1. Community
  2. Liver and gallbladder
  3. Gallbladder Problems

Right rib pain

Posted , 11 users are following.

victoria33888
victoria33888

Had first consultancy yesterday feel like was a waste of time. They said they will operate if that's what I want. I don't want an operation as I have managed to control the stomach pains from eating fatty food, it is the ache in my right lower rib cage and back that is hurting more. Doc says he can't answer what the pain/ache is and that having gall bladder out may not solve the issue. He wouldn't scan the area as said could cause further issues. Basically just told to go home and wait on the waiting list and he would see me next time on day of my op. So now I have to decide whether to have op or not even though I'm not in stomach pain, but I am unsure if the rib pain is linked. No one I've seen seems to understand what I'm saying to them. I just feel really down with it all.

Thanks

1 like, 31 replies

31 Replies

Next
  • eric73436
    eric73436 victoria33888

    Posted

    Rib and back pain are symptoms of gb problems. 90% of the pain I had was under my right shoulder blade and that went from dull to excruciating and fairly constant for days at a time. From my limited knowledge gb pains and problems only get worse but I'd push for ultrasound or CT scan and HIDA if the others are negative for peace of mind if nothing else!

    • victoria33888
      victoria33888 eric73436

      Posted

      He said he would do ct scan as they can be more dangerous. Had ultrasound as Xmas which confirmed gall stones so waited three months to get yesterday's appointment to be no further forward. I'm going to give two weeks to see if pain in ribs subsides with heat patches and pain killers and if not will return, I just feel like I'm wasting their time but I need peace of mind if it's linked to gall bladder I can happily accept that but it's the not knowing, and the door being closed on you when you try to find answers. Thanks for the reply.

  • Matt77UK
    Matt77UK victoria33888

    Posted

    Hi, I'm currently 5 days post op and I suffered the same rib/back pain combo. The rib pain has gone but I still get the back pain occasionally, as its still early days I hope that goes!

    I did have gallstones (3 large plus sludge) that showed up in the scan. I've managed through stubbornness to escape surgery for 4 years.

    After too many bouts of illness and what became near constant discomfort, I had the surgery.

    Upon removal it was totally infected and non functioning. Close call

    I would definitely insist on a scan, shocking your doc won't give you one.

    • victoria33888
      victoria33888 Matt77UK

      Posted

      Hi I know I couldn't believe it he said a scan had a 1 in 500 chance of giving you cancer so he said he wouldn't do it. I have rebooked an appointment with my old doctor for two weeks time and will ask for a referral. Hopefully all be ok this time . For now it's lemon water and hot water bottles

    • Star42
      Star42 victoria33888

      Posted

      I am under oncology/heamatologyas I have a very rare disorder which could lead to malignancy and yes it is true, each exposure to radiation increases the risk of developing cancer. We are very very careful how much radiation I am exposed to and how many scans I have, however this is an accumalative effect and scans should only ever be done when the benefit outweighs the risk. Finding out what is going on, I would say outweighs the risk. she chose to do another CT recently as due to my symptoms she needed to rule out any other cause so this outweighes the risk from the scan.

      Please remember as well, data can be made to fit any agenda, the risk of developing cancer is already a percentage, we are all at a risk, the scan increases that risk but in actual real terms its less than 1% of your actual risk anyway by which it increases. Using 1 in 500 is a scare tactic as your already at risk by being alive. The increase is actually less than 1% of what your risk already is.

      if you go to the site xrayrisk and use their calculator, it puts it in perspective in real figures and percentages based on each scan. As I have had a Pet/ct, Cts, x rays and then again a recent CT It put my mind at ease a little.

  • katherine42413
    katherine42413 victoria33888

    Posted

    Hi Victoria, is your doc a gastroenterologist as he shouldn't be talking that way if he is.  A CT scan isn't dangerous so I don't know what he's talking about, as you have gallstones they generally do a CT scan to make sure that there aren't any stones elsewhere. Your pain sounds like standard gallbladder symptoms and is very common with gallstones or a gallbladder thats not functioning correctly like mine, I didn't have gallstones. 

    Gallstones that cause pain will continue to cause pain and your gallbladder will always make stones that will cause problems so the only answer is to take the gallbladder out.

    Gallbladder surgery is elective so it is your choice and if you have already reduced fats in your diet and you're still having pain that pain will only get worse I'm afraid.

    By all means for your own peace of mind see another doctor as a gastro should be able to answer your questions so that you don't feel  like you do.

    Let us know how you get on.x

    • victoria33888
      victoria33888 katherine42413

      Posted

      Thanks Katherine I've rebooked to see my old doctor for in two weeks time. The consultant wasn't a gastro consultant ...he said he wouldn't do a scan as there was a 1 in 500 chance of cancer so he refused to do scan I couldn't believe it. Fingers crossed it will get resolved and the door won't be closed on me

    • katherine42413
      katherine42413 victoria33888

      Posted

      He doesn't know what he's talking about, you could live in some parts of the uk and and get more radiation in a year than you would get on any of these scans these days, as they are so good. Its not as though you're having scans everyday, for the tests that you need the risks are minimal.

      Lets hope your other doctor can see sense but you really need to see a gastro consultant as they are specialists in this area and can put you in for the correct tests that you need. 

      It sounds as though this doctor has a crusade rather than being a doctor. 

      Let me know how you get on. x

  • lynda20916
    lynda20916 victoria33888

    Posted

    Sorry you're going through this!  It seems to me that you consulted with a surgeon, who knows little or nothing about the gastric system.  Unfortunately, a diseased gallbladder will only get worse.  I suggest you get a referral from your gp to a gastroenterologist, who knows what tests to perform and how to interpret them.

    Though you've been able to ameliorate your stomach pains, the fact that you still have gallbladder symptoms means that something is still going on. In the gastrointestinal tract everything is complex and interrelated.  

    I'm concerned for you in that your gp referred you to a surgeon who wants to operate though he has little or no knowledge of what is going on with you internally.  I suggest you get yourself a new gp and a referral to a gastroenterologist as soon as practicable.  You deserve better medical treatment than you've got from both of these guys, I hate to refer to them as doctors.

    Please let me know how you get on! 

     

    • victoria33888
      victoria33888 lynda20916

      Posted

      Hi yes that was my concern that he wanted to operate without any further tests or scan .. His last words were next time I will see you is the day of your op. I was so upset all night and this morning so I have rebooked to see my old doctor and will ask for a referral . You think you're getting somewhere you're wanting answers to the pain just peace of mind really, then to have the door closed on you is frustrating. He wasn't a gastro consultant so I know I am going to have to wait again but hopefully it be better this time

    • lynda20916
      lynda20916 victoria33888

      Posted

      I really hope that you do better with your next referral.  The consultant you went to should have a complaint filed against him.  Beyond incompetent and lazy...

      Please let us know how you get on.  Hoping for the best for you! xx

    • katherine42413
      katherine42413 lynda20916

      Posted

      Hi Lynda, I still haven't heard anything from Carol, I just don't know what to think. I feel really nervous for her as her daughter was so ill.

      I'll let you know if I do hear anything though. x

    • lynda20916
      lynda20916 katherine42413

      Posted

      Hi, Katherine!

      I just sent you a message in another thread about Carol and her daughter, then opened up this discussion and found your message.  Thank you.  I also am extremely concerned.  If Carol has been silent for so long, I can't help but fear something dreadful...

    • Star42
      Star42 lynda20916

      Posted

      I really hope they are Ok, I follow her posts and worry for her daughter.
    • katherine42413
      katherine42413 lynda20916

      Posted

      Hi Lynda,

      I'm not sure that you got this from Carol so I thought I'd pass it on just encase.

      'Hello ladies, I'm so sorry I haven't been on here to reply to any of you & im so sorry you are all still suffering so much.

      My daughter has had a terrible time so far.

      But after the Botox she has managed some meals & some food is staying in she is day 9 post procedure so it should improve further. She still has pain every day most of the day but has only bedmate in A&E once in the last 9 days & before it was every other day .

      Also she is taking magnesium capsules & magnesium hot baths, and since this also she has managed the pain better than she could before.

      My sister who had her GB out a couple of years ago has taken the magnesium capsules for 3 days and she already says her nerve ending pains have gone.

      She had constant dull pain only but it's taken that away.

      But as for my daughter will keep you posted on progress.

      Wishing each and everyone of you well and so hope you get better soon xxx'

      Katherine xx

    • lynda20916
      lynda20916 katherine42413

      Posted

      Hi Katherine!

      Thanks so much!  I hadn't received this; and now I'm feeling very relieved!  I hope that Carol's daughter continues to improve1 

      I'd be interested to learn about the magnesium capsules...I usually haven't been able to take them.

      Thanks, again, I appreciate it so much! And hope you're doing okay  xx

    • katherine42413
      katherine42413 lynda20916

      Posted

      My pleasure.

      Not doing great, I'm still getting alot of pain on eating and the tiredness is awful. I haven't heard when my appointment is yet with the consultant and I don't know if I said but my gp is doing a referral to the pain clinic, so its more waiting.

      How are things with you? xx

    • lynda20916
      lynda20916 katherine42413

      Posted

      Hi, Katherine,

      I'm fine, thank you.  I'm hoping that you'll get appointments soon! I know it's hell to wait and wait! xx

       

Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.