Question:
Help, I cannot figure out what this pain is on my right side! Any suggestions?

I am a little over 6 months post-op RNY. Okay, sorry this is going to be long but I am desperate to figure out what in the world is going on here. I have been having this uncomfortable pain on my right side right under my rib cage. Gall bladder right? I'm not sure? It started out about 2 months ago as just a dull uncomfortable pain now for about 1 month it has been an unbearable pain!! It always starts I swear around 12am to 1 am. It literally wakes me up from a dead sleep & continues this pain for about 2 hours. About 2 weeks ago I did go to the Dr. & they did a scope & found I had yet another ulcer. Then they also did an ultrasound of my gallbladder. The technician said she did see some "sludge" in my gall bladder. What does that mean? At first I thought this pain that was waking my up out of a dead sleep was my ulcer. So I called my Dr. & they gave me Carafate in addition to my meds. I had this problem last night & took the Carafate & it didn't touch it. So I'm assuming it isn't my ulcer. Is this pain that happens around the same time atleast now 2-3 times a week always at night consistant with a gallbladder attack? It hurts so bad I almost want to go to the emergency room! Or could it be something else. I do have a Drs. appt. but they couldn't get me in for 2 weeks from now to go over the gallblader ultrasound results. Any suggestions as to what this could be or has anyone else experienced this? Is there ANYTHING I can take in the mean time to help ease the pain until I can see a Dr.? This is so frustrating!    — Allison T. (posted on October 24, 2002)

October 24, 2002
I had alot of sludge and polyps in my gallbladder before WLS nad I can tell you it was very painful. The doc would not gove me pain meds because he didn't want to completely mask the pain, but I did take Tylenol/Tylenol PM at night and used a heating pad. Worked Wonders! Best of Luck.
   — Tinca-Thais J.

October 24, 2002
I know how you feel. I to had those painful attacks for months and I ended up in the ER and the next day they removed my gallbladder. I do have a friend who had sludge and they removed hers to. My gallbladder was full of stones and they also went into my bile ducts. Very very very painful. Nothing will help the pain but having it removed. I tried everthing i was eating Zantac like chips and taking so many baths I was starting to get pruny. The next time the pain gets bad go to the ER you will find out with in an hour or so if your gallbladder needs to be removed or not. I can't believe they are making you waite two weeks. ANyway hope you feel better and good luck to you.
   — sarah C.