Is this gallbladder or costochondritis?

emilyyyyloox · 2023-05-25T21:24:15+00:00

I have aching/dull pain in my ribs constantly, it feels like they are bruised and upper back pain but again it just feels bruised/sore - I've had this for a few weeks now and if I touch the area I am not squirming in pain but it just feels really really sore....I've been referred for an ultrasound for gallstones but see that gallbladder attacks usually only happen for a few hours and then go, mine is constantly in the background and it isn't severe, but it's enough to worry me as it's always there.... I spoke to my friend who's dad had gallstones and she said I would know as the pain is horrific and her dad would throw up in agony, but my pain has never been extremely bad..I'm unsure what this is but since the doctor said they're referring me for an ultrasound I've been researching dr google and it's terrifying especially that gallstones can progress into acute pancreatitis, it's not great for the anxiety.... does this sound like gallstones to anyone who has had it?

PutinSmellsPassItOn · 25/05/2023 22:26

I had this for weeks, It was actually chronic pancreatitis and could have killed me......I only went to the hospital because I ended up taking too many buscopan which made me have a weird reaction. 😳

PutinSmellsPassItOn · 25/05/2023 22:28

I also didn't have gallstones. I had sludge so my gallbladder looked like it was full of treacle.

Original poster

emilyyyyloox · 25/05/2023 22:39

PutinSmellsPassItOn · 25/05/2023 22:26

I had this for weeks, It was actually chronic pancreatitis and could have killed me......I only went to the hospital because I ended up taking too many buscopan which made me have a weird reaction. 😳

I've already been to doctors and a&e, it doesn't hurt when my abdomen is touched only feels sore, I also had a full blood count which was normal, no temp or blood pressure issues, I just have this weird pain, I've had for a few weeks now aswell

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Cakeandslippers · 25/05/2023 22:47

I'm lucky enough to have had both! My gallstones have varied over the years from agony to a long lasting dull ache so it definitely could be that. My experiences of costo over the years is very different, it's very very painful and slowly subsides over days / weeks / months but feels more like a sharp pain than a dull ache.

Does it hurt when you cough? Costo is agony when you cough, I normally have to hold a pillow against my ribs. Coughing makes no difference to gallstone pain / ache.

It's so hard to distinguish things isn't it. Last time I thought my costo had flaired up it turned out to be pleurisy so even having had it for years I still had got confused.

Good luck getting answers.

Original poster

emilyyyyloox · 26/05/2023 06:20

Cakeandslippers · 25/05/2023 22:47

I'm lucky enough to have had both! My gallstones have varied over the years from agony to a long lasting dull ache so it definitely could be that. My experiences of costo over the years is very different, it's very very painful and slowly subsides over days / weeks / months but feels more like a sharp pain than a dull ache.

Does it hurt when you cough? Costo is agony when you cough, I normally have to hold a pillow against my ribs. Coughing makes no difference to gallstone pain / ache.

It's so hard to distinguish things isn't it. Last time I thought my costo had flaired up it turned out to be pleurisy so even having had it for years I still had got confused.

Good luck getting answers.

It doesn't hurt when i cough, but I've had costochondritis before and don't remember it hurting when I coughed although it was a long time ago now! It's also worse in the morning like I've slept on the wrong side or something :/ it never goes :(

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Original poster

emilyyyyloox · 26/05/2023 06:42

Part of me is wondering if this is actually due to my mattress! I got a new mattress about a month ago and it is comfortable however I did notice when I first got it I was waking up with back pain, now it's all in my ribs and back when I wake up... could a bad mattress be the cause for this?

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bestbefore · 26/05/2023 07:01

I've had both too!
Have you had your bra checked / does it fit ok? Just sometimes they can cause pain. Costo for me can be a full long pain or cause an intake of breath with a sharp pain sometimes. Gallstones for me weren't painful unless I was having an attack which was almost pass out pain.
Def go for your scan though as sometimes we just need to rule stuff out?

CoronationKicking · 26/05/2023 07:19

I've got the same thing. Exactly as you describe right down to the waking up like I've slept on a lump.

My doctor said she thinks h. Pylori and sent me for bloods. Liver enzymes mildly raised. I'm on omeprazole for 2 weeks to see if that helps. Although these boards tell me it should be a stool sample for h. Pylori.

I have a follow up early June so will see. Are you on any other medication?

Brilliantbushel · 26/05/2023 07:58

By the time I had my gallbladder removed I was in constant pain, it was dull aching more than flare up. I did get flare ups which were absolute agony (was diagnosed with ibs for over 15 years which it wasn’t). What you’re describing sounds like my gallstones.

Original poster

emilyyyyloox · 26/05/2023 09:54

CoronationKicking · 26/05/2023 07:19

I've got the same thing. Exactly as you describe right down to the waking up like I've slept on a lump.

My doctor said she thinks h. Pylori and sent me for bloods. Liver enzymes mildly raised. I'm on omeprazole for 2 weeks to see if that helps. Although these boards tell me it should be a stool sample for h. Pylori.

I have a follow up early June so will see. Are you on any other medication?

It's horrific honestly, I feel like each day is worse upon waking up, I work from home and to even sit and work is painful in itself, my ribs just feel like someone has took a bat and bashed me! I messaged doctors yesterday as it was really aching me and I'm convinced they don't look through notes as they said it sounded like reflux but two days prior I was sent for a scan! 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ - I'm going on holiday tomorrow and I'm so scared to go now incase this gets worse :/

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Original poster

emilyyyyloox · 26/05/2023 09:56

CoronationKicking · 26/05/2023 07:19

I've got the same thing. Exactly as you describe right down to the waking up like I've slept on a lump.

My doctor said she thinks h. Pylori and sent me for bloods. Liver enzymes mildly raised. I'm on omeprazole for 2 weeks to see if that helps. Although these boards tell me it should be a stool sample for h. Pylori.

I have a follow up early June so will see. Are you on any other medication?

Also to add I was checked for hpylori last year via stool sample which was clear, they did put me on omeprazole but honestly it made my reflux worse so I stopped, im taking gaviscon and cocodomal for the pain

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Original poster

emilyyyyloox · 26/05/2023 10:02

bestbefore · 26/05/2023 07:01

I've had both too!
Have you had your bra checked / does it fit ok? Just sometimes they can cause pain. Costo for me can be a full long pain or cause an intake of breath with a sharp pain sometimes. Gallstones for me weren't painful unless I was having an attack which was almost pass out pain.
Def go for your scan though as sometimes we just need to rule stuff out?

I don't think it's my bra, it's my upper back and all across my ribs, it feels like muscular pain but it is so bad today, it wasn't that bad before but today it really does hurt, I've messaged the doctors and been a&e multiple times past week or so, so I don't want to keep going to say it's getting worse...I get told it's a different thing each time

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Original poster

emilyyyyloox · 26/05/2023 16:44

Wondering now if this is indeed muscular as my ribs are constantly clicking!

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BMan100 · 23/01/2024 06:59

Hi any updates on your situation?

I've exactly the same issue.. I have gallstones but no attacks in 2yrs.. ribs are very sore to touch in a few spots on the right side only. Thinking it seems like costochondritis but worried its pancreatic although I've had bloods come back fine. Funny a mattress was mentioned as I had back pain when we initially changed ours. Waiting on a review with my specialist.

bookmarket · 23/01/2024 07:36

I've had costochondritis and it started off by me thinking I was having a heart attack. I could not take a deep breath in without excruciating pain. I I ibuprofen and heat pads eased the pain - although I still could not sleep or move without causing pain. GP prescribed antiinflammatories and it was bearable and went within a few weeks. Another symptom was the back of the top of my arm and side of my back felt numb to touch. I could dig my fingernails in and not feel it.

I hope you get to the bottom of what is causing your pain.