gallbladder problems question...

[acejka]

So I've been having pain on my right side (there is no way it is my appendix, that's gone) and pain in my shoulder and it feels like my food gets stuck at the bottom of my throat, right in the middle of my collarbone, the pain that comes from that is only relieved when I burp this strange sounding, almost belch like burp, I've never been an overly burpy person. The pain seems to come with my monthly cycle which is weird but its happened 3 months in a row now and about a week after its gone everything calms down for a few weeks. And while my symptoms are uncomfortable, they aren't unbearable, just annoying.

Anyone who's had gallbladder problems have a similar experience? My mom jst had hers out about 6 weeks ago and she had a completely different andmuch more painful experience, and my grandma (moms-mom) had hers out but didn't have these symptoms either....

I have a referral for an ulstrasound to check my gallbladder, hoping for an appointment early next week. Kinda freaking out a little bit so I thought I'd get other people's experiences to keep me busy until I can call for the appointment tomorrow morning.

So what was your gallbladder problem like?

 

[happygirl]

So I've been having pain on my right side (there is no way it is my appendix, that's gone) and pain in my shoulder and it feels like my food gets stuck at the bottom of my throat, right in the middle of my collarbone, the pain that comes from that is only relieved when I burp this strange sounding, almost belch like burp, I've never been an overly burpy person. The pain seems to come with my monthly cycle which is weird but its happened 3 months in a row now and about a week after its gone everything calms down for a few weeks. And while my symptoms are uncomfortable, they aren't unbearable, just annoying.

Anyone who's had gallbladder problems have a similar experience? My mom jst had hers out about 6 weeks ago and she had a completely different andmuch more painful experience, and my grandma (moms-mom) had hers out but didn't have these symptoms either....

I have a referral for an ulstrasound to check my gallbladder, hoping for an appointment early next week. Kinda freaking out a little bit so I thought I'd get other people's experiences to keep me busy until I can call for the appointment tomorrow morning.

So what was your gallbladder problem like?

No, my gallbladder was nothing like that at all. I felt like I was having a heartattack, sharp stabbing pain, pain in my back, I couldn't even walk. I was throwing up


It sounds like you might have acid reflux, feel better soon

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Nothing like my attacks before I had my gallbladder out. Mine was a sharp pain just below my septum and nothing would make it go away (antiacid, pushing on it, using the bathroom, etc.) except time. All of a sudden the pain would just stop. Foods with heavier amounts of fat would cause the problem more often, but even then it wasn't 100% guaranteed.

As for "freaking out", I wouldn't really panic about it. Sure, surgery of any kind can be risky, but worrying can cause other issues and make you jump to conclusions, neither of which are healthy.

Just take a deep breath, take each day as it comes and approach the situation positively.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My gallbladder was dull ache under my rib cage on the right side. I knew it was my gallbladder though. I never had "death attacks" like people describe.

You should see a gastro doc and get an endoscopy for your belching, food stuck thing. That can be pretty serious. Food stuck can be acid damage from reflux which can lead to cancer, or you could be experiencing a hiatal hernia. That what it sounds like to me. Or something else?

Anyway see a gastro asap.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hiatal-hernia/DS00099

 

[cassiez76]

for 5 months i kept saying if i could burp/fart i'd feel so much better.

after about 4 months of that feeling, i started having a sharp pain between my girls...felt like it was going through to my back.

i also had an "attack" at chef mickey's for breakfast. i was the color of that green napkin. hubby likes to tease me about that still.

so another month later my friend says, i think it's your gallbladder. her and my mom had them out and it took 5 months to figure it out! i kept complaining, but they didn't piece it together and i thought the dr. would think i was crazy.

i had it taken out a month later and haven't had that feeling anymore.

 

[sksjasams]

I agree, acid reflux and/or hiatel hernia. Several years ago, I used to get the food getting stuck sensation - very, very uncomfortable. I would just try to take smaller bites. My DH finally got me to go to the doctor and I had that barium gi test. I was diagnosed with acid reflux and hiatel hernia. Doctor prescribed prilosec. I still wasn't convinced that was what it was, but I gave it a try. I couldn't belive how much better I felt! Go to the doctor please.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

The weekend before my gallbladder attack I had this odd pain that felt somewhere between having something stuck in my throat and being hungry. But it wasn't gas related.

The pain you are talking about is like something I experienced after my gallbladder was out (especially the shoulder pain), but those were related tothe actual surgery.

I agree that it sounds more acid reflux related than gallbladder related. My gallbladder attack left like getting stabbed or shot under my ribs on the right.

 

[gracie1]

No, my gallbladder was nothing like that at all. I felt like I was having a heartattack, sharp stabbing pain, pain in my back, I couldn't even walk. I was throwing up


It sounds like you might have acid reflux, feel better soon

Same gallbladder pains here. The last episode i had was horrible, I couldn't lay, stand or anything. The only thing that helped a little was throwing up. I still haven't had mine out yet. I am trying to hold off. Will see how soon the next episode is and that will determine. I've had it going on and off for about a year and a half now with the heart attack feeling. Their horrible!

 

[tlbwriter]

I agree, acid reflux and/or hiatel hernia. Several years ago, I used to get the food getting stuck sensation - very, very uncomfortable. I would just try to take smaller bites. My DH finally got me to go to the doctor and I had that barium gi test. I was diagnosed with acid reflux and hiatel hernia.

My husband has a hiatal hernia and the acid has actually caused a constriction of scar tissue at the end of his esophagus, which results in food getting stuck there

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Same gallbladder pains here. The last episode i had was horrible, I couldn't lay, stand or anything. The only thing that helped a little was throwing up. I still haven't had mine out yet. I am trying to hold off. Will see how soon the next episode is and that will determine. I've had it going on and off for about a year and a half now with the heart attack feeling. Their horrible!

I was pretty sure I wasn't having a heart attack, but it was a little funny, because during my attack I went to the ER, mentioned I was having chest pains and difficulty breathing, and I got to skip the waiting room and went straight to triage and a room.

I guess the secret to fast service in the ER is be a man older than 30 with chest pains.

Seriously, though, the staff did a ultrasound, found stones, and we pretty much scheduled my surgery right there in the hospital. In fact, they told me they might have taken it out right then if it wasn't for the fact that my gallbaldder was too inflamed at the time.

I don't know how I could have lived for 18 months random attacks.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Also, make sure you are up to date with your OBGYN. I just have to say this since ovarian cancer mimics gastro issues.

My sister's MIL is dying of cancer now. Now granted she ignored her symptoms however she assumed that all her reflux, hernia symptoms were that and turns out it was cancer all along as the cause. The tumors were causing the hernia.

Her case is extreme of course but all I am saying is to make sure you are on track with your GYN and also see a gastro, just to be on the safe side.

 

[happywanderer2]

you know, it could be endometriosis-since it comes at the same time as your period. it's unusual, but not unknown. talk to your dr. in any case.

 

[Sandy321]

Same gallbladder pains here. The last episode i had was horrible, I couldn't lay, stand or anything. The only thing that helped a little was throwing up. I still haven't had mine out yet. I am trying to hold off. Will see how soon the next episode is and that will determine. I've had it going on and off for about a year and a half now with the heart attack feeling. Their horrible!

I know that feeling - have had 2 attacks, the first one I just thought kidney stones... the 2nd one I knew without a doubt it wasnt kidney stones so I used my friend google - and yep, gallblader, and no we are one of those sorry souls with no insurance, so I cannot have surgery, or go to the ER - there is a lot of information on the homeopathic route - I'm hoping my gallbladder can live a few more years till one of us gets a job that will "hire" us with some benefits..

Mystery Machine thank you for sharing, such good advice - Never Assume!

 

[acejka]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

I must say the first time the pain came, I doubled over in walmart and could barely walk out of there. Now its not a bad pain just annoying.

I agree with never assume! I assumed I had gas cause I had a strange gas pain in my intestines in January, nagging but not end of the word painful and no real other symptoms- other than being STARVING and sore but like a good hard workout sore, but something kept nagging me to see urgent care, the next time I updated was after a night in the er and surgery for my appendix coming out.

I'm going to see if anything comes of the ultrasound, and if that doesn't show anything and this persists again I will definitely be seeing a gastro. I already had an ultrasound of my girl parts and have a yearly checkup with my gyn on the same day as the ultrasound for the gallbladder. I am someone who stays on top of their checkups, and strangely enough at my last primary care checkup the doctor mentioned the gallbladder feeling a little tender or something.

 

[kchughes]

Sounds like my GB pain. I had sludge, not stones. Completely different pain, so I am told. Ultrasound won't show sludge, only stones. So don't be surprised if they do other tests. Hope you get an answer soon. Good Luck, feel better.