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Gallbladder Symptoms

Posted , 26 users are following.

Schwarzerhund
Schwarzerhund

Hello everyone -- A couple of weeks ago, after experiencing right flank discomfort for a week or so, I went to my primary care physician who suspected kidney stones and referred me to a urologist.  The urologist didn't seem overly concerned and doubted he would see anything on my CT, which is scheduled for next week. THe blood test and urinalysis my physician ran were all normal, together with blood pressure, etc.

Since I first went to the doctor, my symptoms have changed, whereas now:

-- My pain, a dull ache, really,  is primarily under my right rib cage, just below the final rib

-- ocassional burning sensation in the same area and more toward the center/left of my ribs

-- ocassional, more stabbing-like pain in various areas of my back, both right and left side, as far up as between the shoulder blades

-- some fatigue -- consistently falling asleep in front of the TV in the early evening.  Pretty new behavior for me

-- Occassional mild nausea (no vomiting)

-- an occasional very loud intestinal gurgling

Do these sound like gallbladder symptoms?  I;m wondering because I don't have any of the urinary issues that seem so common and no diarrhea/constipation, etc., No jaundice, etc., though I think I'm more burp-y and gassy lately.  What do you think?

2 likes, 91 replies

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  • cynthia89958
    cynthia89958 Schwarzerhund

    Posted

    Some of yr symptoms could certainly be early gallbladder troubles - as you are having a CT presumably it will be of your abdomen so they can rule out/ in different causes, but mention your new symptoms to your doc in case they think you need other tests, as it can all take some time, you want to get it underway. It has taken me since Nov and I am now on the list for surgery, though my Gb symptoms have not all been typical, they think it is the main cause of my troubles.
  • lynda20916
    lynda20916 Schwarzerhund

    Posted

    It could be your gallbladder.  I had none of the "classic symptoms,"  just debilitating diarreha and severe weight loss.  I was also exhausted and weak most of the time.  My ultrasound did not indicate any gallstones, but when removed by gallbladder was filled with them.  I think that some of your pain could be referred pain.  Can't hurt to check it out.   
  • Schwarzerhund
    Schwarzerhund

    Posted

    Thanks to you both.  I'm finding the worst part of all of this is the not knowing.  Of course, my mind goes to the worse case scenario.  THe second worse part is the time it takes. At least today, I got my CT scan moved up a week from the 9th to the 2nd of March.  I'm just tired of feeling sick!

    Good luck with your surgery, Snthia89958!  :-)

  • cheeky87
    cheeky87 Schwarzerhund

    Posted

    hi schwarzerhund. i also have not had my gallbladder removed yet but when i first got the symptoms after my first big attack i always felt nausea and had to lie down and sleep as i was always tired. i had no idea it was gallbladder related until i read about some of the sypmptoms. also the gurgling stomach. thats quite new to me i only got that recently. there are so many symptoms and they can attack us at different times and they can be different each time. so its very confusing as i thought that there was something more that gallbladder problems wrong with me because of all the different pains and symptoms kept changing. coming and then going away again then coming back.that dull ache under the right rib is mostly always there. i had really painfull tenderness all over my stomach and back and ribs. and it felt like a burning feeling,thats gone for the moment thank god but can come back and thats what im always afraid of. i dont have urinary issues or diarrhea although i am slightly constipated but still go to the toilet every single day.iv no jaundice. thats can be caused by a stone stuck in the bile duct. the problems with the gallbladder is that things can change so dramatically thats why they always say if you get any more attack of pain come back to the hospital emergency. as now that we have gallstones another stone could be in the process of being made and could stick in the bile ducts. so they have to check us. last time i went to the emergency room they told me to come back immedialtey if i got another attack. i got pain killers which you will almost certainly need. as this can be very painfull at time. i try to be carefull what i eat and i eat small meals. im not a doctor but knowing what i now know and have experienced myself with my own gallbladder pain i would say that yours sound very typical. we dont all get the same symptoms at the same time, or ever. good luck keep in touch and let us know how you get on and i hope you tell your gp your new symptoms and then you will get sent for a scan with can see your gallbladder and if there are any stones inside. 🌺
    • Schwarzerhund
      Schwarzerhund cheeky87

      Posted

      Cheeky87:  I have to say, this was the best, most thoughfult response I've ever received in one of these forums. It not only taught me a lot, but also made me feel so much better about all of this.  You're right about it being confusing -- I alsoways think it's something else or something more because the symptoms I'm having are so odd and seemingly different every day.  It sounds like our experiences are very similar, indeed.

      Today was interesting.  I had a REALLY good night's sleep and woke up to absolutley no symptoms, something that lasted for a little more than two hours.  As usual, they returned when I was on my way to work. Nothing crazy, just the under-the-ribs pain and back twinges and that burning feeling.  I'm kind of looking forward to my CT scan next Wednesday.  I'll keep you posted -- and thanks again!!

    • sam02621
      sam02621 Schwarzerhund

      Posted

      Please let me know how you get on with your scan I have been waiting for four weeks just for an appointment for one and still waiting. I'm the same wake up pain free but gets worse throughout the day. Today is not a good day and after 4 months I'm still no further forward 😞
    • Schwarzerhund
      Schwarzerhund sam02621

      Posted

      It sure sounds like we're all in the same boat -- sorry to hear, 2sam. My CT scan is a week from today. I'll be sure to let you know how it went. 😊
  • Schwarzerhund
    Schwarzerhund

    Posted

    Woke up again today with almost no symptoms (though I'm beginning to gurgle as I write this). Did/does anyone else have this experience? The pain seems to come on slowly and is worst toward the end of the day. I wonder if it's eating that's causing it. It seems like that would point to gallbladder troubles, no?
  • stu001
    stu001 Schwarzerhund

    Posted

    Hi S,

    I have experienced the mornings "I'm fine" feeling but as the day progresses the "stomach ball" which appears lower right quad just above the pelvis begins.(like a big ball of gas) I have been struggling with this for just over a year, I also have the sensation & pain right side ribs especially when eating a large meal (which I very often don't)

     

    I have recentley had all blood work/Urine come back normal and awaiting scans. But the initial pain started last year with bloating, gurgling, gases and very strange pins and needles sensation in my stomach all over, like little fireworks exploding, but this has passed.

    My doctor has me on omeprazol & levogastrol for 30 days, I am 3 weeks in and my condition has improved, although eating any form of large meal it still returns but not as violent.

    The Doctor in my case does not believe its a GB issue although as we know, the answer from Doctors the minute you say its worse after eating they tend to say IBS sad  Keep us all posted, as I will when I finally get some results.

    • lynda20916
      lynda20916 stu001

      Posted

      Good to know that you've improved a bit.  Please do keep us posted.  Good luck!  
    • stu001
      stu001 lynda20916

      Posted

      Thanks Linda,  Yes I continued until this Feb before starting to get it sorted as work didnt really allow anything else. Fingers crossed I will be on the mend soon.
    • stu001
      stu001

      Posted

      Update: After an ultrasound on Tuesday, I was found with possible, "Microlitiasis" (small stones) in the wall of my Gall Bladder the largest "fleck" as it appeard on the screen was less than 2mm. No other traces of stones, nor the appearance of passing any previous, as no dialation at neck of GB.

      A few Kidney stones (something I have and passed for the past 30 years, so not an issue) & everything else normal. 

      So back to my GP with these results, she advises me visiting a surgeon, which I have today to discuss "gall bladder" removal, but the surgeon after viewing scans and history was surprised that I was even considered by my GP for an operation as we had no signs of GB colic or other symptoms. other than the nagging "indegestion" in my GB region of my body!  So I am now off to see a digestive specialist.  I guess I would like to say, that although I have had all the symptoms of GB stones and several attacks it appears that in thier eyes this is not a GB problem at present and the small possible stones in the wall are not something they wish to remove a GB for... Yes I have been told to reduce fat intake, which I have done for the past year, so I will continue. I am due to have another scan in six months to see if the GB wall issue has deterioted or being positive got better :-).  Ok well thats my story so far.  Good luck to all as usual.

    • lynda20916
      lynda20916 stu001

      Posted

      Hi, stu002,  I hope your situation improves in the next six months.  In my experience, I had two ultrasounds.  They did reveal some gallstones, but they are not infallible.  I had to beg a surgeon (I'm in the US) to remove my gallbladder, after losing nearly 30 pounds because of  the "IBS" they had diagnosed earlier, completely ignoring my stools were floating in yellow bile (sorry to be so gross).  No one thought I was sick enough to want my gallbladder removed, because I wasn't vomiting, and having extreme pain. His associate didn't want me to consider the surgery, but my surgeon said, "I've been fooled by ultrasounds before."  When they took my gallbladder out it was filled with stones.  They showed it to my husband and said, "She'll be glad she doesn't have this one any more."   I know that everyone on this site is different, but please be cautious and if necessary, your own advocate!  Good luck to you, let us know how you're doing!  confused  
    • sarah87162
      sarah87162 stu001

      Posted

      I had my gallbladder removed in April last year due to gallstones.

      My understanding is this.

      Gallstones form in the gall bladder.

      So by removing the gall bladder they are removing the likelihood of you getting gallstones again.

      I am not a medical person and I may be completely incorrect in this.

      When I was diagnosed with gallstones I was immediately offered to be put on the list for gallbladder removal.

      Actually I had the ultrasound scan on 16th December 2014 and the nurse rang me at 7 pm the day before Christmas Eve to give me the results!! I never had confirmation in writing and it took them ages to communicate with my GP about the results.

      Sarah

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