Gall Bladder pain?
I am having a pain in the upper right area of my abdomen just below my rib cage. It is almost like when I get a stitch when I try to walk too quickly. I have this almost every time I eat anything. Sometimes it radiates to the same spot but on my back. I have had duodenal ulcers, but this feels different. If I am having gall bladder issues, I believe the surgeon will take it out when I get the surgery, but I am trying to figure out if that is what is going on. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this. Thanks. -Karen
So, you haven't had WLS just yet? If not, then insist on losing that gallbladder. Even healthy gallbladders often need to be removed within a year or two, so have them dig that puppy out while they're in there anyway.
My DH suffered gallbladder issues, and it sounds like you are, too. You should be having pain after eating fat or caffeine (the two biggest culprits). This could be a reason to get a sooner date, too.
Yes, I am a caffine junky (I know...gotta give that up) and I have pain almost constantly. I have an ultrasound scheduled for tomorrow. I have to FAST all day until 3:30 to have it. What bums me out is that I have had the US for gall bladder pain in the past and they always say it is fine. But no one can make this pain go away or explain why it is there. I am positive it is my gall bladder since my mom, grandma and great-grandma have all had theirs out. I am dreading tomorrow, that is for sure. I hope they can push the surgery up, too, but I wouldn;t want them to ru**** either. I can take the pain as long as I know when there will be an end to it. Thanks! -Karen
Hi Karen. I am having the same issue's. I have had stomich trouble since Feb. Pain,nausea. Last Tuesday i had a HIDA/Gall Bladder scan. You get a radioactive dye via a IV then they follow it via a xray like unit trew your liver/kiddney,gall bladder. I have not heard from my GI doc but the tech said that the dye was not being absorbed like it sould. Let me know how it goes for you. My girlfriend had these issues a year ago and they went away after her gb was taken out.
John
The tech wasn't officially able to tell me this, but...
I don;t seem to have any stones and everything looks normal. I am actually bummed out because I have tremendous pain! I don;t want to have to go through any more tests. I wish they could just yank the gall bladder because I tell them it hurts! I'll keep you updated... Karen
Karen, just because you don't have stones doesn't mean your gall bladder is "normal". If you're still having symptoms in that area, especially associated with fat intake (I've never heard of it associated with caffeine, but I suppose it's possible). I'd push for the HIDA scan. It tests the functionality of the gall bladder, not just if there's stones. It tests to see if the gall bladder empties properly and is capable of doing it's job. When it doesn't, it can be painful.
The risk factors for gall bladder disease=the 5 F's (female, fair, forty, fertile, FAT). So, if you've got most or all of those risk factors and are seeking a significant weight loss, you're putting yourself at greater risk. It's not uncommon for bariatric surgeons to remove the gall bladder at the same time.