For those with Gallbladder problems

[ninahbear]

Once every few months I get this pain right below my ribcage and it lasts for hours. So yesterday I looked up the symtom on the internet and I read that sometimes gallstones cause pressure below your ribcage. But one of my friends had to have her's taken out and she would get really sick. I don't throw up or anything but it is very uncomfortable. Can anyone tell me if it sounds like my gallbladder or maybe something else? I have had the pain the last 2 days now.

 

[Hillbeans]

Call the doctor. They can perform a test to check your enzymes and they'll know immediately if it's your gallbladder.

I'm sorry I have to preach again, but my mom died of gallbladder issues. Take it seriously and go to the doctor.

 

[piglet too]

Sounds like a gallbladder problem to me. I would go ahead and talk to your doctor about it to make sure. You do not have to be throwing up and doubled over to have gallstones, some people tolerate them differently. Not to mention that all stones are different so they will affect everyone differently. Hope you are feeling better soon.

 

[NC Belle]

You should go to the doctor soon as possible. I was real sick when I had gallstones. My Dad had similiar syptoms to yours last year, but his stones were in his liver. I hope you feel better soon.

 

[Pooh67_68]

Sounds like your gallbladder, get to a doctor soon. My sister never got sick with hers.

 

[ThAnswr]

Originally posted by ninahbear
Once every few months I get this pain right below my ribcage and it lasts for hours. So yesterday I looked up the symtom on the internet and I read that sometimes gallstones cause pressure below your ribcage. But one of my friends had to have her's taken out and she would get really sick. I don't throw up or anything but it is very uncomfortable. Can anyone tell me if it sounds like my gallbladder or maybe something else? I have had the pain the last 2 days now.

Sounds like a gall bladder problem to me. Or more precisely, a gall stone problem.

Get to a doctor as soon as you can for the following reasons:

1) if it is indeed gall stones and they are not impacted or infected, it is a laproscopic day surgery to remove them that involves 4-5 1/2 inch cuts. You'll be up and about in a week.

2) if you wait until the gall stones get impacted or infected, it is a real emergency requiring major surgery that will literally gut you like a fish with a major hospital stay and a long recovery time.

I had the same pain you had and I went for option 1 and that was 6 years ago and I've never had any problems.

Hope this helps and good luck.

 

[rwade428]

I had my gallbladder out in 1986...right before they developed the "easier" way.......so I was "gutted like a fish". Trust me on this, you'd much rather recover from 4 or 5 teeny little incisions than an 8" incision that goes through a major muscle and nerve trunk. Do this day sometimes when I sneeze that muscle will cramp up by my incision.

Get it taken care of now the easy way.

 

[JayCT]

I too had my gallblader right before they developed the new less evasive procedure. In fact, I was recovering from my surgery when I read an article in the newspaper about it. I was not pleased since I had to give up a Utah ski trip to have the surgery. Jay

 

[ninahbear]

This isn't excruciating pain but it is constant throughout the day. Do you still think it is gallstones? I did make schedule a doctor's appointment for tomorrow. I am 5 months pregnant so I hope I don't have to have any surgery.

 

[meandtheguys2]

Please check with your doc! I figure he/she will say it is a pregnant tummy issue! But check, JIC! Good luck, and please let us know!

Now...go to your phone...and call your ob...

 

[JayCT]

DW's gallblader acted up while she was pregnant. She was told she would have to have it out after she had the baby. 9 years later and she still has it. Definitely talk to your doctor.

 

[BrinxFam]

My dad just had his gallbladder out on Monday. Last Friday he was having terrible, terrible pain in his right side and into his back, no vomiting though just felt like he could. They actually released him from the ER but had to readmit him when he doubled over in the parking lot! He did not have gallstones but did have a diseased gallbladder. He has actually suffered from similiar attacks for years and it was attributed to an ulcer he has. Finally, a different doctor ordered tests and then took it out. He spent the weekend in the hospital having tests, had surgery at 1:00 pm on Monday and was home eating a cheeseburger and fries by 7:30 that night! In fact, he and I just got back from visiting my mom who had a scheduled surgery this morning and dad drove himself, 45 minutes each way.

If you suspect your gallbladder is the root of your trouble please be very insistent that they check it out extensively, just an ultrasound will not show a diseased one. My dad is proof of that. He had to have a hydrascan, I think that is how it is pronounced.

Good Luck and hope you feel better.

 

[Masonpips]

I just went to the surgeon today and am scheduled to have mine out on Monday. I have no gallstones (ultrasound was clear) but have a non-functioning gallbladder - if the ultrasound is clear but they really suspect it's your gallbladder they will do a nuclear medicine test which shows the gallbladder's effectiveness (basically mine doesn't work).

My first known symptoms started in Jan/Feb when I'd eat a regular size meal but feel incredibly stuffed afterwards. That would turn into a 4 hour bout in the middle of the night of fighting nausea and some pain, but not terrible pain. Just about the time I was headed to my dr., it disappeared completely.

The last weekend in June I had 2 attacks in 2 nights and they included the somewhat classic "between the shoulder blades" pain. There would be a contraction (similar to labor, but much higher up and much short in duration) and then a releasing feeling. After 4 hours of this, I got dressed to head to the ER and it just stopped. I went in Monday, had the US, then the nuclear test on Friday of the same week.

I think the term for the other test is HIDA scan. It's really a pretty easy test (you lie there for about 2 hours) and it is an exact test - it will tell you if the gallbladder functions or not

 

[phillybeth]

Gallstones are very common during pregnancy due to the increase in hormones. Sometimes they go away after delivery, sometimes they don't. But definitely get it checked out by your dr! They won't do the surgery while you are pregnant unless there is a stone in the bile duct or in the liver, too risky.

 

[kimwim8]

I was another one of the "unlucky" ones with the non-functioning gall bladder. I went 2 years with the pain (about twice a month for about 24 hours each time). It wasn't until my second HIDA scan that they found out my gall bladder wasn't emptying correctly. After the surgery in 1998 (I was 24), no more attacks.

This past December I started having similar attacks. Turns out - the sphincter that closes off the bile duct is too tight & it is causing bile to back up into my liver ??? (I think that's what they said) I had an edoscopy to determine that. They are sending me to another specialist to determine whether or not I need another surgery to correct this. I can counteract the excess bile with medication for now.

I hope all of these posts don't scare the OP...hopefully it's just a minor issue (especially b/c of the pregnancy).

Prayers and pixie dust to the OP & those of you who are nearing surgery.

 

[Masonpips]

Kimwim8 - I sent you a Private Message regarding your post. I think my dh went through this exact thing and if you have any questions, he can probably help

 

[JustHolly]

WOW! Funny you should post this. My grandmother was in the hospital for most of the week. She called an ambulance on Monday due to EXTREME pain in her left chest and back. She was put in ICU and tested for all kinds of heart problems. They transferred her to a heart specialty hospital where she underwent cardiac cath. They went in and found no blockage, nothing even close. She remained in the cardiac unit untill they discharged her.

She went to see her reg. doc today and the doc pressed just below her right breast. My grandma almost doubled over from pain. She was told she may need laproscopic surgery as well. Apparently, gall bladder pain can radiate to the left side.


Good Luck! PLease keep us posted.

 

[meandtheguys2]

Just checking to see if all was okay. Hoping OP can catch us up and that she is feeling well and healthy!

 

[Trish Bessette]

I had my gallbladder removed with the "easy" procedure I didn't have pain, I had awful heartburn and acid reflux. Nothing worked.

Let me tell you, the surgery is a breeze!! Was a little bit uncomfortable the next day but that was it! And I got 2 weeks out of work from it I was back to my normal self in 3 days.

Call your doc and let us know how you make out. Thinking of you!