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Is this gallbladder problems?

Posted , 7 users are following.

ket0207
ket0207

hello

hoping someone can help I feel I'm going around in circles! 4.5 years ago when I was pregnant with my second child, I started suffering from abdominal pain and vomiting after eating fatty food. Thinking this was pregnancy related I got on with it and was very careful what I ate. A year later I had stabbing pains under my right ribs a few times a day for a few days, I saw the doctor who sent me for an US suspecting gallbladder but this was a few weeks later when I was no longer in pain. The test was clear. The past year my digestion has not been good and I have felt very bloated, hard to lose weight although following low fat slimming world diet. At the end of Jan my husband took me out for dinner to an expensive restaurant we had a lovely meal (albeit fatty, unlike my usual diet) a couple of hours later nausea hit, stabbing pain under ribs, diahrrea and severe vomiting. Afterwards felt better but tender. The pain since then has never gone away, whenever I eat anything even plain salad the pain increases, nausea and feeling tender, bloated tummy. I saw the gp who thought it may be an ulcer but tablets have not helped. I've had another US today they wouldn't tell me the result I must wait till Thursday. the pain is now going through to my back and down to my right side underneath my ribs. The US scan was very painful.

Does this sound like gallbladder problems? I am terrified the gp will say the US is all clear on Thursday and send me home with Gaviscon!

sorry for the long post but I'm at my wits end, I just want to feel normal

1 like, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • katherine42413
    katherine42413 ket0207

    Posted

    Hi, some your your symptoms sound like gallbladder issues  with pain after eating and the pain in the back and under the ribs on the right hand side. Sometimes gallstones aren't always seen on the ultrasound which is why they're doing another but if that comes back normal then your gp should refer you to a gastroenterologist so that they can do further tests.

    I know the feeling of going out for a meal and coming back and being thoroughly sick. I've just had my gallbladder out but it was only when I had a HIDA scan which  was after several other tests that they found a problem of my gallbladder not working rather than gallstones.

    Keep us informed on here as there are lots of us that have gone through if not the same but similar symptoms as yourself and I have found it an excellent way of not feeling alone but sharing a problem.

    Take care of yourself and sharing x

  • lynda20916
    lynda20916 ket0207

    Posted

    Hi Ket,

    It does sound as if you're experiencing gallbladder problems.  Sometimes, ultrasounds don't pick up gallstones.  A CT scan might be better.  In addition, there are blood tests, such as a liver panel, so that the doctors can see if your liver and/or pancreas are stressed.

    I agree with Katherine.  It would be better to get referred to a gastroenterologist who has the knowledge and experience to order additional tests, diagnose and treat you.

    Best of luck, and let me know how you get on! 

  • hope4cure
    hope4cure ket0207

    Posted

    It sounds very similar to my symptoms with GB attacks. It took many times and different doc visits even ER Visits thought I was having a heart attack. It wasn't , till I finally went to a gasterinterologist . After a time the stones were cought the in the bile duct. 

    Continue to look for what is causing the pain. It can be debilitating. Sorry to hear your dealing trying to cope with pain and searching for the cause. 

  • ket0207
    ket0207

    Posted

    Thank you so much for your replies, so helpful! I forgot to mention the gp did a liver function blood test last week, all ok according to the receptionist. I was trying to work out what the sonography was seeing she was asking lots of questions. Then finally she scanned my left side and back and I wondered why (kidneys?) or maybe just because it's part of the full upper abdominal scan? She said the report would be with my gp Wednesday so I have arranged an appointment for Thursday with the gp. If it shows no stones I will ask to be referred to a gastroenterologist as this pain is not improving and as mentioned I would be keen for a HIDA scan, it may be not functioning at all!

    i have to get through a couple days of work before then and find sitting at a desk so uncomfortable, I will try to lie down during my lunch breaks. No painkiller seems to have any affect.

    thanks again 

  • ket0207
    ket0207

    Posted

    I am so glad that this time I am actually in pain whilst having this ultrasound because last time, the pain had subsided before I made it to the scan. So this should be more definitive than the last! 
    • katherine42413
      katherine42413 ket0207

      Posted

      Hi, most of my bloods were in the normal or satisfactory range, they don't always show a gallbladder not working. if you're in the UK as I am and your tests come back as normal then the HIDA scan was the last test, after clear tests of a gastroscopy, CT and MRCP scan. Hopefully for you I hope that something is found so that you don't have to wait for the next tests then you can treated sooner.

      Yes they do test the kidneys with the US while there doing everything else.

      Take care x

       

    • ket0207
      ket0207 katherine42413

      Posted

      Hi Katherine, I am in the U.K too, interesting then... I remembered I pay for a health cash back scheme and can claim about £600 to see a specialist privately so I think if the gp is happy to refer me I will do that and get as much done as possible if I can! 

    • katherine42413
      katherine42413 ket0207

      Posted

      Yes if you have some private healthcare then I encourage you to use it. I did some research after I was diagnosed at the private hospital near me and the same consultants do nhs and private. If my surgery hadn't been this month then I would've gone privately as I couldn't bear it anymore. 

      I think its about £100ish for a consultation but go online and have a look at your nearest private hospital as they put prices on there.

      My gp did put me on the fast track 2 week plan initially which meant the consultation was within 2 weeks and then the gastroscopy was two weeks later so ask your gp about that as even privately it wouldn't be any quicker.

      Let me know how you get on. x

  • dori77066
    dori77066 ket0207

    Posted

    I had my gallbladder removed in October of 2016 & the ultrasound showed 2 gallstones. When the surgeon spoke with me after surgery he said it wasn't so much the stones but I had sludge, which is sand like. So they did not see this on the ultrasound & maybe this could be going on with you. I still have problems after removal. Just had endoscopy today & found gastritis & awaiting pathology. Still get pain in that general area so don't know if I have bile duct problems or ?? Hope you find answers to your discomfort.

  • belinda62595
    belinda62595 ket0207

    Posted

    Hi, it does sound like gallbladder problems. My Husband had an US 2 years ago and all it picked up was a thickening of the lining and thick soupy look which made it difficult to see any stones. Its only now 2 years later with various visits to the doctors with the pain and bloating symptoms ,that he had another US and they found the stones. Still waiting for the op. But try to keep to a low fat diet also sweet things tend to irritate it and keep a hot water bottle handy for when the pain flares up.

    Good Luck.

  • ket0207
    ket0207

    Posted

    Everyone is so helpful on here, thank you! I need pain all night and all morning at work, home for lunch and to lie down as the only comfort I can get is stretching out on my back! 
  • smigger15
    smigger15 ket0207

    Posted

    Sounds very much like gallstone problems to me. Mine is a singular 16mm mobile stone that's giving me problems (that was December 2016 so may have changed) They struggled to find it with it moving around. Ask the person scanning you to have a real good look and don't let them fob you off. All the symptoms you are displaying are all pointing towards the Gallbladder. good luck and keep us posted xx

  • ket0207
    ket0207

    Posted

    UPDATE I saw my gp today who said no gallstones were found on the ultrasound but the sonography did note the area was tender and particularly painful when she was pushing on my gallbladder. She did say the US may not have detected certain stones or they may be in ducts. She described it as grumbling! She said she wanted to refer me to a specialist as I feel no better, it would be an 8 week wait! I said I have a healthcare scheme and could go private so she was happy to do me a referral. After checking with my healthcare scheme, I phoned to arrange an appointment with the specialist and have booked in for tomorrow at 3:30! So interested to get his opinion will update when I can 
    • lynda20916
      lynda20916 ket0207

      Posted

      Glad you are making progress...you might have very small stones and sludge, which is like mud, with small pebbles.  

      Please let us know how you get on! xx

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