Question:
Could this back pain be gallbladder?
Jen is suffering with back pain, both upper and lower spine area. Its really making her feel bad, and she has missed 2 days of work. She says its mostly in her spine, and I am rubbing it a lot. But I am wondering if its her gall bladder? She says the pain is really bad. We looked in the library last night and all she said was I guess its possible.... Dr Schauer gave her a prescription for Actigal but she refused to fill it. I hope this decision isnt coming back to haunt her... <P> Can spine pain be the gall bladder? Her WLS was december 10th 2001 she is 10 months post op. — bob-haller (posted on October 1, 2002)
September 30, 2002
I am having the same problem. I thought it was just because I lost so much
weight all of my weight is in the front now. I had never connected it with
my gallbladder. When I went to my doctor a couple of weeks ago he told me
it is probably my gallbladder. He gave me prescriptions for prilosec and
vioxx and it really helped. I will be going in for an ultrasound next
month. Tell her to ask her doctor for an ultrasound.
— Linda A.
September 30, 2002
Bob, Gallbladder pain is starts on the right side up in the rib area and it
goes around to your back so your whole right side will hurt. If she is
having pain on the right it could be her gallbladder. See if they will do a
ulrasound that will tell you if it is her gallbladder. Exrays are a waste
of time. I hope she feels better!!
— Bonnie S.
October 1, 2002
Thanks she reluctantly called the surgeons office and has a appointment
tomorrow. A nurse is to call her back soon too. Pain is now front and back
and I am reluctant to leave for work with her in pain. She fears surgery
because hey had a terrible time intubating her while awake. Her small size
overall and weight was tough. Hopefully surgery will not be needed and if
it is intubation wouldnt be awake. To others reading this TAKE YOUR
ACTIGAL. I am sure she is sorry for refusing. My wife is great but a hard
case when it comes to advice....:( I will post how this all turns out.
— bob-haller
October 1, 2002
I just had to respond to this. I had surgery in june of 2000. For around
6-8 weeks I have been experiencing lower back pain. then, About three weeks
ago, while at work, I felt sick to my stomach, and then was doubled over in
pain for three or four hours. I thought it was a piece of pop-corn stuck in
my stoma, as the pain seemed to be around that area. Then last Sunday
evening, again with a terrible back ache, and upset stomach I was doubled
over in pain, sobbing, because of the pain. I never considered it was my
gall-bladder. I went in to urgent care last Monday, and after having had
blood work, and an ultrasound, it was determined that I have many
gall-stones. Tomorrow I am having my gall-bladder removed. It is good that
Jen is being checked now, before the pain begins. I have never in my life
experienced this kind of pain(no, not even in child birth). good luck.
— twenc
October 1, 2002
When I had my gallbladder attacks, I thought I was having a heart attack.
My back did not ache. It hurt where my sternum is.
— Wanda R.
October 1, 2002
When I had my gallbladder attacks I likened them to giving birth...they
were very painful, started under my right ribcage and radiated to my back.
I used to try to take hot baths to relieve them, but in most cases the
stones just don't "go away." If her pain is that bad, I'd insist
on an ultrasound today--the gall bladder can burst and then it is
life-threatening. When I went in for mine, they tested that day and I was
in surgery less than 2 hours after the ultrasound since mine was so
diseased (this was pre-WLS). Hope this info helps. Feel free to email me if
you want more info. :)
— sandieguy
October 1, 2002
Bob, this pain also sounds like it could be a kidney infection or stone.
Please have her evaluated ASAP.
— Amber L.
October 1, 2002
i had bad pain in my back and shoulder blades in the first months after
surgery. had a kidney stone and gall bladder work up which was negative. i
took pain medication in small amounts and now at 7 months out, i am pain
free and medication free. i am pretty sure it was musculo-skeletal from
changes in my posture. also i got a new car and will be getting a new bed
as soon as money permits. these sitting and laying surfaces do not conform
to our new body bulges cause the old lumps and bumps fit our old hiney,
hips and rolls:)rule out any medical problems and dont be dismayed if
everything comes out negative. it might be the new body just readjusting to
everything.
patsy in las vegas
— PATSY N.
October 1, 2002
I had to have my gallbladder out 7 years ago. I would have pain in my
spine area just below the shoulder blades. It would feel like someone was
sticking a knife in me. At times I would have the abdominal pain also. It
makes you feel like drawing your knees up to your chest. After a few
episodes I knew what I had eaten to trigger the attack. I did find relief
sometimes by laying in a tub of hot water on my stomach. Go figure. Hope
Jen feels better soon - that's no fun.
— Margaret G.
October 2, 2002
We went to the surgeon today. They suspect a stricturee / ulcer and will
scope her on friday. Gave her antacids in the meantime. Hopefully they will
stop the pain. Will update later with more info and thanks for the help. If
everything looks fine then they will ultrasound her gall bladder. Its still
a possiblity. I was glad to find out dr schauer himself does the scopes.
Who better than the one who did the surgery.
— bob-haller
October 4, 2002
Well no stricture or ulcer. Had ultrasound and blood work. Think its likely
gallstones. Should know for certain monday. Poore Jen will have to be
intubated awake again, because she is a little size wise.
— bob-haller
November 1, 2002
I think I may have developed gallstones also. I thought it was gas but
after talking to my mom she brought it to my attention. I found a website
(if it's okay to post this) that has liver and gallbladder cleanses and is
supposed to rid you of your gallstones without surgery. One uses olive oil
and lemon juice and it only takes 1-2 days. The website is:
http://www.curezone.org/cleanse/liver/ I'm still not sure if my problem is
gallstones but I'm going to do this cleanse in the next few weeks and I
will report back on it afterwards. If you can get through this without
losing your gallbladder you're better off.
— themperrys
November 19, 2002
Well, I did have an Ultrasound and it is definately gallstones. I see my
doctor on Friday. I didn't do the flush because my doctor's office advised
against it. I know a lot of doctor's don't believe in things like that and
I'm too nervous to try it now. I'll see what he has to say on Friday.
— themperrys
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