Does this sound gallbladder related?

[Roominmyhouse]

Hello. Three times the last 2 weeks (tonight being number 3) I’ve had upper abdominal pain which radiates into the middle of my back. It’s not agony but really uncomfortable and I feel bloated. It’s only happening at night. Paracetamol and a hot water bottle helps and it’s not so painful I can’t sleep.

I just don’t know whether it’s really worth seeing a dr at this stage? I know fatty foods can cause this if it is gallbladder related but I’m eating a fairly low fat diet as it is and getting lots of exercise.

Just not sure what to do! The first time this happened it was definitely the worst. Anyone got any thoughts or advice?

I had pancreatitis due to gallstones and it did feel like trapped wind, but in my case it was under my ribs rather than in my back.

And yes, I'd see if you can get an appointment to see the doctor.

Yes it does sound like it.

Yes it does, get to the Drs so they can refer for an ultrasound ASAP, you don't want it getting worse and causing an infection. I ended up in A&E back in sept last year and didn't leave hospital for the next 5 days, by day 3 they'd given up on the IV antibiotics doing anything and decided emergency surgery was needed to remove the gallbladder. By that point it was a mess of infected goo and I had a drain for 2 days to get rid of that. Such a relief when it was gone, the pain from the stone and infection was extreme and only morphine would touch it.

See a doctor, gallstones never get better on their own. Best to get your gallbladder out ASAP if that's what the problem is. Fatty foods cause the symptoms, but a low fat diet will cause more gallstones to form, so while you are avoiding the symptoms, the problem is getting worse.

Hmmm I made the mistake of using dr google and was hoping it might be wrong but from what you guys say it looks like it’s right. I’ve got a funeral to go to Wednesday so think I’ll try and get a GP appointment Thursday. I’m very lucky that I have private insurance through work and also have access to a virtual GP so hopefully I can see someone fairly quickly!

I had my gallbladder removed last summer, by which point there were 200+stones it. Many who have their gallbladder out have 4 or 5.

My symptoms were intense but intermittent stomach pain. If you'd told me that cutting off my right arm would solve it, I'd ask for a saw. The pain was central abdominal though it's usually to the right. The pain would ease off after a couple of hours, then I wouldn't have any for a while. When I first started having symptoms, the gaps between attacks were a few months, by the time I had the fucker out they were happening about every 2-3 weeks.

You can't do anything during an attack, it's not like a headache or period pain when you can take some otc analgesia and have a warm bath or go for a walk or a swim and distract yourself. The pain is too severe. The only time I've had worse pain is when I broke my shoulder. (I dont have kids so can't compare childbirth but imagine its a similar level, but at least with childbirth you get a baby for your troubles! Following an attack I'd feel kind of hungover for a couple of days, kind of queasy and tired.

HTH x

PS a firm diagnosis is gained from an ultrasound and blood results, often your LFTs are raised as your gallbladder and liver are closely related. My bloods were usually OK ish but the ultra sound was clear there was an issue.

@Spidey66 thanks. While I am getting pain it’s not what I would call severe pain? It’s uncomfortable for sure but not agony. I’ve made an appointment with the virtual GP for Thursday morning so will see what they say.

@Spidey66 I was completely the opposite in that I only had 1 single solitary stone, but it was a beast 😂

@HalfShrunkMoreToGo
Haha when I had a hysterectomy I had a fibroid singular but it was the size of a 7 month pregnancy lol

It does sound like gallstones except for the fact you say it's not too severe.

I had 3 episodes of pain in Dec and then continuously from Christmas Day. Ended up in hospital for 8 nights an had my gallbladder removed.

It was 1 single stone caused all the pain plus I became quite jaundiced.

See your GP but also keep a diary of the pain and see if you can spot any triggers.

Hmmm I might see how the pain is tonight and if nothing just make a note and see how it is in a couple of weeks. Pain definitely isn’t severe which now makes me think it’s something else!

@HalfShrunkMoreToGo I'm so jealous you got to keep your stone! I asked for mine when I had my gallbladder removed but I was firmly told 'no' 

@Spidey66thanks. While I am getting pain it’s not what I would call severe pain?

I don't think gallstones pain is absolutely always severe though. I only ever had one full-blown attack, and it was horrific- I thought I was having a heart attack, and dh said I look like I'd aged 10 years in a couple of hours. But I know people who have had milder, more grumbly pain with gallstones, sometimes with occasional more severe episodes.

Gallstones is excruciating, worse than childbirth. I think it sounds more like pancreatitis.

I've had what I thought was really bad wind on and off for years (an attack every couple of years). The pain had me doubled up to try to expel the wind (I got bloated, too) but even if I could expel the wind it made no difference. Since December I've had 7 attacks in fairly quick succession. Not all as bad as each other but most of them stopped me sleeping and three made me cry, although I still refused to take painkillers. I felt nauseous and tried to vomit in the hope that made things better but on each occasion there was nothing to bring up. The pain was in my upper abdomen just under my ribs. I've also had unexplained pains in my upper right arm, which apparently can be linked to gallbladder problems.

Saw the GP fully expecting to be told it was wind and be given dietary advice plus some meds, but an ultrasound revealed 3 large stones and evidence of chronic inflammation. It may be that I just have a high pain threshold (and I don't have childbirth to compare it to) or it is possible that gallbladder pains are not always totally excruciating. I got really bad palpitations the day after one of them. Not sure if related or not.

As you have private cover I would strongly suggest you try for an ultrasound, if only to rule it out.

My GP says if there are stones it is best to get the gallbladder removed while it's quiet as there is less risk of complication and you have have keyhole surgery. Plus if you leave it you run the risk of a really bad attack and emergency open surgery.

Either way you should find out what it is. If it is gallstones you will need your gallbladder out and you could be waiting years for an elective surgery at the moment.

I went to the GP in July/August 2020 and had an ultrasound, hospital referral and removal in a year.....and this was during some of the worst periods of the pandemic.

But get the diagnosis before you worry about the waiting list.

That’s interesting @CovidCurious as I do suffer with bouts of bloating and gas type symptoms. But this has been more just pain and a little bloating. Will see how tonight goes and definitely speak to a GP. Fortunately if I do need any scans or treatment I won’t have to wait long due to my private cover. But hopefully it won’t come to that! 🤞🏻

Btw a diagnosis of gallstones does not automatically mean your gallbladder needs removing. Many people have them as they get older, and often they’re picked up on a scan when the scan is looking for something else, and there are no symptoms. If the gallstones are not causing pain they may leave it or have a ‘watch and wait attitude ie scan the gallbladder every so often to see if the situation is worsening.

@covidCurious did you get yours removed or are you on the waiting list for removal?

@Abs811 - I had the ultrasound last week and am seeing the consultant next week. The GP thinks it very likely he will recommend removal. We are lucky enough to have medical cover via my husband's work so if it is going to come out it will probably be before Easter. In my area the NHS waiting list for removal is said to be 49 weeks.

@CovidCurious why does the gp think they won't recommend removal? I have the same issues as you. Glad to hear you have private health cover, 49 weeks is so long!

@Abs811 - I think you have misread. GP thinks he will recommend removal. The consultant I am seeing is one who specialises in keyhole surgery. Have you had your symptoms checked out yet? Hope you can get it sorted.