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

I did, I had an attack of pancreatitis that was unbelievably awful and ended up in hospital on morphine and other painkillers for over a week. However, the gallstones did not show on the ultrasound - turned out they were like small gravel rather than bigger stones and I needed an MRI to confirm them. I had repeated less serious attacks whilst waiting for the op to remove my gallbladder despite doing all the same things you mention. I lost 2 stones in 8 weeks.
Edit- and had absolutely shocking wind and bowel issues. 😳

@Einszwei glad to hear you are much better now, I will just be relieved if I can have one fatty meal a week at this point, life is quite miserable without food and I love to eat out, finding it really hard now and I’ve been in a lot of discomfort this last week on bland food.

My resting heart rate is super low, keep getting notifications it’s dropping below 40 beats per minute at night, wondering if it’s all connected…

so did you take your phone in? I’m wondering what they mean bring headphones is all they said 😂 I will get some good podcasts ready if I can take my phone. Thanks for the advice!

Thanks so much @justasking111 💐

@LuluBlakey1 thats awful for you! Must have been very worrying, how are you doing now it’s out? ❤️‍🩹

Oh my goodness the gas is horrendous but the worst is the chronic diarrhoea, can’t eat much as it is without that too!

Having it removed was less stressful or painful than having a filling. I'm absolutely fine.

@LuluBlakey1 oh that’s good to know, I’m praying they get it out, longing for normality now 🤞🏼

When my gallbladder was infected, I found that animal or dairy fat was an issue, but I was fine with nuts or olive oil. I'm not a vegetarian, by the way. It's charred the way I eat, to an extent.

I had this 30-odd years ago. Persistent attacks, weight loss with jaundiced eyes, but nothing showing up on any tests. I remember the hospital registrar saying it was 'just one of these things' and I'd have to live with it. The attacks eased off within 5 years but 10 years later I had my gallbladder containing 40+ stones removed.

There are some things I know I can't eat because there basically isn't enough bile released to break down the fats, so I do get diarrhoea and discomfort if I do eat them.

I think initially they were too small and sludgy to pick up but the pain (I remember just wanting to die just so it would stop) was awful. You have my absolute sympathies. I truly hope the scan gives you some answers and you can get some help and relief.

Oh blimey are you me?

Hormones are a known cause And I'm on HRT after hysterectomy

Had my gallbladder taken out last March. Stones showed on ultrasound then I debated it for ages and had it removed privately. L

Been in A&E and at doctors ever since. Worse pain than before.
Everyone completely clueless including A&E Consultant. Paramedic probably most useful person

Finally having lost weight and had blood tests, GP referred me to gastroenterology and saw a nice doc.

He suspects a stone in the CBD common bile duct. This may have been there before gallbladder came out. It may have formed there since. It's fucking agony. I have tramadol and morphine liquid it's so bad.

My liver is all over the place in my blood results. Enzymes - jaundice. My urine is orange. This is bilirubin leaking apparently but this doesn't show in my blood. I itch the fuck all over. Swollen ankles. Puffy face. Stools ok. No diarrhoea

My consultant letter says my liver blood work is "deranged"

Anyway, I had a CT and an MRCP scan and am waiting to go back.

I have been vegan as the only way to avoid pain but I'm knackered from lack of protein. Avocado and olive oil are no issue. A couple of Dorito crisps can put me in A&E !!

It's so terrible - I'm also hardly functioning at life so sending hugs

@grandmashotdoodlebugs - I had stones in my bile duct too. They were discovered on an MRI and removed by ERCP (endoscopy), under sedation or general anaesthetic. I hope you get this done soon - it all sounds miserable.

I'm still suffering pain, but that's because I still have my gallbladder and it's full of stones. Hoping to have it out shortly.

@grandmashotdoodlebugs - I also have deranged liver results 😳!

So update HIDA scan was Normal? I’ve not had a consultant appointment yet for him to confirm in person this was an email from his secretary.

Where the hell do I go from here, I’m miserable on a low fat diet and the last week I’ve had no pain thankfully but I’ve been extra careful as I was so miserable last few weeks. I am at a loss now what I can do, shall I just go eat a cheese burger and see what happens?!

So defeated 😞

@IamOliveOil - that's so disappointing. You must be desperate for answers. All I can suggest is that you ask the consultant what further tests you can have.

Don't start eating fat again, though. Your body is clearly telling you something is wrong.

I hope you get to the bottom of it soon.

I had something very similar. I was told it was obviously fine because it didn't show up on an ultrasound.

But then my GP told me that he'd discovered that 20% can't be seen on an ultrasound.

So definitely don't let a doctor fob you off if you've only had an ultrasound.

@Rarewaxwing thanks so much, I’ve been crying all afternoon I just keep thinking is it all in my head.

I know I need to get a grip I’m just really depressed as I don’t feel like I can look forward to anything, everything revolves around eating and drinking whether it’s socials, travelling, etc I feel miserable and like life is on hold. Pathetic I know, I should be grateful I’m in a position to have these tests as many have to wait a lot longer.

I will do as you suggest and next appointment with the consultant is Tuesday so will ask him what other tests or what can be done now.

Thanks @WolvesDiscoandBoogaloo ive had a few tests now and the HIDA is probably the most accurate so goodness knows how they will find out what’s causing now.
I might just have to accept that this is life now, painkillers buscopan and diarrhoea…

I'm so sorry. You're not being pathetic at all. You were hoping for answers and your hope has been crushed. But think of this as a setback, not a conclusion.

I know exactly what you mean about not looking forward to anything: I used to have IBS when I was younger and it made travelling and eating out horribly stressful. In the end, it was easier to just stay in.

Don't think the symptoms are all in your head. There is clearly something going on. Did your GP ever check you for H Pylori? You mentioned this at the beginning of your thread, but I can't see if you had the test.

Tuesday is not too far away. I hope you can then find out about next steps. Please come back and update us. ⚘️

I didn't get anywhere with my investigations either. I know it's very upsetting.

But yeah I was fuming about being told it was definitely nothing when they were only 80% sure.

Laughing on your cheeseburger comment - sometimes I crave a sausage & egg McMuffin!

I've been 'vegan' with eggs since mid December when my last attack was so bad I thought I wanted to die. I think veganuary has helped as there's lots in the shops.

What works for me, might not work for you and I have no idea if that stone is still in my common bile duct or not, did it form there after my gallbladder was removed because if it did, then am I screwed for life?

One thing is totally sure - you are not going mad. I sobbed at the consultant when he said he thought a stone in the duct was the issue because I thought I was going mad.

For me, I think animal fat is an issue. I can eat avocado with olive oil and no issue. There's more fat in that than a slice of cheddar. But one piece of chicken or fish or dairy and I'm screwed.

The pain builds and it breaks me. So as much as I want that McMuffin, I'm staying vegan (with eggs!)

I cooked Spag bol with quorn mince this week and asked my kids and partner to just eat without comment and try to help me. They did. It was nice. I suppose I'm helping the planet too

Have u had your liver checked ?

Have u had your liver checked?

Oh you poor thing. I'm so sorry you're not getting any answers. I really hope they find the cause of your problems asap xx

Watching with interest....

I've had a few "bouts" where the pain escalates to the point of me being doubled over, they put me on omeprazole and within a few weeks it eases and goes.

Every time I've had a scan there's nothing there.

GP told me they're either too small (they can be like sand) and I'm passing them then they are reforming OR it's simply my gall bladder isn't functioning correctly.

I personally think it's the latter because my cholesterol is low and all other blood results are in the "extremely healthy" range (which I would expect because I'm a competitive long distance triathlete!)

I'm on a plan of "watch and see"........

There's times when my liver is not ok.
My bloods go up and down I know when it's not ok because my pee goes dark orange and I get itchy and swollen ankles.

I got my scan follow up and it's a phone call appointment which doesn't fill me with hope.

It's certainly a case of needing to eat clean.

I'm also much worse off omprazole than on it.

Also an athlete- not overweight, but I am fair and forty and female.

It's pants isn't it

Have you had a fibro scan of your liver ?