1. Community
  2. Gut, bowel and stomach
  3. Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Disorders

strange symptoms doctor thinks gall bladder I dont agree

Posted , 7 users are following.

sparog
sparog

Okay here we go I'm 28 year old male. The last 2 years have been a roller coaster with no answers it started 2 years ago I had yellow loose stools that looked like food wasnt being digested and pain in my abdominal. They did a abdominal Ct scan came back normal they then did a colonoscopy didnt find anything said eh it's probably ibs. So I decided to ignore it pain came and went stools remained abnormal. Then last December I started having trouble swallowing certain foods and heart burn so they did a endoscopy and a barium swallow only thing they came back with was a mild hiatal hernia. About month later my abdominal pain is now getting worse. Usually on lower parts of ribs or below it with tenderness on both sides the pain which used to come and go is now constant as far as the pain scale goes most of the time it ranges 2-5 (10 being the worst) eating and breathing dont have any effect on it doesn't make it better or worse the only time it doesn't hurt is when I'm asleep they did a ultrasound came back normal said I have kinda fatty liver but weren't concerned they then had me do a chest ct scan to see if it was my chest or lungs came back fine they said I had one nodule in upper right of lung but was extremely small and think it is benign I've been to E.R. twice now they have checked my blood and everything says normal. I went to my doc and they want to do HIDA scan she believes its my gall bladder cause of tenderness under right rib but I have tenderness on left as well? I now have been experiencing lower back pain as well for last 5 days. Does any of this or time period even remotely sound like gallbladder cause I'm not convinced. Almost all my symptoms and test dont seem to super fit with gallbladder any info would be greatly appreciated

1 like, 28 replies

28 Replies

Next
  • kluesy
    kluesy sparog

    Posted

    I've had my gallbladder removed because I had pain under my right rib that was increased by eating fatty foods, alcohol and caffeine. Turns out it wasn't my gallbladder, but that is usually the course for gallbladder problems (fatty foods make pain worse, as it causes the gallbladder to contract. That is what the HIDA scan is for, to measure how efficient your gallbladder contracts and well the bile is release into the small intestines. I had this test and mine was "over-active". 

    "lower ribs" and "lower back pain" makes me wonder about kidney pain as well. Gallbladder pain typically is under right rib below the breast bone (I have scars in this location from surgery), and the pain often refers to the mid/upper back/right shoulder. I believe pancreas is mid/upper back as well, mostly on the left side, although folks on this forum have described a very wide range of pain related to the pancreas, as it sits on top a bundle of nerves near the spine. 

    You mention fatty liver, and this is known to cause mild discomfort or a pressure feeling under the right rib, middle rib region. When the liver is fatty it can swell causing pressure and pain on surrounding organs/tissue. You are pretty young to have fatty liver-- if you don't mind sharing, are you overweight or do you drink alcohol regularly? 

    You are not alone-- hang in there.  As a lot of folks on here, I have also had a slew of tests over almost 2 years and don't have a diagnosis. I have had 2 CTs, MRCP, 6 blood panels, colonscopy, endoscopy, HIDA scan, and gallbladder removed and I still don't have an answer.

    • sparog
      sparog kluesy

      Posted

      I'm 5ft 9 was 245lbs so yea overweight I'm down to 220lbs I have all but stopped drinking 2 months ago and even before that I did not drink very often or very much maybe like 1 margarita at dinner with friends kinda deal. I am sorry your in same boat and not finding answers.

      They keep thinking gall bladder but if it is I have very non typical symptoms pain and tenderness are kn lower rib line and below ribs with tenderness on both sides its day 6 still have low back pain not sure if related or not. Weird stools but no nausea or vomiting and the pain has never been extreme. I appreciate your reply even just talking it through can bring some comfort

  • Shortie79
    Shortie79 sparog

    Edited

    I had my gallbladder removed back in 2003 but it was due to gallstones. I wasn’t experiencing abdominal pain however I was experiencing nausea, vomiting and radiating pain in my shoulder and ear. I really thought I had an ear infection because the pain was so bad. When they examined my stomach it hurt to touch on the right side. I had to have emergency surgery the following day because the stones were on my pancreas. Currently I suffer from chronic pancreatitis due from Pancreas Divisum (rare condition where you’re born with two pancreatic ducts that never fused together). This pain is on your left side and it’s extreme debilitating pain. The symptoms play a huge role. It’s not just about the pain. I lost nearly 50 pounds in four months, pain after eating, nausea, vomiting, itching, constipation or diarrhea, clay or pale color stool, acid reflux, hair loss, and the list goes on. Even after I was diagnosed with PD my GI thought my symptoms were IBS related. I saw a pancreas specialist who performed an ERCP and was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis. I’ve had six ERCPs and a celiac nerve block to help with the pain/symptoms  but nothing has helped. Whenever I feel pain I rest my pancreas by not eating for a couple days and stick to Ensure or chicken broth. I also eat six small meals rather than three big ones as it’s easier to digest. I have to take digestive enzymes which help some but doesn’t take the pain away. If you have pancreas issues then pain will become your new normal. I’m so used to it that I tend to forget about everything I have to deal with every day. It took the doctors over a year to diagnose my pancreas issues and that was only because I requested copies of all tests/reports. I researched the medical terminology on my reports and saw “atrophy of the pancreas” on my CT Enterography and found out that atrophy of the pancreas means irreversible degeneration of the pancreas which is usually associated with chronic pancreatitis. I brought that to the attention of my primary doctor. It was out of her expertise and was referred to a GI. None of my blood work showed pancreas problems and that alone a lot of doctors count on because they don’t have knowledge of the pancreas. If you already have chronic pancreatitis then your blood work won’t show anything. I learned that the hard way. My next step is having my pancreas removed … I’ll be solely dependent on insulin and digestive enzymes. I don’t know when I will have it removed and I’m not diabetic now, I’m only 38. I would go through with the gallbladder tests because there’s such a thing as referred pain. You may feel pain in one place but it is actually not there. I was feeling pain in my ear from my gallbladder. I get horrible pain in my shoulder and neck from my pancreas. You really don’t want pancreas issues and if you don’t have a gallbladder then that’s one more thing to rule out. It’s not common for someone my age to have chronic pancreatitis, unless there’s family history or cystic fibrosis but due to the  Pancreas Divisum, I’m just lucky LOL. I would also look into your liver and maybe talk to a liver specialist. I think you’re a little young to already have a kinda fatty liver and I would inquire about any family history. You never know what genes may play a role. I just found out my mom has a liver condition that is hereditary and it’s a gene mutation. The only reason she was checked was because her liver enzymes started to elevate. I don’t know the correct spelling but it’s called Hemochromatosis or HH. It affects men more than women but it usually doesn’t affect men until you’re older. I hope you feel better soon. 
    • kluesy
      kluesy Shortie79

      Posted

      Shortie-- you mention neck pain. Is your pain more of an ache/tense muscles or does it feel like a pinched nerve? I currently have this issue and I'm good when I lay down and in the morning. When I stand up to start the day the pain starts. I then get pain down my left arm, into my fore-arm and hand. I also am getting the tingly/numb feeling in my pinky finger. 

      Did you get any pain like this that mimics a pinched nerve? Mine is also worse with certain movements and  my vertebrae on my spine is SUPER sore to the touch. 

    • Shortie79
      Shortie79 kluesy

      Posted

      I’m similar to your symptoms. My shoulder pain is a hard dull ache (if that makes sense) and then when I go to use it, the pain is sharp and shoots up my neck or down my arm. It’s so intense, it makes me not want to use my shoulder. I have to do physical therapy in order to prevent frozen shoulder (I have already had frozen shoulder and it sucks). I also have a nerve disease called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (nerves misfire and contract my muscles). Normally it only affects my legs but due to that rare condition I never know if it’s my pancreas being inflamed or my CRPS. I’m also deficient in vitamins B12 and D which have a huge affect on my nerves. I take extra vitamins but I don’t absorb them properly anymore. My arms/hands tremor all the time. I developed kidney stones due to malabsorption and I get horrible pain whenever I get a stone. I cannot even handle someone touching my back. As for the hypersensitivity in the mid back area … there’s a sac of nerves under your ribs (I think right in the middle and behind the pancreas) it’s also right next to your spine but it’s not attached to the spine. I learned about it when I had the celiac plexus nerve block performed. The doctors perform the block for CP patients and cancer patients but I think because of my nerve disease it didn’t work for me. I think when the pancreas is highly inflamed, it puts pressure on that sac of nerves and causes referred pain but I’m not certain (I have yet to see my pancreas specialist since I had the block performed). If you haven’t been diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis yet, I would pay attention to your symptoms, not just pain. I know pain is annoying and you want answers to it but try and look at everything. Do you have pain after eating, do you get full only after a couple bites, bloating so bad you feel like your stomach wants to explode, pale/clay color stool or greasy stools, itching (I swear this one is super annoying because you’re scratching all the time.) Is your hair falling out or not growing on your body, are you nauseous and vomiting, is there weight loss (this was a huge indicator for me because I lost nearly 50 pounds in a matter of months) acid reflux/heartburn so bad that you cannot lay down. Those are just some of my everyday symptoms. I would start to journal your symptoms and what you eat. Stress and anxiety play a role in pain. If you try and distract your mind sometimes it works. I had to learn to live in pain and let go of the things I cannot control. I have noticed anytime I get really stressed out about something, I end up getting sick. I’m trying to learn how to not stress out (really hard with teenage kids LOL). 
    • sparog
      sparog Shortie79

      Posted

      Thank you shortie for your long detailed message for people like me it really does help. I get final result of gallbladder test tomorrow however the doctor who did the test said he didnt think it was my gallbladder. Guess we will find out. I really do believe it's my pancreas maybe liver or really bad IBS I get pain mostly upper part of abdominal both sides I dont really get nausea or vomiting. Little bloating but not like you described. Hair is slowly getting thinner but I think that's age for me though. By far 4 biggest problems heart burn which isn't as bad cause of PPI medicine I'm on. constant pain in lower ribs and upper abdominal. Difficulty swallowing and horrible bowel movements. Food doesn't look fully digested. Usually yellow or really dark brown with mucas and looks oily. Fatty foods does make it worse but can still happen with healthy food. At this point no pun intended but I have a gut feeling it's my pancreas. At this point worried pancreatic cancer even though it's extremely rare for someone my age. I just wish I had a answer, but also terrified to hear answer. sad I've lost 20lbs in 2 months might be liver. But I feel like I keep getting pointed to pancreas problems

  • HumanBeing
    HumanBeing sparog

    Posted

    Does physical movement like walking or doing anything has any effect on pain?
    • sparog
      sparog HumanBeing

      Posted

      If I bend sideways like towards right or left, rib pushes on abdomen or abdomen pushes on rib hurts but not extreme. Lower back still hurts. if I lay on my back sometimes hurts I have to watch how I'm sitting or it will hurt as well

  • sparog
    sparog

    Posted

    Update my hida scan came back with 99% as of right now they think I have a over active gallbladder. Does anyone know more about this??
    • kluesy
      kluesy sparog

      Posted

      Yes, I had a 96% over-active diagnosis. Mine was removed and it was fine. Did the test cause you pain?
    • kluesy
      kluesy

      Posted

      As in there was nothing wrong with my gallbladder. My pain is worse now, but I have read about a bunch of folks that had this and they were better afterwards. 
    • sparog
      sparog kluesy

      Posted

      Yea it was okay test when he injected me with the stuff that makes the gallbladder contract and empty into small intestine for 10-15 minutes I got cramping pain discomfort and little bit of nausea but pain wasn't horrible and I didn't throw up at all either cramping happened mostly in middle of my belly

    • kluesy
      kluesy sparog

      Posted

      at 99% it very well maybe your gallbladder. I would check the pancreas before you remove it, as I wish I would have done that...
    • Shortie79
      Shortie79 kluesy

      Posted

      Have you ever looked into SOD? Sphincter of Oddi … it’s common after gallbladder removal. 
    • sparog
      sparog kluesy

      Posted

      I'm definitely going to look into that cause if it is my gallbladder I feel like my symptoms just don't really match up

    • sparog
      sparog Shortie79

      Posted

      I'm not familiar with SOD what is that all about? I'll try and do some research on it though!

    • Shortie79
      Shortie79 sparog

      Posted

      SOD is a condition that can develop after the gallbladder is removed. I don’t think you can develop it if you still have your gallbladder but I haven’t really done much research on it ever since I got my PD diagnosis. I happened to come across the condition when I was trying to figure out my symptoms a couple years ago. If I remember correctly, it develops when the doctors accidentally nick the sphincter of oddi when removing the gallbladder. 
    • kluesy
      kluesy Shortie79

      Posted

      I have done a tone of research on SOD, as Dr.'s were thinking about that as well. I very well may have this, and this can also cause chronic pancreatitis, as it prevents the pancreatic enzymes from being excreted, leading to digestion and inflammation of the pancreas. 

      The problem is the test to check for this (and it's not very accurate), has like a 30% chance of giving you acute pancreatitis (ERCP). So, I decided to skip this, because if I have SOD then there is really not much I can do other than deal with it.

      It is common for folks with removed gallbladders, but can also happen to folks with them. Removing the gallbladder tends to make it worse as it can act as a "reservoir", relieving pressure on the bile ducts with the sphincter spasms shut. 

    • Shortie79
      Shortie79 kluesy

      Posted

      I’ve had six ERCPs and that’s the only test that diagnosed my chronic pancreatitis. They don’t perform them for diagnostic purposes because it can cause a pancreatitis attack. It’s the dye used during either an EUS or ERCP that causes an attack (if I remember correctly). I suffered a very mild attack with my first one. I have suffered much worse just being at home. All the other five, I didn’t suffer any side effects but they do keep me in the hospital afterwards, just to be safe. They normally use them as treatment purposes, implant stents, drain/dilate ducts and take biopsies. They sound scary but if you’ve had a regular endoscopy, it’s pretty similar. 
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.