Gallbladder/stones conundrum

[MadameOvary81]

A question for all you gallstone experts out there...

I've been having mild intermittent pain in the right upper quadrant ever since I had my son almost three years ago. The pain has gotten more frequent this year...it feels like something is wedged up under my ribs. And whilst i'm not in agony, it is a constant nagging. If I eat too much fat it does increase the pain. I'm gassy, i've had pale stools once or twice.... Basically I tick all the boxes for gallstones...or do I?

So yesterday morning, I had an ultrasound done at hospital...and nada! No gallstones. She checked liver, pancreas and kidneys too, they all looked fine also. Now i'm in a bit of a tailspin in case it's bowel or stomach cancer. But my gut (as knackered as it is!) is telling it's definitely my gallbladder.

I had been eating very low fat for the last several weeks and last night I ate quite a fatty meal as an experiment, and sure as shit, my gallbladder is bloody throbbing this morning.

I know my Doctor is going to dismiss me when she gets the report from the hospital saying "all clear". Should I go private and get a second opinion?

Please regale me with your gallbladder woes while I go try get an elusive Dr's appt!

Anyone?

No advice but have a bump!

Could be just inflamed gallbladder even without stones, not sure inflammation would show on ultrasound. Has your GP done blood tests as well?

You definitely need a second opinion, or a doctor with more intelligence. Your gallbladder's functionality needs to be tested. If it's essentially dying, like mine was, you'll have the same exact pain and issues as you would if you had stones. I had mine removed and was back to normal immediately. Why this possibility hasn't occurred to your gp is quite perplexing. It's not like it's a rarity.

The pain caused by gallstones usually should be quite unbearable rather than mild. I didn't know I had gallstones until I had three episodes of excruciating pain, which lasted a good hour each time, I genuinely thought i was gonna die. It was more painful than giving birth and toothache, which I have also experienced. It's always good to get a second opinion, but I don't think the sonographer would misdiagnose on the stone front, maybe there's some other underlying cause. I completely understand what you mean by GP would just dismiss the case when the report says all is good. So frustrating.

To add what to what I said above... Tell your doctor you want a HIDA Scan to test the functionality.

I was scanned for gallstones in 2016 and nothing. At my preop in 2019 before getting the bugger out I was told I had actually had them in 2016... Probably not operation worthy then was my guess

Some people can manage with mild pain and a low fat diet for years, others have regular very painful episodes and need their gallbladder removed more urgently.

Mine didn’t show on an ultrasound, I had to have an MRI. Also, you could have lots of very small stones, almost like sludge, as opposed to one or two large ones. Or you could have had a stone that has since broken up. Smaller stones can actually cause more problems as they can escape the gallbladder and block other tubes/organs.

I would definitely push for more tests/MRI scans if needed.

Get a second opinion.

A relative of mine had upwards of 6 emergency admissions for excruciating pain with hers. I kept telling her and the drs it was her gallbladder - nobody listened until on her last admission when they decided it was indeed inflamed. She had "sludge" rather than stones and they gave her IV antibiotics.

She cannot have it removed as she can't have surgeries unless absolutely necessary due to another condition. But since she had the ABs plus being careful with trigger foods (mainly just eating small meals and not too much fat) seems to have kept it at bay.

Mine is playing up and grumbling at the moment - it comes and goes. It's entirely possible to have relatively mild/intermittent pain and not seethingly agonising pain, so don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Mine is exactly the same - started this morning after no problems for months and months.

I wa tested for gallstones . Nothing showed up but the consultant told me that what they meant was that nothing showed up that needed ooperating on. Apparently we all have stones ; but it is when one blocks a bile duct that terrible pain occurs. And unless this happens,,surgery is best avoided.It is not always the cure all you might think.
I have the same triggers as you . Fatty or greasy food can make me feel dreadful. So don't eat them !

I would not describe gallbladder pain as mild! My friend was rushed to A&E in an ambulance as they thought she was having a heart attack. I've never felt pain like it. It's awful, the pain would make me vomit or faint it was that bad.

If it's mild it's probably wind or indigestion.

By the time you get scanned the stone may have passed which is why it can't be seen. Also some stones are too small to be seen on ultrasound why is why an mri is better. Next flare present yourself to a and e so you're there at the time its active. Bloody things.

Another person here saying gallbladder pain is unreal. Had to call 999 for a family member because they were literally rolling around in agony and vomiting.

Gallstone pain isn't mild. I had them last year and spent the best part of 3 months in hospital on IV morphine.
After losing 53lbs in 10 weeks, multiple ambulances and stays on the gastro wards, they took it out urgently.

I agree it sounds like the issues could be gallbladder related as it does sound likely but it doesn't sound like stones.
Definitely ask for a second opinion but they're unlikely to remove it any time soon unless it's causing you significant problems.

All my tests came back clear (ultrasound, hida scan, various ct and mri) despite as you say episodes of pain particularly after eating fatty foods. There was a time when my husband suggested a big blow out meal then present myself to a and e but I was too scared of the pain which would happen even after a minor food error eg wrong milk used at Costa.

It was only an internal ultrasound which finally showed clearly that I had micro stones eg gravelly grit rather than one big stone. A few times needed antibiotics along the waiting list road for suspected infection as pp has said.

Thank you so much replying, everyone!

I managed to get a Dr's appointment for next Monday, albeit a telephone consultation! I plan to push for further investigations or go private if they won't refer me for HIDA or CAT scans. I've read horror stories on here of people not being taken seriously until they're seriously ill with secondary infections etc and I really don't want to be one of them.

Although it's a mild, constant nagging pain, I can feel it is gradually worsening. Last night I could feel a strange stabbing/burning sensation in my back ribs and that's new. "No stones to be found", my arse!

In the meantime, I guess I better get used to my Cordon Bleu menu of Jelly and Gaviscon!

It didn't start off mild and get worse though. From the first attack to the last all were agony.

@MadameOvary81 just wondering how this turned out for you? Going through a similar thing…