Cholecystitis

[Bluebird76]

Anyone medical about? I got sent to A&E by 111 yesterday morning because of pain under ribs. Once they'd established I wasn't having a heart attack, A&E weren't too interested and sent me over to the out of hours GP, who diagnosed cholecystitis. As I didn't have a temperature he sent me on my way saying my GP would organise a scan in due course.

Overnight the pain has increased dramatically. I'm still just about ok with paracetamol - as long as I don't move a muscle. Then pain is at 8 out of 10. Radiating into shoulder and arm. Can't get out of bed without severe agony.

Is this going to go away on its own? Or do I need to go back to docs? Can't face going through rigmarole of 111 unless abs necessary.

Thanks @waitingfor40. That sounds a horrific experience. I'm on two sets of antibiotics so hopefully they will kick in soon, thinking of heading to a&e anyway just for pain relief but am keeping an eye on my temperature too.

There is an increased risk of complications if the gallbladder is removed while you are having a flare up, it is considered safer to treat with pain relief and antibiotics if necessary. Then you are scheduled for a routine procedure and the gallbladder removed in a laparoscopic/keyhole procedure with a much shorter recovery time.

That's why they are reluctant to do emergency cholecystectomies, it's a bit shit when the waiting lists are so long though.

@FixTheBone that's what I'd read re cholecystitis, but I've been in constant pain for 56 hours now, though it is worse at night. No waves - just excruciating pain when I breathe in or move. Two separate GPs have diagnosed cholecystitis and I now have antibiotics to take at home. So apparently there's a middle ground of cholecystitis that doesn't need urgent admission?!

Hi, if you have insurance I wouldn't hesitate. Make an appointment with a general surgeon (look at a couple of local private hospitals and pick one you like the look of- obviously speak to your insurer and check who you're covered to see).
They will be able to operate. Not right this minute though, so certainly carry on with the NHS for now.

I suffered with gallbladder pain for months and finally had an attack where a gallstone got lodged in my bile duct - the pain was worse than childbirth and I got severe jaundice. I really feel for you OP, it’s awful. I would definitely go back to hospital if the pain isn’t subsiding.

Attacks are usually (not always) brought on by eating fatty food - mine definitely were. So I switched to a very low fat diet to keep them at bay. Lived off chicken breast and steamed vegetables for weeks! Would recommend this if you can.

Ended up going private to have the gallbladder removed as the NHS wait was 12 months even after I’d had the jaundice etc. The surgery was a doddle, was up and about the next day and no trouble since. Really hope you can get fixed soon.

Update- I ended up spending yesterday on the surgical ward having umpteen tests. Ultrasound, bloods, ECG, CT scan of lungs and abdomen, and they found... nothing!! No gallstones, no kidney stones, no pulmonary embolism, no heart attack. Origin of pain a mystery - possibly some kind of musculoskeletal injury - but the main thing is nothing sinister. I'm beyond impressed with how thorough they were. The surgical registrar I spoke to was horrified that they hadn't done bloods and an ultrasound the first time I came in to a&e. Pain is still there, but at a manageable level, especially now I know it'll go away on its own. Thanks for all the support and insights - it's been a totally exhausting 4 days!

Glad you were better in the end @Bluebird76

I'm in exactly the same position you were in. I spent all day in a&e and the surgical ward today having tests - but then sent home with painkillers and antacids, and they're going to call me tomorrow to book an appointment for the ultrasound to confirm gallbladder inflammation, and then discuss next steps/surgery at that appointment. But everything I read online has scared the hell out of me.

Any hint of an infection I'll go back to a&e. But good to know it might turn out to be nothing. I was convinced it was a pulled muscle until I realised it was hurting so much when I eat, and that I can't find any comfortable position. It's been over 48 hours in constant pain now. Will see how I am tomorrow morning.