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

See this is what they do with women and this is what delays it - I had uterus and ovaries first too. Big red herring! Have no idea why an abdo scan isn't first port of call.

Progesterone made my symptoms worse.

Did you actually have a gallstone?

@Piggywaspushed sorry to hear progesterone made it worse. Interesting that hormones changed it though. Do you mind me asking if it was progesterone or progestins you were taking? Have you had your gallbladder removed?

When I had my gallbladder out 10 years ago, I had 2 very large gallstones - I still have them in a pot 😂

When I continued to have attacks (one was just a couple of months after the operation) they thought they might've left a stone there. Scans showed nothing. It's taken almost 10 years for the SOD diagnosis, as it's a bit of a tricky one to pin down for various reasons.

Whether or not the original attacks were from the gallstones or from the SOD, we'll never know, as SOD can be caused by damage from cholecystectomy, but also can be caused by sphincter dyskinesia, which is a motility issue related to how we process hormones and might've been the cause all along.

The fact that I had gall stones in the first place is kind of irrelevant, as I was told that upon post mortem, as many as 10-15% of the population have GS and never know, as they don't cause them any issues.

It's a very interesting topic, and I've spent many, many years reading around it and advocating for myself and other women. I just wish knowledge was better in medicine, as some people (mostly women) live with horrific issues which render them housebound and unable to work etc, not to mention constant gaslighting from the medical community.

I agree. I questioned why that was a priority scan when the pain was located considerably higher than my uterus and the doctor said they have to do all these basic tests before focusing on the actual cause!? But once I got those initial results back I then had to push to get the upper abdominal scan as the GP was basically saying "well all results are normal so eat healthily, don't drink or smoke and keep a normal weight and you'll be fine", despite me still having unexplained pain, almost constant heartburn and weird poos.

Oh yes , I was absolutely the same minus the funny poos!

So interesting reading about the hormones. I have been on hrt the last couple of years. I can't tolerate progesterone but have a high dose of oestrogen 🤔 wonder if there is a link...

I think we're all different and all react to hormones (HRT) and body changes so differently. I really don't think it's an accident that these issues affect women twice as frequently as men, and often get worse during pregnancies and peri, when hormones are changing wildly.

I just thought I'd share my experience, as surgery is often the 'go-to' for gallbladder pain, with everyone blaming gallstones - but, certainly for me, it hasnt been that straight forward - and I finally have some relief!

Just to be clear, though - surgery is the solution for symptomatic gallstones.

Yes I am on HRT a year ago last august this started in Feb. Ive probably looking back had niggles before but not as often I thought maybe trapped wind episodes in the past.

Ive cut down and come off it (hrt) over the last 2 months but this month was just as bad, maybe a bit worse. But I feel miserable 🤣

Ive read perimenopause / menopause makes gallbladder issues more likely. As does hormones.

Did you manage to control it with diet?

Did they say anything about the gall bladder and cycle flairs? Im yet to see a specialist.

xx

Mine wasn't linked to any food so diet was never going to help me, to be honest.

Male doctors = not interested in menstrual cycles!

Blood results are back, all normal. Cholesterol, fbc, renal profile, liver profile, inflamation.
Always good to see normal but frustrating not to have answers! Still waiting for ultrasound appt.

Yes the one thing I have managed to link is the time of the month. Not foods as yet. Although a particular food has caused me ‘ibs’ symptoms over the years I avoided it, tried it again recently three times and the third (whilst mid cycle) woke up in agony and actually it has probably been my gall bladder all along with the irritation pain. Something I am going to at least monitor with a diary now too.

Yes getting on HRT at 37 was tough, no one wanted to listen about that either. Its hard being a woman. I am glad Ive had boys so they dont need to go through all this.

Glad you got sorted though xx

Thats great! I know what you mean, always glad for no bad results but some answers would be nice!

Do you suffer hormonally with gallbladder aswell?

No GP has yet to say about its other job of getting rid of hormones or hormones slow it down (sure I read that 🤣 dont hold me to the truth) and maybe thats why.

Do you have a u/s date?

I had bloods done in urgent care Sunday (all ok) 2 u/s showing a small polyp. Review in 6 months.

I am now seeking further investigations as per the urgent care DRs advice. To Gastro. I will chase that up with my GP tomorrow.

xx

Thank you. I've noticed anything hormonal with my gallbladder but I don't have a cycle these days due to having no ovaries. But I am on high oestrogen so it would make sense if it's linked!

I'm so sorry you're suffering. I had a long battle with my ovaries of lots of cysts including 2 torsions and it was hard to get the Dr's to take it seriously so I understand how draining it is. Be strong with the GP and tell them what you expect, keep us posted! Xx