1. Community
  2. Liver and gallbladder
  3. Gallbladder Problems

Gallbladder issues?

Posted , 7 users are following.

Rhiannon_5000
Rhiannon_5000

have been on this board before for suspected gallstones. None were found by catscan. Lately though things much worse. Constant nausea, no appetite, and today the worst episode . Not severe pain just uncomfortable around the bra area and right upper back pain. Not  awful but the nausea has not eased. This has been going on for six weeks. Today was the worst. Have felt awful since this all started. Can anyone relate to this. I am at the end of my tether. Thank you. 

1 like, 28 replies

28 Replies

Next
  • lynda20916
    lynda20916 Rhiannon_5000

    Posted

    Hi, Beth, sorry to learn you're having so many problems.  Just because a CT scan didn't find gallstones doesn't mean they're not there.  They can test for the release rate of bile from your gallbladder, too.  Did they do liver function tests?  A bad gallbladder could result in your liver being inflamed. Others on this board will probably have other, and better suggestions.  Best of luck!  Let us know how you get on!
  • tiffany_06078
    tiffany_06078 Rhiannon_5000

    Posted

    This has been my life for the last four months, fever,nausea,chronic diarrhea, blood in my urine,dizzy spells,irregular heartbeat, extreme pain in upper right quadrant and above belly button which radiates to back and shoulder blade sometimes into flank area, worse after I eat which I've stopped doing because it causes so many issues. I've lost 25 pounds unintentionally, distention and bloating, lots of gas and burping, spider angiomas,headaches,the fever is one if the things that scares me the most because it's been constant every day for four and a half weeks. I've been to e.r so many times but they only treat the symptoms that bring u in, so it's pointless, in fact I went yesterday be a use it's gotten so bad I got scared. I've had blood work and ultrasound and found nothing, even though my liver is pressing out of my rib cage!! Cat scan scheduled tomm but hospital recommended hida scan to test the efficacy of the gallbladder in my quest for answers and resolve, I have come across hundreds that have spent months even years in diagnosed after countless tests showing nothing. In fact a surgeon said she sees two to three cases a week where they show no results indicating gallbladder issues but still have a faulty gallbladder so ur not alone! These forums gave given me some of my sanity back knowing I'm not alone. I'm so sorry your going through this, it's been the hardest thing for me to deal with and I've been through some gnarly biz.
  • Moonday
    Moonday Rhiannon_5000

    Edited

    Hi Beth .... I can so relate to you and your symptoms.  Back in 2012 I was practically bed bound for nearly four months with a very low thyroid and constant nausea.  My doctor and the Hospital could not understand the nausea though.   Then I was prescribed Omeprazole and this really helped me considerably.   I did have one very bad gallbladder attack whilst unwell and because it was out of hours I had to call NHS Direct; I gave, what I now know to be, classic gallbladder symptoms but was told to take a couple of paracetamol. I couldn't wear a bra properly and always felt uncomfortable, but it wasn't until autumn 2014 that I had some really bad gallbladder attacks.  One very early morning, after being awake most of the night with terrible nausea, I was sick and brought up (sorry) the previous evening's meal all undigested.  I took myself off to the doctor and she immediately pinpointed the problem as gallstones.  I had a scan and an MRI which showed gallstones.  I finally had my gallbladder removed in April 2015.  I personally can cope with most things, but feeling really nauseasous all the time was very hard to cope with. Lynda20916 is right when she talks about your liver.  I neither drink or smoke, but one evening my doctor rang me and told me to cut down on my alcohol intake.  When I told her I didn't drink she then told me to stay off ALL fats - I couldn't even have yoghurt unless it was zero fat, as my liver had been affected.  You do need to get back to you doctor because your quality of life is being terribly affected by the nausea.  Best wishes to you.
    • Rhiannon_5000
      Rhiannon_5000 Moonday

      Posted

      Thank you Moonday. Yes the nausea is really getting me down. More than anything else. Loosing weight and I really can't afford to. 
  • Rhiannon_5000
    Rhiannon_5000

    Posted

    Didn't finish that. The nausea has not let up. its very debilitating.  Anyone relate to this. 
  • lisa98146
    lisa98146 Rhiannon_5000

    Posted

    It certainly sounds like a possibility of gallstones. Is a catscan a ct scan? I had ultrasound and then an MRI as a blockage was suspected. My stones were picked up then. What about blood work? Raised LFT's can indicate inflammation.
    • Rhiannon_5000
      Rhiannon_5000 lisa98146

      Posted

      My gastroenterologist thinks my stomach issues are related to antibiotic use that I had for a urinary tract infection. Didn't order blood tests. In his defence I thought that may be the case too, but after tonight I think that it's definitely not that. 
    • Moonday
      Moonday Rhiannon_5000

      Posted

      If you've been having antibiotics it might be a good idea to take some good probiotics - over 80% of our immune is located in the gut - 

       I forgot to say that I too had an endescope and a camera down my throat before my GB was removed.

    • debbie75601
      debbie75601 Rhiannon_5000

      Posted

      Beth, I have been dealing with this since January. Seen a bunch of doctors, had a bunch of tests, just had endoscopy and colonoscopy yesterday, and everything checks out. I do believe the antibiotic theory, as my health nightmare started after I was taking Cipro. There are many reports of sulfa and fluoroquinolone antibiotic nightmare stories, look them up. Did you have either of these antibiotics? I also suffer with pain in arms and legs, nerve pain mainly and burning. Weakness and no appetite, weight loss. I too was being treated for an ongoing urinary tract infection. Very scary stuff
    • lynda20916
      lynda20916 Rhiannon_5000

      Posted

      Hi, Beth, I understand that you want to offer your gastroenterologist some respect.  But it seems to me that he's parsing, trying to look down a very narrow path.  In my opinion, blood tests for these issues, including a complete blood panel (a CBC in the US) liver function as well as thyroid would give him some idea where to look, instead of relying on hunches.  Hunches are okay, but info is important.  Your body is telling you something's very wrong, and you need to find out what it is.  Good luck!  Please let us know how you're doing!
    • Moonday
      Moonday

      Posted

      The only thing to come out of all the tests and scans I had was that my gallbladder had stones so it was decided to remove it.
    • Rhiannon_5000
      Rhiannon_5000 lynda20916

      Posted

      I agree linda. I think it's confusing because I am having lower tummy problems to. Upset stomach, vague pains etc. thinking I'm going to have diarrhoea. But I usually don't. Did you have anything similar?
    • cynthia89958
      cynthia89958 debbie75601

      Posted

      Agree re antibiotics and probiotics. They are at least in part responsible for some symptoms of gut dysfunction I have. I have just got some improvement from a course of strong probiotics and now have to take more antibiotics and am so cross but needs must, it is for dental problem and cannot be left untreated. The arm and leg pain is something i get and palpitations and muscle twitches. I take supplements and vitamins. What we go through eh!!!
    • lynda20916
      lynda20916 Rhiannon_5000

      Posted

      Hi, Beth, I did have lower tummy problems!  Mostly in my small intestine because that's where the bile is released. My gallbladder was totally nonfunctional at least a year before I got it removed, so any eating produced massive amounts of bile, and diarrhoea. Things like immodium did not work.  I got diagnosed with "IBS."  I lost about 40 pounds.  I was homebound and didn't eat at all when I was at work.  it was horrible.  Theyi did see gallstones, but I didn't have classic symptoms, not much nausea and no pain. Just chills, dizziness and a feeling of being very unwell beside the lower stomach cramps. When I would go to the Dr. or the ER they seemed to want me to be in pain, so, in order to have it out, I told them I was in significant pain.  When they took my gallbladder out it was filled with small stones and sludge.  I still have problems and am on medication for them.  Hope this info helps.    
    • tiffany_06078
      tiffany_06078 lynda20916

      Posted

      Lynda, I feel the same way about needing to display lots of pain to get them to do something. I almost feel like I need to be in agony for them to take me seriously, which is stupid because I'm trying to not come off as a lunatic patient who is begging people for answers. But I'm finding that trying to be mature, and strong is not conveying to them the seriousness of this. I have a ct scan tomm morn (ultrasound showed nothing ) I have a doc appt with a new doc right afterwards, I'm going to beg him to refer me to a specialist and order a hida scan...I just have this weird feeling it's not stones but worse. The fact that my intestines r full of phlegm, fever everyday for four weeks,blood in my urine, distention etc there has got to be an infection going on caused by my gallbladder. After all my research and symptoms I fit EVERY detail of child cystitis chronic or acute I'm not sure.
    • lynda20916
      lynda20916 tiffany_06078

      Posted

      Sorry I didn't get back to you--was at the grocery store. You're right, I tried to be mature and strong, but I was having to hang onto the wall and to cars in the parking lot when I walked what seemed like 10 miles to the ER, or to any one of a couple of doctors' offices.  No one got alarmed by my weight loss, either.  By the way, my gallstones didn't show up on a couple of the ultrasounds they did.  I think it was the responsibility of the techs, cause the one that saw them said, "Oh, you have gallstones." He could have gotten in trouble in the US for telling me.  A CT scan should show much more for you and so should a hida scan.  No one ordered either of them for me.  I thought to myself, "DUH?" Someone on one of these sites said that Docs in the US all want to take out your gallbladder without trying to save it, because they'll make money.  But once it's bad, it's bad...it needs to come out.  I hope that the Doc you see tomorrow has a clue, but don't ask or beg.  Demand to see a specialist or you'll die right there and mess up their floor!  confused Good luck and let us know! 
    • tiffany_06078
      tiffany_06078 lynda20916

      Posted

      Lynda, thank u for getting back to me, ya the u.s has a lot of this"preventative medicine" crap where they exhaust every medicine and appt before they even consider referring to a specialist. I got my ct scan moved to today, I'm drinking that horrible drink right now, and praying they see something with this scan!!!! Cuz I agree with u, when it's bad, it needs to be yanked ASAP, and I feel like that needed to happen months ago when the fevers began! I will let ya know what this new doc says and does, and thank you for replying back to me. I felt so alone until I found these forums and realized there were so many that were suffering and not getting answers. Being able to vent with someone who can relate to me has helped me cope, thank you.
    • lynda20916
      lynda20916 tiffany_06078

      Posted

      Hang in there, Tiffany, and let me know how it went!  I'm thinking of you!  Lynda
    • tiffany_06078
      tiffany_06078 lynda20916

      Posted

      Hi Lynda,

      Well, ct scan was "normal" and I saw a new doctor yesterday. I had spent an hour putting all my symptoms,diagnoses,meds,diet,and e.r with primary care visits, including dates times etc....I couldn't even get him to read it. He wanted to spend the apt telling me why smoking medical marijuana is bad and that I need to quit. SERIOUSLY?! "Or maybe u gave dispesia" oh yes,that's it, weed and and acid reflux causes 4 pages of symptoms and pain that causes me to hunch over when I walk. I have a lump forming right where my pancreatic duct empties into my intestines and he kept telling me it was my muscle until I got it to blanch out and swell by touching it. I know I'm having secondary g.I. issues or pancreatic issues from this gallbladder issue. I'm so distended in my upper abdominal area, at 110 pounds, I can't see my rib definition anymore,there's an alien in there!!! Ha! So he did however schedule me for the hida scan, if it shows what we need it to, im off to surgery, if it doesnt, they r FINALLY referring me to a specialist. So at least my persistance paid off. Im so tired if them just guessing. I was educating the doc on signs of gb disease, thats when i realized i know more about it than they do!!!! The scary thing is, i think its reeked so much havok on my insides, taking the gallbladder out is just the beginning. My hida scan is scheduled for this coming up wed morn, so if u want i can update u.Im a but worried about the time length for the test, and im thinking im gunna need to be medicated a bit to relax, what do u think? Did it bother you at all? I hope ur having a good weekend lynda, and thanks again for your support!

    • lynda20916
      lynda20916 tiffany_06078

      Posted

      Hi, Tiffany, sorry to learn your new doctor was such a pill, but I'm glad you're going to get a hida scan.  I never did have one.  If you can, I suggest you forgo the need to be medicated in order to relax--just because you want the test results to be accurate. I'm glad that you may get to see a specialist.  As a matter of fact, I think you need to be referred to one even if they want to take your gallbladder out. As you said, having it out is probably just the beginning.  Good luck! Please let me know how the scan goes on Wednesday morning!  I'll be thinking of you! Lynda
Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.