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Posted 3/13/2013 12:33 PM (GMT 0)
Does anyone relate to this.

I have a pain under my right rib, where the gallbladder sits. Feels like a burning/scratching/tight pain which bores through to my back. I also have acid in my stomach and i burp with it. i've been suffering with this for 3 years.

I've had numerous blood tests, 3 ultrasounds, endoscopy and colonoscopy. All find nothing wrong with me.

No gallstones nothing.

The pain will come and go. It may last for a week or so or even months at a time. It may then disappear, then come back again. Nothing relates to food as it can happen at anytime.

Currently seeing a gastroenterologist who has put me on Amytriptaline but i had bad side effects and the pain got worse. Now im taking 20 mgs of imipramine. Been taking this for 2 weeks and nothing is different. He gave me these thinking it was my vagus nerve.

Can anyone relate to this or have any other ideas?

Please Please help me. Im starting to feel like im going insane. No doctors seem to be able to help me as they cant find anything wrong. Im so unhappy with it all.
Posted 3/13/2013 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
First, sorry you are having to go through this. You are not insane.

Secondly, not all gallbladder problems are caused by stones. Under certain conditions, it can form a sludge (actual medical term) that moves, but slowly at times, like wet sand, occasionally causing close to a complete blockage, and the symptoms you describe. The pressure builds from behind, and eventually works it's way through, and clears the path. Temporarily at least.

For most docs, unless it's sort of caught in the act, it's very hard to diagnose. Any intermittent symptoms or signs are by definition hard to catch.

Chin up. Talk to him about the sludge possibility, if he recommends dietary changes (dairy can be a factor here), and other treatment options. There is a solution for this. Get informed and find another doc for a 2nd opinion.
Posted 3/13/2013 6:41 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the reply. I rang the hospital today and by luck ive managed to get a cancellation for Tuesday. Trouble is, when the pain goes i have no symptoms at all. I will mention the sludge thing to him.

Ive had 3 ultrasounds. On the 2nd i made the sonographer stop where it hurts. This was right over my gall bladder. But no gallstones. As there are no gallstones no one seems to think there is a problem.

Its so hard, im really struggling with it at the moment.
Posted 3/13/2013 6:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hang in there. Like I said, Some of this has to be caught at the right time. The 2nd opinion may help as well. Meanwhile, we're here, and we'll support you the best we can,
Posted 3/13/2013 7:48 PM (GMT 0)
Has anyone ever done a gall bladder flush? i am considering this .......
Posted 3/13/2013 9:20 PM (GMT 0)
susiq567

Ask for a Hida Scan. This test shows how well your gallbladder fills and empties. That is how they found out mine wasn't working at all. My wife went had very similar symptoms as you with the same negative US. I finally convinced them to do a hida scan and behold her's wasn't working either.
When it was removed a few months ago the surgeon told us it was partially calcified and shrunken up.
When you had the US did they mention anything about if it was full or empty?

Take care,
Bill
Posted 3/13/2013 11:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Bill

No on all the US they said it looked normal. I spoke to my family GP today and he said i should be in lots of pain by now if there was a problem with my gallbladder.

i am seeing my consultant on tuesday and i will ask him for this to rule it out. But im worried that it may only show when there is pain. For example there are times when i have no pain at all or symptoms. Then its just flares up. Would the hida still show anything if i am not in pain???

My mother and grandmother have both had their gallbladders removed.

I have all the symptoms of it.
Posted 3/14/2013 12:30 AM (GMT 0)
I agree with Bill about getting a HIDA scan done. I had the same experience and had zero function in my gallbladder and the surgeon who removed it said it was one of the nastiest he had ever seen. Some people have problems with some foods after gallbladder removal but I've had no problems.
Posted 3/14/2013 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Susiq! Sorry you're hurting - and not having a diagnosis makes it that much worse. I have to disagree with your GP. There's a reason they are referred to as gallbladder 'attacks' - the pain is not always constant and it varies in intensity. I agree that the HIDA scan is a good idea. Have they also checked your pancreas and liver function? I hope you get answers and are feeling better soon! Oh, and Welcome to HealingWell! C:
Posted 3/14/2013 5:20 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, Im sorry for your pain. I had gallbladder surgery and it truly solved symptoms I had misery with for years. I was single, selfemployed and had no insurance. I just couldnt stand the nausea and pain and vomiting spells any longer. Even tho it didnt appear to be bad, I knew how I felt. I didnt wait for a second opinion. I went in so sick one night after hours of pain. The surgeon that I thought so much of was there that night. I had surgery and low and behold, it looked like a mess he said, no wonder you have hurt so much. I have had no symptoms like before and the hosp. let me pay it out as best I could at the time. Best deal I made and so relieved. That was 10 yrs ago. I agree with other folks about having the HIDA scan. Trust your self. .........hugs to you....Cathy
Posted 3/14/2013 8:51 AM (GMT 0)
I'm with the others here. The HIDA scan showed a real problem for me. I know that they do have to do the ultrasound first so that they can make sure no stones are there before the HIDA is done. My surgeon came out asking how many other abdominal surgeries I had had (zero by the way). He said that my gallbladder was completely diseased and that each "infection" ...attack ... Had caused adhesions to the surrounding organs. That was an awful surgery only because of the number of adhesions I had. They were making my insides all "gummed up" and not allowing anything to have movement. I'm betting it is worse inside now, but the gallbladder pain is gone!

You need a really good gastroenterologist for this one. They can find the issue and then you choose the best surgeon.

Oh, the one thing I KNOW that will bring on an attack is fried shrimp. Unfortunately my sister did not want to go through all of the tests with hers, and decided she would gorge herself on shrimp one night ...just to self test.... She ended up with emergency surgery from that one....and fried shrimp was what got me admitted for my gallbladder surgery too. There is no waiting with that kind of attack. I DO NOT recommend trying it at all. The pain of that attack was horrible!!!

Good luck!
Posted 3/14/2013 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
I'm so sorry you are suffering so. I went through the same thing a few years ago. I kept having US and they always came back normal. I was encouraged by a nurse to ask for a HIDA scan. I pushed for one even though the Gastro guy said they weren't that helpful...ok so do it anyway :) Of course it came back normal also and I was ready to throw in the proverbial towel! I had lost 45 pounds in about 5 months and things were definitely going south fast. I kept pushing and I was finally sent for a consultation with a general surgeon. I actually started crying in relief when he said he was convinced it was my gallbladder and that it was full of sludge. He scheduled the surgery right away and he was right...it was nasty inside there. I immediately had relief. The moral of the story is keep pushing!!! You know you body better than anyone else.

Gina
Posted 3/15/2013 9:32 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for you replies. Well ive been taking immipramine for over a week now. Ive doubled the dose and im slowly feeling better. However this happened before. When i had it bad a year or so ago, the docs thought i was depressed so i was on 50mg of sertraline. I got better, but again the pain keeps coming back.
I really dont think this is due to my vagus nerve. The pain starts under my right rib, then i start to get indigestion in my stomach. I burp and it feels like it scratches sometimes under the rib. When i press the area sometimes i feel no pain then sometimes i do. Sometimes it seems to relate to food then other days it doesn't
i'm so confused. It's making me feel so low :(
Posted 3/16/2013 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
Just a thought -

I get pain at bottom of right ribs from slipping ribs. If I slouch while sitting or twist I can feel a couple of ribs grating over the ones below. It sets up pain that may not start right away and may stay for a long time.

I've been tested for gallbladder a couple of times, nothing wrong. Sonograms show nothing.
Posted 3/18/2013 9:49 PM (GMT 0)
Well tomorrow i go to the hospital. i am so stressed......

i have been accepted on a course to teach english abroad which starts in august. i am so worried i won't go due to the concerns of my stomach.

i am going to try and demand a hida scan but it looks like it costs a lot. Which is why they are reluctant to offer it

:(
Posted 3/19/2013 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
ok so i have had my appointment - the consultant is sending me for an MRI scan and to a pain clinic. I have no idea if they will help or if they will find anything. But i guess you cant get a better scan than an MRI hey?

The saga continues!!!!!
Posted 3/19/2013 3:51 PM (GMT 0)
Did you ask for the hida scan and get offered the MRI?

Hopefully something will show up so you can get to the bottom of things and start treatment. The road to getting better starts here fingers crossed!
Posted 3/24/2013 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
Well

to be honest i got in there and cried my heart out. i couldnt speak. So he just said im going to send you for an mri and a referral to a pain clinic.

i hope something shows up.....

Ive been speaking to an acupuncturist as an alternative. But this costs.


cry
Posted 3/24/2013 6:39 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like Costochondritis.
Posted 3/25/2013 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
I did every test there was for the gall bladder and everything came back normal. It was not until the the HIDA Scan was done did they find the problem. My gall bladder was inflammed and not working right. If its truly your gallbladder, the last portion of the test they had me drink some stuff and they said it would trigger a mild attack and thats exactly what happened. Had mine taken out & no more problems. My surgeon said it was a mess once he got in an saw what was going on. I am really surprised they are doing an MRI & sending you to a PM dr. If you do not get any improvement with this care insist on the HIDA Scan. Good luck...Susie
Posted 3/26/2013 8:24 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there

well last night i had the worst pain to date. about 7.30pm it was getting worse so i took one of my tablets and ate some porridge. The pain got so bad i had to lye down. It was burning and cramping from my right side and almost felt like it was in my left at one point. Ive now got this constant niggling sensation under my right rib.

Today im going for some acupuncture which i am paying privately.

Last night i almost went to A and E.

I feel like im broken.

Im now worried the MRI wont show up anything :(
Posted 4/14/2013 8:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hey all

just to update.....

So on tuesday i am now having a hida scan (the one where they inject you with a dye) and wednesday im having an mri.

Been taking the immipramine for 5 weeks now and only the last two have helped alongside accupuncture.

The pain has reduced a lot, but this weekend been sore. The consultant has already told me he does not think anything will show.

:( i am supposed to be starting a course in spain in August. I feel so low everything is holding on these tests now.

Im also starting to think the pain maybe all in my head......im so stuck
Posted 4/14/2013 11:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hang in there. Several years ago I had severe pain on the right side just under my last ribs. For six months they kept saying that it was my gallbladder but all the tests came back normal. So the decision was made to do an exploratory scope going in with the intention of probably taking out the gallbladder regardless. They finally found the problem. I had an adhesion that had stuck my gallbladder to the underside of my liver so every time I coughed, moved a certain way, etc it tried to rip away from the liver. Out came the gallbladder and gone was the pain. The problem with that type of problem is it doesn't show up on any tests, even MRI. There is a reason for your pain. Hopefully the upcoming tests will find it so the wondering can stop and a solution can be found for you.
Posted 4/29/2013 9:39 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all

Well i have had the MRI and the nuclear scan.

Its been two weeks now and i am still waiting for the results.

I have so much acid in my stomach it feels like its going to explode sometimes.

Today i have taken the day off work which means i wont get paid for it either.

Im not sure what i am going to do if i dont get any result from it.

Still waiting.

eyes
Posted 4/29/2013 12:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Susiq what's the holdup? Those tests are pretty much read immediately. Sometimes the Drs are sent the report and your given the results at your next appointment. If that's the case I would be calling them and asking to be seen now or for someone to make me a copy and pick it up or call me with the results.

No matter what I always get a copy of all my scan or test reports for my own records and yes I've found it to be very necessary to have those in my folder along with all my surgical reports if I have to go to ER or am traveling.

I would say you've definitely waited long enough.

Hoping one of them shed some light on whats going on with you.
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