What is wrong with me? Is it gallstones or something else?

[DickyTum]

I have namechanged as I'm off work and don't want to draw attention to my normal name!

I was referred to a gastroenterologist earlier this year to check out recurrent pain. I had an endoscopy and a colonoscopy and the diagnosis was that I had irritation of my oesophagus and my stomach lining but it was all mild and I must admit, I was surprised given how much pain I was in. I have been taking acid suppressors on and off for a bit but the gastro doesn't want me to take them permanently (due to new research published).

My concern is that when I come off them, I immediately become quite ill again. I have recently had a tummy bug. Other people from work had it and were back at work the next day. I had it and am suffering 5 days later. I have a lot of abdominal pain this time (sort of between my ribs) and it's reminded me that this is where the pain was last time.

One of my friends was just telling me that when she had gallstones, that's exactly where she had the pain. I haven't had any tests for them but I wonder, would a gastro have thought of that already?

I had thought it was because I wasn't taking the acid suppresors that my stomach was getting sore again but is it possible that I've been barking up the wrong tree the whole time?

.

Could you have IBS ? I know that when my symptoms first began more than 5 years ago this was where the pain was. Like you I found a simple tummy bug would leave me in pain for twice as long as anyone else.When I had one really horrific attack I went to A&E and the triage nurse suggested gallbladder problems or an ulcer, but it was plain old IBS-never knew it could cause so much misery, or be in that place (always thought it was lower abdominale).

Either way Im sure its nothing major to worry about, but for your own comfort go back to your GP.

All the best.

thanks beanie. I had never thought of IBS but my pattern fits yours.

I will go back to the GP because I suppose it's worth ruling gallstones out.

How do you manage your IBS now?

Well I have learnt a lot about my IBS in the last few years, mainly through trial and error. It isn't always obvious things that trigger me off, stress (about a week after the event)is one thing, and certain foods but again not always the ones you'd imagine, for example I can polish off a spicy curry not problems, but give me a lean, grilled steak and Im in agony a few hours later.

I take a mixture of coloflac, buscopan (a muscle relaxant that I was given at A&E with symptoms like yours, but I can now buy at the chemist)and gaviscon. Not all at the same time!

If you do have gallstones, it can be easily ruled out with a quick ultrasound scan.

Keep us posted and take care of yourself.

between the ribs is a bit high for gall stones. Its normally in the abdo ,below the bottom rib. Had my gall bladder out in june this year.

BTW sometimes they miss gall stones on scans...mine were missed for 3 years til i collapsed with the pain and then they found over 200 little ones and 4 x 1cm ones.I kept being sent home with the diagnosis of IBS
If you go to the Gp whilst it is in a flare up a blood test for CRP which is an inflammatory marker can tell them that thaere is something wrong and also a test for amylase will help diagnostically too plus liver enzymes.

How are you doing Aly? Are you fully recovered from the bout of pain you were having before Christmas? Hope so!

poor you aly!

if I was walking my fingers down my chest, the pain is below my sternum just in the middle of where the outline of the ribs starts going to the side iyswim

is it a gastroenterologists job to look after gallstones? If so, I'm sure mine would have done the blood test for them (though I can call and check) when I went to see him last year.

I had pain there with h.pylori, but presume you've been tested for that? (kind of like an overly full almost blocked feeling where the middle of your bra strap is?)

yes, thanks bucharest. They checked for that last year and it was negative though he did tell me it could develop at any time.

yes thanks bucharest....i ended up at hospital twice and a blood test for listeria{scared enotion] but after 3 weeks on omeprazole 40mg it has settled. Dont know if it would have settled without on its own or if the drugs helped but the pain was awful. Thanks ever so much for asking

dickytum...thats in the right place for gallstones or pancreatobiliary problems...Does it go off to the right or left side at the bottom.Ask doc for those tests just to be on the safe side. Your skin isnt slightly yellow is it or the whites of your eyes.

Gallstones can be seen by general medicine ,gastro,or specialists. Did you have blood tests at the time.

glad to hear it!
OP- hope you feel better and get some answers soon!

I don't think I look yellow. I will ask doc if they tested. Thanks for your help!

i meant your right or left side of ribcage as you look down