Can gallbladder problems cause constant pain for weeks?

[Bleberry]

I've had a dull ache on the right side of my abdomen for about 4 weeks now, which is pretty much constant and doesn't seem to come and go. I also have pain in my right shoulder.

The GP has referred me for blood tests and a scan (I'm still waiting for the scan). My blood tests came back as slightly raised bilirubin but all other liver tests were normal.

From what I've read online, gallstone pain seems to flare up and lastfor a few hours rather than being constantly present for weeks. Has anyone else had similar symptoms and it been caused by gallbladder issues?

An acute attack can flare up, but it’s also possible to have a more lower level pain rumbling on that might get a bit worse after some meals - (it’s sort of just under the right ribs) . I’ve got some small polyps in my gall bladder that seem to do this. Hopefully you’ll get your scan soon which will help figure out what’s going on. Have you got your appointment through?

No not yet but hopefully I'll get it soon. I'm worried that it might be a liver issue so I'm quite hoping it's my gallbladder! The pain seems to be more mild in the morning and hurt more later in the day.

Yes. I haven't had any of the acute flare ups of excruciating pain I've heard about. However I've had constant gnawing/squeezing pain/discomfort/pressure under my right ribs, sometimes up towards my shoulder. It's pretty unpleasant, seems worse in the evening and definitely if I eat chocolate. I've had an ultrasound, which confused quite a lot of stones.

*confirmed

Oh that's reassuring, thanks. Do you have to have it removed or does it have to get worse before they do that?

I'm having it removed. I had quite a lot of tenderness when the consultant examined me, and he suspected a low level infection, plus some of my stones are 3-5mm which apparently are the ones most likely to get stuck in a bile duct. He's concerned enough to put me on the urgent list. I feel like a bit of a hypochondriac as it's really not been that bad by comparison to others, but I'll be glad to not be in constant discomfort.

Could you avoid all fatty foods for a couple of days to see if it lessens the discomfort - absolutely nothing fried, no chocolate, biscuits, cheese, red meat, stock, humus etc?

Yes, I think I'll give that a go. The pain hasn't been as bad over the last couple of days and I've been trying to eat healthily and had no alcohol for a week so that may have made a difference.

I hope it goes well for you. I think constant low level pain is definitely worth sorting out, especially as it could get worse in future.

I would love to know. Had shoulder pain for months and months, ignored it, sort of knew it was likely related to gall bladder

Then had a couple of flare ups, concentrated on right upper abdomen, under ribs etc, shooting through to back, shoulder and down arm

Started taking digestive enzymes, I also have quite bad acid/indigestion anyway probably made worse by gastric surgery. All this week however I have had this awful sensation in abdomen, and on both sides this is now, like as if somethings pulling me inside, or somethings got caught, sometimes its there when sitting, sometimes on standing, sometimes when breathing in, its there now and Im sitting down, like a slight ache, or a slight niggle. Its fairly constant.

Now Im wondering if its a hernia, it sort of feels as if somethings pulled or not sitting right but I have no idea. Got GP appointment this week anyway, waited ages for it from when I phoend when I was in a lot of pain

And as Im typing this its now in my left kidney. Why????!!!!!

I'm sorry to hear that @bellac11 ,that doesn't sound like much fun at all! Hopefully the GP can shed some light on it.

I've got pain in my right side under my ribs, right shoulder pain, nausea and fatigue. Google keeps coming up with liver cancer so I'm trying to focus on it probably being my gall bladder so that I don't dissolve into a panic!

Experiencing similar symptoms and I was wondering what was the outcome for you?

I've had a constant dull ache on the rights side as you describe for about 8 months ! Finally decided I should go to the docs about it. Following scans etc I need my gall bladder removing. I'd try to get it sorted sooner than later as I have also had the short burst of pain which are extremely unpleasant (mine have lasted around 12 hours) I may have missed this stage if I'd gone to the docs earlier. On a waiting list now of around 4 - 6 months for the removal

Have you had your op yet? I’m getting mine on 4th April due to a pollop, awful awful symptoms I’m getting

No go in on the 12th April. The doctor advised me to do two Omeprizol a day for a week. I did that and haven't had any acute pain burst since so hopefully it'll stay like that until the op, it's not far off now