Gallbladder Warriors! Sound familiar?

[Screwballski 540]

I’m in remitting/relapsing Pain Hell! It’s coming more often and much worse. I’m not asking for a diagnosis. I just want to know if this sounds familiar to past gallbladder attack victims.😬

Nearly every week for the last three months, I spend 24 hrs in excruciating pain. The next 24 hours in level 8 pain and a third day in less severe pain. By days 4-7 of each week I am sore to pain free and able to stand upright.

During pain days, it feels as though someone has plunged a wide dagger into my sternum. Every movement tears me apart. There is no comfortable position. If I have to walk, I do so bent in the shape of a “C” like an old woman, barely shuffling along. To sit I must assume the same position and draw my knees up in a loose sitting fetal position. And sleeping? Lots of sleeping pills then painfully on my right side. I’m a left side sleeper but that is extraordinarily painful during an episode.

Today I am pain free again. I have a Doctors appt first thing tomorrow.

Does this sound like the same symptoms any of you folks who have had gallbladder issues have experienced? Will they be able to tell anything if I’m not in an active flare up?

[Colorado Cowgirl 170]

The first time I had that happen I went to the ER. They gave me morphine and a scan and my gallbladder came out a week later. It was excruciating. I don't know if you will get a diagnosis but don't wait if it happens again! Hope you get some relief.

[mousecat88 2,280]

I didn't have pain but was extremely nauseous for a month - was vomiting even from Water. I had surgery scheduled the end of January, but went to the ER at the beginning of the month and the surgeon took it out the next day on a Saturday. Felt instantly better. Get that thang removed. They will be able to see stones/blockages in an ultrasound.

[Screwballski 540]

Thank you for your responses. I’m seeing the doctor tomorrow. I’m almost hoping for a bad day before whatever tests they set up so I can go to the ER and get this over with. I’ve been through at least 10 flare ups in the last 90 days, each lasting three or more days. I had no idea what it was until I started looking up symptoms. Half the time I was on vacations of had out of town company so I just used Lamaze breathing. I did three days of labor with my only child so I just kept telling myself I’d get through the busy stuff and then go see someone. I’m now exhausted! Company is gone. They can take anything they want. I’m done! 🤣

[gabybab 696]

6 hours ago, mousecat88 said:

I didn't have pain but was extremely nauseous for a month - was vomiting even from Water. I had surgery scheduled the end of January, but went to the ER at the beginning of the month and the surgeon took it out the next day on a Saturday. Felt instantly better. Get that thang removed. They will be able to see stones/blockages in an ultrasound.

I, too, had nausea. I opted to have mine taken out asap!

[FancyChristine15 810]

It does sound similar to what I experienced. Mine was before my sleeve surgery. I legitimately thought that I was having a heart attack. I had never had pain like that in that area before. I went to the ER as well, and they said I had pancreatitis due to my gallbladder. Not fun. I ended up waiting a bit to have mine removed, because I was in a show, and the show MUST go on. I've felt so much better ever since it was removed.

[dbbonoso 14]

Yes, that's totally familiar. I've had this and couldn't find a comfortable position. The only way I would feel "okay" was sitting on the floor with my legs extended to the sides. Like making a V . it's horrible

Sent from my LM-V405 using BariatricPal mobile app

[FluffyChix 17,415]

Ouch! Sorry you're having such probs with intermittent pain! If it was me, I would be to go eat a high fat meal/day. If it's gallbladder, you will be mowed down. Mine did that exact same thing.

I do have sludge and small stones, but mine was mostly from a small hernia and recurring inflammation in the esophagus that is mostly handled by taking 40mg of prescription omeprazole (emptied out of the capsule into a spoon of applesauce).

((hugs))

[NYJenn 1,463]

I had moderate pain, but so much bloating and nausea

[Screwballski 540]

23 hours ago, FluffyChix said:

Ouch! Sorry you're having such probs with intermittent pain! If it was me, I would be to go eat a high fat meal/day. If it's gallbladder, you will be mowed down. Mine did that exact same thing.

I do have sludge and small stones, but mine was mostly from a small hernia and recurring inflammation in the esophagus that is mostly handled by taking 40mg of prescription omeprazole (emptied out of the capsule into a spoon of applesauce).

((hugs))

I am so tempted to do this! Yesterday I ate a ton of fat but it was all good fat because I am so conditioned now not to eat garbage. My blood tests should be in today and a sonogram is scheduled. Honestly, I really just want an attack and an ER visit so I can have an answer right now! Meanwhile, someone shove some lard down my throat in the form of wedding cake frosting (which not longer even appeals to me)! Merp!

[FluffyChix 17,415]

8 minutes ago, Screwballski said:

I am so tempted to do this! Yesterday I ate a ton of fat but it was all good fat because I am so conditioned now not to eat garbage. My blood tests should be in today and a sonogram is scheduled. Honestly, I really just want an attack and an ER visit so I can have an answer right now! Meanwhile, someone shove some lard down my throat in the form of wedding cake frosting (which not longer even appeals to me)! Merp!

Oh yeah, fat + carbs will bring it on for sure! But yeah, I get you. I'm the same way!! I'm so ingrained to "reach goal" and keep low carb, healthy fats and keep Protein adequate only! It's harder and harder to purposely eat counter to my goal! ((hugs)) Hope they get it figured out and your tests show you can get surgery and get it taken care of so you feel better! Congrats on your amazing and inspirational success!!!

[Bob R 6]

Anytime you lose a large amount of weight in a short period of time you stand a chance of getting gallstones.

i lost eighty pounds in four months and I started to get unbelievable chest pains that would not stop but it was when I started getting nausea pretty bad that I went to the E/R, long story short xray found 10 stones in my gall bladder.

The operation started out laparoscopic but had to be converted to open when he found my gall bladder chronic and necrotic.

[Screwballski 540]

UPDATE:

CT scan in ER yesterday revealed that pancreas and gallbladder are functioning at 100%. In factt, all of my organs look great. No hernias, no problems that a CT would catch. Blood work shows enzymes, Vitamins and Iron levels are terrific. I’m healthy as can be. ER doc consulted with gastric surgeon. They suspect an ulcer. I will proceed to annual appt on Weds as scheduled then off for endoscopy.

meanwhile, back on protonix (sp). I hope to have a definitive answer soon so I can put a plan in action for healing!

Thank you for your insight and support! ❤️

[Frustr8 7,886]

May you not have ulceration, but if you do, rest assured it is fivable and it's early yet for you! Things are still gonna get better.

[Screwballski 540]

35 minutes ago, Frustr8 said:

May you not have ulceration, but if you do, rest assured it is fivable and it's early yet for you! Things are still gonna get better.

Yes, thanks! I dealt with ulcers in my teens and twenties. I don’t remember this level of pain, but I wasn’t old then either! 😁