Gallstones symptoms, but might not be gallstones?

Digestive health
1

Evening all, hope everybody is well.

Basically, I started getting pains in my right side, moving to my abdomen, in October last year.

I only got them once a week, but they were really sore, and doubled me over with pain. Sometimes I would vomit with the pains, sometimes not, but rest assured, they'd come every week, like clockwork.

I went to my GP, who seemed a bit perplexed as to what the pain might be, and was told probably constipation.

The pain continued, and would only arrive at night time, however in about May, I had a crippling episode of these pains, which really knocked me for six. Agressive pain, along with extremely agressive vomitting. I went to the GP that day, who sent me for blood tests. Alas, they came back normal, with no issues. The GP basically told me to get on with it, in no uncertain terms.

The pains continued, and after seeing another GP at my practice, she prescribed me some anti-acid tablets for a month. These did nothing, and the pain continued.

I finally got my wish to get an ultrasound, thankfully! This was last week, and I am yet to have the results. However, the doctor performing the ultrasound, said he couldn't see any obvious gallstones :\

I am absolutely perlexed as what this issue could be. The original reason I thought gallstones, is that my girlfriend went through the exact same pain and issues, and it turns out she had large gallstones, and had her gallbladder removed.

I really feel at the end of my tether, especially if the results come back that there are no gallstones present. I have the pain as I type at the moment (second night in a row now), and it's making me really unhappy

Any help re: this is greatly appreciated!

2

My bloods always came back fine too. Would waken me up through the night with really bad stomach pains in the middle of my stomach. Wasn't until I had yellow poo it clicked it was gallbladder related. The ultrasound showed really small gallstones but then a month later I got rescanned after being admitted to hospital with really bad stomach pains and temperature and they'd disappeared. The doctors sent me for a HIDA scan to see how well the gallbladder was working as all my pain was under ribs on right hand side and in my back the same area as on front. Wasn't til those results came back they realised my gallbladder isn't functioning as well as it should be! So yeah you can have all the symptoms of gallbladder issues and all the results come back normal. Keep at the docs though and try and see a different one who actually listens! Good luck xx 

3

It's possible you have a gallbladder that's not functioning properly. A HIDA scan measures the rate the gallbladder ejects bile into the bile duct.

Another possibility is that you have sludge or very small stones which are difficult to detect on ultrasound. 

If the results come back that no gallstones were detected, ask for a referral to a gastro clinic at a hospital where they can run other tests for all digestive illnesses.

4

Hi sorry your feeling unwell don't waste your time with your regular doctor see a gastrointestinal doctor you would of had your answer by now if your doctor don't send you for a hidascan go see a gastrointestinal doctor hope you feel better just had mine out last wed