Strange gallbladder problems. Anybody else?
Posted , 12 users are following.
Apologies in advance if this ends up ridiculously long!
Basically, 12 months ago I started getting horrendous chest pain, which was initially put down to acid reflux. All the general PPI blockers don't help, and it has been getting steadily worse. GP, A&E doctors and GI surgeons haven't been able to figure it out. After working with a nurse who had similar problems, she put me on to the possibility of it being my gallbladder, so I went back to see a new surgeon who has agreed and I'm now on the waiting list for surgery to have it out.
i don't typically get the pain to the right side of my chest, it's generally central, but can spread out across my entire upper abdomen and through to my back and shoulders. And my upper abdomen will swell out and become too tender to touch, even having clothes on is excruciating.
When I get the attacks, they'll last for a good 4-6 hours, and as dramatic as it sounds, the pain is that excruciating, it makes me want to die.
I have found that I can generally eat whatever I want, as long as it's before about 5pm. After that, I have to be really careful. I do smoke, but don't find that it has any bearing on the attacks. I also drink alcohol, but again, it doesn't seem to make a difference.
I've also lost about 2 stone in weight, which is kinda great, but I couldn't really afford to lose that much, as is evident by my lack of periods (sorry, TMI). The surgeon doesn't think the two are related, but since I've been terrified to eat, and also been having some interesting bowel habits recently, it's not been helping matters. I went through about a month period of basically not tolerating any food, it either made me vomit almost immediately or came out the other end at a rate of knots, which has led everyone to believe it's IBS. However, I don't think you get this level of pain with IBS.
I take 30/500 cocodamol nightly, mostly as a precaution these days, but ive also recently been given Tramadol since the attacks have been getting so severe that codeine doesn't touch it anymore. It's gotten to the point that it take 4 cocodamol and 4 Tramadol before the pain will even begin to ease.
I know this is ridiculously long, but does it sound even similar to those who've had gallbladder problems? I feel like my symptoms are so crazy that they don't fit into any particular bracket.
Any help?
Thanks
0 likes, 42 replies
Acejohnston sarah50457
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sarah50457 Acejohnston
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i've had an ultrasound and an MRI with contrast that both confirmed gallstones. I also had an endoscopy which came back clear, and countless blood tests that have all been clear. I definitely have stones, so I'm not rushing into it, and at this point I can only go on so much longer without having some sort of solution!
I think that the loss of periods is from the weight loss, i've lost about 20lbs, and only being 120lbs to begin with, it's dropped me down to around 7stone. But I wasn't sure if the weight loss and problems with food was something that was normal with gallstones. So many people have so many different symptoms for the same thing it's crazy.
I haven't checked into the cysts, it wasn't something I considered since everyone has been pushing down the route of IBS or acid reflux, so I'll definitely have a look into that, thanks.
Acejohnston sarah50457
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LittleMissDolly sarah50457
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I would say that you are having issues with your gallbladder for real! I used to get that whole abdomen pain. I'd advise going down the route of a fat free diet. That is what the medical professionals advise but I found it impossible so as low a fat diet as you can possible go, no alcohol either, boo hiss I know, it's a bugger, and that should help. I personally don't believe in IBS. I was told I had that 20 years ago and it turned out it was gallbladder related all that time. I personally find the diagnosis of IBS a cop out! I wish you well.
sarah50457 LittleMissDolly
Posted
The thing I've found with alcohol is that I can go for a week without it, and still have attacks. I can go for a week drinking as I would regularly, and have either the same or less amount of attacks. Which is weird, because everybody tells me that alcohol should be a huge trigger, but I don't seem to find it to be for the most part. Thankfully! Though I am cutting down a lot on my consumption.
Thanks, I'm glad you managed to find out what was the root of your problems!
susan22821 sarah50457
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sarah50457 susan22821
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tommyboy77 sarah50457
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I had most of the same symptoms as you (except the period stuff for obvious reasons. Lol)
Mine started as horrible chest pains and indigestion that woke me up in the middle of the night. My PCP scheduled me for a stress test and scope, and both came back normal.
Then the nausea started and the dry heaving followed after eating. And the pain was the worst. It would range from a dull constant ache to sharp, stabbing pain that landed me in the hospital twice. I had 2 ultrasounds and both came back normal, bloodwork, ct scan, upper gi, and HIDA scan. The only thing that was out of balance were my HIDA scan Numbers. But the surgeon said everything was normal.
After another month of symptoms, and a total weight loss of 40 lbs, I saw a new surgeon who immediately pegged it as my gallbladder. She said she sees a case a week like mine. They got in there and found it was diseased and 10 medium sized stones.
I went nuts feeling like no one believed my symptoms until I met the second surgeon.
It's comforting to know sometimes that we aren't crazy. Lol. Good luck with the surgery and let us know how it goes.
sarah50457 tommyboy77
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Thank you, I'll try to keep you guys posted. I'm hoping the surgery will come through in about a month.
renee15737 sarah50457
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But as I couldn't take the pain anymore I opted for the surgery and I'm now a week post op and no pain!! I wish it had been explained that it's not just on the right as I've suffered for years!
sarah50457 renee15737
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I'm so glad to hear that you're no longer having any pain! I hope you continue on with good health!
monica45032 sarah50457
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everyone seems to have their own experiences when going through gallbladder problems. Some of the symptoms overlap and you can identify with other people and what they write. But pain is a very perculiar phononema and we all experience it and cope with it in different ways.
at the worst, I would go three or four days without eating solids for fear of further pain, nausea etc but then I would feel normal and eat again and it would come back.
i would have terrible stomach bloating, followed by what is now called IBS symptoms. Since having my gall bladder out , I have no IBS and once I came to terms with the fact I wasn't dying of some terrible illness, I learned to cope and my mind stopped playing tricks.
they can't take your gallbladder out when you are really ill with pain, it apparently is safer to remove it when it is more settled.
anyway, hard as it seems, try to relax, when you are het up you are more likely to feel less pain.
hope you get this sorted soon.
m x
sarah50457 monica45032
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I was wondering whether the IBS symptoms were brought on because of my body just getting to the point that it could no longer take much more of a beating; it's so run down that it's fighting everything. And my eating patterns have been all over the place due to not eating for 3 days, then eating normally for a couple etc. I think it just likes consistency!
That makes sense that they can't take it out during an attack, I've been to A&E 3 times with it, and each time they gave me stronger and stronger painkillers. I'm hoping the surgery comes through soon!
Thank you very much
lynne42182 sarah50457
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All the side effects with my gallbladder, was that I couldn't keep food down, one day it would be fine and the next I'd have my head in a bucket.
My doctor advised me to give up smoking & drinking and start a very low fat diet, this helped a little, but the weight loss is mental!
the only thing I can advice is drink plenty of water that helps push stuff through and chill out as much as you can
i really do feel for you its crap but hopefully it won't be long
sarah50457 lynne42182
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Thanks for the advice, I've started to drink more water in the past couple of days, so I'll carry on with that.
Thank you!