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Original poster

Could this be gallbladder pain?

33 replies

lostandfound55 · 17/10/2020 15:59

On Tuesday night a couple of hours after eating I got really bad pain in the right hand side just under my ribs. I get ibs so took a mebeverine (antispasmodic tablet) and the pain went away in around an hour. The pain was bad enough that I could not focus on anything and just lay on the sofa crying. I had eaten some vegan cheese that I had not had before so just though that didn’t agree with me.

However last night again a couple of hours after eating the pain started again. It started with my tummy hurting around my waistband and then the pain hurt under my rib on the right hand side and into my back. It was really painful for around 1-1.5 hours. It felt like labour pains, I couldn’t breath easily as it hurt to breathe and I couldn’t get comfortable. I ended up hanging onto dh shoulder and bending over double. I was going to go to a&e as so painful but then the pain gradually wore away so we didn’t go.

Today I just feel really tired and wiped out.

I originally thought this was ibs but not sure if that can cause this pain but my dm has suggested gallbladder.

Does this sound like gallbladder?

OP posts:
SinkGirl · 17/10/2020 16:13

Yes, definitely. See your GP.

My second ever attack I ended up with severe gallbladder infection and pancreatitis - if you’re ever in a situation where it doesn’t ease off relatively quickly, seek medical help. Don’t leave it for days like I did!

Tootletum · 17/10/2020 16:16

I've got a similar problem. Thought it was a UTI and got antibiotics, but it comes back most days and is in my right side, unbearable pain. But does go away so I won't bother seeing anyone. Not like they would see me anyway.

Original poster
lostandfound55 · 17/10/2020 16:20

Thank you. I’ll contact the gp Monday.

It was scary how much pain I was in last night and I hope it doesn’t happen again. I did worry after around an hour that the pain wouldn’t stop but luckily it did.

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Original poster
lostandfound55 · 17/10/2020 16:22

@Tootletum last night we were all ready to go a&e and then the pain started easing and by the time it would have taken to drive there it would have been gone when we got there so thought there was no point going. Especially with dh saying he didn’t want to go and catch covid.

OP posts:
cosmopolitanplease · 17/10/2020 16:22

It sounds exactly like how my gallbladder attacks were, I felt wiped out and fragile the next day too. I've had mine removed now and never looked back - a blessed relief. Gallbladder attacks are horrible OP I do sympathise Thanks

Original poster
lostandfound55 · 17/10/2020 16:26

@cosmopolitanplease thank you. As I have been struggling with my ibs recently I just presumed it was that except I have never known pain like last night apart from labour so don’t think ibs would do that.

Thanks I’ll contact gp for more advice.

OP posts:
Tootletum · 17/10/2020 16:28

@lostandfound55 My little Google suggested that I might have kidney stones, which are quite common. I have very cloudy pee which often smells terrible. Thought it was a UTI but there is no raised temperature. Very tired but it doesn't seem enough of a reason to try and obtain any medical care. I've booked an appointment with the GP for a few weeks time.

Original poster
lostandfound55 · 17/10/2020 16:33

@Tootletum could you get an appointment for any sooner then a few weeks time? I would say if the pain gets any worse get an appointment sooner.

OP posts:
Trailing1 · 17/10/2020 16:35

You have my sympathy OP. your symptoms sound like mine did and definately worth seeing a doctor about. They attacks felt worse than labour and the vomiting and diarrhoea were awful. I felt extremely vulnerable and when I ended up in A&E from it I was terrified.
Mercifully the frequency of my attacks has slowed alot, so I haven't had surgery.

Original poster
lostandfound55 · 17/10/2020 16:38

Thanks @Trailing1 did you have any tests done to check? Is there anything that you do to prevent the attacks coming?

OP posts:
Tootletum · 17/10/2020 19:47

@lostandfound55 yeha it just all seems like such an effort. Getting appointments in person is impossible and getting a phone appointment involves repeat dialling continuously from 8.30, which is when I'm in the middle of the school run. If I can't shake it off I'll go back to the walk-in I guess.

Myneighboursnorlax · 17/10/2020 19:51

If it is your gallbladder then eating a low fat diet should help until you get seen. Before I had mine removed I was having attacks if I ate more than 10g of fat in a day!

Original poster
lostandfound55 · 17/10/2020 20:45

@Tootletum there are no walk in centres open near here anymore they all closed due to covid. But I can fill in an online form to get a call back from the gp so at least I can do that at anytime.

OP posts:
PowerslidePanda · 17/10/2020 21:13

Yes to watching your fat intake. 10g per day was my personal limit too (and no more than 4g in one sitting). Time of day made a difference as well - I had to stop eating at least 3 hours before lying down, or I was in for a bad night.

Painkillers didn't do much, but Buscopan dealt with the milder attacks. Very hot baths offered the most relief (I used to be genuinely terrified of the boiler malfunctioning!)

beelola · 17/10/2020 21:16

Yes definitely sounds like it. Strong painkillers and Buscopan should help to ease most attacks

Original poster
lostandfound55 · 17/10/2020 21:20

Thanks all. I’ll keep an eye on fat intake and I think the mebeverine I have for ibs is the same as buscopan.

OP posts:
Original poster
lostandfound55 · 19/10/2020 14:44

I have spoken to my gp on the phone today. He thinks it sound like gallstones so has sent a referral for an ultrasound. I can call tomorrow to book the appointment so hopefully I won’t have too long a wait.

OP posts:
Whatifitallgoesright · 19/10/2020 19:54

Sounds familiar to my gallstones. Keep your fat intake down as above and drink lots of water little and often to aid digestion. Keep an eye on your urine colour. If it's too dark your liver could be having trouble and Dr will want urine sample.

GuyFawkesDay · 19/10/2020 19:56

I thought I had IBS for years.

Turns out it was grumbling gallbladder. Turned into stones. Had exactly the same as you, pain wise.

It came out a few years back and I am so glad!

Original poster
lostandfound55 · 19/10/2020 20:36

Thanks both, I don’t always drink enough so I will make sure to be on top of this.

@GuyFawkesDay I thought this was ibs previously and so did gp until I spoke to them today about these pains.

OP posts:
Original poster
lostandfound55 · 21/10/2020 22:41

Had an ultrasound scan today and I have had it confirmed that I have several gallstones.

OP posts:
PowerslidePanda · 22/10/2020 12:58

Glad you managed to get a scan and diagnosis quickly, OP. Have they suggested removing your gallbladder?

Original poster
lostandfound55 · 22/10/2020 13:18

Thanks, I ended up paying for the scan which is why it was so quick otherwise they said it would be 12-15 weeks. I have been feeling unwell since start of July and have lost 2 stone so couldn’t bear to wait any longer for answers as gp kept saying ibs.

The radiographer said the only way to treat would be gallbladder removal op. She has sent the report to my gp so waiting to hear back from them. Not sure how long it will take now though. I had been following a lowfodmap diet for ibs so will now change that to low fat and hopefully things will improve whilst I’m waiting.

OP posts:
DIKateFleming · 22/10/2020 13:36

Also keep an eye out for other triggers, i found fizzy drinks could trigger attacks. If you find the attacks last more than an hour or so, you start needing to wee in the night or you just keep feeling really ill, go to A&E. A stone got blocked at one point and ended up with jaundice and pancreas problems, so spent a few nights in hospital, which i wasn’t expecting so keep an eye on it

SophieJo · 22/10/2020 13:38

I have awful pain at the top of my stomach. It’s as if someone is standing on my chest. Been given Omeprazole tablets by my Dr.. Only one day of taking them so hope they help.
Hope you get your results back quickly.