What do gallstones feel like?

[hypomum]

I have had this odd ache under my right hand ribs on of for about 3 weeks now and my back is sort of achy/burning sensation.

I don't feel ill but my shoulder is abit achy as well.

I am petrified of doc's. Can I get rid of on own? If it was that?

[coochybottom]

I would like to know this too. I have had similar symptoms. One time after a meal out I got an excrutiating pain and could hardly move/breathe. It took about 10 mins to subside. It has never been that bad again but still get the odd twinge.

[hypomum]

it's never been excrutiating, but it's uncomfortable.
I don't think it's after a meal....but it feel's bit like a stitch or a knot.
I am such a worrier...convienced it's something awful!

[Chocolateteapot]

Mine is a dull ache that starts in the centre of my ribs then gradually gets sharper and spreads round to my back. Before I got full blown attacks I used to get sharp pain under my right shoulder blade which in hindsight was a precursor to it.

[hypomum]

So why do we get them and do you pass gall stones? Is it just an inconvience or should we go to doc's? have you been?

[SallyLW]

You cant get rid of gallstones yourself and will need to be referred for a ultrasound. Your symptoms do sound pretty classic.Please dont worry, once diagnosed theyre very easily treated either by surgery or mdication depending on the type youve got.Ive recently beed investigated for these. Like you ,I hate doctors and thought I had liver cancer/something equally sinister.Turns out Ive got H pylori a bacterial infection in the stomach that Ive clearly had for months as Ive had horrible pain under the ribs /going into the back etc so Im pretty clued up about gasric probs at the mo. It is HIGHLY UNLIKElY to be anything sinister but dont suffer like I have hoping it will go away and get it sorted. Any number of fairly minor things it could be but shoulder pain is classic sypmptom of gallstones. God Luck.

[Pheebe]

Agree, sounds like classic gallbladder pain to me.

Its really important you go see the doc. Gallstones aren't something you can just ignore. If they end up blocking your bile duct it can make you really quite ill (happened to me). Best to get them sorted while you're well instead of waiting for it to be an emergency.

[exasperatedmummy]

Just to echo what pheebe said, it sounds like gallstones. And you are best getting them sorted. They can cause all sorts of problems and if the gall bladder gets inflammed and infected the pain is indescribable - think childbirth x 5. I thought i was going to die when i had my first attack and was hospitalised. While i was waiting for my GB to be removed i had chronic inflamation and i had to have DD handed to me to breast feed because i had to get into a "comfortable" position else i couldnt stand the pain. So, get thee to a physician. I think it is pretty much the done thing to whip out the gall bladder, its a simple op, you have an overnight stay, keyhole surgery and no more problems.

Saying all that, it is perfectly feasable that your problems wont get any worse or may subside. Some people can have gallstones and not know about it, but once you have a flare up, it tends to recurr.

[exasperatedmummy]

It actually, could just simply be indegestion, try gaviscon and see if that helps, it doesn;'t tend to in the case of gallstones.

[aGalChangedHerName]

When i have an attack it feels like a cross between a heart attack and labour pains.

Grim I am still waiting for a scan. Last attack was 28th of August and dreading another one.

[sadbarratthomeowner]

My Mum, Dad and brother have all had gall stones - so I'm just waiting my turn. Want to avoid it at all costs as my Mum and bro report that it is v painful. My Dad though never really had any pain at all

My brother hasn't had his gall bladder removed - he is trying to avoid attacks through low fat diet. Seems to have worked so far.

[exasperatedmummy]

A low fat diet certainly HELPs to prevent attacks. I went on a NO fat diet and lost 4 stone in eight weeks, mind you, i was breast feeding at the time. It was mental to lose that much weight so quickly, i was convinced i was dying. I have put it all back on now though

[hypomum]

ok, guys thanks for advice. It seems ok today funnily enough, although shoulder still hurts.
I had raised liver enzemyes on a blood test a while back and I'm due a retest in a week, so i will go to doctors if no better.
Because liver test raised( i had been drinking alot(3/4 of a bottle of red wine a night)since my 2yr old born)so I'm sure that was why it was raised... as I have cut down dramatically and eat better and go running now....as adviced,but maybe I've had the gallstone thing as well...my shoulder has ached on of for about 7mths,
But the raised enzemyes thing frightened me so much I have panic attacks about even calling the doctor...now I have this pain...I'm convienced it's something bad!!
Weird thing is...I feel fine.

I am reading Claire Weeks book about nerves. I cried at the first chapter
I have a feeling it's going to help!

[exasperatedmummy]

I need to read that book too - tell me about it?

Your liver enzymes were almost definately elevated because of the gallstones. Mine were through the roof - i wouldnt go back for a follow up blood test i was so panicked. I would have saved myself a LOT of pain if i had.

[hypomum]

I have done so well with drinking..totally changed lifestyle.
Really very cautious about drinking...but I read the web and opened a can of worms and now I have chronic health anxeity! Read my thread I'm petrified of dr's!!

Were you drinking? Why didn't you go back and why do we get them...strange now I'm more healthy?

The book is very good..when i first got palpatitions i froze...thought i would die...waited for it to happen again...and it did...along with very weird panic symptoms.
truley frightening. The first chapter explains exactly that! Inbetween you would never think anything wrong with me..i go to work have kids to sort..hubby..dogs to walk...so life goes on...but leave me alone and....just horrid.

I am coping better, but I have taken a day off in 2 weeks to get retest done, so i hope the panic doesn't start again now I've made the decision.

[exasperatedmummy]

I think i may have posted on your other thread, i did read it im sure.

Why didn't i go back? Well, i was convinced i had hepatitis and if i didn't go back then i wouldnt actually have it would i . The more i read your threads the more i start to wonder if you are actually me . I have actually got a worry at the moment and I have a thread going too, im probably being irrational.

I've had palpitations, horrible. I have had all manner of weird symptoms - i've not imagined them, they have been real, but all a restult of anxiety - actually, it is a wonder that ALL my blood enzymes weren't sky high.

I think i might have suggest on your other thread, or i certainly thought it, that you have gall stones and from everything else you tell me, im willing to bet .

Truth is, it doesn't really matter how much i sit and tell you that you are OK, you will still worry, i know that because i am the same. I am MAD though, i almost get to the state where i wont go to the doctors because if i don't know its not there - but really, not knowing is worse. I have been referred to the breast clinic due to paranoia, ultrasound for ovarian cysts - paranoia. Thought i had MS - paranoia, you name it. Now i have a swollen salivary gland and im in such a state as you can imagine. They think its stones, how weird is that. Anyway, i just WILL NOT google because i will honest to god find myself in a funny farm if i do. So, i have to have a scan for that - dreading it, but want it over and done with too.

When i got the palpitations i was just going on holiday to scotland. I was convinced i wouldnt live that long and i make little bargains with God, just let me live till Xmas/holiday/DDs birthday etc - so, I have it bad. I am having counselling and im on medication. My palpitations stopped me from walking around on holiday in case i died - my doctor laughed .

If i were you, i would go back to the doctors and ask re the gall stones, if they suspect gallstones and after what you tell me, i would be surprised if they don't they will need to send you for an ultrasound to see how many, if the GB is inflammed and likely to get blocked, then its a case of surgery to whip the GB out. No problems at all after that. Might as well get on the waiting list.

[hypomum]

It's funny. We are completly the same...you are almost laughing at yourself as am I at myself.
If someone else tells me thios is how they feel i would have said, get on with it!!
I too went to Austraila in Feb...though I wouldn't be there..everytime i saw a sign for hospital...prayed wouldn't end up there...went to France and survived...even though thought I maynot...may liver will pack up and i will sent to French hospital and have hepatitis!!!!
I have been reassured by two drs on my last thread that if the suspected something like that i would have been sent for further investagations.
But, because i am weeks overdue to go back the panic is back and what happens if it's more raised??
On a normal day I think logically andf I think right...if it is hep then it's treatable right...horrid..life won't be the same...but some people actually get rid of it totally after treatment right?
But on a bad day..I'm thinking oh god they'll see the GB...look at liver and then see the hep is eating away at my liver because i left it so long....that is an extremley bad day off course.

And off course I able to do job...bla..bla and sometimes I do even laugh...especially at these thoughts.

But let me tell you...it i really nice to know i am not alone, because the few friends i have confided in have laughed and said...don't you think you would be more ill by now...don't you think you stop looking at web?? Which ..I might add is almost addictive!!!

[exasperatedmummy]

Yep - thats it, you ARE me! One thing i will say about the hep - i didnt know this at the time. The two enzymes they test for in initial blood tests can give a good indication of whether you have a viral infetion or not. The ratio between the two is what gives it away. If they were worried about it, they would have tested you - its a simple blood test which i had when i was pregnant (without my permission but its ok, it was negative - i even didnt apply for a good job because of this as i thought i would have to have a medical ). What you are describing sounds so much like gallstones it looks like you have cut and paste it .

If you have gallstones the second test may well still be elevated, but don't panic. My Dad had liver enzymes through the roof once, i was so scared because i had insisted he have DD1s name tatood on his arm (he hates tatoos!) and i thought i had made him catch hepatitis. His liver was also enlarged too - it turned out to be glandular fever.

Your liver enzymes would be raised if you have been drinking or even if you have been taking paracetemol, it shows that it had to be working hard, not necessarily that it is damaged in any way.

Yes, i would laugh at myself but its not funny is it. My DP has just about given up on me. Its horrible being so anxious about everything.

How are things in the rest of your life? I find i tend to worry more about health if there is other stress going on - it sort of refocuses it.

[SallyLW]

I too have had a raised liver function test and am completely panicked by it.Have just finished antibiotics for H pylori stomach infection but the GP said that this shouldnt have effected my liver function results and its not raised because of drinking because I hardly drink.I have to have a repeat test too and keep putting it off.First test result threw me into a panic and I googled and made myself feel a million times worse, thinking I had cancer/some terminal disease. GP gave me no reassurance although my sister who is a nurse told me that if I had something really wrong with my liver Id be really ill,wheras Im not save for indigestion like attacks still which Im now getting under control.So, youre not the only one who is a hypochondriac!Any reassurance most welcome!

[SallyLW]

I too have had a raised liver function test and am completely panicked by it.Have just finished antibiotics for H pylori stomach infection but the GP said that this shouldnt have effected my liver function results and its not raised because of drinking because I hardly drink.I have to have a repeat test too and keep putting it off.First test result threw me into a panic and I googled and made myself feel a million times worse, thinking I had cancer/some terminal disease. GP gave me no reassurance although my sister who is a nurse told me that if I had something really wrong with my liver Id be really ill,wheras Im not save for indigestion like attacks still which Im now getting under control.So, youre not the only one who is a hypochondriac!Any reassurance most welcome!

[SallyLW]

I too have had a raised liver function test and am completely panicked by it.Have just finished antibiotics for H pylori stomach infection but the GP said that this shouldnt have effected my liver function results and its not raised because of drinking because I hardly drink.I have to have a repeat test too and keep putting it off.First test result threw me into a panic and I googled and made myself feel a million times worse, thinking I had cancer/some terminal disease. GP gave me no reassurance although my sister who is a nurse told me that if I had something really wrong with my liver Id be really ill,wheras Im not save for indigestion like attacks still which Im now getting under control.So, youre not the only one who is a hypochondriac!Any reassurance most welcome!

[exasperatedmummy]

Were you taking a lot of pain meds for your H pylori infection? This can definately raise liver enzymes

[SallyLW]

No none at all.

[hypomum]

Hi,
Well I think I definetly have the gallstones! My shoulder is really sore and I the pain in my ribs was awful yesterday.
I have been really good with my drinking, but we went to a party on Saturday and I got bit tipsy and now I'm panicing because I keep thinking if i go to dr's they will think i haven't been cutting down.
I'm going to have to go though, as i know it will get worse. I am frightened to death of what if..its cancer..what if it's liver diease.
It feels better today...so I imagine the alchol agrivates it?
Anyone got any words of reassurance?
Thank you exasperatedmummy, about how they can dectect some stuff with the liver test. I do feel alittle bit more easy about the hep thing..because surely after 2 tests they would have spotted something and wouldn't i feel more ill? As in more tired?
Look at me...I'm getting in a right state already!

[hypomum]

help me!!! I'm flipping out.
I don't want to go to the doctors!!!!
I still have this ache/pain/discomfort...with sort of stinging feeling. Still have bit of shoulder ache
exasperatedmummy ...if your there..cos you have been so helpful...any reassurance?
Did you have any symptoms with the gallstones? You mentioned you put up with it for almost years...What made yours flare up?
I don't feel ill...in fact i went for a run last night, but i still have this slightly raised gland by my throat...do you think it's connected?
I am still stressing about the hep thing??? Surely i'd be more ill by now???..I mean does you get pain in your liver?
I defo need counselling..this is consuming my f life!!!!!!!!!!
I think I'm going to have to be sedated to go to the doctors...I know I'll be fine when I've done it but I have put the call of all week!!!
Any doctors around again for reassurance?

[hypomum]

I still have this aching/ burning feeling under my right ribs going round to the back.
Plus I feel sicky in the mornings. defo not pregnant.
Once i get to work, feel hungry and the nausea goes but still have this feeling under right ribs. Kind of feels like heartburn.

Any ideas?