Gallbladder or food poisoning?

Posted , 5 users are following.

Last night I ate a healthy portion of a gelato I sometimes purchase and within an hour I was in pain, stomach (center upper abdomen) not under right rib cage. Pepto Bismol helped but I awoke 90 minutes later pain was bad enough to keep me awake. I noticed that the gelato seemed to be misshapen in the container and think there might be a chance it had melted and re-frozen before I purchased it (bacteria??) Finally I vomited the ice cream (dinner had already gone its merry way) and (gross) it looked just about the same coming out as it had going in! The worst part was my heart, it began to beat very rapidly and unevenly and I was terrified by that. It would not stop. About two hours in, I asked a friend to take me to the ER (I'm in the USA). By the time we got there, the rhythm had returned to normal. Oh boy tons of tests, all kinds of blood work, x-ray of chest, ultrasound of internal organs, 12-lead EKG, the works. BP and heart rhythm were normal, no sign of tachycardia or arrhythmia and Dr. had no answers but told me I had gallstones and should have my gallbladder removed. This is the third time my "stomach" has reacted to something in this way (except for heart rhythm after violent vomiting this time) in about 8 months but it always goes away. Lots of people have gallstones and indigestion also, don't think I want to remove my gallbladder unless absolutely necessary, more worried about the arrhythmia (so sent a message to the cardiologist). Is it possible the ice cream was "bad" (blood work does indicate body was fighting some sort of inflammation and infection)? Or am I fooling myself? Doctors seem to leap to conclusions awfully quickly and then you're left without an organ! I dunno what to do. Advice or similar story, anyone? TY.

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Posted

    So you have gallstones. Doesn't sound like food poisoning. It lasts for about 2 to 3 days depending on the severity. Ice cream probably caused your gallbladder to make you fell deathly sick. If it came out looking the same as it went in you said I would say it's your gallbladder. You said blood work shows some inflammation Or infection. That my friend means your gallbladder is diseased. One symptom is also heart palpitations too. Just a feeling of helplessness. You can live without that little organ. I am. You should be vigilant about gall disease. It will cause excruciating pain and sickness. Not a good situation to be in. I'm happy and feeling so much better since I had that little problem organ out. The only way is removal to solve gallstones and sludge that cause your digestive system to go haywire. Please look into this. You need to see a gastrointestinal doctor to help you. Good Luck friend.

  • Posted

    For several years I suffered similarly; initially the pain would come usually after dinner and last about an hour. Roughly 2 years later and the pains were getting much more severe and longer lasting. What eventually sent me to my doctor was one evening after dinner I felt so sick. I hardly slept that night and awoke in the early hours. I vomited my dinner of the night before which was undigested. That morning I went straight to my doctor, who immediately thought I had gallstones and sent me for tests etc. She was correct. After many tests and various types of scans, interview with the surgeon I had my gallbladder removed. I can only talk from my own experience, but for me the pains became unbearable and I knew something had to be done. Before and since removal of my GB I've suffered loose bowel movements and to keep this in check I take immodium each day. What I have found is that after care knowledge from the medical fraternity seems somewhat limited, at least that has been my experience; they're quick to whip out your GB but information after your op has been more scarce. If your symptoms become unbearable I would hazard a guess that at some point your gallbladder will need to be removed (unless new science arrives on the scene with a wonderful natural alternative that works).

    Sending you very best wishes.

  • Posted

    im 6 days since GB removal and doing good. whilst i didnt have gall stones i had polyps, sludge and a sick GB. i remember a couple of years back eating a early morning bacon sandwich as i always did with my kids only this time as soon as i swallowed it i knew something was wrong. The nausea and pain i knew it was my GB (i already knew of polyps then and under bi annual observation)

    30 mins later that bacon came out the same way it went in and looking the same. ive not eaten it since

    now im a week without GB im hoping to try a little piece out over the next week or so 😃

    • Posted

      Don't do it. You will be sorry. I loathe bacon now. Its not healthy at all. Just drink some grease and you will find out. Its the same thing. Think about it. Friend.

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