Is this a gallbladder problem?

how long did you have to wait until your operation?

I believe I had gallstones back in 2012 - I was really sick for about four straight months, a lot of that being bed bound.  I was given all the anti-sick tablets on offer, but nothing worked.  Finally, one of the doctors thought I might have the onset of ulcers and prescribed Omeprazole, which I have to say helped the sickness no end.  It wasn't until last autumn (2014) that I  was diagnosed with gallstones. I had felt very sick  all night long and in the morning I was finally sick, but all my food from the previous evening (over 12 hrs ago) was undigested. and my doctor sent me for tests (December 2014).   I've had a few nasty flare-ups which were incredibly painful and also scary and which lasted over 11 hrs, though now I'm careful about anything containing fat and gradually I have felt somewhat human.   I've had several tests, including MRI, blood tests, an ordinary scan, endoscope (rear end) and a camera down my throat and now I've just been given a date in early April for the actual operation.  

I am also being referred for an endoscopy, am just relieved to be having tests to fathom out what's causing my symptoms. I need to get my health sorted out.

It would depend on your pain threshold. Before my op I only had 2 bad days, the first time I thought I'd pulled a muscle, really painful but bearable. The second time was agony, I couldn't sit, stand or lie down. I was jigging around and couldn't stay still. After 6 hours I went to see my doctor who sent me straight to hospital. They knew by previous scans that I had gallstones - I didn't have a clue - and I had to have an ultrasound and an mri scan. I know of people who've suffered for years before they get them removed, it all depends on your consultant. If they give you the option of waiting to see what happens or having them removed take the last option. At least that way it's gone and wont cause anymore problems.

I had to wait months for my scan, I had agonising pain and I wasn't rushed to hospital - at one point I was in the surgery crying with pain and throwing up and all I was given is painkillers. I was offered a scan a few months after that which confirmed gallstones, but I still had to have a camera down my throat before they would agree to remove my gallbladder. It's just a waiting game, your not the first and won't be the last person that will have to wait I'm afraid. Good Luck

Hi 

As you have mentioned you are not having the colic attacks which is when a stone becomes stuck ... Let's hope that doesn't happen ..if it does it will make you more of a priority.....but it is agony and u will propberly ring for an ambulance. 

At the moment it sounds like your gallbladder is inflamed due to the stones rubbing against the lining of the gallbladder.. Or it could be something else ...

as long as you don't have a temperature your not showing signs of jaundice yellow skin and your stools are not pale due to liver not functioning ..you are lower down the list. 

Once you are scanned and get a diagnosis you will feel more settled. In the meantime a really low fat no fat diet will ease your pain. No red meat no caffeine .. .. Each time your stomach requests extra bile from your gallbladder your gallbladder contracts sqeezes the Bile out your stones rub together your shoulder, back right rib pain starts up.. By avoiding foods that need extra bile or stimulate contractions I.e. Caffeine, chocolate ...your lining of your gallbladder will heal ..your pain will settle down ..that's if it's gallstones ..worth a try ..

 

hello Georgina, how was your pain, can you describe it to me please?  was it constant?  mine seems to be, thanks

Hi,

It would start as a dull pain in the centre on my chest and radiate below my breast and round into my back. It could last 20mins or upto 8-9hrs - my most severe case was 9hrs my painkillers wouldn't stop it and I would get chills and vomit. I could go weeks without pain and then have attacked 3-4 days in a row.

Painkillers definitely helped but they made me tired. At first I was treated for acid reflux but it didn't improve, so I had the scan and camera. I had my gallbladder out just under 4 weeks ago now. There was one week where I had it every day in the early stages and I was told it was pleurisy - thinking of it now it could have been a trapped stone.

If you can't take the pain call the doctors and ask for some painkillers.

Hi Georgina, did you get your gallbladder removed? And if so how is your chest pain now? I have been diagnosed with a large gallstone but the specialist quite rudely told me he doesn't think my chest pain will go away once I have my gallbladder removed. I was also told I may have pleurisy or anxiety at first. My pain is in my right shoulder, middle of my chest going upto my neck. My right side rib is very sore to touch. No sickness unless I eat fatty foods, then it's hell.