Left sided gallbladder pain

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Ive been experiencing stomach ache on a daily basis for a few months which is worse after eating so I’ve lost about 10lb through food fear. My CT, MRCP etc were normal. I’ve had a HIDA scan and my ejection fraction was 15% so they have suggested a lap chole due to biliary dyskinesia. My concern is that I have some left upper quadrant pain that is pretty awful and it radiates through to my back. I also have RUQ pain too. The doc is concerned that the left sided pain is not linked to my gallbladder issue. I’m worried that I’ll wake up post op and still have this left sided pain!!! I’m desperate to get back to work but won’t be able to if I still have this pain. 

Has anyone else experienced left sided pain associated with their gallbladder problem?...I’ve read it is possible to get pancreatic injury and left sided pain and my Amlyase is up very slightly. I’m just hoping I’ll be back to myself after the op.

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Jo,

    I had pancreatitis twice after being diagnosed with gallstones which was left sided pain that went through to the back. I was told at the time that its fairly common in association with gallbladder issues. It has not reoccurred since gallbladder removal.

    • Posted

      Thanks for this. It reassures me. I don’t have gallstones just a malfunctioning gallbladder but like you say it can be related to gallbladder issues. Glad you are ok now
  • Posted

    Maybe a pancreas issue? Stones from the gallbladder can lodge in the common bile duct and can block the pancreas too.
  • Posted

    Yes, i had gb removed. Ok for a while now left side pain in back with acid stomach.  Normal ppi s not doing any good.  Maybe a pancreas issue? GP will refer but will it be GI doc or GB doc?
    • Posted

      Thanks... I’ve see a GI consultant and he’s the one who said he’s not sure if the left sided pain is related or not. If the surgery doesn’t cure me they have suggested Gapapentin etc. I don’t want to take such potent meds!! I want to find out the cause of the pain but they said all scans are clear. Before this, I was as fit as a flea with no stomach problems. It’s v frustrating. 
  • Posted

    The gall bladder is most certainly just under the right lowest rib.  The spleen is to the left side as you will see if you research the net.........

    If you have a good doctor/s they should find the cause of your problem but gall bladder symptoms re 'stones'

    is felt right side but bloating when that occurs affects center and all the gut and it is hard for the sufferer to tell exactly what the problem is. If there are gall stones these can cause many symptoms that are evident over years. Many patients have gall stones that are not symptomatic but when they are troublesome it is often imperative  to get that problem resolved. My gall stones were seen on ultra sound but that was after

    they could be seen on a CT scan. Nothing whatsoever was sais to me re the stones when they were visible on the CT scan....... Why was that I wonder.  No treatment  offered  during my swollen inflamed  gall bladder that may have finished me was ever done or mentioned. Ursodioxycholic acid was never mentioned either....... research research research. Ask Ask Ask....... All I want is to feel OK so can that be achieved?

  • Posted

    Good day, had the same pain in the left side going to the back, had that for a few years. Since my gallbladder been removed, nó pain whatsoever. Still have to recover, but when it comes to eating no problems at the moment. The pain and discomfort is gone.

  • Posted

    Hi Jo,

    Did you get your gallbladder removed ? If so did it help? I have the same as you? Thanks 

  • Posted

    My daughter has been having constant upper middle and left side pain for about 4 months now. She has seen her GI surgeon, her pediatric GI doctor, a pain management doctor, our family doctor and been in and out of ER about 20 times since middle of March. She has had every GI test possible and nothing explains her pain. Let me back up a bit and say she has had her colon and rectum removed(colectomy) back in August due to ulcerative colitis and had a ileostomy bag for 10 weeks and then the take down surgery in November. She was doing great for about 3 months and then started having the abdominal pain in upper middle and to the left. She has just recently seen a general surgeon referred by our family doctor who thought maybe my daughter had adhesions but this surgeon did not think it was adhesions causing the pain and ordered a hida scan to test her gallbladder. Her results were at 30% which is a little below normal but his biggest thing was that my daughter reported that the test increased her pain in the two areas she has problems with and he thinks her gallbladder needs removed. My daughter is scheduled for surgery July 9th but I am worried about if this doesn't get rid of the pain, what it will do to my daughter! She has been thru so much and I am not sure what more she can take. Does anyone have any comments on gallbladder surgery and if left side pain is normal? I just want to do the right thing for my daughter.

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