Does this sound like gall bladder pain?

[Allthegoodonesareg0ne]

Had a niggly pain mid/upper right abdomen for months. It was coming and going but is now a permanent pain. Also got some gastro symptoms - pale, fluffy poo, Indigestion, bouts of gas pain and nausea.

Went to see the gp who has referred me for ultrasound and booked me in for bloods this coming week.

She said she thinks it's likely gallbladder pain but we need to look at gallbladder, liver and pancreas.

I always imagined gall bladder pain as Intense and coming in short bouts- which mine isn't.

Anyone had anything like it? Thanks x

Yes, it sounds exactly like gallbladder.

The excruciating pain people describe is escapee gallstones. Ones inside the gallbladder can cause issues too.

Thank you! Hopefully can get the ball rolling on getting it fixed then after my scan 🤞

Yes sounds like gallbladder worth keeping a food diary as to what affects it the most. I only had sludge but would be rolling around in pain, vomiting. The meal that caused the most pains were like a Thai meal, probably the coconut milk god that was horrific hours and hours rolling around in pain and vomiting.

It's funny because when you to to a doctor they often say the hours of pain and the vomiting ' doesn't sound like gallbladder' (even a consultant said that - I guess because gallstones moving out of the gallbladder are the people who most often get to them). I went years before even a scan. I think GPs need better training on this.

I had a very large gallstone so it couldn't get out.

Poor you this sounds awful! Is it better now?

I think doctors often miss terrible pain in women because of how we display it. I had a torsioned ovary a long time ago now and I remember vividly the (male) doctor telling the new shift doctor that couldn't be the case as I was not in enough pain 🙄. I was in hospital 3 days before anyone bothered to scan me!

I hope you are doing better now?

I had small stones and sludge. I would have the agony and vomitting but also niggling discomfort which always put me on alert for fear it would turn into a full on attack. I was referred for the op in February and had it in the October. Completely straightforward and home the next day.

I have pain exactly like that - multiple ultrasounds, it’s a fatty liver (I don’t drink). Mortifying! But rather that than gallbladder.

Yes, better. Gallbladder came out about 6 weeks ago. I have had upset stomachs and sleepless nights since but no writhing or vomiting and the upper torso pain has gone.

I've had a pain in my right rib cage permanently for about a year now. Then I've had 3 episodes where I was rolling on the floor in pain with the pain being in the centre of my chest.

I suspected it was gall bladder but my gp has said I need to do a stool sample then take omprazole, he thinks it's a bacterial infection.

I've handed in my sample and started the medication. The right hand pain is still there.

Does this seem to be gallstones to anyone else?

Yup!

Sad but true, I didn't get a scan until DH came to an appointment with me.

Ohhh man. I'm not looking forward to this. How long is the waiting list for surgery?

I didn't have to wait long , mainly because my GP found a private provider doing NHS work.

Oh Im sorry to hear so many of us are having this!

Can anyone link this to their cycle?

The week before and during (I've been keeping a diary) my right upper side hurts. For the last 8 months.

Ive had a scan that shows a polyp 4mm that “shouldnt be causing pain” ive had 2 U/S scans 6 months apart.

But Ive been to the GP Thursday (requested bloods & I cant get booked in til 4th Dec) and then Urgent care today. Who did bloods thankfully all looked ‘ok’ I was concerned over an infection or something.

Even walking/picking up my little one I can feel a mild dull pain in the area.

Ive woke up twice this week in pain in the night.

My last scan was 4 weeks ago. And my last DRs appointment 4 weeks before that.

Urgent care are writing to GP to refer me to gastro.

xx

Based on your description - particularly the combination of persistent right upper/mid abdominal pain with pale stools, indigestion, gas and nausea - gallbladder issues are indeed a very reasonable primary suspicion, even though your pain pattern isn't the classic intense, episodic type.

While many people do experience dramatic gallbladder attacks, chronic gallbladder problems can actually present more subtly with ongoing discomfort and digestive symptoms exactly as you describe. The pale, fluffy stools particularly suggest potential issues with bile flow, which could indicate gallbladder dysfunction or stones partially blocking bile ducts.

Yes, mine flared cyclically .

Strange isnt it! Im wondering if the coil (stopping periods) may help. Ive gone down a rabbit hole and read you can get endometriosis on your gallbladder 🤯 though not many real life reports.

Have you had yours out? Xx

Yes, I have.

HRT seemed to make mine worse! It's all a mystery really.

May I ask what’s been causing the sleepless nights and upset stomach since your op?

I’m due to have mine out in 4-6 weeks after being rushed through after a blocked bike duct. I’m a bit nervous about afterwards.

Sleepless nights are just a thing I have and tended to be linked to gallbladder attacks. Or made them worse, perhaps.

The bad stomach is unclear. Was always an act of cancelling out cause by having GB out. My liver function was all over the shop for a few weeks after op but fine now.

I've not vomited since the op , though.

Permanent gallbladder pain for weeks is not normal.

Thank you! Really reassuring to know we're looking in the right direction. Hoping to get some answers soon.

This is awful! So glad though they listened to him though

This might not be for you OP, but possibly others on the thread...

Really glad someone mentioned hormones, because I was going to jump on this with my take, and not everyone gets on board with it!

I have had gallbladder issues for 16 years. Started with pregnancy with DD. Had gallbladder out and carried on having attacks. I have something called Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction (SOD), which essentially mimics attacks and causes long term gastric issues. Women are twice as likely to have gallbladder issues than men, undoubtedly because of hormones - with attacks and pain starting during pregnancies and middle age (peri).

So the hormone connection. As my peri symptoms started to worsen last year, attacks became more frequent and I ended up with chronic daily pain.

I started a bioidentical progesterone supplement about 12 months ago, and haven't had an attack since. My daily pain is gone. Progesterone is a soft tissue relaxant (amongst its other jobs) and with peri comes the reduction in P, and I'm sure that's what has helped me.

My surgeon finally agreed with me earlier this year that it's the likely cause of the huge improvement of pain. A SOD group I am in has lots of other women who've had relief from progesterone supplements also.

I'd recommend anyone with similar issues look at their hormone health a bit closer before rushing to have surgery.

Good luck op!

I've got the same symptoms as you, OP. Started off with fluffy poos for months. Then developed an ache in the upper right area of my abdomen. I've had loads of blood tests and poo tests done but they've all come back normal. Had uterus/ovary scan done and that was normal. Now been referred for another scan of the upper abdominal area. I had dreadful heartburn as well for months and noticed it was worse when I ate processed and/or wheat products. So I've been on a gluten free diet for three months now and it has really helped with the pain and heartburn and I've hardly suffered from either symptom since early August. However, I ate something two weeks ago (not sure what) that didn't mix with me and the upper right pain I got was worse than previous and was radiating into my back. So whatever is wrong is still an issue but my diet is holding it at bay to some extent. Hopefully I'll get some answers soon.