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

[OhStopIt]

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...

@iheartgin sorry you went through that. I'm guessing I will have to get to a point where I'm in absolute agony and have liver problems to be taken seriously!

Mine was diagnosed on the pregnancy assessment unit, had a massive gallstone attack and thought there was something wrong with the baby so went straight there. They fobbed me off at first saying it was the baby growing, then a doctor came round and said let’s not presume it’s that and did a blood test. Called me first thing the next morning and said it was abnormal, went in for an ultrasound and they saw lots of gallstones. I ended up having it removed when my baby was 3 weeks old, I had it done privately though because I didn’t feel I could wait potentially up to a year on the NHS to get it done. Definitely push for a scan/ blood test when you have your next attack.

Ha sorry! I didn't mean that you drank too much just that I ended up with it even though I didn't drink! The pancreatitis part was an extension of my gallstones, the symptoms are because of the bile I think so you feel it lower down and in your back. Good luck....chocolate and cheese were my worst foods-typical!!!

I had gall bladder attacks on and off for 7 years. Worst pain I've ever had under my right rib and radiated up my back, could barely stand. During pregnancy it was finally diagnosed as gallstones but there was little they could give me. I had ranitidine to help with reflux symptoms and had to eat a very low fat diet which did keep the pain at bay. I eventually got it removed due to severe infection 6 months after my baby was born.

Just wondering what you think they can do about your gallbladder while you're pregnant? If your bloods are normal there's no reason to do an operation at the mo so symptom relief is probably all that's available.

@ohstopit OP I feel for you. I suffered from fortnightly attacks for a whole year, which arrived without warning at any given time. It felt as though I was giving birth to something through the centre of my torso, unlike any other pain, and would last at least an hour every time. I dont fit the typical profile of "fair, fat & over 40" - I was 25, very fit and ate reasonably well / low fat.
Doctor tried fobbing me off with omeprozole and painkillers but I didnt want to take pills for the foreseeable future. I was fortunate enough to have private health insurance through work, and was able to have two ultrasounds (confirmed several gallstones in gallbladder), and removal of gallbladder relatively quickly. If you can, push for the ultrasound,and if it is gallstones, get it out ASAP. Wishing you all the best.

@Walkingthroughawall even if they can't do anything about it they should still do an ultrasound to determine what the problem is. It might be a problem with my gallbladder. It could also be a stomach ulcer, or a pancreatic problem, or a number of other things. 'It's probably a problem with your gallbladder' isn't really enough. I can't be bothered faffing around with my diet, taking medication etc when my gallbladder may not even be the problem at all!

^that was me

my GP initially thought it was a stomach ulcer but referred me in case I was also getting odd readings on my pancreatic function so he sent me for th scan He was the best GP I ever had , unfortunately he left the practice recently

I expect they haven't done an ultrasound to consider the other things your worried about because stomach ulcers don't show up on ultrasound, pancreatic problems would cause abnormal bloods and classically don't tend to cause the sort of pain you've described thus far so there's nothing to suggest that's the cause and, depending on how pregnant you are, an ultrasound may not be that easy to interpret because everything gets squashed by a gravid uterus. If you 'can't be bothered faffing around' with the simple things that might make you feel better though I guess that's your choice, but it doesn't make much sense to me. Hope your symptoms improve soon.

Mine is coming out tomorrow, so nervous x