Gallbladder/Ulcer/Stomach Issues? Help!

[vetrik]

It's never a good idea to play internet doctor and start googling symptoms.........

I've had a couple episodes lately of very bad stomach pain - it's in the middle/upper stomach, usually on the right side but sometimes in the middle or more towards the left side. The first one was back in September, I've had it a couple times since then, and I had it twice this weekend (which prompted my googling - not much else to do when you're up in pain at 3 am). At first I thought it was due to eating broccoli, but now it doesn't seem to be related to anything particular that I eat.

It usually strikes in the middle of the night (around 2 am), many hours after my last meal, and lasts a few hours, then I feel fine. I never have any nausea, gas, or "bathroom" issues, and it is not fixed by Tums/Rolaids and it's not like any heartburn I've had (doesn't radiate up as high). I usually still feel hungry, and I have been able to eat and drink while it's going on.

Complicating the matter is that I'm still nursing my 4 month old, and so I haven't tried most medications to treat the symptoms since they are not recommended while breastfeeding.

The first thing I came across was an ulcer, which my symptoms seem to fit really closely with what I read online.

The other thing is the gallbladder - my symptoms don't really seem to fit how it usually presents, but I know it is pretty common after pregnancy/giving birth (my aunt had hers out last year after giving birth, but she was much sicker than I am).

I know I really need to see a doctor, but any thoughts or experiences? I'm really hoping to not have to miss any work - my boss may kill me if I'm out any more because I've only been back from maternity leave for 2 months.

 

[mmackeymouse]

I am certainly no doctor, but those sound exactly like my symptoms prior to having my gall bladder removed. I always had sharp chest/ stomach pains, and it almost always hit in the middle of the night.

I actually had it happen for nearly 4 years before I was diagnosed! It was a miracle something more severe did not happen! About 9 months before it was diagnosed, I went to the ER where I went to school. They gave me some milk of magnesia, said it was a stomach ulcer, that I would be fine.

Then, I was home one weekend, and I had the sharp pains. I started throwing up, which is not something I had ever done before. I told mom we should go to the hospital. They admitted me. I could not have surgery till Monday, but they wanted to keep me in the hospital, because it was THAT bad. They said it would be about an hour surgery. Once they got in there, they said the gall bladder was pretty much decimated, and it ended up taking 4 hours. My poor parents....

For most people, like my dad, it is a simple outpatient surgery. However, for me, because it was so bad, and took so long to get diagnosed, I had complications, and ended up being in the hospital for a week.

I always thought I was having heartburn or gas, but I should have went to the doctor or hospital much sooner. I thank God we catch it when we did.

I will tell you though, I have not had night stomach pains in the 5 years since my surgery. Also, I used to take Pepcid before eating spicy or greasy food, because I thought that was what was giving me heartburn pain. I have taken Pepcid maybe a handful of times in 5 years since.

I would go to the doctor or ER, depending on how long you have been experiencing the pains.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

If it is on the right side exactly below the rib cage, that is your gallbladder.

Go get an ultrasound to see if you have stones. That is a very easy test.

 

[ZuZugal]

I developed gallstones during my pregnancy w/dd, and didn't find out until the 4th night after her birth...in the middle of the night...when I was finally getting some sleep.

In the months to follow I found out the pains would sometimes come and go very quickly. Once the pain was gone it was gone immediately (until the next attack of course.)

Gallstone attacks tend to happen after eating something fatty. My pains were high stomach area, though some have pains that go around to their back as well.

An ultrasound of my gallbladder confirmed the stones. Had my gallbladder removed when dd was 4 mos old (and yes, i was still nursing at the time so would not take the pain pills doc gave me. he told me most men ask for numerous refills of the pain meds!!)

See your doc is my suggestion.

 

[ols386]

I had my gall bladder out about 4 years ago, and your symptons sound extremely close to what mine were. My pains usually came in the middle of the night also.

But you are right, you should see your physician, and let him run whatever tests are required to diagnose you. My dr. did an ultrasound and saw gall stones, and then said the gall bladder needed to come out. I don't think it will always show up on an ultrasound, but there are other tests they can run. I was glad mine showed up on ultrasound, and I didn't need to have any further testing.

Don't wait too long to go to the dr. There are complications than can arise with gall stones, or just having a bad gall bladder. Better to diagnose it soon and take care of it BEFORE any problems arise.

Best of luck to you. Hope you feel better soon!