Could this be gallbladder related

[MyHeartsPumpingWine]

Background: I've suffered from heartburn for years and I'm prescribed daily PPI meds pantoprazole which usually keeps things under control. I've seen gp for upper right abdominal pain, had various tests including ultrasound on gallbladder (12-18months ago)which showed s polyp but no stones. Diagnosis is currently IBS.

Current issue: this week I've had awful heartburn which has caused vomiting and sleepless nights and loss of appetite. I've also got an awful pain under my right ribs that goes through to my back and hurts when I breathe in. Tried everything for the heartburn with little effect and co-code mol isn't helping with the pain.
Dr Google just keeps pointing to gallbladder, does it sound likely? Should I push for other tests? Are there specific gallbladder tests?
Any advice welcome and apologies for the length of this saga!

It does sound rather like a gallbladder attack (of which I have had a few). But could be pancreatitis - you need further testing really to be sure.

Can you take a small dose of aspirin, put a hot water bottle on your tummy and drink some herbal tea? I find that puts an end to a gallbladder attack far quicker than leaving it.

Hope you feel better.

Think I'll need to make a gp appointment, and hope they listen instead of reciting IBS on a never ending loop.
I have my hot water bottle insitu on the warmest night of the year here but I've no aspirin or herbal tea at home so hopefully the heat soothes it enough for a sleep.
Thank you

The heat will help. good luck and try to get some sleep.

Another quick question:
How bad would the pains have to be to warrant an emergency appointment? gp is fully booked and receptionist is of the opinion no appointment is needed today and of course the GPs are too busy to phone back. I've had maybe a couple of hours sleep, still the same situation re pain and just feel generally rubbish with it all.

I would just ask for an emergency appointment. There is no point waiting.

You need an ultra sound to see what is going on. And amylase blood test.

The problem is the receptionist at my surgery thinks she knows it all and won't give me an emergency appointment as it "doesn't sound too bad and certainly isn't and emergency."
I've to phone tomorrow if it's worse, not if it stays the same, and I've reluctantly been given an appointment for next Thursday.

Ring back and tell her it is worse.

If it does become an emergency, you would be wanting to go to A&E.

Just say it's urgent and see your GP asap. It is urgent - you should never delay having those kind of symptoms checked out. How big was the polyp that your ultrasound picked up? I have a polyp and was referred immediately to surgeons - I'm having my gb removed tomorrow in fact! Good luck op, hope you are checked out asap.

Aargh she's a cow!!
Asked to speak to practice manager but was refused that too. Now to phone back at 4.30 as the nurse might be available for a quick chat! She's out a bit on my record that I'm insisting to be seen against her advice-I don't have the energy for this nonsense today!
I'm sure the polyp was 5.3mmx6.1mm so they said it was fine to leave it alone.

That's awful I'm sorry! Is the receptionist medically qualified? Who is she to give advice on medical matters? What kind of a person says she has noted on your record that you are insisting on being seen 'against her advice'?! Arggh! She sounds like a horrible bully. This kind of behaviour is why people end up in A&E unnecessarily. I worked in the NHS in a few areas including reception and A&E. Sadly there are some dragons around. I'd be tempted to complain about that.

She's not medically trained however asks every single person why they need an appointment even if they're making a follow up after seeing a Dr!

Complaint does nothing unfortunately as my mum found out.
Hopefully the nurse is more sympathetic and I'll get past dragon lady to be able to speak with her.

I think you should go to the A&E to be honest. Update us as to how you're getting on later.

Is your pain still bad, op?

It's eased up a wee bit, still in jammies and got a hot water bottle which is helping.
If I can't speak to a Dr/nurse later I'll wait til ooh service starts and give them a phone.

Poor you. I really hope you can speak to someone later. Don't play down how you've been feeling. You need to have this checked out.

Hi op did you manage to speak to someone?

Unfortunately not. The same receptionist was still there and the nurse was out when I called. I can call at 9am and see about a cancellation so I'll try that and hope she doesn't answer! It's not better or worse so I think I'll be able to hold off going to ooh. Thank you for asking.