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[CrispyChick]

I know there are quite a few posts on reflux and stomach issues at the moment, but I'm specifically interested in experiences of gallbladder issues.

I had a massive flair of something stomachy in Nov. This was 100% brought on my my trying utrogestan. I was back off the utrogestan within 10 days, but my stomach issue never recovered.

Had ultrasound in Jan. Now it has found 2 stones or polyps in my Gallbladder. Nothing else seen. Gp now wants to rule out other potential issues before referring me for gallbladder (removal?!?) which I think is probably the right decision.

I'm not currently nearly as bad as I was in nov/Dec, but still not right. I've had flairs of this previously (again triggered by hormonal changes) and always put it down as gastritis.

Gastritis treatment makes me worse. Interestingly.

So - I guess I'm really interested in gallbladder stories. How can I tell if this is my gallbladder?

Symptoms are, at worst, extreme discomfort at centre below breastbone, extreme bloating, gas, nausea and reflux. But it has calmed this week. Not gone though. Seems to calm and flair again. Currently I am just 'aware' of the area on upper abdomen.

Anyone help with experiences??? Thanks x

[CLKD]

Has your GP given you a diet sheet?  Or referred U to a dietician?  I believe that fatty foods can cause flare ups, which are painful.  Do U know why the Dr is waiting B4 referring you, particularly as there are long waiting lists?  Perhaps ask to get onto a Hospital list which if you improve by the time your date comes round, 2 weeks prior to admission you can cancel.  It allows the bed to be used by someone else ;-).

Not. nice being in pain!

[CrispyChick]

No. I got nothing. She said a referral was yo the surgeon for removal. So doesn't want to do that until rules everything else out.

But yes, be nice to have an expert opinion really. I'll maybe push for that when I see her in 2 weeks. 

[Minusminnie]

Do you know how big the stones were on the scan as some can pass through ?  If they are there i can't understand either why you are not being referred on now.

Fatty foods will bring on the pain so it is an idea to monitor what you are eating.  I was given an option of trying to sort it with diet which i tried for a while but i got to a point where i couldn't wait to get the operation done.  I had 2 stones the size of acorns as a souvenir  so i don't think diet was going to cut it ! I never had an ultrasound done but this was all back in 2000.

I wasn't on HRT at all at the time but i believe gallbladder trouble is listed in side effects/cautions. 

My daughter had gall bladder removal in 2020 due to lots of small stones causing pain.  She was lucky enough to volunteer for a trial with one consultant who was experimenting with varying delivery of pain relief after the operation.  It meant that she was seen to promptly within a month or so.  The power of research i guess !

[Ju Ju]

I had my gall bladder removed several years ago. I had severe pain. Worse than labour. First time it happened I thought I was having a heart attack! Had to wait three months before seeing a consultant and actually got dietary advice….mainly low fat. After several trips emergency trips to hospital, I was prescribed pessaries for pain relief, useless if you are out and about! It all kicked off after rapidly losing weight and starting HRT. Apparently 2 risk factors. I got my op very quickly after being seen by the consultant as I was really poorly by that time. After the op, day surgery, I had no problems at all and recovered quickly.

[CrispyChick]

Thanks ladies.

Now I've thought about it, I'm not sure why I've not been referred seen as the GP really doesn't know if my symptoms are caused by my stone(s) - no idea on size.

Who is responsible? Gastroenterologist? If so, then yes I shall push for referral as her only other avenue is my stomach. Same specialist.

Although I have been here before. Endoscopy 3 years ago. Found gastritis. Horrible consultant - told me to get off all meds. Which I did. If was definitely all hormonal.

This doesn't feel the same though, so I cant say with any certainty if it is stomach again or gallbladder.

I'm not in agony. Certainly not like labour (ouch ju ju). It has improved from where I was in Dec. Can gallbladder do this?

I think instead of cutting out foods I'm going to try them all - fatty foods for the gallbladder and acidic ones for the stomach. Then assess.

I'm not on hrt (I was just trying utrogestan on its one as my estrogen is spiking in peri). But I do believe it's hormonal. But it's not now going away.

[Minusminnie]

This doesn't feel the same though, so I cant say with any certainty if it is stomach again or gallbladder.

If it is any help re type of pain i found that gallbladder pain started after fatty food, was quite lingering afterwards and took a while to go.  Fair amount of belching too.

I hope that you get a referral especially if it is the same specialist.  A general surgeon did my op.

[CrispyChick]

Thank you minnie.

Thats all the gp said - for gallbladder she'd have to refer me to surgeon. I feel like she's maybe missing out the middle guy here...

Surely there must be an 'expert' who can tell the difference.

I get the belching. But that could just as easily be reflux from gastritis. Grrr.

Did you find you had specific pain in right side of Upper abdomen? As in sore to touch? I'm confused if you would always have that or only if gallbladder inflamed, rather than say blockage. I think at my first gp appointment I was prodded for that and nothing obvious found.

I feel like friggin sherlock again - it's as difficult to work out as my soddin hormones!

[CLKD]

I'd go to another GP ;-).  Rather than waiting for intense painful episodes ......... also keeping a diet sheet would be useful to chart triggers.

A Surgeon is the same as Consultant ;-).

[MabelBabel]

I've had two gallbladder attacks and the pain is horrific and is described by many as worse than labour.
It's truly awful, such intense stabbing pain. Righthand side and through to back shoulder blade area.
The pain is scary. Painkillers didn't touch it.
I knew what it was instantly, it couldn't be anything else. The pain lasted for hours with no let up and once the attack was over I was left with a kind of internal tenderness feeling and a real fear and dread of it happening again for a couple of weeks or so.
Thankfully after those 2 attacks which were a few months apart I haven't had any problems since.
I still have my gallstone (Eric 13mm diameter) but he has been dormant ever since.
Burping and tummy gurgling was also a symptom of an angry gallbladder.

[Peripurple]

Your GP needs to refer for an ultrasound, that’s the next step 

[CrispyChick]

I've had the ultrasound. That's where the gp has discovered I have 2 stones or polyps. But isn't sure they are causing my symptoms.

Well maybel - thank you. I'm certainly not in pain like that. Not now anyway. I was very bad in Dec, but even then, not like labour. And it's still rumbling on. Whereas yours has gone away.

Does it always go away I wonder?

CLKD, I've to go in and see her in 2 weeks. So I'll give her that chance.

Thanks re, surgeon being a consultant. That's fine then. Wonder why she didnt refer me?!

[Minusminnie]

Did you find you had specific pain in right side of Upper abdomen? As in sore to touch? I'm confused if you would always have that or only if gallbladder inflamed, rather than say blockage. I think at my first gp appointment I was prodded for that and nothing obvious found.

It was all a long time ago to remember but pain was all under centre rib cage going back.  The pain came when the gallbladder was inflamed.

I've had the ultrasound. That's where the gp has discovered I have 2 stones or polyps. But isn't sure they are causing my symptoms.

Well maybel - thank you. I'm certainly not in pain like that. Not now anyway. I was very bad in Dec, but even then, not like labour. And it's still rumbling on. Whereas yours has gone away.

Does it always go away I wonder?

CLKD, I've to go in and see her in 2 weeks. So I'll give her that chance.

Thanks re, surgeon being a consultant. That's fine then. Wonder why she didnt refer me?!

i had a quick look at ultasound last night and get the impression that what can look like polyps can in fact be gallstones.  I'm not sure if it works the other way round but maybe it is not all so clear cut.

The gallbladder pains will come in bouts as the gallbladder trys to squeeze bile out and the stones are blocking the bile duct.  You can get to a point where you are not sure what you might eat that will bring it on. 

Thinking about it more your GP may be holding back a referral as once you have your gallbladder out the bile no longer has a storage area in the gallbladder but runs freely through the gut.  This takes a bit of adjustment to after an operation but is doable.  As you already have trouble with gastritus your GP may be concerned as bile is an acid.  Maybe all this is still a conversation for you to be having with a consultant though.

Just my thoughts.......(i have family and grandchildren coming to stay later so apologises for lack of any possible further replies for a few days)