me in hospital) I have upper right quadrant pain that starts under my ribs and goes round to my back. It can be intense for anything up to 2 days and at other times I'm left with a dull achy pain and feeling sore. My heart rate was up to 115 when checked by the docs the other day which caused concern but even though infection is showing up my temp is fine but I have bouts of feeling feverish with chills and go very clammy and hot to touch. After being sent home from the surgical assessment unit yet again with nothing but pain killers that won't even touch the pain I have pretty much given up with the docs for help as all I get is you'll have to wait for an endoscopy (which could be another 3 weeks) I've had 2 a&e visits 5 docs appointments 2 out of hrs appointments and been twice to the surgical assessment unit in 5 weeks so I really have given up hope of anything getting sorted before the endoscopy. My problem today is this morning my right side is tender and aching but I have severe pain in my left side now which starts of sharp and dulls to an ache/cramping pain. Could this be all related to a possible blockage in my bile duct if the pain is on the left now too. I'm worried the infection has become worse but without knowing where the infection is in the first place I'm so confused as to what to worry about and what not to worry about. I just don't want to call my docs to get the same answer as always "you have to wait for the test" has anyone suffered with both left and right upper quadrant pain and should I just carry on in pain or am I right to be concerned. This has been the most stressful 5 weeks of my life I'm just so fed up. I've been off work for 3 weeks and just been signed off for a further 2 because the pain is that bad but they don't seem to be listening at all 😕

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8 Replies

  • Posted

    I am so sorry you are experiencing such pain. I went through something similar a year ago and it really affects the quality of your life. Mine was a suspected stone that eventually passed. Can you talk to your regular doctor and have him/her prescribe something different for the pain? What works for one person may not for another. Maybe your doctor can refer you to a different specialist?

    Health care can be so frustrating! You have to push and be your own advocate until you find someone who will help.

    I'll be praying for you

    • Posted

      Thank you for your reply 😊 I'm watching my symptoms closely now as I've developed a burning pain across my back and I'm really breathless too. I was given cocodamol 30/500mg and they didn't touch it and the hospital gave me 2 paracetamol and codine felt woozy but didn't touch it either. Buscapan doesn't help and neither does omeprazole. I'm adamant it's gall bladder but they're not and won't listen. I was basically told although my bile duct is dilated it could be normal for me and now they've ruled it out they dismiss everything I say regarding it 😕 I've never had problems eating before and always ate what I wanted now I barely eat at all concidering I'm only normally 8st I dread to think how much I'll weigh after all this 😞 x
  • Posted

    I am sorry you are in pain - its so miserable.  I have had symptoms for the past 8 weeks now which are very similar.  It started with stabbing pain in my right rib area but has progressed to burning pain in mid section just below my breast bone.  Some days it is hard to bear and others its a dull nagging ache - painkillers make very little difference.  I had an endoscopy 6 months months ago for reflux syptoms so was prescribed emophrazole at that time which I still take so don't know if they help or not.  I also had an ultrasound which spotted a slightly dilated bile duct but "within normal limits".  Yesterday the pain radiated to between my shoulder blades (more on the right side) and today its still sore.  I feel like someone has kicked me all across my upper middle area!

      My GP is reluctant to do more tests and keeps relating back to the reflux issues but I am convinced its my gall bladder because the symptoms are new and completely different.  BTW I also get tugs and twinges in my left side.

    I think we just have to be persistent with the medical profession - I wish I could afford to go private as the waiting and worrying makes things so much worse.

    I don't know if this will help Alison but I have recently added real lemon juice and filtered water to my diet first thing each morning and I do feel as if it is helping.  I try and stick to low fat diet and have cut out caffeine and alocohol for the time being - sometimes it doesn't seem to matter what I eat or drink - the pain is still there.   I have also tried slippery elm and milk thistle from Holland & Barrett  (following recommendations on this site) - the milk thistle did seem to help a little.  Hope you feel better soon and keep us posted.

  • Posted

    I would insist that you have your doctor have the testing done asap and do not take no for a answer, I would also ask for something for the pain that actually works too.

    I wish you good luck and hope you feel better, remeber be presitanat about your test being done sooner then later.

  • Posted

    Start drinking apple cider vinegar in applejuice right away. Organic if you can. It will help ease the pain. If you're up to it do a liver/gb flush. I had all tests run w/ doctors saying it was not my gb. Non calcified stones do not show up on scans! I've passed stones and feeling better. Don't eat any bad fats, dairy, or lots of meat or it will make you feel much worse. Hang in there!
  • Posted

    Hi, out of interest do you know how dilated the cbd was?
    • Posted

      I've no idea. One doctor I've seen at my gp suggested that a stone may have passed through and got stuck. The last doctor I saw up at the surgical assessment unit said it was dilated but she said what's not normal for one could be normal for you which to me suggests it was out of normal range but not sure for definate. 😕
  • Posted

    Hi..whole abdominal check up is the best solution for you i think... smile

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