Gallstones?

[chalkyc2]

Hi all - not a regular poster on this board but am feeling a bit desperate!

I've had a couple of abdominal pain episodes over the last 6-8 months - the latest last night. Extreme discomfort in upper abdomen, nausea, sometimes when the pain is bad sweating and feel shaky. Can't get into a comfortable position. Doesn't seem to be related to having had a big meal as last night started before I ate dinner. Late night desperate google diagnosis seems to point towards gallstones? It would fit - am over 40 and over weight, and I know my mum suffers from them.

Ugh. I rarely visit the doctors and am generally healthy but this is bothering me! What to do? And is there any effective pain relief?

Could well be.
My gallbladder attacks (I have stones and sludge) feel like what I'd describe as a heart attack on the right hand side. Sort of starts like a band around my chest, like a very very tight bra strap and sometimes goes into my shoulder and jaw. Only ever at night.

Yes the tight feeling is very weird I honestly thought I was having a heart attack the first time when I was sweating and vomiting and when I lay down the pressure on my chest!

Gonna call the GP later in the week I think (assuming v busy tomorrow!). Which is unthinkable for me I haven't been in about 10 years....

Heat like a hot water bottle. Painkillers max dose and alternating different types - some people say not Codine. Rubbish TV and cup of tea

Yeah, does sound like it. Buscopan can help sometimes but it’s not likely to get any better on its own. Get it noted at Dr as it could take ages with current waiting lists. If you can’t cope then go to A & E as they can give proper meds and it gets you ‘noticed’ for want of a better word.

Sounds like me this time last year! Horrific pain under my right ribs, horrible nausea and vomiting sometimes. Painkillers won't work for the pain. Changing position doesn't help. My gallstones started when I was pregnant. The attacks lasted for 6/7 hours sometimes 😭

I had my gallbladder out a few months ago. Best decision ever!

See your GP ASAP - I "managed" at home for years - last week ended up in hospital for 2 nights- morphine had no impact at all, and it was 7 hours before I got it! Don't wait until you are suffering all night excruciating episodes, followed by daytime pain and nausea. It becomes debilitating. I'm still waiting for surgery, and in mortal fear of another episode like last week's. I hadn't thought it could get any worse.

Oh wow @Looubylou that sounds awful! I'm going to call my GP next week. It's still a bit sensitive and feels tender and I'm terrified it will hit again 😬. It was a 24 hrs I don't want to repeat.

I posted a very similar query on Christmas night. Got to my GP on wed and was sent straight to A&E, and am now on a ward waiting results from an MRI but at this point it looks like gallstones blocking the bile duct. I'm quite jaundiced now.

Go see your GP.

Oh no @Nichola2310 - that sounds bad hope you are ok. Had another episode last night - great way to see in the new year. The pain/discomfort is not like something I've ever felt before can only describe it as intense pressure under/around my ribs and not able to get comfortable in any position.

Ugh I hate health stuff!

@chalkyc2 how are you feeling? Did you get gp appointment? I am in a similar boat

Hi - yes - after another 'attack' on NYE I called the GP this week and got an appt. I have a referral to au upper GI consultant now and GP thinks gallstones.

Super painful honestly have never felt anything like it.

@chalkyc2 the pain is just awful. It got so bad in the early hours of New Year's Day that I was vomiting bile and begging for pain relief until they finally took me seriously and gave me morphine.

Thankfully I am now gallbladder-less! They took it out on Wednesday and I'm on the road to recovery.