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Original poster

Gallbladder :( if ANYONE has any experience of gallbladder problems I could use your advice!

36 replies

OhStopIt · 18/07/2018 15:31

Absolutely convinced I have a problem with my gallbladder. If I eat greasy food I have a stabbing pain next to my belly button. I had an ultrasound scan a while back (can't even remember what it was for!) and they mentioned that my gallbladder was a concern (apparently it didn't look like it should considering I had fasted all morning). I never had a follow up, and have this stabbing pain that seems to be getting worse, and worse, and worse... I'm in a LOT of pain today and don't really know what to do. I could cry... I was in hospital recently because I was worried I had pre eclampsia due to this pain, and was told that it is likely my gallbladder (even though tests came back normal). Again, no ultrasound or follow up.

Any advice? Can't get in to my GP for two weeks and don't know what to do anymore. Anyone else had a similar issue? How did you tackle it? I've changed my diet but no idea what else I can do...

OP posts:
Original poster
OhStopIt · 18/07/2018 15:57

Bump

OP posts:
ballsballsballs · 18/07/2018 16:20

Get to a chemist and buy Buscopan Cramps (not IBS) plus some painkillers you can tolerate (paracetamol, ibuprofen). Take a dose of both together when you're getting twinges and it can hold off a full-blown attack.

I had to avoid cheese, fish and chips and fried chicken. My worst attacks were caused by chicken.

You have my sympathies. It took a long time for my gallbladder to be taken out.💐

Original poster
OhStopIt · 18/07/2018 16:22

@ballsballsballs thank you! I'm pregnant at the moment so will see if I can take them (obviously not ibuprofen which sadly is best for inflammation!)

It's horrendous. I feel so unwell.

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goose1964 · 18/07/2018 16:51

I've had symptoms for around 9 months and I'm waiting for a removal appointment. I have to lay off fatty foods of all types, although occasionally I lose willpower, like today I had a tiny amount of cheddar and I'm now really uncomfortable.

If it's bad I take paracetamol and codeine as my liver doesn't like nsaids.

Original poster
OhStopIt · 18/07/2018 17:03

@goose1964 did your doctor take you seriously from the start?

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ParisNext · 18/07/2018 17:08

Hi, I had this all through my pregnancies and by the end of each I could not eat anything with more than about 5 percent fat and never cheese. All dairy fat made it worse than say fat in minced beef. I ended up in later years with pancreatitis linked to these episodes and have just got used to not eating higher fat foods...I should by rights be very slim!

rosie1959 · 18/07/2018 17:09

I have had my gallbladder removed the pain was horrendous but right hand side under breast (roughly where your gallbladder is so pain around the belly button seems a bit low more like appendicitis ?

Original poster
OhStopIt · 18/07/2018 17:16

@rosie1959 strangely I had my appendix removed and turns out I didn't even have appendicitis. Wondering if it was my appendix all along!

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Original poster
OhStopIt · 18/07/2018 17:24

@ParisNext gosh that's terrible. Did you have it removed in the end?

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Fairenuff · 18/07/2018 17:33

I had gall bladder removed. Lots of pain around chest and back. GP said it would feel like heart attack. Extremely painful and hard to breathe. Any problems should show up in scan so if yours is clear it might be something else?

Original poster
OhStopIt · 18/07/2018 17:35

I haven't had a scan @Fairenuff I was just told it might be my gall bladder. No follow up. Just told that that's what it probably is as they are typical symptoms. I've already seen a problem with my gallbladder on an ultrasound years ago but it was never followed up. I've always had this pain intermittently but never as bad as now since I've been pregnant.

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trinity0097 · 18/07/2018 17:37

Gallbladder pain with me was never that low.

Felt like a heart attack, pain in the middle of my boobs and around my back too

Original poster
OhStopIt · 18/07/2018 17:40

It's to the right and about 2/3 inches above my belly button. Not right next to it. No idea what it could be if it's not my gallbladder. It's after I eat, tender to touch when it's bad, feels like an uncomfortable pain which is sometimes sharp. If it's not my gallbladder I just don't understand why they aren't investigating further as this kind of pain isn't normal...

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GfordMum101 · 18/07/2018 17:42

Had mine removed a few years ago, and was clear I had lots of stones on the Ultrasound. Ultrasounds should be easy to get through your GP, they aren't very expensive, ask (demand) nicely, if not, you could request one privately, your GP can do this for you too, or some clinics will do them without GP referral. I never had much pain, but was always horribly sick with mine. Chocolate was my big trigger... and my downfall. Now, happily, I can eat anything :-)

ParisNext · 18/07/2018 17:44

No I still have it as I think I have just got used to eating better and know that there can be complications with removal. By the way, I did and still do get pain in the area you talk about it and it is my gall bladder/pancreatitis. Sort of under the very base of my right rib if that makes sense. I used to also get the pain in the breast bone as others have described here and that was with my thick head of hair babies! Sort of indigestion and gall bladder mixed together. If you google chronic pancreatitis you will probably find your symptoms. I could also feel it in my back when it was acute. Apparently it is common with alcoholics but annoyingly I don't drink!!!

Fairenuff · 18/07/2018 17:44

You need to go back to your GP and ask for a scan.

Original poster
OhStopIt · 18/07/2018 17:47

paris I don't drink much (glass of wine occasionally) and haven't for the last 5.5 months for obvious reasons!

I'm really concerned I'm going to have an ultrasound, they won't be able to tell me what the problem is, and I'm going to be left with this pain and not able to take proper painkillers through pregnancy. Really can't stand not knowing what is causing my pain... Sad

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overduemamma · 18/07/2018 17:50

I'm due to have mine out next week. They noticed I had gallstones on a scan I had last year when I was 39'weeks pregnant, I remember being sat up in pain after I had my baby thinking I was dying. I've had to lose some weight to be referred but overall it's not took that long to get my surgery appointment. As previous people have said the pain was in between my boobs almost and I'd be doubled over in pain then my back would hurt. I would Defo ask for an ultrasound x

Original poster
OhStopIt · 18/07/2018 17:52

My pain just isn't that high up. It could be something like an ulcer but I just really don't know. Hate being fobbed off!

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Original poster
OhStopIt · 18/07/2018 17:53

Best of luck @overduemamma Flowers

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Kingkiller · 18/07/2018 17:53

Sounds like gallstones to me. I had one massive attack - thought I was having a heart attack. Doc said straight away that it was almost certainly gallstones and referred me for an ultrasound, which confirmed it. I waited 8 months for my op and ate an extremely low fat diet, which avoided further major attacks until gallbladder was removed. No problems since.

Original poster
OhStopIt · 18/07/2018 17:57

@Kingkiller I just have no hope in getting jet diagnosed.

Had one ultrasound years ago that showed a problem with my gallbladder. Can't even remember what it was for and don't think it was put in my notes.

Went to hospital in agony a few weeks ago and as soon as they ruled out pre eclampsia they just sent me home, no follow up.

Have a feeling this is going to be a continual thing. You'd think they would want to have a look...

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Original poster
OhStopIt · 18/07/2018 17:57

*this not jet

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overduemamma · 18/07/2018 18:04

Thank you. Please go back to your GP and request an ultrasound. You need sorting out x

iheartgin · 18/07/2018 18:07

I had problems with my gallbladder after the birth of my first child. It was awful pain....worse than childbirth!
Ended up back and forth to a&e had to wait weeks for a scan, just prescribed painkillers which did nothing. By the end the attacks were lasting weeks and eating anything would set me off!

Eventually went back to A&E and got admitted as was causing problems with my liver. Had it removed and been fine ever since!

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