Hi all! I have had four gallbladder attacks in the last year. All have happened after I have overindulged with fatty foods. My doctor sent me for an ultrasound which confirmed two gallstones. I was sent the GI doc. He said my symptoms are somewhat atypical. My pain is central. Right under the breast bone. Where the stomach is, and not to the right. The four that were really bad (debated going to the ER bad) came on and lasted about 6 - 7 hours. Nothing touched the pain. He has given me pain meds now in case I have anymore.
He is sending me for a HIDA scan. And thinks I will end up referred to a surgeon.
Because of where the pain is he wants to use the HIDA to make sure it is really gallbladder and not something stomach/esophogeal related.
I am wondering if anyone who had gallbladder attacks only had pain in the center and not the right too? Did you have stones? Did you have it removed? And are you feeling better?
The gallbladder can produce some unusual symptoms. I did not have pain in the center, rather I had it in both the right and left sides--which is a bit unusual. I also had heart palpitations and fluctuating blood pressure.
It is good that they are sending you for the HIDA scan as it is the definitive test for gallbladder function.
The HIDA scan will show how much the gallbladder is functioning. The stones will cause irritation when contracting. I had pains all over, right, left, back, etc...I had a few attacks over 5 years ago then nothing until a couple of months ago. As far as the surgery goes I find out tomorrow morning, going in to get mine out.
I have had the same problem. The pain is in the middle not under the right ribcage where the gallbladder is. The attacks can be very bad and nothing seems to help. I am scheduled for a HIDA scan next Friday on the 12th and should know more the following week. I'm a bit worried about my liver and pancreas because this is where I experience the pain. The surgeon I saw basically gave me a diagnosis of "biliary colic". You may have this too. I am definitely going to have surgery since I don't want one of these attacks to happen again.
My gallbladder pain was 99% of the time in the middle slightly below my breastbone. The pain would go through to my back and nothing would help it. I would have to sit in a hot bath in the middle of the night to get it to ease a little. The attacks lasted for hours. I would suggest you get it out. Once you do the pain will be a distant memory.
If they say to get it out, just do it....I had mine out yesterday, surgery was a breeze, took all of 40 minutes. Feeling pretty good today, no gas pains in the shoulder, so he must have gotten it all out, just a little sore by the incision below the belly button, that one was the biggest, but the vicoden takes care of that nicely. Been moving about, lay down when I get tired, but feeling much better then I was expecting.
If they say to get it out, just do it....I had mine out yesterday, surgery was a breeze, took all of 40 minutes. Feeling pretty good today, no gas pains in the shoulder, so he must have gotten it all out, just a little sore by the incision below the belly button, that one was the biggest, but the vicoden takes care of that nicely. Been moving about, lay down when I get tired, but feeling much better then I was expecting.
I'm glad to hear your surgery went well. I have the HIDA scheduled for next Monday. The attacks appear to be happening more frequently. I took someone's advice on the boards and have cut out all dairy and fats completely. I've had relief for about two days now. Thankfully.
I had 2 stones pass back in Sept and get stuck...had an ERCP to get them out. Day 3 post-op now, feel good, never had the gas pains from the CO2, belly button site is the sorest, but nothing bad. Only problem is bound up from the Vicodin, but working on that. Otherwise, it's been much better then I was planning for. Yes, stick to the low fat diet until you decide what to do with it, that's what I did.
