Possible Gallstone Related Issues

Digestive health
1

My first symptoms began at Xmas when I had a bad bout of halitosis that not only others could smell but I could too, I had some vomiting as well, and it looked like I had some sort of bug, but when I visited my GP he aid it was unlikely that it was H Pylori and that there was nothing that he could give me.

As the weeks went by I noticed changes in my bowel habit in that I was extremely constipated, and also my faeces were a strange colour, plus my digestion didn't seem to be working properly at all with large pieces of food undigested. I also had diarrhoea for some considerable time, and still do on occasions. So as I was due to have an Endoscopy being that I have Barrett's Oesophagus my GP arranged a combined Endoscopy & Colonoscopy, nothing serious was reported, and during my consultation I tried to tell the consultant about other symptoms that I have been left with since all of those events since Xmas, but I don't think all the symptoms I mentioned to him were noted on the referral therefore wasn't looked at as urgent.

There was a test done by my GP and it was reported that there was an elevation of bilirubin, and I have only recently left another urine sample to see if the bilirubin is still raised.

One other symptom during this time is a twisted pain occasionally when I try and twist my upper body to the left, this can be really painful, but whether this is related to the gallstones I do not know.

My GP sent me for an ultrasound in April, and this apparently revealed multiple small calculi in my gallbladder, the Doctor that performed the ultrasound said he could not visualise the pancreas, and my GP said that it would normally be a consultant that would arrange a more detailed scan as the pain I described could actually be biliary colic.

I have found that by lying on my back or sometimes on either the left or right hand side can sometimes ease any related pain, but there have been occasions when I have felt the pain at the right shoulder blade even with lying down.

As well as the pain I am extremely worried that my gallbladder/pancreas could be inflamed, I have also lost some weight.

I go for a CT scan of the abdomen tomorrow which hopefully will show if any damage has occurred to any of the abdominal organs.

Unfortunately I had pain underneath the sternum early Sunday morning, and I have had this on different occasions, I am putting this down to the inflammation of the duodenum that was discovered during my recent gastroscopy, however I received no help from the consultant I saw initially, so I went private and this helped me for them to arrange a CT scan on the NHS rather than pay a heft charge privately, I always wonder why the first consultant didn't arrange a CT scan for me.

Anyone recognise any of these symptoms etc?

2

Yes you sound like someone suffering will Gallstones rattling around :D

3

Is the pain I get every so often that feels like it is inside the middle waist actually be gall stone related?

I thought perhaps as it has been going on for 6 months it is possible that some organs are inflamed.

4

Gallstones cause anything and everything in your Abdomen to throw a bit of a wobbler from time to time, these wobbles can manifest themselves anywhere, it's your bodies way of saying \"I'm not happy at the mo, I've got these stinking stones irritating me\", your body doesn't like hard things it can't shift floating around, it'll work itself into a frenzy trying to get rid :D Of course if you are in severe pain or agony you must see your Doctor but if it's just niggles (and you feel confident it's nothing) just shrug them off as annoyances that are to be expected smile

5

Had my CT scan of the abdomen this morning, will expect to hear from the consultant that arranged this soon, if not I will hear something from the hospital in approx 7-10 days.

As for the pain, it can get very aggravating to the point when I need to take tramadol.

6

Tramadol is a good painkiller for it, if need be take some Paracetamol with it and it'll work a bit better, I've always found Soluble Paracetamol and Tramadol very effective, it can provide relief literally within minutes, some annoyances and niggles are to be expected but if you are having problems talk to your Doctor as they're in the best position to help you smile

7

The good thing I find with tramadol is that it also relaxes you.

When you say take Paracetamol with it how many tramadol do you take first at 50mg a capsule? and how many Paracetamol do you take with it?

By the way is there anyway to receive an auto email when someone replies to one of my posts? :?:

8

I know know how to watch for replies.

:D

9

[quote:37ceaed3be=\"mr9000\"]I know know how to watch for replies.

:D

I now know that should have read. :lol:

10

Yes Tramadol can be quite pleasant (but be careful because some people become addicted) :D The dose for Tramadol is 1 to 2 capsules (or tablets) every 4 - 6 hours (when required for pain), it's the same for Paracetamol. So for example if you are just having mild niggles take 2 Paracetamol, if that doesn't work then take 1 Tramadol, if that doesn't work then take another Tramadol, so the most you should have every 4 - 6 hours is 2 Tramadol and 2 Paracetamol smile

To receive e-mails when you have replies you click My Space >> edit my profile >> Email notification >> Yes >> Submit smile

11

[quote:61b326b717=\"Dr_Spock\"]

To receive e-mails when you have replies you click My Space >> edit my profile >> Email notification >> Yes >> Submit smile

I have that box ticked already and yet I never seem to receive an email when someone replies to my posts.

12

I guess the owners of the forum are cutting back on the bandwidth the forum uses and they've disabled it smile

13

[quote:30ea3ba2c4=\"Dr_Spock\"]I guess the owners of the forum are cutting back on the bandwidth the forum uses and they've disabled it smile

It works, but you need to click on the smaller link to the right of the red disclaimer....Watch this experience for replies.

14

Problem solved :D

15

Early yesterday evening I experienced something that I used to get in the past, and that was a severe stitch pain on my right hand side, I could hardly take a deep breath for the pain, and at the same time I could feel the spasms going right up from the lower abdomen on the right up to the tip of the shoulder blade on the right, and this I thought may have been a stone on it's way out, or perhaps it was referred pain I don't know, any ideas?

The pain eventually went away but it was really sore. sad

16

Yes this sounds like a stone popping out and tumbling along the Biliary Ducts, yes referred pain, you get the sharp pain and the ache slowly ripples to the right into the shoulder, the neck and it makes your arm hurt as well it's a blessed relief when it's over isn't it :D Another medicine I've found helps (although it doesn't help everyone) is something called Merbentyl (Dicycloverine), you can either get it from your Doctor (in tablet form) or you can buy an over the counter medicine called Kolanticon Gel that contains less of it (per a 5 ml spoon) but a few swigs makes up for there being less smile

17

[quote:ff52e22923=\"Dr_Spock\"]Yes this sounds like a stone popping out and tumbling along the Biliary Ducts

Where does it go after that?

Have you had your g bladder out?

18

I meant to ask, did your gall bladder problems prior to any surgery you may have had cause you any digestion issues? or constipation?

Mines all started with a bout of halitosis in December, then constipation and bowel habit changes, then pain.

19

It then pops out of the Sphincter of Oddi and goes into your Duodenum and on to the Intestine then (depending on what it's made of) it's digested or (if not) it passes straight through (very rarely they get stuck in a fold along the way) and exits when you go to the loo. Yes I've had it out. Digestion or Indigestion (Heartburn) problems? Yes I had both (food would pass only partly digested, and massive amounts of choking Acid Reflux and Heartburn (I did have a giant Peptic Ulcer with a ulcerated Duodenum as well mind)) and Constipation / Diarrhea. This halitosis could have been caused by the release of a load of stinky puss and gunk (from the Gallbladder). Yes you can end up in a charming state :D

20

[quote:2221c9f91c=\"Dr_Spock\"]It then pops out of the Sphincter of Oddi and goes into your Duodenum and on to the Intestine then (depending on what it's made of) it's digested or (if not) it passes straight through (very rarely they get stuck in a fold along the way) and exits when you go to the loo. Yes I've had it out. Digestion or Indigestion (Heartburn) problems? Yes I had both (food would pass only partly digested, and massive amounts of choking Acid Reflux and Heartburn (I did have a giant Peptic Ulcer with a ulcerated Duodenum as well mind)) and Constipation / Diarrhea. This halitosis could have been caused by the release of a load of stinky puss and gunk (from the Gallbladder). Yes you can end up in a charming state :D

Ah, that may well be the reason why on some occasions I get a stomach type pain just below the sternum as I too have been told I have some inflammation at the duodenum.

What about the pancreas though, I am worried that some stones or sludge have stuck in the pancreatic duct, but they tell me that I would be in terrible pain if that were to happen, and I would be yellow in skin and eyes, however I did read on the net that only a small percentage show these symptoms of yellowish pigment.

I am waiting to see the surgeon next week, and I am hoping that the results of my CT scan of the abdomen are ready so he can take a look before deciding on the next course of action.

I kind of hope that he just doesn't jump the gun and say yes we will just take the gall bladder out without making sure that is what is causing the issues.

Maybe I need a HIDA scan.

I have found that I can relax more if I need to take a tramadol the night before, I took one last night as I could feel it again.