Gallstone attack or severe gastritis

[starfishrufus]

I've recently been in hospital with very severe abdominal pain (it moved around but was mostly in the upper centre of my abdomen, between my ribs). The doctor gave me two lots of oral morphine and diagnosed me with a gllbladder attack (billiary colic). I'm due to have the gallbladder removed soon.

But now I'm worried that the diagnosis might be wrong. The ultrasound showed gallstones, but I know that lots of people have gallstones with no symptoms and that they can sometimes be blamed when the pain is caused by other things. I was dosed up on morphine when answering the doctors questions, and I know the two conditions can be easily mistaken for one another. Although when I was first checked by a doctor she said that she could feel my gallbladder when pressing on my upper abdomen, which presumably means that it was inflamed?

If anyone has had acute gastritis, can they tell me - does it always come with the feeling of nausea in the stomach - ie. like a stomach upset but with much more pain?

Or if someone has had both conditions (gallstone attacks and severe gastritis) can they tell me how they felt different please?

You have a rubbish gallbladder. You will be right as rain when it's removed. As was I. Don't worry.

Thanks - that's reassuring - I'm booked in tomorrow to have it taken out.

Good luck for tomorrow. You sound like me, a lot. I was diagnosed with a grumbling gallbladder 10 years ago via scan which has never got lots worse. I get a couple of bouts of nagging RHS pain per year. Goes on it’s own after 2-3 days.

Had said episode week before Xmas and being an absolute muppet I decided it wasn’t going to spoil my fun - oh no - and indulged myself tremendously. 28/29th I had a gurgly bloated tummy but due to stupidity and house guests I carried on valiantly () with the cheese and wine and chocolate. Yesterday the gurgling stopped and a massively grumpy stomach has started. I’m aching and knackered and can’t eat and I’m utterly amazing I’m not hugging the loo as I have every symptom of gastric flu other than the actual d&v. I am sipping water and had a piece of dryish toast at 8am. Not taking anything medicine wise now as I’m frantically trying to calm this all down.

Sorry to derail and hope your op goes okay, but does this sound similar? I’ll go to the docs tomorrow if i can get in but at the moment I’ve spent all day thinking gastritis and now wondering if the gallstones have finally struck back

Thanks Alabasterangel6. The gurgling sounds familiar - but like you, when it was bad the gurgling stopped. When my pain happens it doesn't go on for days but I have attacks lasting for hours with very very intense pain, and then maybe just a few twinges over the next couple of days.

I know that an awful lot of people have gallstones but no symptoms and that they can sometimes be blamed when something else is the cause of the trouble, but if you're sure that the first lot of pain was your gallbladder and this is the same pain then it sounds like that is the problem.

I think going to back to the doctor is a good idea. Maybe they can do another scan as the stones could have grown/muliplied/moved in that time?

I’ve had gastritis and gallstones. What you described sounds exactly like gallstones. I had my gallbladder removed two years ago and I’m good to go.

All the best for tomorrow. 💐

By the way, if the pain gets really bad go to A and E - they were really good with me and gave me morphine and IV fluids, and they can also examine you while the attack is happening, which is useful.

Plus, reading about it, if the pain is severe, goes on for a long time and you start developing a temperature it could mean that a gallstone blockage is causing an infection, which needs treating right away - it's very serious. I think developing a temperature is something to be particularly concerned about.

I don't mean to alarm you, you've probably read up on it anyway - I've got all this info. from the internet myself. Good luck with the doctor.

Thank you. I do feel viral (aching eyes as an example) but no actual temp. Will keep a close eye till I can get an appt.

Thanks Hazlenutpie that's very reassuring.

It is biliary colic. I've had it and it's identical. Watch out for any shivering, temperatures or fainting, and tell your doctor immediately if you have those.

I have kept mine, though my doctor had me on a strict restricted diet at first. The hospital consultant said to be careful over Xmas as he sees many of his ex patients again!

Thanks everyone, this thread has helped reassure me that the diagnosis was right. I haven't had the operation yet as they cancelled it due to bed shortage but I should get a new date soon.

Hmmm, I’ve had both OP and I would say they are very different. Gallbladder pain literally took my breath away! Horrible sharp pain. Gastritis was a dull aching pain definitely on the left side that sort of wraps around the back. An acute attack will give you horrible nausea. I found taking an anti- histamine helped when nothing else did. I also found that not eating protein heavy meals helped a lot. I suppose the longer food sits in your stomach the more irritation you feel. Coffee, chocolate & alcohol are also irritants. Basically all the nice stuff