Undetected Gallbladder issues on ultrasound anyone?

[IamOliveOil]

For the last 6 months maybe longer I’d been suffering with abdominal pain in the area just under breast top of my rib, repeatedly been to the gp who advised it was costochondritis, I didn’t believe it was as had this years ago and it was in a different area, anyway after weeks of taking naproxen it didn’t make a dent and actually gave me some gastritis symptoms.

My GP referred me to gastro for investigations and whilst awaiting the app through work, in the mean time I had a few trips to A&E in extreme agony in my right flank front and back in rib cage area where a Doctor (finally physically examined me) suspected Gallstones, my bloods weren’t concerning for them to take any action and told me best thing to do is wait for the private app as I’m not in dire straits for anyone do any emergency investigations so I was packed off and told to take codeine and buscopan and keep on a very low fat diet.
Finally had an ultrasound which showed all normal, also had a endoscopy which showed a 2cm sliding hiatal hernia, I’ve since end of Oct have been on a strict diet of zero fat basically nothing over 5grams per 100grams and this has brought it under control however still having some pain when eating in the right flank front and back but managing on paracetamol and minor amounts of codeine. I am still getting terrible gas, diarrhoea, I’ve lost an unhealthy amount of weight in a very short space of time and very concerned.

I’m booked in for a CT scan and wondered has anyone had gallbladder issues that went undetected on an Ultrasound that were found from further scans like CT etc?

I’m so miserable, I’ve not left the house since mid Oct as I just struggle to find stuff I can eat that doesn’t cause pain and isn’t cooked on oils etc so just desperate to know of any other experiences, wondering if it’s all in my head at this point…

appreciate any responses, thank you in advance

bumping in the hope someone will be able to see this and help?

Yes. I was fobbed off for almost two years as my ultrasound and CT came back negative for gallstones. I lost so much weight that I looked like a skeleton.

I finally had a HIDA scan which checks the function of the gallbladder. It showed my gallbladder wasn't functioning properly. Once my gallbladder was removed I was pretty much back to normal.

This was me, op. My gallbladder's functionality was extremely low and it causes the same pain that stones do. I was in absolute agony, and nothing I did made any difference. I had it removed and the second I awoke from surgery I could feel the difference. Everything has been wonderful since. You need a HIDA scan.

@Einszwei @Aquamarine1029 I am so sorry you both have been through this but glad you had a good outcome. Thank you so much for your replies, I’m going to keep pushing further. I have literally all the symptoms apart from the physical stones!

My brother had the exact same thing as me at my age ( he is six years older) but he can’t remember if his showed on an ultrasound, he remembers multiple scans but as he was in such a bad way he tried to block it from his mind, he ended up with severe pancreatitis, a stone was found rotting away on his pancreas 😱
he was skin and bone towards that point and I don’t want to get that far, I was actively TTC prior to this and worried about the weight loss on my fertility which is probably dwindling anyway…

thanks again, CT is weds so will update the thread when I know more. ❤️

Yes had an ultrasound in March was clear. Then another 15 months later which clearly showed gallstones. All the way through my symptoms were typical of gallstones.

@Greekgreens thank you! That’s so useful to know and sorry you went through that! The Consultant kept saying to me the Radiologist that did the ultrasound scan is one of the best in the County and I trust him etc - I didn’t doubt that but I doubt the technology and now hearing the responses with good reason, hopefully something shows up. I feel like it’s all in my head

I'm going through something very similar at the moment. I have had various scans after bouts of pain in the area you describe, the last one being last week when I went to the hospital in pain. They have said no gallstones but now have to wait for the endoscopy. They suspect gastritis which when looking at symptoms it could well be. I have no clue what to eat anymore for fear of pain or feeling sick. I have all the sympathy in the world for you as it's horrendous. I've been in work today sick as a dog with it and trying to carry on but it's very hard.

Have you had a colonoscopy as well?

@Thisislifefornow sorry you are going through this and hope you get some answers soon ❤️‍🩹
I’m glad to hear of peoples experiences as it helps to be more informed at appointments, I feel like being so poorly and unable to eat anything isn’t getting taken seriously. I am literally eating nothing with more than 5g of fat in per 100g it’s super hard as even that I’m in pain with, I really hope they find out soon for you. Please see if your gp will prescribe some Fortisip drinks they are a sort of meal replacement that provide extra nutrition, I am trying to top up with them 💐

Gallbladder issues are wider than just gallstones. A diseased gallbladder is diagnosed by first symptoms and then second with a radioactive fluid that causes the organ to spasm. At this point it's usually removed by laparoscopic surgery. Had mine done in 2008. Removal doesn't ensure recovery, issues can persist so a diet that minimizes the triggers is important. Hope this helps!

Mine couldn't be seen on ultrasound but an MRI showed a blockage in my bile duct by a 2mm stone,

@Turmerictolly not yet and quite surprised they haven’t even tested my stools. Have told them it’s been yellow, floating, greasy for a while (sorry tmi 😂) and waves of diarrhoea which have resulted in a couple of UTI’s. I had a GP appointment last week specifically to discuss a stool sample being tested and took it in to the GP and they weren’t interested, said as I was having the endoscopy they will be able to check for hpylori etc that way etc but as they didn’t do a biopsy they didn’t check! So after this CT if nothing shows he will test stools etc

I can’t help you but am so glad you posted as I have the same issues and feel like I am going insane, was literally searching for posts today of anyone who has similar. Constant RUQ pain for 8 months now, lost a lot of weight, feel ill and have diaorrhea if eat anything vaguely fatty. Clear ultrasound and a clear CT (latter privately paid for). Doctors extremely dismissive, it’s like if there aren’t stones or sludge I must be imagining it? I am going to take a deep breath and try again with different gp later this month. Will say I think it is gallbladder and ask for a hida. Really good luck with your issues.

Hopefully your Doctors will try their best to get to the bottom of the problem. Even though you must be exhausted, make sure to advocate for yourself (or to get someone to advocate on your behalf).

Another thing to note is that gallbladder pain can also be triggered by carbonated drinks and codeine. So make sure you avoid these as well as any fat/large meals.

hi, i am going for an ultrasound tomorrow.. i have had pain right hand side under ribs and stomach breast area and also onto shoulder.. pain is intermittent so doctor says she not too concerned about it.. also feel sick sometimes, does this sound like gallbladder issues..had this for about 6 months now, also in perimenopause they say that can affect gallbladder. Thanks

@Einszwei thank you so much will do 💐

@Doglover36
Sorry to hear you have been in pain, I’m glad they have requested a scan for you, hopefully they find something that explains it all.
It could be, sounds very similar are you still eating much fat? I’ve got a very reduced diet and whilst I’m better than I was I still have pain but it’s not bad enough I need codeine all day and every day. Just keep pushing for answers, they aren’t usually concerned about gallstones (enough to do anything quickly) unless your liver or pancreas is compromised which is why most end up going private.
Good luck and hope the scan is soon for you 💐

So update, had the ct results….There is a thickening of the fundus of the gallbladder shown, so he went back to the radiologist who compared a CT I had in 2021 and they have said it was the same then so they aren’t worried. He wants me to start eating fat reintroduce and see how I am and if it’s still bad I’m to call his secretary and he is going to request a HIDA scan which is more specialist and only in certain hospitals which is why he wants me to double check it’s still there by trying the fat again….. 🙄
He was like you seem better, I was like yeah cos I’ve eaten fuck all for 2 months!!
Excuse my language super frustrating, codeine, paracetamol and buscopan at the ready… 🤞🏼

You may only have sludge in your gallbladder. I had an ultrasound that showed stones in mine, but by the time they came to operate I had passed all the stones including a 2cm one that stretched my bile duct & only had sludge left.

So sorry you’re going through this, ‘super frustrating’ sounds like it might be an understatement!. How long do you have to try the diet you already know causes pain before you can request a HIDA scan? Good luck for the festive period

Thanks for all your support so far, hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New Year and it was filled with yummy things you could eat and didn’t cause you any pain ❤️‍🩹

Thought I’d update, i went in hard with a flat white (not had coffee or milk in two months) and a greggs festive bake (guilty pleasure) and oh my god did I know about it, that was about 1.30pm on the 22nd and by 5pm in a lot of pain that went on for hours.
Cooled it for a few days, managed a roast potato and a bite of a pig in blanket Xmas day, wasn’t too bad but still needed heat and paracetamol.
Made do with low fat until New Year’s Day when the smell of the sausage and bacon baps got to me so I had two bites also had a bite of a chocolate croissant - stupid I know and sadly the pain returned New Year’s Day afternoon and is still here!
After the first episode from the festive bake id sent an email to the consultant secretary and she has emailed today to say she is requesting the HIDA scan today and I should hear from the hospital directly.
So annoyed at myself but I can honestly say I tried!! More annoying they couldn’t just request it in the bloody first place and I had to eat to test it!

Keep you all posted and thanks again for your help ❤️

I have gallstones
They showed on an mri last month

@Einszwei @Aquamarine1029 Hope you are doing well?
Thankfully booked in for my HIDA Scan on Monday 15th, quite worried as they don’t give any pain relief and I’m worried I’ll be in agony during the scan when they give that shake as I seem to be worse from anything I eat right now. So wondering if you have any advice for the scan please? Thanks in advance

@IamOliveOil Having my gallbladder emoved was life changing for me. I am (almost) completely pain free and living a normal life again. I sometimes still get mini attacks but they are short lived and infrequent.

I can eat a normal diet (bar too much soda or extremely fatty food...no more than greasy meal like maconalds a day).

Glad you have a HIDA scan booked. The milkshake caused me a little discomfort but no full blown attack. Tell the radiographer this if it happens as they will put in their notes to pass on. It's actually good if this happens as they can capture the gallbladder disfunction accurately.

The HIDA scan itself is long and boring. I got to listen to music - Katie Meluas entire album which put me to sleep, and then an album of sixties hits 😅.

Good luck for Monday @IamOliveOil