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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to expect a blood test for possible gallbladder problems to be sooner than 14 days away??

53 replies

wrigglepigg · 03/12/2020 16:25

My dad has been in a lot of pain for two weeks. First day was sudden and acute onset followed by vomiting. Pain has persisted, no more vomiting and no fever and able to pass stools so no blockage - but his stools are pale and urine dark which are signs of gallbladder issues. Has anyone experience of gallbladder issues ?

GP requested a blood draw appt but didn’t list it as urgent so they’ve given him an appt 14 days away. I don’t know how long the blood results will take to get back either.

Is this normal??? It seems an excessively casual approach. I am considering speaking to the practice manager but I’m willing to be told I’m wrong.

OP posts:
HunterHearstHelmsley · 03/12/2020 16:27

I'm in exactly the same boat. Possible gall bladder problems. I was given a blood test form at the beginning of November and my appointment was Monday just gone. Very frustrating.

Original poster
wrigglepigg · 03/12/2020 16:34

Sorry to hear that @HunterHearstHelmsley - I thought gallbladder probs were urgent in case of rupture etc

OP posts:
Rudolphian · 03/12/2020 16:38

I think he probably needs the blood test earlier than that. Maybe rong them back and impressupon them he is really unwell. Sometimes they might message the GP back to see if the blood test can be done earlier.
How old is he?
Was he unwell enough to need to go into hospital at the start?

sasparilla1 · 03/12/2020 16:40

Having had my very infected, on the point of rupture gallbladder out 2 years ago, I can honestly say I wasn't given a blood test! What are they testing for? I'm genuinely curious.

I did have an ultrasound to check for gallstones, and then surgery about 6 months after.

As I said, mine was found to be very infected when they got in there. I have IBS and I felt absolutely awful and thought my IBS was really playing up - when in hindsight, it was the infection! So worth bearing in mind.

Unfortunately, whilst a gallstone "attack" is incredibly painful (worse than childbirth, and I have 4 dc), they don't seem to see it as particularly urgent.

iVampire · 03/12/2020 16:53

Is there anywhere else locally that does bloods?

The hospital (where bloods taken at the GP practice get sent) has a satellite with various services in the community including phlebotomy. You can just turn up, take a ticket and wait your turn (you need either a letter/stickers or everything on same IT system). Try asking the receptionists?

Dontpasstovardy · 03/12/2020 16:56

I had my gallbladder out this year and I don't recall them doing a blood test for it until I was admitted for surgery, I'm pretty sure I just had an ultrasound that identified gallstones/bile sludge. Has he had an ultrasound?

jcoc147 · 03/12/2020 17:06

@sasparilla1

Having had my very infected, on the point of rupture gallbladder out 2 years ago, I can honestly say I wasn't given a blood test! What are they testing for? I'm genuinely curious.

I did have an ultrasound to check for gallstones, and then surgery about 6 months after.

As I said, mine was found to be very infected when they got in there. I have IBS and I felt absolutely awful and thought my IBS was really playing up - when in hindsight, it was the infection! So worth bearing in mind.

Unfortunately, whilst a gallstone "attack" is incredibly painful (worse than childbirth, and I have 4 dc), they don't seem to see it as particularly urgent.

Completely agree with this I had my 1st gallbladder attack when I was heavily pregnant and thought I was in labour! No blood test was given to diagnose a severe gallbladder infection it was done by ultrasound. Had continuous infection and complete agony for 6 months until my gall bladder was removed. Turns out the labour I had been worrying about was a doddle compared to the gallbladder pain!
Dontpasstovardy · 03/12/2020 17:26

^^ I agree. I've had about 20 hours of tattooing done on my back and I'd sooner have that again than have my gallbladder packing in on me. GB pain is horrific, I thought I was having a heart attack.

Original poster
wrigglepigg · 03/12/2020 20:01

Hi sorry for late reply I’ve just gotten home from visiting him and he is yellow tinged now.

I don’t know what the bloods are for I think maybe liver function?! It seems bizarre to me that the GP would not refer him on to the hospital and make him wait two weeks plus in pain etc.

Anyway he rang the GP surgery this afternoon and asked them to double check with the doctor if he didn’t mean to put ‘urgent’ on the bloods request. He says he hasn’t heard anything but he will phone again in the morning and if not urgent then he will go to A&E

OP posts:
Original poster
wrigglepigg · 03/12/2020 20:03

@Rudolphian

I think he probably needs the blood test earlier than that. Maybe rong them back and impressupon them he is really unwell. Sometimes they might message the GP back to see if the blood test can be done earlier. How old is he? Was he unwell enough to need to go into hospital at the start?
The paramedics did come out to see him ok the first day when the pain was really acute but they didn’t take him in.
OP posts:
Original poster
wrigglepigg · 03/12/2020 20:04

No he hasn’t had an ultrasound he has had no diagnostics done at all.

OP posts:
needsahouseboy · 03/12/2020 20:06

He needs to go to a and e this evening as he is showing signs of liver failure.

needsahouseboy · 03/12/2020 20:07

I’m a nurse by the way and this really shouldn’t wait

goose1964 · 03/12/2020 20:07

I didn't have a blood test either, like others I had an ultrasound scan which discovered both gall stones and a ginormous kidney stone.

TheoriginalLEM · 03/12/2020 20:12

If he is jaundiced he must get immediate medical attention, could be a blocked bile duct - when i had gallstones my dr told me to go straight to hospital if i got jaundiced

bloodywhitecat · 03/12/2020 20:24

He needs to be seen by someone tonight. DP turned yellow in the first lockdown, he got the runaround from his GP and turned away by A&E, he is now seriously ill and if there hadn't been the delay there was in getting his diagnosis his prognosis might've been better. Please don't wait 14 days.

Original poster
wrigglepigg · 03/12/2020 20:27

He is refusing to go to A & E tonight unfortunately!!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
wrigglepigg · 03/12/2020 20:28

@bloodywhitecat

He needs to be seen by someone tonight. DP turned yellow in the first lockdown, he got the runaround from his GP and turned away by A&E, he is now seriously ill and if there hadn't been the delay there was in getting his diagnosis his prognosis might've been better. Please don't wait 14 days.
So sorry to hear that! My Dads stubborn and seems to be determined to get an answer from this bloody GP as to whether he considers it non urgent and only then will he go to hospital.
OP posts:
needsahouseboy · 03/12/2020 20:30

Well he is at risk of serious liver damage that could be irreversible. Quite frankly I’m amazed the GP did not pick this up from his dark urine and pale stools.

SockQueen · 03/12/2020 20:33

He doesn't need bloods done because it's a "possible gallbladder issue," he needs them because he's jaundiced. And yes, sooner than 2 weeks.

Gallstones are just one cause of jaundice, and you can also have them without being jaundiced or needing bloods done, but this is not the case for him. He needs seeing sooner.

TheVanguardSix · 03/12/2020 20:34

Is he jaundiced?

bloodywhitecat · 03/12/2020 20:35

DP was the same @wrigglepigg now he regrets not listening to me nagging him. DP had dark urine, pale floating stools and then turned yellow. He has pancreatic cancer.

Holliej · 03/12/2020 20:39

He needs to go to A&E tonight. He could have a blocked bile duct even possible acute pancreatitis and it can cause serious damage to his liver and possibly other organs if not treated. Could you maybe get him to call 111 so they can inform him he needs to go? So he hears it from a medical professional.

Original poster
wrigglepigg · 03/12/2020 20:50

Thanks everyone I have requested a nurse from 111 service to call him!

OP posts:
wolfmom · 03/12/2020 20:56

Not to worry you, but, I became jaundiced with gallbladder problems and it was pancreatitis. Hope he is seen soon