What is wrong with me? Should I try A&E?

[Milicentbystander72]

Since the end of August I'm been having trouble with my digestion - indigestion and loose bowel movements.
A few weeks into September I gad immense sudden chest and abdominal pain that spread into my back, made my arms go tingly and my skin cold and clammy. Symptoms subsided after about 20 mins. I thought I was having a heart attack. I had 2 ECG tests and all clear (thank god).
The GP took some blood tests to test for heart health, liver and pancreas etc (I think!). All tests were clear.
GP then sent for an ultra sound on my upper abdomen and I found that my gallbladder is full of gallstones. However they said they was no blockage, no infection etc. They said they won't refer me on for gallbladder removal unless I'm very ill and am passing stones regularly.

Since then I'm been having so much abdominal pain. I'm beginning to think I have two things going on. Everything I eat brings indigestion pain and loose stools or diarrhoea. I've been eating very little. Even when not eating I can feel 'churning' or pain. The pain changes around. Last and this morning it was in the lower right hand side of my tummy near my groin.

My GP has taken more bloods to check for infections and I've done 2 stool samples, I don't have an appt with the GP until 2 weeks time, however they said they'd ring soon if there was anything really serious shown up. This was Tuesday.

The thing is, I'm in constant pain sometimes low level and sometimes intense. The pain ranges from the upper right hand side of my abdomen and shoulder blades to all the way down into my lower abdomen and bowel. I feel hungry but can hardly eat anything.

I don't think I can stand anymore. I'm constantly worried about what this is, and I just want some relief. AIBU to consider A&E if it gets worse?

[managedmis]

I don't understand how they can just leave them there?

[PoohBearsHole]

Has your dr recommended anything for the indigestion/heartburn? I have omeprazole but you can get it otc in boots etc - might help? (A little!)

[GnarlyOldGoatDude]

Agree with PP, push for an outpatient appointment with the surgical team. Some of your symptoms are classical for gallstones; others less so; but it needs to be a surgeon who decides whether cholecystectomy is likely to help, not a GP.

Gallstones can give you several different types of problems. They can cause severe pain (biliary colic) without actually causing a “blockage”; it really hurts when the gallbladder contracts against the stones within it. When the gallbladder is thick walled and inflamed, we then call it cholecystitis and antibiotics are needed to calm things down. When a stone goes off travelling down the bile duct, that is what causes biliary obstruction (and causes you to go yellow, and your stools pale, and dark urine).

You’re sounding very symptomatic, and I would be requesting surgical review.

[Milicentbystander72]

Thank you all. It's helpful to hear about others experiences. I felt like I am/was going a bit mad trying to work out what was wrong....even though my gallbladder is packed with gallstones!!

I have the appt booked with GP in 2 weeks but I will go armed with info. If nothing else comes up from these tests then it must be all connected to gallstones.

Looking on the bright side I've lost half a stone from eating tiny bits of food (and I have much weight to spare!).

[AppleKatie]

See another GP. Ask for referral. Sounds like me when I had gallstones. No relief came until I eventually had the op.

[Sunshinegirl82]

The NHS website lists diarrhoea as a possible symptom. I'd definitely go back to the GP. Have a look at the NHS website and maybe the NICE guidance on treatment? If anything useful print it out and take it with you to the appointment.

I hope you feel better soon!

[JenniferM1989]

Have you got any decent pain relief OP?

[Sharptic]

Sorry I can see form your OP , the scan did pick up gallstones. They could have been on the move since then.

[Sharptic]

I'm no medical professional so please don't take my word, but loose stools could happen if the fat isn't broken down by the bile, the food will go straight through you.

If bile isn't getting to your duodenum from the gallbladder, there's a possibility of a blockage. DH felt no pain at all when his was blocked, just the other symptoms. DH also has acid indigestion, always has probably isn't connected to gallstones

Did the sonographer note any gallstones after your ur scan? They may have been harmlessly sat in your gallbladder at the time, which is common and no cause for concern unless over a certain size. But the scan is just a picture of that point in time, the gallstones could have moved which is the painful part as your bile duct will be contracting to push them out.

[Milicentbystander72]

Also, I'm been confused by two different GP's telling me that having gallstones does not cause

Indigestion
Loose stools or diarrhoea
Heart burn

That must be blatantly wrong.

[Milicentbystander72]

Yes! Won't be trying cheese again for a long time.

I feel like I've only had one 'attack'. I was so convinced that it would found that I had a blockage but the ultrasound said no. Mind you that was nearly 4 weeks ago 🤷🏻‍♀️

The indigestion is constant pretty much. The only thing I can eat fairly easily is low fat bio yogurt. Oh god. This is going to be hell isn't it?

I'm sorry so many of you have had it 🙁

[sakura06]

Gallstones are horrendous. Try to push your GP for a referral to have your gallbladder removed. It sounds like you really need the surgery! Also, avoid fatty foods, if possible.

[Sharptic]

It does sound like gallstones.
Dh had bilary colic (I think is the right name for it) for years, definitely triggered by fatty foods. Later on a gallstone blocking his bile duct. He was jaundiced and had really dark brownish urine. He was easily fixed though and completely better now.

[gamerchick]

You need it out. Be a pest.

V v low fat diet for now and definitely no cheese!

[strawberry2017]

You need to keep going back to your Dostoevsky to tell them about the attacks, that's how you will get referred for it removing.
X

[Span1elsRock]

I had cholecystitis (gallbladder infection) that landed me in hospital on a morphine drip and strong IV antibiotics for 5 days. Ever since, if I eat anything fatty like cheese I am in agony for ages and get terrible upset stomachs. Buscopan is the only thing that gives comfort.

[OITNBfan]

My DH had terrible gallstones pain which landed him in A&E - he was in agony, and flushed and had the shoulder pain. His stones were on the move so was admitted and had a very strong course of antibiotics and a cholecystectomy was booked.

Whilst an inpatient, he had a v v low-fat diet until his surgery which helped with his gallstone pain flare.

Sorry you are going through this, I saw how agonising it can be. I hope you get some help.

[Ketomeato]

And eating fat will make things much worse. It was a suet pudding which finally did for me.

[Ifeelinclined]

I am having the exact same symptoms as you do. And I am absolutely miserable as well. I'm in the US, and am having an ultrasound on Monday. If it's gallstones, they will refer to a surgeon for removal though. I'm so sorry that you haven't gotten any answers.

[Ketomeato]

Stones can move. Suddenly.

[Ketomeato]

Gallstones hurts like mad, and if one gets stuck or ruptures your gallbladder, you MUST go to a&e! I ended up in a&e wirh excruciating pain and they took it out that day.

[Milicentbystander72]

*one side

[Milicentbystander72]

Yes that makes sense. I'm confused though because the sonographer at the ultrasound said there were no blockages. I'm wondering if it was missed.

I'll have to chase the GP. I feel like she's put the gallstones to one dude and is looking for other causes now.

[moreismore]

Bile is also what makes Poo brown so pale stool (or I guess coloured from whatever else you’ve eaten) not unusual

[moreismore]

If a gallstone is blocking the bile duct it will prevent enough bile entering your digestive system. Bile is needed to breakdown fat so the fat is just ending up in your stool, hence diarrhoea. When you eat, your body still tries to release bile but it’s blocked by stones-hence the spasms and pain after eating.