Is This Gall Stone Pain?

[PatrickG 5]

For the second time this week I had sever pain in my back just below my shoulder blades on both sides. The pain was intense at first but faded after an hour. Both times I had eaten something within the last 1/2 hour. The first time I burped and the pain decreased immediately. The second time I took gas-x thinking it was gas again. It did not help. I told my boss I was headed to urgent care. He offered to drive me, but I drove myself. By the time I got checked in and saw the doctor the pain was mostly gone. I am going to see a gastroenterologist ASAP.

[gette2751 26]

When I had gallbladder pain it was just below my shoulder blades too, but also at the base of the sternum. I hope whatever it is the figure it out soon for you! It took 8 months and 4 visits to the er to finally get mine taken out. Good luck!

[Dooter 1,457]

Odd presentation, but I suppose it could be. When I had GB pain, it was directly below my sternum and felt like i was being stabbed right there. The only thing that would stop it was throwing up. It was always brought on by the ingestion of any fat. (It was hit and miss until the end of the GB's life, then ANY fat would set it off.) I hope your tests confirm something if you go to the gastro.

[SKCUNNINGHAM 298]

It could be gallbladder. My gallbladder, like the ones above, presented more as pain in my sternum area. When the pain comes, what food will you have just eaten? Fatty food? Did you just start introducing fattier foods back into your diet? When the pain comes, is it associated wtih lettuce or some fresh veggie? Is this a new thing added back to your diet? If your GB is in bad shape, it can reac to foods other than fat (mine did).

Your doc will probably want to do a sonogram, an upper GI or an endoscopy. Those will determine what is going on in your digestive track. Good luck to you. Let us know what you find out.

Sharon

[Navelbunnie 13]

Sounds like it definitely could be. Like others said, my pain was just below my ribs. The doc did ask if it transferred to my back which is I guess something it does when it gets bad. Back pain like that could also mean kidney stones. Go get checked out and advocate for yourself! liquid lortab took the pain away for me when I had an episode until I could get surgery. Hope you're feeling better soon!

[PatrickG 5]

Both times were after my afternoon snack. The first time it was yougurt and tea. The second time it was coffee and Cookies. My insides were probably irritated from the chilli I had for lunch both days and the cocktails I had the weekend before. The pain did start in the upper right abdomin but was a dull ache. The intense pain was in my back just below my shoulder blades. I had blood tests today and my liver enzymes were elevated. I am going for an ultrasound Saturday morning.

I tried getting an appointment with the gastro specialist but the earliest appointment was not until April 30!

I really have to thank my primary care physician for stepping up and ordering the tests and ultrasound after I called this morning.

[Jenn31MA 149]

When i was having my gallbladder attacks they lasted a few days each and it was a pain radiating below my sternum but also in the mid to lower back. I had really bad attacks but i also had alot of "poo" issues associated with it. I also found that i had really bad acid reflux all the time and certain foods (especially fried, fatty or dairy) made it worse. I didnt go to a specialist to get this resolved i just saw my PCP and after she felt around my abdomen she realized i was in pain and sore right where my gallbladder would be she ordered an Ultrasound. I dealt with the pain and attacks for a year and a half until i got insurance and i had an ultrasound and they discovered (i wasnt surprised) my gallbladder was filled with stones. She put in a referral to see a surgeon and the first one i saw told me i just needed to lose weight and he would look into it later down the line in 5 months. I was like whoa wait a minute and got a second opinion. I got into surgery within 2 weeks and im glad i did because it stopped working and he said another week and id of been in the ER.

I really hope you arent having issues with your gallbladder but if you are it sounds like your on top of it. Do you have any other symptoms other than the pain around your shoulder blades??? I wish you good luck!

[PatrickG 5]

The ultrasound this morning showed that I do have gall stones, but the technician said there was no "emergent condition". I am wating for the doctor to review the ultrasound and blood tests.

I have not had any acute pain until this week but I have had a dull back ache off and on for years. I just assumed it was regular back pain but it could have been my gall bladder.

[PatrickG 5]

I talked with a surgeon yesterday. I am having my gall bladder removed on March 27.

[Wheetsin 714]

Little late to answer considering, but I would've have said "could be." When my mother had gallbladder attacks you would've thought she was having a heart attack. When I had them, I just felt icky, like I needed to burp or poop or something, in various & changing places around my abdomen but it would last for 6 - 18 hours and always hit during the wee hours. A co-worker of mine had an attack at work and just dropped to the floor screaming. He told me later he thought something had fallen and impaled him.