Daily gallbladder pain question.

Posted , 11 users are following.

Hello all,

So I have had dull right side back/shoulder/rib pain on and off pretty much daily for the last 2.5 years. The pain is typically very minor and feels more like a cramp. I would rate it a 2 out of 10. I have had two or three major GB attacks over the last 5 years but didnt realize thats what they were at the time. I had an ultra sound last month where they found "A large stone" but said no gallbladder inflammation and normal bloodwork results. I am getting a HIDA scan next week and would like to have the GB removed as soon as I can. My question for everyone: Have any of you had the daily referred dull pain? Is that normal? Has anyone noticed the same ache like pain but also on the left side (under the ribs / mid back)? I have also noticed I get daily dry mouth as well, but speculate that might be a result of anxiety about all of it.

Thank you!

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • Posted

    I had gallstones a few years ago.

    No gallbladder inflammation as far as I am aware.

    I had scan which showed the stones.

    A week later a nurse rang me at 7 pm the day before Christmas Eve and immediately offered me the opportunity to have my gallbladder removed.

    Four months later that is what happened.

    I would suggest that you consider going down that road, it is only day surgery, you will feel a lot better afterwards. In the meantime avoid fatty food.

    Hope that helps.

    Take care and keep in touch.

    Sarah

  • Posted

    At your stage of gall disease you should consider it. Your large stone could lodge itself blocking the duct. If that happens you will get deathly sick. My niece had a large stone in her gall. She had it for 4 years didn't bother her till it got stuck blocking the main duct. She was rushed to Hospital to have a emergency surgery. She had her gall removed and she is finally loving life again. Yes all of your symptoms are due to stone moving in your gall causing you pain and suffering. Don't eat fats at all or carbonated drinks or spicy food. Hope you the best.

    • Posted

      Thank you for the reply!

      You actually put me at ease quite a bit. Im sure its all just due to the large stone moving around but I became a little alarmed when I started feeling the same discomfort on my left side. Of course you cant google anything because evrything comes back cancer. Im really just curious whether the left side ache is infact referred pain from the GB too. Has anyone else had the periodic left side pain as well as the typical right side discomfort?

  • Posted

    I get left side pain too, just below ribs. I was told it was IBS (anxiety aggravated) (I've had IBS since I was a child) but then after many tests gallstones were discovered. I was told the pain was "referred" pain (from my gallbladder) and three months ago I had my gallbladder removed.

    For the first months that pain disappeared but then because of dealing with digestive issues due to GB removal this triggered a flare up of IBS. And now I have the left hand side pain back again!

    I was told it could be due to splenic flexure syndrome which basically means there's trapped gas in that bend in the colon which is upper left hand side and called the splenic flexure.

    I don't have any answers as to how to cure it. I eat a very restricted diet - low fat, gluten free, almost dairy free, just veggies, fruit, plain chicken and rice - very boring and it doesn't seem to help much.

    I spend a lot of time with a heat pad on that area.

    It's's not a bad pain but it's enough to cause anxiety.

    And its not due to gallbladder problems because that's gone now!

    I'm taking dandelion root capsules atm and next I'm trying digestive enzymes.

    Please let me know if you find out anything more about this pain and also if you find a treatment that actually works.

    thanks.

  • Posted

    Hi Ak, my story sounds similar, I first experienced the pain in right side about 6 months ago and it gradually got more severe to the point where I had to quit my job and I've been virtually bed bound for last 3 weeks, constant pain now from morning until night, it fluctuates from mild to severe for no apparent reason sometimes but mostly after eating. I went for 1st ultrasound about 6 weeks ago following a 3 day low fat diet and 12 hour fast but Dr said that GB was too contracted to see anything so had to have a 2nd scan a week later, Dr found a 6mm polyp but no stones. been to Gp about 4 times in last 3 weeks with really bad pain and hes referred me for ct scan. I've lost a stone in weight over last 3 weeks too.

  • Posted

    I have pain on the left as well just as you described and it is the one thing that always bothered me as far as gallstones are concerned. All the doctors I have spoken to do not seem to think it is connected with the gallstones but the pain started around the same time the right sided pain started. I also have pains in my back and shoulder blades.

  • Posted

    I have pain on the left as well just as you described and it is the one thing that always bothered me as far as gallstones are concerned. All the doctors I have spoken to do not seem to think it is connected with the gallstones but the pain started around the same time the right sided pain started. I also have pains in my back and shoulder blades.

  • Posted

    I have pain on the left as well just as you described and it is the one thing that always bothered me as far as gallstones are concerned. All the doctors I have spoken to do not seem to think it is connected with the gallstones but the pain started around the same time the right sided pain started. I also have pains in my back and shoulder blades.

    • Posted

      hi @jamiedes did you wver figure out if the left sided pain was related to your gallbladder? im having the dame symptoms and am scheduled to get gallbladder removed next week.

    • Posted

      no I havent, I am now on the waiting list for surgery. pls kindly update us about whether or not the left sided pain remains after ur surgery and I hope u have a successful surgery.

  • Posted

    Has anyone had typical gallbladder symptoms but all testing normal? did anyone have theirs taken out and it turned out to be the cause??

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