Gall bladder- has anyone had constant pain for days? Should I be worried?

[splishsplosh]

I've had episodes of gall bladder pain for a few years, though they've only been recently diagnosed as such. It's always been a few hours of hideous pain, which abruptly stops. Once I carried on being uncomfortable after eating for a week.

However, in the last week I've had 3 bad attacks, the third one resulting in going to hospital. What worries me most is that since the second attack at the weekend, I've not been pain free. At the minimum I've had discomfort on walking - as if I've been hit in the stomach and everything is bruised.

At the hospital they did some blood tests which were only slightly abnormal, and my temperature was normal, so they discharged me even though I still had some pain on walking around, though was fairly mild at the time. That was 24 hours ago, and I'm still in pain, especially when walking around. Though it's not severe like when having an acute attack but it is significant and it's really getting me down.

I'm just worried that this can't be normal - could I have complications without a fever or abnormal blood results? Does pain sometimes just go on for a few days before stopping?

Sorry for long essay! I guess i'm just hoping for reassurance.

I'd suggest seeing gp asap for decent pain relief, ultrasound scan and referral if needed. the scan will tell you more.

hope it doesn't flare up too much in the meantime, I had mine removed. the pain was worse than labour

The last time I had a bad attack (10hrs of agony) I was sore for a week afterwards - hurt to bend over even slightly, painful the touch etc. But, yes, would also suggest ultrasound, and push to get it removed.

I'm having mine out in 6 weeks, thank goodness.

I went to the GP between the 2nd and 3rd attacks, because the pain hadn't gone entirely, and he prescribed buscopan for the pain - which the paramedic then said wouldn't work anyway - certainly that and co codamol didn't make much difference. The hospital gave me 3 diclofenac suppositories to use if the pain got bad, rather than for general pain relief. The GP referred me to the surgeons but apparently there can be quite a wait anyway.

Did any pain relief in particular work for you? Even the morphine given by the paramedics didn't really help. The iv paracetamol was best but not an option at home!

I had an ultrasound a few months ago which showed gall stones, but they didn't do one while I was in hospital so I'm still worried I've got some complication which they didn't identify. But I hope not!

Are you on a waiting list to have gall bladder removed?

I dont think that the lingering pain necessarily means complications, it may well be residual, like I had that I described in my last post.

you need to make more of a fuss. tramadol was helpful early on for me but only morphine worked eventually. I was in and out of hospital every week for 2 months before I went slightly doolally at the consultant and then they booked my op for the week later

try not to worry too much before you see your gp again, it does sound pretty standard for gallstones, but do go and see gp as soon as you can, better they see it while it's bad.

Do you have any signs of jaundice? Yellow skin/eyes, dark wee, light stools? I had the same as you and stone was lodged causing bile back up. Definitely needs sorting if that's the case. Good luck x

I'm too wimpy I think! I'll go back to the GP tomorrow. The acute attacks have been hideous enough, but it's unrelenting days of pain I'm finding harder to bear. Usually I've known it would end eventually, so that's helped me cope with the agony, but now there seems to be no end!

I'm a single parent, and not entitled to sick pay at work at the moment (other than statutory) so that just makes it even harder to deal with.

that makes it more difficult, you'll need someone to care for you and kids whilst recovering from the op. takes about 2 week's to be ok-ish, a good few months to be back to normal.

Since leaving hospital my wee has got darker, but I'm not yellow.

animaniac - I really hope it's just residual soreness. It's just it seems to be getting worse, and the pain is in my back too.

The GP is supposed to have sent a letter to refer me this week.

how's your poo? look out for pale poo.

I'll check next time

Yes, gallstone pain does sometimes radiate round to your back, it does with me. Really feel for you as I'm going through it too! Like others have said, watch for yellowing (jaundice) and funny poos.
Apart from that I think its a case of nagging for painkillers and getting an op booked in I'm afraid.

Thanks. It's just so miserable isn't it. Far worse than childbirth.

Defiantly go back to your gp, I went to my gp with similar symptoms and was told I had ibs. I didnt agree with the diagnosis as I was in absolute agony. I went to a&e early in the morning and was tested for everything, and eventually given a scan. This was at about 10 in the morning where it showed massive stones an infection in my gallbladder. by about 5pm I had been in surgery for 5 hrs after my gallbladder ruptured.
Not trying to scare you but you need a scan to rule things out.

I had a constant pain, felt like someone was sticking their fingers under the edge of my ribs. It wasn't until I had a scan, they realised I had a huge gall stone that had caused a load of scarring to m? gall bladder. I didn't really think I had any other symptoms.
I had my gall bladder out in day surgery and apart from an occasional twinge have been fine since- even lost weight!

yellow that does sound scary - thank goodness you went to hospital so you were treated quickly.

greenapples - losing weight is a good side effect! Though I think I must be losing some now as don't feel like eating - am scared of triggering off worse pain.

I had this just a couple of months ago. Finally went to GP after about four days and he gave me some antibiotics just in case the gallbladder was infected. It did the trick and after about three days the pain subsided. I was already on the waiting list for gallbladder removal and finally had the op last week. Oh, the relief!

I do sympathise.

I went to A & E when I had my longest attack and it turned out I had pancreatitis. I'm not trying to scare you but please get checked out. I had my gallbladder out a couple of weeks later and it turns out it was badly inflamed.

I tried Buscopan and found it helped if I took it at the first sign of a twinge. If the pain took hold then nothing helped.

I hope you can get sorted out soon.

I went back to the GP and now have some anti inflammatory medication as well which has helped a bit thankfully. And they've done another urgent referral so I'm hoping the wait won't be too long and it won't get any worse.

Good for you! Fingers crossed.