Gall Bladder? - Charlotte,NC

S., you sound like a textbook case of gall bladder disease. The gall bladder is located above and attached to the liver. The liver is the filter for what passes through the body but the gall bladder is, essentially, the filter for the liver. It is located high in the torso and just under or inside the lower ribs. Some fairly consistent gall bladder disease symptoms are mild to severe pain in the right side of the torso; this pain can be very mild - almost like a bruise - to a very sharp, take your breath away, stabbing feeling and any range of pain in-between. One, almost constant symptom, though not 100%, is a pain that radiates around to the back of the right side of the torso. This, too, can range from mild to very severe pain. Since the liver, and therefore the gall bladder, works to process and filter the food you eat, it is common to see companion symptoms, particularly after eating. These include mild to severe cramping in the stomach and intestines, disruption or change in bowel habits most particularly severe dirrhea and loose to watery stools. Since what happens in the liver and gall bladder effects digestion, you might also experience bouts of constipation.

A diseased gall bladder will become distended (misshapen and enlarged) and develop thickened walls. An ultrasound will need to be performed to obtain a confirmed diagnosis. Please contact your doctor's office immediately to schedule an appointment. Let them know all of your symptoms when you call and that you suspect a gall bladder problem. If they cannot get you in in a timely manner and your symptoms get worse, go to the emergency room. They can do an ultrasound.

Good luck.
P.S. If it is your gall bladder, the procedure is done laparoscopically through three or four half inch incisions in your belly and recovery time is usually no more than 48 hours. Most doctors will perform the procedure on an outpatient basis and you will go home the same day as your suregery; however, some doctors, as a precautionary measure, have begun keeping patients overnight.

3 moms found this helpful

Definately contact a doctor. You may need an ultrasound to see what is going on. My husband has the same pain and had an ultrasound to find out that it was a fatty liver. That as well can give pain. Either way, this is nothing to mess with. If you don't get the answer you think you should get from the doctor, get another doctor. Best of luck and keep us posted.

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If one doctor suggest having your gall bladder removed you should get a second opinion from a different GI doctor. Gall bladder removal is a large money making industry for GI doctors. I had the exact same problems and still occasionally do. I went to doctors after doctors, the first GI said that I definitely needed my gall bladder out. I don't remember the specifics on my gall bladder test but he thought it was high enough to be removed. I decided to go to a second doctor and he thought it was nonsence and told me about how many GI's see it as easy money. Anyway, my pain turned out to be a bacteria in my stomach. I took a Hydrogen Test (super easy and NOT painful) and then two weeks of an antibiotic meant for that bacteria. He also decided that I have IBS as well and with both of those it became quite painful. After the antibiotics I was great!! I do occasionally have a bit of the pain from the IBS but as long as I watch my diet and have lots of fiber then it will go away. IF you need more info., just email me.
(I do NOT think that all GI doctors are crooked by any means, there are I am sure honest ones like my second one!)

2 moms found this helpful

I have been having pain under my right rib cage for over 5 years. I had several gallbladder ultrasounds and hida scans of the gallbladder. Even a CT of abdomen. Liver tests. I had an upper endoscopy done about 2 years ago and found out that it was H.pylori infection(bacteria that causes ulcers and stomach cancer). Was treated once with antibiotics for about a month. Then got pregnant. Now that I have my baby girl and during my pregnancy still had pain. Did a H.pylori breath test in GI office. Still have it. I am waiting to be treated again after done breastfeeding. Now they think I have an ulcer in my duodenum. It took them years before they found out it was H.pylori. They kept thinking it was gallbladder and it was not. Hope they figure out was going on with you. Good luck.

1 mom found this helpful

Schedule an appointment and go to the doctor.

1 mom found this helpful

Make an appt immediately!

1 mom found this helpful

you should definately check that out. if it's in your back on one side or the other, could be kidneys too.

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Hi S.,

It sounds like your gall bladder but it is best to see your doctor and get everything checked out for certain. My niece who is 22, and coincidentally named S., has been having these same problems for close to a month now. She has had several test run an upper GI, a scan and this past Friday a dye test done. Finally they think they have found the problem of bile leaking into her stomach. They are not certain what is causing it but the dye test revealed that is happening. Yet they are not acting on treating it yet which surprises me as my niece is in extreme pain. I had to help her take care of her 4 month old daughter on Saturday as she hurt so bad she could not pick here up to tend to her. This upsets me as I feel the doctors should have removed her gallbladder by now or done something to help her. She cannot take pain medication as she has her three children to tend to. Please get your gall bladder checked and find a doctor who will act upon treating it or removing it so you will not be in pain as further complications could result such as rupture and infection.

I will be praying for you.

Blessings,
N.

1 mom found this helpful

A good rule of thumb is anything that concerns you and goes on for over two weeks should be mentioned to your doctor.
I have worked in medicine for almost 15 years and it could be one of several things, with the gallbladder being pne of the most severe (severe meaning it could be an issue that requires surgery). I would go to my doctor and have him/her check it out. Could also be a kidney infection called pyelonephritis, but probably not because there would be more symptoms specific to a urinary problem. Pyelonephritis is a specific infection in the kidneys and usually presents with severe flank pain, fever, severe body aches, weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and/or blood in the urine are the most common.
It does not sound like it is that because it has gone on for 3 weeks and you would have most likely developed a fever if it was the kidney infection.
I don't want to scare you, but you really should get to a doctor and have them look at you and see what they think.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

S., any attack as intense as you described should be dealt with by a good doctor. It could be gall bladder, of course, and at this stage needs medical attention. However, some of the symptoms also could speak of cardiac problems. Never second guess when in this much distress. Always seek medical help.
Blessings,
S.

1 mom found this helpful

Gall Bladder issues present differently in everyone. One friend had horrible issues as you described during pregnancy. After the babies birth she had pain so bad she could not sit up. They ended up rushing her to ER and doing emergency surgery on her gall bladder. Another friend was sick and not able to keep anything down then slowly she could eat certain food okay but others, not. She is a chiropractor and felt it was her gall bladder, went to several doctors over several months before she found one that really listened to her. It was her gall bladder. She ended up loosing a ton of weight. She was skinny before that so she did not need to loose anymore. I would talk to the doctor and if they say it is something else but you are still feeling the same seek another doctor. God Bless and Good Luck!

1 mom found this helpful

Sounds just like what my gall bladder did. Blood test and ultrasound can tell what it's doing. Simple surgery and you'll feel like a new person.
In the mean time, stay away from greesy foods, I even got down to no red meat, no salads, mainly potatoes, jello. I was delayed in getting my surgery because of thyroid problem.
Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

I had exactly the same symptoms you had. There were times I had to throw up and the hospital I went to said it was food poisoning. The pain was on and off and when I went to a different hospital, they said it was gallstones. I ended up having surgery and they took off my gallstones including my gall bladder. I really know how painful it is. What you are feeling right now, is the same as what I have felt before my surgery.

1 mom found this helpful

Dear S.,
Sounds like your gallblader to me. Make an appt. with your DR. ASAP . they will perform a quick and painless ultrasound and can tell you almost immediately if that is indeed the problem. I had this happen to me about 2 1/2 yrs ago, only i had a stone lodged in the common bile duct, and when the pain hit it was so intense that i blacked out. when i came to, i literally thought i had been shot!
My attacks continued for months, i lost 40 pounds in 4 months and couldn't eat anything except rice, applesauce, dry crackers, etc. It was not fun. I found that a shot of Apple Cider Vinegar right at the onset of an attack helped tremendously. Your Dr. will never tell you about this remedy, and it tastes aweful, but it really does work. Get the unfiltered kind, pour about 1-2 ounces in a shot glass, and just throw it back. The pain lessons by about 80%. Lemon water every morning helps too, as does cutting out all meat and anything high in fat or anything with spices (pepper, salsa, curries, etc).
Although rare, there can be very serious complications if you do not get you gallbladder removed. The surgery is almost painless. It's all laproscopic.

Good Luck to you.
L.

1 mom found this helpful

It could very well be your gall bladder. A friend of mine just went thru very similar symptons, and that's what it was after many tests. They had checked that first, but missed it. Good luck and God Bless.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi S.,
It sounds like it is the Liver/GallBladder...along with some other things (regarding your digestion) have you been stressed, irritable, trouble sleeping? Bitter taste in your mouth? Hiccuping? Sighing a lot? How is your menstruation? painful?
have you considered chinese medicine? i've worked with people with severe ribside pain and digestive issues and after several visits, it has been completely alleviated. If you want to check my website and have any questions-please email me at my work email and i'll be glad to answer anything you might need to know...
www.HealingPointNC.com

Be well!!

--
B. Sabaj, LAc, Dipl. OM LMBT (#8444)

Are you getting your necessary "ME" time?!
Come to Healing Point Acupuncture, where your "ME" time is 100% of the time.
www.HealingPointNC.com

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Hi S.,
There are a many different problems that can be causing your discomfort. The area where you are describing your pain may be your stomach, your gall bladder, your liver, or who know's what.
In last week's letter, you mentioned being tired all the time.
You really, really need to have a thorough work-up by a physician as soon as possible. If the doctor gives you medicine and it doesn't help, then go back and tell the doctor that the prescribed treatment didn't work. When a doctor learns that a prescription was unsuccessful, that helps in the diagnosis.
My friend, a medical person like me, ignored pain like yours in June. She nearly died when a stomach ulcer perforated her stomach wall. (Perforation causes stomach contents to leak into the abdominal cavity.)
I also worked with a doctor twenty years ago who perforated an ulcer, but he died.
Please pursue medical help, not us. Let us know what they find!
Good luck!
Anne

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I had those same symptoms after baby #4. I went to the emergency and they said it was acid reflux. After 3 months of treatment for acid reflux and still pain, I got very ill and went back to the emergency room on Christmas Eve. It was my gall bladder and I ended up with pancreatitus and a week stay in the hospital. I missed Christmas with my family, and I was in a lot of pain. Get it checked out before it gets too bad.

1 mom found this helpful

These are classic symptoms. You do not have to have the 3 F's anymore. (Forty, fat, female) I was 23, skinny as a rail (miss those days) and still had to have my gall bladder removed. If that's all that it is then be thankful. GB removal is very simple these days!!

1 mom found this helpful

Hello S.! i had three people in my family last year alone that had these very symptoms and it WAS gallbladder. So my guess is yes you should go and have it checked. Please do not wait because you will feel 100% better when and if you have it removed. My sister in law put up with hers for almost a year and it made her feel sick ALL the time. The moment she had the surgery she was a different woman. It only takes a few hours total and 4 1/2in. incisions The recovery time is null. She was back to work in a day!! So please go to the doctor and feel better. :-)
I am praying for you,
Blessings,
T.

1 mom found this helpful

Well, it certainly sounds to me like gall bladder..... the best way I know how to describe the pain is like someone has a rope around your chest they are tightening it until you feel you can't breathe and the pain is unbearable. I actually thought I was having a heart attack..... anyway, you certainly don't need your gall bladder and the surgery is very quick -- home same day with three or four tiny little "ports" -- and bed rest, yay.... get your friends and family lined up to help with the cooking and kids!

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S., I didn't read all of them, but so far great responses and I hope this comes after you have scheduled an appt. It very well could be your gall bladder but it could also be intestinal such as irritable bowel syndrome. Be sure to tell your doctor everything! there is never an issue of too much information when it comes to doctors...tell them everything! Good luck and certainly hope it is something simple that they can take care of. Be persistant, don't let them blow you off with pain meds either...this is coming from a nurse ;)

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With gall bladder you have sever pain much like that of a kidney stone that causes nausea and vomiting about an hour after you eat a fatty meal. You are usually in such severe pain that you go straight to the ER for treatment. It sounds to me like you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome. That causes the same symptoms you have and can occur after you eat certain foods that are hard to digest like corn and onions. Either that or you have Reflux disease. No matter what it is, go to the doctor and have them evaluate you and determine what's wrong. I wouldn't sit around an wait. All 3 illness can be quite uncomfortable.

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it was for me only my attacks were about 30 mnutes after eating. Go see the doctor. they will most likely want an ultrasound to rule out gall bladder vs something else.
if it is the gall bladder and you need it out, laproscopic is definitely the way to go. My son was 12 weeks in utero when they diagnosed my problem, but I foolishly waited until he was 10 months old before getting it removed. had I known how easy the recovery for me would be, I would have done it sooner.
good luck to you

Yes, S. F. I would say that you are right. I would advise you to make an appointment with your primary care doctor asap. My youngest daughter (now 37) and I have experience the terrible pain of gallbladder. My gallbladder was removed the old fashion way. I (now 56) have a terrible scare from between my breast to my belly button. However, my daughter was blessed to have her surgery performed, microscopically. She hardly has any scaring. You, my dear S. are in need to some blood work, Ultrasound, MRI, Upper and lower GI test,and some examination from your doc. I will be praying for you. Hope to hear from you. Reverend V. Carr, Associate Ministry, UMBC.

Just a warning - My first appt I had an ultrasound and it came back normal...6 mos later i had a test done to check the gall bladder function. I was at 9% and anything under 30% it is recommended that it come out. I had it taken out and the attacks (my symptoms were almost the exact same as yours)stopped completely. As it turned out I had gall bladder disease and it was enlarged - none of this was caught on the ultrasound! 6 mos after that when the nausea didn't go away, I had an upper GI done and it turned out that I also suffer from gastroparesis (the stomach doesn't empty properly). My point is don't give up if you don't get answers and this keeps occurring - it took 2 years for the doctors to finally figure out and treat my GI issues! I was told that it's a gray area and many symptoms are the same for varying GI problems. Good luck

I would say that for the most part, that absolutely sounds like your gall ballder. I had to have mine out right after my first son was born (it can act up due to hormones, and can be hereditary). Your attacks sound just like mine, minus the bathroom & headache. At first I thought I had gotten food poisoning, but after several days of attacks on & off (usually after eating, especially anything greasy or fatty), I finally called the dr. Got an appt. & was told that the gall bladder had to come out. The night before I went to get a second opinion, I had a HORRIBLE attack., ended up in the ER & had the surgery the next morning. Surgery & recovery were easy- up & around in no time.

HTH & good luck!

K.

my husband had pancreatitis a few years ago and you sound like you are having similar symptoms. please see a doc! my husband tried to ignore it and spent a week in the hospital.