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I think I have found the answer to my problems

Posted , 5 users are following.

youngatheart1
youngatheart1

I have been having really bad chest pains and burning pains all under my ribs, mostly in the middle but also left and right.  I thought it may be an ulcer or gastritis as I do have GERD. Today I was talking to a friend who has similar symptoms and she said after an ultrasound they have found it to be her gall bladder.  I appear to have similar problems but also pain on left as well as right, which is why I am loath to say it is gall bladder as that is right side.  The skin under ribs is agony to touch and the GP said that you can get inflammation in your fat cells so as I am bit overweight it could be that, although I cannot find anything about that on Google.  I have also noticed the pains come on straight after food, especially sweet stuff like chocolate.  My mum had her gall bladder removed, not sure if that is connected.  So my questions are, can you have gall bladder pains on left side as well as right and when you have flare up is the skin from under ribs to belly button and all across midriff really tender and sore.  Thanks

0 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • Micklemus
    Micklemus youngatheart1

    Posted

    Best to see a gastroenterologist as soon as you can get a referral. My GP who is a lady and is mature & yet she doesn't know everything she seemed to be correct right away when she examined me and said it was tender under my right rib. Its no wonder there is usually pain under the right lowest rib because the gall bladder is right behind and slightly above the rib cage.

    I thanked her sincerely for getting me the ultrasound within two days. Sure enough there were gall stones to be seen on the ultrasound but the man doing it did not tell me anything other than say you have gall stones !!!!!!

    After that I saw her again and she referred me but I did not get the surgeon but one of his registrars.

    This took more than a month & in the meantime I researched  the Urso & saw that if the stones can be dissolved that is what I would try to save having an 'op' as well as keeping my gall bladder as opposed to

    removal as many do & find the symptoms as bad as when they had the gallstone problem in the first place.

    The young registrar had never heard of URSO & told me  lie in saying thre only beneficial outcome was 

    to have my gall bladder removed.  She also told me that I could well be in the catagory of 20% of those who might die if operated on but she lied again when I wrote about that meeting. 

    I find it astonishing that all the ins and outs are not evaluated before an instruction is given to remove the gall bladder which simply is not the case = not for every one that is.... The truth needs to be adhered to 

    in no uncertain terms in each and every single case. Not only for gall bladders but for all organs.

    • youngatheart1
      youngatheart1 Micklemus

      Posted

      Hi, I hope not to have an operation either which is why if it is gallstones I am trying to do whatever I can to help myself.  I will google URSO as I have not heard of it.  I agree that we never seem to get one person to follow treatment from start to finish and every clinician has different ideas and ways of working. 
    • Micklemus
      Micklemus youngatheart1

      Posted

      I hope you will be able to find a Gastroenterologist who knows about Ursodioxycholic acid. As I said 

      this does work for some as it most definitely did for me.  It's best to read all the literature about it and then you will be armed with the info and know more thatn those who say === 2I've never heard of that"   As I said speak to any chemist and you should get a straight answer which is very heartening.  OK, it should never be the case that any patient has to look for information about a health problem but if a person is educated enough to research what is there on the internet then credit is due to them.  Not all info is bonafide but when the data is from doctors and medical researchers who they themselves are reading what we do then those facts speak for themselves.

      My life as of now would have been miserable for over three years if I had not condecended

      to research my problems. Doctors do not like that fact but when they know you have absolute and correct facts that counteract incorrect data being given they have to act properly. Rightly so I say.

    • youngatheart1
      youngatheart1 Micklemus

      Posted

      Hi, I am like you always googling, sometimes to my detriment as I think I have every illness going, I have googled myself into having health anxiety.  Saw GP yesterday who thinks it more likely gastritis or H pylori sol am having blood tests and will do a stool sample once I have stopped taking PPI for 2 weeks.  Take care
    • Micklemus
      Micklemus youngatheart1

      Posted

      I don't worry about any illness I do not have but I get angry and I am resolved to have the correct care given to me if I am certain I need it!    As I said in an earlier post regarding past medical history

      that apparently is not looked into by doctors!  You and of course myself and millions of others would not believe that statement but it is a fact of life. Our medical center manager told me that it is correct 'they' do not look very far back due to 'paper' noted being difficult to access...... I think this is patent rubbish and is a disgrace.

      If any one cares to look at the fact that 80% clinical accuracy is based on a patients medical

      history. It seems therefore negligent of any doctor to not look at past history as that causes 80%

      accuracy in a diagnosis that happens 'now'. That could mean that an immediate diagnosis in let's say a difficult case would mean an inaccuracy of 80% if past medical history is not observed!

      Is it any wonder the NHS is sued to the tune of about £8 M per anum? That is when things go wrong or there is a misdiagnosis! 

  • Guest
    Guest youngatheart1

    Posted

    Hi youngatheart

    My pain initially was middle in the area at the bottom of the sternum. Now my gallbladder has been removed I have a slight depression in that exact spot too.

    During the time I was ill I had pain in a variety of areas middle, left side, right side, and right shoulder.

    There are just so many possible symptoms some have 1 or 3 some can have other less common or specific symptoms. In addition gallbladder symptoms are also shared with other gastrointestinal problems. So I think it's impossible to say "I have this symptom it must be this condition.

    I know this probably isn't very helpful but it's just my opinion based on my experience for what it's worth.

    • youngatheart1
      youngatheart1 Guest

      Posted

      Hi, I understand what you mean that just because I am having symptoms, it may not be gall stones.  I do have GERD and diverticular and IBS, all related in someway or another so am used to having intestinal problems, I have been on esomeprazole and ranitidine for over 10 years now. The pain started in the middle of the upside down V at the bottom of sternum about 2 years ago and I was told it was epigastric pain caused by acid and gastritis, but over the past month or so it has sort of wrapped around my middle and it is this that makes me wonder whether is may be gallstones.  I was given an abdominal CT scan last June and nothing was found, but not sure whether gallstones would show in this way.  I have had an ultrasound within the last couple of years and nothing has shown up.   Yesterday and today I decided to not eat any kind of fat and it calmed down with pills and a heat pad and then I ate a banana of all things and the pain is back again.  Will have to see GP again, but getting a bit embarrassed going back and forth with the same problem to be told it is IBS/GERD.

      ​Take care

  • brittanyd1212
    brittanyd1212 youngatheart1

    Posted

    Hi youngatheart1, 

    I recently had something similar happen to me- I started out having chest pains and heartburn so I never thought it was my gallbladder. I tried antiacids and acid reducers which took away the heartburn and I felt better for awhile, but then I started having back pain under my right shoulder blade and then pain under the right ribs along with this heavy/full feeling in the upper part of my abdomen (not just right side) I had an ultrasound to rule out gallstones and they didn't find any, but then still 3 weeks later the pain is getting worse even after trying to avoid really unhealthy fats (as they tend to aggravate your gallbladder if you have issues with it). So my gastrointerologist recommended having a HIDA scan with ejection fraction which basically tests to see how your gallbladder is functioning. I had that done and it showed that my gallbladder is low functioning at 19% even though there are no stones, no sludge, no infection or inflammation. Now that my pain has been getting worse I do occasionally have pain on the left side under my ribs too. So I think its possible that it can cause referred pain on that side. I would say maybe try the ultrasound to rule out gallstones and if you're still having pains I would even try to request the HIDA scan. Both my dad's sisters and my cousin (female) have had their gallbladders removed so it definitely seems to be hereditary and females are more likely to have gallbladder problems. I know that's lots of info, but I hope you find out whats giving you pain! I'm meeting with a surgeon in a couple weeks so I feel so much better finally knowing whats been giving me pain and looking forward to feeling better. Good luck! 

    brittany 

    • youngatheart1
      youngatheart1 brittanyd1212

      Posted

      Thanks, I will book at appointment to see my GP and ask for an ultra sound again, I have had one within the last couple of years which showed nothing. I have not had a HIDA scan. My pains started in the chest area years ago and after ruling out heart problems was told to accept that it is just the way my body works.  The GP said that some people are very sensitive to every little twinge in the internal organs others never feel anything. Not sure he was right but if you try to question them they get a bit defensive, or at least mine does.  My mum had her gallbladder out and also had all the problems I have so I have her to thank LOL. 
    • biliarydyskines
      biliarydyskines brittanyd1212

      Posted

      good info. I do have non working GB with gallstones. How is your dad's sisters are doing after the GB removal ? are they able to eat atleast normal foods with bloating/burping ? Also please do post  what were your symptoms and how do you feel after your surgery.

  • biliarydyskines
    biliarydyskines youngatheart1

    Posted

    Please start with the below list of diagnostic test  to rule out  the causes.

    1. Do Endoscopy to rule out you dont have gastritis(Upper left side pain)

    2. Do Ultrasound to rule out you dont have gallstones.

    3. Do hida scan to rule out you dont have any Mal functioning gallbladder.

    for me, intially for 2 years i had a pain on the leftside, endoscopy results were gastritis, took lot of PPI anta acid, then after 2 years started getting pain on right side, did hida scan, results were my GB is 0% functioning, normal person its should be 35%. Doctors suggested to remove, but did not remove, after 5 years now gallstones are developed.I use to get pain now on both upper left and right side.Lot of burping,bloating and acid reflux.Doctors told i have 50% chances of getting rid of problems as i also have gastritis.

    • youngatheart1
      youngatheart1 biliarydyskines

      Posted

      Hi, Yes, I too have gastritis and have been on PPI's for over 10 years, so the thought of gallstones as well is a bit alarming.  I get a lot burping and wind and as I have IBS and GERD never really know what is causing what symptom, the burning all around midriff is the new one which leads me to think it may be gallstones.  Will see what my GP says.  Take care

    • biliarydyskines
      biliarydyskines youngatheart1

      Posted

      burning near the midriff most probably be the esophagus problem. Better to do endoscopy.Recently i did endoscopy ,i was diagnosed with barrets esophagus without dysplesia .. advised to have PPI.
    • youngatheart1
      youngatheart1 biliarydyskines

      Posted

      Hi, I have been taking PPI for over 10 years now and they protect oesophagus and my last endoscopy about 18 months ago showed nothing so GP will not do another one, so not sure it is that.  Yesterday I saw GP and he thinks gastritis and maybe H Pylori, so have to come off PPI for 2 weeks and do a stool sample.  I am surprised that pain in midriff is caused by oesophagus as this is higher up? but I am not a GP.  My pain is all above belly button and into side. 
    • biliarydyskines
      biliarydyskines youngatheart1

      Posted

      My symptoms are similar to yours .I had 10 years suffering from these issues with lot of PPI, please do hida scan to see if your GB working. Mine was working 0% and later got gallstones. Don't do unnecessary tests like H pyroli, i did and it was useless, Hida should be the first one.

    • youngatheart1
      youngatheart1 biliarydyskines

      Posted

      Hi, GP is insistent it is h pylori so will only do that test first.  Have looked into mastic gum and started on that yesterday so too early to tell.  Will keep posting and let you know what happens.  If nothing shows on HP test will ask for a Hida scan.  Take care
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