Gallstones Attack -- What is it like?

[MushyMushy]

Have any of you ever had gallstones? What did it feel like?

Three times in the past two weeks I've woken up in the middle of the night with really bad cramping/pain in my abdomen. Nothing relieves the pain -- not going to the bathroom, moving around, not anything. I looked up the symptoms and it seems pretty similar.

So, how did you find out that's what it was, and how did you get it treated? This is such a bad time for something to be wrong with me.

 

[Boston Tea Party]

It started in the middle of the night, waking me up. Felt like someone had stabbed an ice pick right through my middle from the back to the front.

You should get it checked out.

Best of luck.

 

[swea_pea1]

It started in the middle of the night, waking me up. Felt like someone had stabbed an ice pick right through my middle from the back to the front.

You should get it checked out.

Best of luck.

Yep, that pretty much sums it up.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

There's never a good time to be sick.

If you go to the doctor's they will check an abdominal ultrasound to see if there are gallstones present. If that's negative, they may do other tests like an upper GI series or endoscopy to rule out an ulcer. They may also start you on something like priolosec to see if it helps. If there's a high suspicion of gallbladder disease (it doesn't necessarily have to be stones, it can be a malfunctioning gallbladder or a spasmodic sphincter of Oddi, for example) the might do a HIDA scan which measures gallbladder function in the presence of hormones that mimic food consumption. Many surgeons will not take out a gallbladder unless there is evidence of disease.

Good luck, hope you feel better soon. I had all of these tests, some numerous times, and they were always negative. The horrible pain - similar to what you described - turned out to be related to a medication I was taking which apparently caused in me the rare side effect of biliary colic. When I stopped taking the medication, the worst of it went away, though it still lets me know it's there sometimes, often when I'm stressed about something. Strange. It baffled all of us for a long time.

 

[PrincessJasmine1972]

My husband had a bad attack 2 years ago and had to have his gallbladder out. He was throwing up, had severe abdominal pain, and also to him what felt like heart attack like chest pains. We actually thought he was having a heart atack, but it was a severe gall bladder attack... soooo bye bye gallbladder!

 

[Pixiedust34]

My attacks included

--extremely bad backache
--stomach cramps
--vomiting

If you think it's your gall bladder, try to avoid any food that is high in fat. A high fat meal can trigger an attack.

 

[Missy Mouse]

Have any of you ever had gallstones? What did it feel like?

Three times in the past two weeks I've woken up in the middle of the night with really bad cramping/pain in my abdomen. Nothing relieves the pain -- not going to the bathroom, moving around, not anything. I looked up the symptoms and it seems pretty similar.

So, how did you find out that's what it was, and how did you get it treated? This is such a bad time for something to be wrong with me.

Mine feel like sharp contractions right under my breastbone and in my back. I get hot and sweaty each time they happen, and I feel nauseous like I could throw up, but then it feels like something in my throat is blocking it from coming up. I try to burp and can't even do that. I have an obscene amount of drool - water just pours from my mouth, and I get a weird taste in my mouth.

 

[MushyMushy]

Thanks, guys. All three times I've had these attacks, I was eating too much. Once on Thanksgiving day, then the day after with leftovers. Then last night after we went out to eat at a restaurant later in the evening.

The pain also goes into my back. DANG. I still have mild remnants of the pain today and I'm afraid to eat!

I only have two weeks left of my student teaching, so I have to get through that.

 

[Snoozan]

PLEASE get it checked out. My DH had a friend(only 48)who died of a massive infection because he didn't want to bother anyone and get checked out when he was in severe pain. Turned out his gallbladder burst and infection spread rapidly. Who knew a gallbladder could be that serious???

 

[Boston Tea Party]

PLEASE get it checked out. My DH had a friend(only 48)who died of a massive infection because he didn't want to bother anyone and get checked out when he was in severe pain. Turned out his gallbladder burst and infection spread rapidly. Who knew a gallbladder could be that serious???

It's true. It can be deadly.

If it's any comfort, when I was student teaching another student was in a horrible accident and was hospitalized. She was not able to complete her time, but the prof was so awesome he signed off on her anyway.

Hang in there!

How about getting some Prilosec (OTC) and seeing if it helps?

 

[MushyMushy]

It's true. It can be deadly.

If it's any comfort, when I was student teaching another student was in a horrible accident and was hospitalized. She was not able to complete her time, but the prof was so awesome he signed off on her anyway.

Hang in there!

How about getting some Prilosec (OTC) and seeing if it helps?

I already take Prilosec regularly for GERD.

I guess what I can do is get an appointment with my doc to get the ball rolling now, and then if they need to do anything more serious, see if it can wait until after the 15th.

Our school doesn't seem very flexible -- at least my supervising professor isn't. My fellow student teacher's husband died two weeks ago. Her cooperating teacher tried to make all these arrangements for her, but our supervisor gave her a hard time and told her to get back in the classroom. What. A. Jerk. So, she went back this past week and is doing pretty well, but she shouldn't have to worry about it at all.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

It may be helpful to go when it's happening. In the meantime, try to space out your meals (i.e. "graze" instead of eating larger meals) and stick with low fat foods as much as you can.

I also believe there is a huge mind-body component in our sometimes feeling unwell, particularly when we're under a lot of stress (can you tell I speak from experience). I know it's hard to find the time, but try to make some time for yourself each day to relax and lower the tension in your body. A good source of information on ways to do this is in The Wellness Book. In fact, I'm going to be teaching a class on this myself next month (for cancer patients) so it's fresh in my mind right now. I'd be happy to give you more info if you'd like.

Feel better.

 

[Boston Tea Party]

I already take Prilosec regularly for GERD.

I guess what I can do is get an appointment with my doc to get the ball rolling now, and then if they need to do anything more serious, see if it can wait until after the 15th.

Our school doesn't seem very flexible -- at least my supervising professor isn't. My fellow student teacher's husband died two weeks ago. Her cooperating teacher tried to make all these arrangements for her, but our supervisor gave her a hard time and told her to get back in the classroom. What. A. Jerk. So, she went back this past week and is doing pretty well, but she shouldn't have to worry about it at all.

Oh boy. Your prof sounds like a real piece of work. I mean, honestly. What workplace would not accomodate such a situation??? Ugh.

Go low-fat for sure for the next two weeks, but see a doctor ASAP. They will let you know how urgent it is.

Take care.

 

[Feralpeg]

I already take Prilosec regularly for GERD.

I guess what I can do is get an appointment with my doc to get the ball rolling now, and then if they need to do anything more serious, see if it can wait until after the 15th.

Our school doesn't seem very flexible -- at least my supervising professor isn't. My fellow student teacher's husband died two weeks ago. Her cooperating teacher tried to make all these arrangements for her, but our supervisor gave her a hard time and told her to get back in the classroom. What. A. Jerk. So, she went back this past week and is doing pretty well, but she shouldn't have to worry about it at all.

It could still be the GERD bothering you. About a month ago, I started having pains in my back. One night, I had extremely sharp pain in my back and side. I also thought it might be gallstones. Since then, I've had pains in my upper abdomen and gas so bad you can hear it rumbling (sorry TMI) just below my ribcage on my left side.

I went to the doctor. He suspects a developing ulcer. I've had acid reflux for a long time. I've been on Prilosec and Previcid several times. I also have trouble swallowing off and on.

He put me on Protonix. They drew blood and will be checking for the bacteria that can trigger ulcers. I have to go back in a month and be rechecked.

Does it help if you take antacid? If so, your problem with GERD may be getting worse.

 

[MushyMushy]

It may be helpful to go when it's happening. In the meantime, try to space out your meals (i.e. "graze" instead of eating larger meals) and stick with low fat foods as much as you can.

I also believe there is a huge mind-body component in our sometimes feeling unwell, particularly when we're under a lot of stress (can you tell I speak from experience). I know it's hard to find the time, but try to make some time for yourself each day to relax and lower the tension in your body. A good source of information on ways to do this is in The Wellness Book. In fact, I'm going to be teaching a class on this myself next month (for cancer patients) so it's fresh in my mind right now. I'd be happy to give you more info if you'd like.

Feel better.

Thanks! Sounds like you've definitely been there. The thing is, I'm not stressed in a bad way. I'm busy, but happy busy. I love what I'm doing. I'll definitely take your advice on the eating -- it's good advice no matter what.

 

[MushyMushy]

It could still be the GERD bothering you. About a month ago, I started having pains in my back. One night, I had extremely sharp pain in my back and side. I also thought it might be gallstones. Since then, I've had pains in my upper abdomen and gas so bad you can hear it rumbling (sorry TMI) just below my ribcage on my left side.

I went to the doctor. He suspects a developing ulcer. I've had acid reflux for a long time. I've been on Prilosec and Previcid several times. I also have trouble swallowing off and on.

He put me on Protonix. They drew blood and will be checking for the bacteria that can trigger ulcers. I have to go back in a month and be rechecked.

Does it help if you take antacid? If so, your problem with GERD may be getting worse.

Well, I've been on Prilosec for a long time. I had taken it all three nights that these attacks happened. It's been a while since I've had an endoscopy, so maybe that's something I should get scheduled for. This just doesn't feel like any of the other problems I've had with ulcers and GERD (I also have Barrett's Esophagus). There's no burning, no reflux, and I don't have any problems swallowing.

Bleh. I'll call my doc tomorrow. I know he'll schedule me a scope, but I'm pretty confident it won't take any time away from my student teaching.

 

[Feralpeg]

Well, I've been on Prilosec for a long time. I had taken it all three nights that these attacks happened. It's been a while since I've had an endoscopy, so maybe that's something I should get scheduled for. This just doesn't feel like any of the other problems I've had with ulcers and GERD (I also have Barrett's Esophagus). There's no burning, no reflux, and I don't have any problems swallowing.

Bleh. I'll call my doc tomorrow. I know he'll schedule me a scope, but I'm pretty confident it won't take any time away from my student teaching.

Hope you get some relief soon. Not feeling well is the worst!

 

[Virgo10]

I know! I know!! Sorry but I've had two amazingly bad attacks over the past 2 months. Both came with a VERY sudden onset as in no pain to off the pain charts in a matter of minutes. They both left in much of the same way and lasted about an hour each time.

After seeing my primary care doc, he sent me for an ultrasound of the gallbladder and sure enough, it has stones. I am getting ready to see a surgeon on Wednesday and will hopefully have a date to get this thing out by the end of the year give or take.

The pain was bad enough that my husband called 911 during the first attack. The memory of it has been bad enough to keep me eating the same 9 low to no fat foods for the past 8 weeks. It was worse than labor, worse than post op pain. It was freakin horrible!

My suggestions, eat small low fat meals. Avoid foods high in acid and dairy. Go to the ER if you have another attack. Get blood work done to rule out pancreatitis and have an ultrasound.

Oh and join us over at the Caring and Compassion board at the Gallbladder thread.

Good luck!

 

[camreesmom]

When DH had his gallbladder attack, I seriously thought he was having a heart attack. It started with nausea, then he started throwing up and just was in a whole lot of pain. We headed for the ER and spent the next 3 weeks in the hospital. He ended up with pancreatitis (sp?). Scared us to death, we thought we were going to lose him. He ended up on life support after they removed his gall bladder and they had to transfer him to ICU in another hospital. You'd never know it now! That was 7 years ago. Anyway, I hope you get it checked out soon and everything turns out all right for you.

 

[LuvDuke]

If it's gallstones, don't put off the surgery which is fairly simple. I had it done in day surgery. If you put off the surgery, you may end up with an operation that will gut you like a fish and you'll be lucky to get out of the hospital in 7-10 days.