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Horrible pain, can't eat - does this sound like gallstones?

Posted , 8 users are following.

Growlinglucifer
Growlinglucifer

I've had stomach issues for years and years - and always got told by the doctors that it was IBS. I cut wheat and for a while, that seemed to help a lot, but now, two years later, it's back to being bad again! 

These last two weeks in particular have been quiet hellish. Agonising pain after eating - like a stabbing, gnawing sensation right in the centre of my stomach, above my belly button. Plus a wierd kind of stabby / achy pain on my right hand side, just under my ribcage. Occasional 'urgent' need to go to the loo - but not diarhhoea. 

Went to docs on Monday as it was getting ridiculous (I'm still trying to eat but it's getting increasingly difficult) and they straight away said gallstones, so I've been booked in for an ultrasound. 

However, I've been told it's IBS for so many years that I find myself doubting the gallstones vertict - and wondering if it's not a stomach ulcer or something like that. 

Does anyone have any experience of gallstones? Also, while I'm waiting for the ultrasound, is the pain likely to get better? Does it come in 'attacks' or is it just continuous pain until you get it sorted? I'm not sure I want to continue like this - not being able to eat anything - I'm already slim, I'll vanish soon ;-) 

It seems to be everything I eat too - not just fatty foods. E.g. yesterday lunch, I literally had dry-fried courgettes, mushrooms, onion and tofu - all really low-fat, and was still in pain right up until bedtime - 9 hours later! 

 

1 like, 19 replies

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  • aaronaaron
    aaronaaron Growlinglucifer

    Posted

    hi i have the same thing its like something is nawing thre but mine is more under my chest chest where you would have a bra if you are a woman. Its come and gone over the years but now it feels like something is pressing as in if a foot was lighting standing on it, the nawing thing certinaly moves, mine dont seem to be related to food or drink but i do burp a lot
  • E11eth
    E11eth Growlinglucifer

    Posted

    Hi

    I too have had stomach problems for years, for the past 10 years the doctors have put it down to IBS. Last October I had what I now know to be a gallbladder attack, I had severe pains in my rib cage to the extent I actually thought I was having a heart attack. I stupidly rode the pain out at home, only lasted about 30 mins, I have two children and was worried about leaving them home alone as this happened very late at night. A trip to my GP on the Monday resulted in a diagnosis of GERD and I was prescribed omperazole. After a couple of weeks I was still suffering terribly from stomach pains and a dull ache in my ribs, back to the GP i went and was referred for an ultra sound scan and hey presto gallbladder is full of stones and the chances are that I have never actually suffered with Ibs.

    Gallbladder symptoms can vary greatly and mine tend to come in waves, I do tend to eat a low fat diet but can still get problems, my most recent one being vomiting a lot. It certainly does sound like you may have gallstones, when is your scan scheduled for?

    I find hot baths and curling up with a hot water bottle can really help with discomfort.

    Let us know how you get on x

  • debbie75601
    debbie75601 Growlinglucifer

    Posted

    It very well could be gallstones. I never had the right side pain, mine was mainly nausea, no appetite, gas, horrible back pain, and yellowish stools that were different than usual. I went to the ER, had an ultrasound, and was diagnosed with gallstones. Had my gallbladder out this month, and some symptoms are gone, but still battling others. Feeling a lot better though. 
  • Growlinglucifer
    Growlinglucifer

    Posted

    I just feel a bit despondent - as I just cannot eat anything. Just tried to have a small handful of popcorn, and voila, sharp pains again! Plus burping.  Is that normal to be in so much pain every day with them? I am tempted to go back to the docs and see if anything can be done - but if it's normal, I guess I'll be told to suck it up until the ultrasound appointment! 
    • debbie75601
      debbie75601 Growlinglucifer

      Posted

      Definitely sounds like gallbladder! I would either ask if your appointment for ultrasound can be moved up, or, if the pain gets to be too bad, go to the ER(A&E), and demand they do one there ! Wishing you luck, and hoping you get answers quick!
    • Growlinglucifer
      Growlinglucifer debbie75601

      Posted

      It does seem to be getting worse - nasty stabby pains on my right side (though weirdly further down my abdomen too?). Ugh - two weeks of this has already done me in, lol - and I've got quite a high pain threshold! 
    • cheeky87
      cheeky87 Growlinglucifer

      Posted

      if i was you i would definately go to the doctor and get something for your pain, im suffering really badly myself and the pain killers iv got are not working now and in fact i think they are making me worse. i feel as if my stomach and chest has been kicked very badly,im either feeling nauseas to eat or if i eat i get pain. i cant even have a cup of tea now. those indegestion remedies made me more ill. but we are all differnt. good luck. my clothes are falling off me i'v lost so much weight.
    • debbie75601
      debbie75601 cheeky87

      Posted

      I do too cheeky. How much have you lost? I have lost almost 30 pounds! I think the weight loss scared me the most. 
  • cynthia89958
    cynthia89958 Growlinglucifer

    Posted

    Hi Can relate to some of these symptoms, I've got gallstones, hiatal hernia and diverticula, although was told it was just reflux for years even though stones were seen on  a scan. I have total lack of appetite, adbo pain, left side stabbing pain, gas, bloating nausea, dizziness, sleep problems and just very unwell since last Nov. Awaiting op soon, may be delayed due to dr strikes if they go ahead. Everything I eat can disagree, I live on nutritional supplements and a few bland foods and am in mild to moderate pain all the time, only had a couple of severe attacks when I went to A & E. It is horrible and has put my whole life on hold. Your symptoms could be so many things - to this day, They don't know 100% if removing the gallbladder is going to help as those other conditions or something else may be also involved, but they suspect the gallbladder is the main one anyway.

    To ease the pain, you could try (as well as regular pain killers or whatever your Dr recommmends) buscopan for the cramping, apple juice or cider vinegar in water (people often say these help due to the malic acid they contain), indigestion meds tend not to help much if it is gallbladder, but you could try them out. Peppermint pills and charcoal capsules have helped me at times. A warm wheat bag on the abdomen or back can also relieve a bit. Good luck, hope they find out what is going on, it is not easy with digestive issues. Take care

    • debbie75601
      debbie75601 cynthia89958

      Posted

      I had all those same symptoms too. Also, headache and severe back pain. They told me it might not be all from my gallbladder too, and they were right. Got rid of some of the misery, and the bad back pain, but still suffer with digestive issues, some chest pressure, and still have lack of appetite, and trying to put some weight back on, even though I'm overweight. Have tons of specialists appointments coming up, just plodding along tiring to get back to normalcy. Good luck to you all. Hope your surgeries is your culprit. 
    • debbie75601
      debbie75601

      Posted

      I meant, hope the gallbladder is the culprit, and your surgery relieves your pains and sickness
    • cynthia89958
      cynthia89958 debbie75601

      Posted

      Thanks, you just cannot win can you? Seems the gallbladder is often involved in a conspiracy by our digestive system to make us suffer, so many ppl are suffering from a raft of issues and sometimes they find out what it is, other times trial and error. I know I have now had enough of the whole thing! I would not wish these troubles on anyone. Hope you get the rest of your problems sorted - take care x

       

  • jay15225
    jay15225 Growlinglucifer

    Posted

    Hi,your symptoms were exactly the same as mine...My first painful attack was centred in upper tummy region then after that most things I ate caused me to feel sick and caused pain and stabbings pains high up on right handside,one day the stabbings pains along with the centred pain got too much and I went to hospital,within an hour of a scan I was in operating theatre having gallbladder removed.the pain on right side was worse than usual that day and my side was sore to touch and also the pain on side increased on breathing out which doctor said is a classic sign of acute cholesystitis and needed seen to straight away....don't put up with pain,if it gets unbearably sore then do what I did and visit a and e...good luck
  • frances02122
    frances02122 Growlinglucifer

    Posted

    Hi i can understand your worries as i have stomach problems and dont feel i am getting answers from my gp. I have suffered with bouts of acid indigestion for last couple of years but gradually getting worse. A couple of weeks ago i got the stabbing /burning pains but in left side of waist and had to dash to the loo. Then i got the most horrible burning pains in my stomach i can only describe as feeling like i had swallowed battery acid. My whole stomach felt on fire, when i tried to eat i got severe sharp pain in stomach and had to walk around rubbing my stomach area. I also got a bloated stomach and felt the pressure on my bladder making me need to pee more often. I am having a 2nd ultrasound of gall bladder and pancrea's as i get stabbing pains in both right and left side just under ribs. I burp frequently and my stomach is gurgling away plus have had nausea since. Oddly enough i have not lost my appetite but am scared of food causing more pain. I managed to see my gp this week and she examined me and said she thought the inflammation had spread to my bowel and admitted my insides felt swollen. I really need to find out whats causing this as i am worried i will get stomach ulcers or pancreaitis.
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