Page 16 | What’s wrong with me, hospital clueless

MummyNJ · 29/03/2026 04:56

Gall stones or blocked gall bladder. The pain starts in your lower abdomen and radiates to your right shoulder. It is the usual pattern for gall bladder issues. Also look out for dark coloured urine almost brown and pale coloured poops. If the pain is severe try standing in a hot shower with the water directed to the shoulder and I find buscopan helps. Gall bladder pain can also make you vomit too.
To confirm you need to get an xray/ scan , but I

ForeverTheOptomist · 29/03/2026 06:01

Drippingfeed · 26/03/2026 22:44

Don't do this. AI simply summarises a lot of Internet hot air and scares people. Press for a proper diagnosis and proper pain relief.
And don't get your medical advice from here.

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I agree. It's inherently incorrect.

Tinytimmy123 · 29/03/2026 06:05

Thankyou to HotRootsAndNaughtyToots and hedgebets2 for so comprehensively coming up with the research in this.

It was beginning to feel like, ironically MyObservations didnt believe what I was saying and had to go and confirm/or not...with a man ! 😁

Starbubble · 29/03/2026 06:43

I have endometriosis and adenomyosis and the pain is crippling sometimes. Do not leave until the surgical team have seen you! Advocate for yourself strongly, this is your body and you that has to live with the repercussions if it’s not looked into. Shoulder tip pain is common with gynae issues as the phrenetic nerve is involved with both areas. Wishing you well x

Jake624 · 29/03/2026 06:49

elm26 · 26/03/2026 15:24

Yesterday at 1pm, I put my 6 month old on the rug with his toys and went for a wee.

As I was walking back I had a sudden severe pain in my right side radiating into my lower back and up to my shoulder, I was in agony.

I called DH who was luckily only on a job 15 mins away, he came straight home and took one look at me and called ambulance, I was shouting out in pain they gave me gas and air and morphine.

I had an emergency CT when dye last night and also have a catheter as lost the ability to wee. Nothing showed on CT, they got me settled on morphine and today I’ve had a transvaginal scan which shows ovaries and womb look normal.

Gynae can’t find a reason so they’ve stopped painkillers and just giving me paracetamol but somethings wrong I feel like somebody’s twisting my insides. The gynae consultant was horrible and said the surgical team will come see me if they think it’s worth it?? So I’m waiting for that if they come.

I’m in so much pain and genuinely scared they’ll send me home not knowing what is wrong with me.

Has anyone has anything similar?

I'm praying for you

Natsku · 29/03/2026 07:30

lottiestars76 · 28/03/2026 21:07

When I was pregnant with my first I had the exact same pain. Sharp and absolute agony and it started in my back and up to my shoulder blade, I thought for awhile it was trapped wind? I was around 28 weeks pregnant at this point, and even though my first I just somehow knew it wasn’t labour or related to pregnancy on some way. The pain got significantly worse and the only time I got any relief at all ( and this was a tiny bit of relief) was in the bath in scalding hot water. I eventually started throwing up and writhing in pain so my partner drove me to the hospital. We had already called 111 and they could hear me screaming in the background in agony so they had a place on a ward for me already, except for some unknown reason it was the acute geriatric ward. I was 24 years old and 28 weeks pregnant so not sure why I was sent there. When we pulled up at the hospital it was around 5 am an I collapsed on the carpark floor and was vomiting and screaming in agony my partner had to carry me all the way up several flights of stairs with me screaming and sobbing and throwing up. I was then left in a triage room where I carried on sobbing and screaming in pain and this pretty much continued for the next few hours. At this point my sick was green so just pure stomach acid, and I thought I was dying , the pain was nothing I had experienced. I eventually got given liquid morphine which helped knock me out, then I was sent for a scan. Nothing coming up with gall bladder or the baby (thank god even though I kept having to remind them I was pregnant and needed them to check my baby?!) the pain was returning and I was continuing to vomit. Eventually a specialist did another ultrasound and the could see that my baby was lying in such a position my kidney was obstructed. Essentially it was backed up with urine from her lying across and squishing it. They only checked my kidneys due to me being pregnant and otherwise said because my bloods didn’t show infection it wasn’t a kidney infection. Which it wasn’t, it was a kidney blockage essentially, but that doesn’t necessarily flag up inflammatory markers or infection markers on urine samples. I was then going to have surgery to have a stent inserted to manually drain my urine, however baby moved and the relief was almost instant. Still felt rough for a few days but the pain went immediately. That was nearly 12 years ago and I’ve had another two babies since plus lots of other infections, illnesses, a broken bone etc etc. Without a shadow of a doubt this was the worse pain I have ever felt in my life and I’d rather go through my first 60+ hour long labour 100 times over then experience that pain again. I genuinely thought I was dying and the helplessness I felt was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. It really sounds to me like a kidney problem, and reading your posts about endometriosis I wonder if this has caused issues with the kidney, and is causing it to become impacted and backed up. The lack of weeing and the pain you have described along with blood results etc being ‘ fine’ makes me think it must be something along these lines. I’d push for a referral and a scan of your kidneys, because if it is caused by endo it won’t just disappear this will keep happening 😔 so sorry your experience was traumatic and hopefully once sorted you feel able to complain and raise the concerns around your experience. What you have gone through isn’t ok and you shouldn’t be medically gaslit and your pain minimised. Good luck xxx

I had this when I was pregnant. The pain was absolutely horrendous, I was begging the doctors to kill me. They put a stent in but it didn't help so they did a kidney catheter (tube in my side directly into my kidney) but I was still in agony and then they eventually realised I also had appendicitis! Worst 3 weeks of my life (two weeks in hospital before they realised and operated then another week as I had a massive postoperative infection)

Gremlins101 · 29/03/2026 08:00

Hi OP im so sorry you got discharged without any answers. I hope they find out what it is eventually and its something easily fixable.

I sometimes get extreme pain in my right side, it will start kind of where I would get a stitch and radiate up to my shoulder and arm and i would describe it as agonising... i am bent over with it. I get it nearly always from lying down but never when I go to bed. So its typical when I put the kids to bed, lie down with them and then get up again. But if I go to bed for the night, im alright.

Ive had a fairly comprehensive gyno/abdominal check with all the scans (not covered by my health insurance, I found out afterwards :( cost me over €2000) and no answers at all. My closest guess is gallbladder intermittent pain but im interested by one of the comments here about fallopian tube twisting.

My pain has never lasted days like yours so not sure its too similar. But I wanted to sympathise and hope you do get some answers.

OpalSpirit · 29/03/2026 09:07

MyObservations · 28/03/2026 22:00

And the evidence is where exactly? While you dig it out I'll ask my DinL who is an Obs & Gynae surgeon.

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Dismissal of women’s pain and experiences whilst saying you know a surgeon ‘so there’!
Embarrassing

Please try not to be part of the well documented problem whilst also denying the problem.

likelysuspect · 29/03/2026 09:11

I dont know what the balance is in terms of how men and women are treated but I gave an example upthread of a client who was dismissed, almost the same as OPs experience, not the same, because he was a male. But still sent home with no diagnosis, same situation with scans being clear, huge pain. Been back in hospital since then several times, still no diagnosis, no communication with him cleaerly that he can understand about whats going on. Hes elderly of course and so no one cares about that.

TwinklySquid · 29/03/2026 09:16

Gallbladder?

TwinklySquid · 29/03/2026 09:16

Gallbladder?

Walksspecial · 29/03/2026 09:18

elm26 · 28/03/2026 10:03

They’re sending me home. Surgical team refusing to see me even though I’ve been promised for the last 3 days they’ll come and review. I’ve asked for it to be noted on my notes that they’ve refused. They don’t know what’s wrong with me, said the scans would have shown any kidney stones, gallstones, pancreas issues, bladder issues but they can’t find anything. Referred me back to gynae for a new type of contraceptive pill for those with endo. Still don’t know what that’s got to do with anything. Discharging me with paracetamol even though I’ve needed oramorph 3 times since 10pm last night. I’ve given up. I’m so fed up. In pain. She said if I get another “attack” like I did, to go to A&E and not to ring an ambulance unless life threatening.

Not just one medical professional but multiple medical professionals from different departments, having done multiple scans, have come to the conclusion that you can be discharged with paracetamol.

I wouldn’t be worried. Do you suffer from anxiety @elm26 ?

FunCrab · 29/03/2026 09:33

May I suggest you should request a copy of your medical records as soon as possible.
You will see exactly what they did and documented.
You should also take as much notes as possible of the experience. Such as responses you got to your concerns.
Women are often not listened to in healthcare and their concerns dismissed.
This would be the first steps.
How are you now?
Might be worth keeping a diary of your symptoms in any case.

Autumngirl5 · 29/03/2026 09:40

Abricot1983 · 28/03/2026 22:46

Which hospital are you in? If they discharge you then go to the A&E of a teaching hospital

Please do not go to A&E. It is called ‘accident and emergency’ for a reason and will be a waste of everyone’s time now.
You have been seen by doctors, had tests and will be on a pathway so should have follow up.
I hope you are feeling better soon.

Lougle · 29/03/2026 09:46

Walksspecial · 29/03/2026 09:18

Not just one medical professional but multiple medical professionals from different departments, having done multiple scans, have come to the conclusion that you can be discharged with paracetamol.

I wouldn’t be worried. Do you suffer from anxiety @elm26 ?

Edited

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Sometimes I think communication is the issue though. DD2 was having right upper pain and nausea. She had blood tests which showed liver dysfunction. They tests were repeated 2 days later and were worse. Then 2 days later, on a Friday afternoon, she had another set. I got a call from NHS 111 at 01.30 in the morning, telling me that her liver function was seriously deranged and I needed to take her straight to A&E. She was admitted. She couldn't go home because her liver function was too bad, and she needed an ultrasound but if she was discharged she would have to wait on an outpatient list and they wanted it done sooner. Even day release would mean she couldn't have her ultrasound. She has ASD so I couldn't leave her, and because she's an adult, there was no provision for carers to stay, so I had to just sleep on the floor beside her bed. The ultrasound showed gallstones. They didn't actually do anything except blood tests. But she wasn't allowed to go home. Eventually, her liver results were low enough that although not normal, they were happy to let her go home. The difficulty is that because she was no longer acutely unwell, and because she was a medical outlier on a surgical ward, we only saw a very new, very shy F1 who really couldn't communicate why we were allowed home or why they had come to the conclusion they had, or what the plan was. The discharge letter just said 'liver function was bad, gallstones seen on US, outpatient follow up'.

DD2 ended up back in A&E with the same symptoms a while later, and the on call medic happened to be a liver registrar waiting for his Consultant job to start. He was brilliant and talked to the outpatient Consultant about DD2 in preparation for her outpatient appointment.

Fortunately, we've had a wonderful Consultant in outpatients who has done both an MRCP and an endoscopic ultrasound, plus a fibriloscan, and has referred to the surgeons for removal of the gallbladder.

It may be that @elm26 has been told 'not gynae' but what they mean is 'there is nothing that a surgical treatment will help', because if they've referred for a chat about a different contraceptive, they must think there is something that will help her gynaecologically. It may be that they've simply decided that the acute symptoms have passed and there is nothing obviously sinister that they can treat. But if they haven't communicated that clearly, then @elm26 may have got the impression that they think there's 'nothing wrong' when clearly, if she's in pain, there is. It's just nothing that has a clear diagnostic or treatment pathway. In other words, there's no surgery or medical treatment that will directly fix it.

Iwanttocomebackasmycat · 29/03/2026 09:48

knackeredmumoftwo · 26/03/2026 15:28

I've had a burst ovarian cyst- agony but nothing to see on scans

Your symptoms sound similar to Burst ovarian cyst or Ovarian Torsion (ie twisted ovary).

The twisted feeling could point to twisted ovary? If it's intermittent twisting, then maybe it wouldn't show when the gynacologist checked you. But I imagine they would consider ovarian torsion as a diagnosis.

The cause can be unknown and remain a mystery (although for other people it the cause may be a cyst or lump)

(I'm not a doctor - just knew a 26 yo who suffered a twisted ovary. It came on so suddenly and was very painful. She never found out the cause.)

Twisted ovary:
Ovarian torsion is a medical emergency where one of your ovaries twists on the tissues supporting it. Your ovaries are oval-shaped glands located on both sides of your uterus. They release eggs during your reproductive years and make hormones that control your menstrual cycle and pregnancy. They’re held in place by bands of tissue (ligaments) suspended in your pelvic cavity.

Although it’s uncommon, ovarian torsion symptoms can be intermittent, which means the pain comes and goes. Sometimes, the ovary will twist and then untwist. The twisting cuts off blood flow, causing pain. When the ovary untwists and regains access to blood, the pain may go away. The back and forth can feel confusing. Even if your pain is intermittent, you need to see a healthcare provider for treatment if you’re experiencing ovarian torsion.

Menstrual Cycle (Normal Menstruation): Overview & Phases

Your menstrual cycle begins on the first day of your period. Your cycle prepares your body for a possible pregnancy. The average cycle lasts between 24 and 38 days.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/10132-menstrual-cycle

Iwanttocomebackasmycat · 29/03/2026 09:52

have you been properly checked for twisted ovary? (medical name: Ovarian Torsion)

Walksspecial · 29/03/2026 09:58

Lougle · 29/03/2026 09:46

Sometimes I think communication is the issue though. DD2 was having right upper pain and nausea. She had blood tests which showed liver dysfunction. They tests were repeated 2 days later and were worse. Then 2 days later, on a Friday afternoon, she had another set. I got a call from NHS 111 at 01.30 in the morning, telling me that her liver function was seriously deranged and I needed to take her straight to A&E. She was admitted. She couldn't go home because her liver function was too bad, and she needed an ultrasound but if she was discharged she would have to wait on an outpatient list and they wanted it done sooner. Even day release would mean she couldn't have her ultrasound. She has ASD so I couldn't leave her, and because she's an adult, there was no provision for carers to stay, so I had to just sleep on the floor beside her bed. The ultrasound showed gallstones. They didn't actually do anything except blood tests. But she wasn't allowed to go home. Eventually, her liver results were low enough that although not normal, they were happy to let her go home. The difficulty is that because she was no longer acutely unwell, and because she was a medical outlier on a surgical ward, we only saw a very new, very shy F1 who really couldn't communicate why we were allowed home or why they had come to the conclusion they had, or what the plan was. The discharge letter just said 'liver function was bad, gallstones seen on US, outpatient follow up'.

DD2 ended up back in A&E with the same symptoms a while later, and the on call medic happened to be a liver registrar waiting for his Consultant job to start. He was brilliant and talked to the outpatient Consultant about DD2 in preparation for her outpatient appointment.

Fortunately, we've had a wonderful Consultant in outpatients who has done both an MRCP and an endoscopic ultrasound, plus a fibriloscan, and has referred to the surgeons for removal of the gallbladder.

It may be that @elm26 has been told 'not gynae' but what they mean is 'there is nothing that a surgical treatment will help', because if they've referred for a chat about a different contraceptive, they must think there is something that will help her gynaecologically. It may be that they've simply decided that the acute symptoms have passed and there is nothing obviously sinister that they can treat. But if they haven't communicated that clearly, then @elm26 may have got the impression that they think there's 'nothing wrong' when clearly, if she's in pain, there is. It's just nothing that has a clear diagnostic or treatment pathway. In other words, there's no surgery or medical treatment that will directly fix it.

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Sorry but I can’t decipher your point

Mandaxx25 · 29/03/2026 09:59

Sensiblesal · 26/03/2026 17:17

I don’t think your pain is gyno.

the back pain & radiating down your leg sounds like sciatica/nerve pain.

the loss of bladder control alongside could be Cauda Equina, thats really serious and could leave you paralysed.

its really hard to get the dr/pretend dr thats ‘helping’ you to listen and understand your symptoms but they need to do a test to at least rule it out

edit sorry re read & saw its pain going to the shoulder. This is more likely gall bladder related. Do you have like radiating pain or feel like you had a heart attack?

either way they need to do more testing

Edited

Not loss of control, retention. The opposite.

bigboykitty · 29/03/2026 10:11

likelysuspect · 29/03/2026 09:11

I dont know what the balance is in terms of how men and women are treated but I gave an example upthread of a client who was dismissed, almost the same as OPs experience, not the same, because he was a male. But still sent home with no diagnosis, same situation with scans being clear, huge pain. Been back in hospital since then several times, still no diagnosis, no communication with him cleaerly that he can understand about whats going on. Hes elderly of course and so no one cares about that.

Please stop embarrassing yourself. So far you've given us "it doesn't exist", "I know a doctor" and "it happens to men too". Stop digging.

Lougle · 29/03/2026 10:15

Walksspecial · 29/03/2026 09:58

Sorry but I can’t decipher your point

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Sorry you're struggling. The point is that doctors aren't necessarily saying that there is nothing wrong with @elm26 , just that there is nothing that can be directly treated, and they have ruled out anything that needs urgent inpatient treatment.

Glindaa · 29/03/2026 10:17

ThatBusyRedWriter · 28/03/2026 18:24

Not had similar but do not go home! Stand your ground. I had meningitis a few months ago, went to A&E and told multiple people o think it might be meningitis….doctor tried to send me home saying it was anxiety and stress. I am a nurse aswell, which I told them and they still didn’t consider what I was telling them

I bet they wouldn’t have said that to a man. It’s sexism.

SadSaq · 29/03/2026 10:22

Oh goodness how horrific. Sounds like they're bullying you into leaving.
I hope they back down.

Walksspecial · 29/03/2026 10:23

SadSaq · 29/03/2026 10:22

Oh goodness how horrific. Sounds like they're bullying you into leaving.
I hope they back down.

Oh for goodness sakes

Multiple medical professionals have been involved across multiple departments. No one is bullying the OP. They have done extensive testing and the consensus is the op can be discharged.

Piggywaspushed · 29/03/2026 10:25

Medical gaslighting is real and it is well documented that women suffer from it a great deal and that experiences and pain are often diminished. This may well be why the OP is being given less medical attention than it seems like she needs.

But we need to stop perpetuating the myth that it doesn't happen to men or that men are treated differently when in pain. There are many many cases of dismissal of EM men and women in medicine. My DH, not an EM, was sent away multiple times by GPs , hospitals and clinicians when he was, in fact, less than a week away from an emergency heart operation due to endocarditis. And men do have to undergo pain - anyone who has a man close to them who has had a prostate biopsy will know this. In fact, the 'man up' trope is pretty toxic in medicine.