Had first consultancy yesterday feel like was a waste of time. They said they will operate if that's what I want. I don't want an operation as I have managed to control the stomach pains from eating fatty food, it is the ache in my right lower rib cage and back that is hurting more. Doc says he can't answer what the pain/ache is and that having gall bladder out may not solve the issue. He wouldn't scan the area as said could cause further issues. Basically just told to go home and wait on the waiting list and he would see me next time on day of my op. So now I have to decide whether to have op or not even though I'm not in stomach pain, but I am unsure if the rib pain is linked. No one I've seen seems to understand what I'm saying to them. I just feel really down with it all.
Thanks
Rib and back pain are symptoms of gb problems. 90% of the pain I had was under my right shoulder blade and that went from dull to excruciating and fairly constant for days at a time. From my limited knowledge gb pains and problems only get worse but I'd push for ultrasound or CT scan and HIDA if the others are negative for peace of mind if nothing else!
You need to change doctors.
He said he would do ct scan as they can be more dangerous. Had ultrasound as Xmas which confirmed gall stones so waited three months to get yesterday's appointment to be no further forward. I'm going to give two weeks to see if pain in ribs subsides with heat patches and pain killers and if not will return, I just feel like I'm wasting their time but I need peace of mind if it's linked to gall bladder I can happily accept that but it's the not knowing, and the door being closed on you when you try to find answers. Thanks for the reply.
Hi, I'm currently 5 days post op and I suffered the same rib/back pain combo. The rib pain has gone but I still get the back pain occasionally, as its still early days I hope that goes!
I did have gallstones (3 large plus sludge) that showed up in the scan. I've managed through stubbornness to escape surgery for 4 years.
After too many bouts of illness and what became near constant discomfort, I had the surgery.
Upon removal it was totally infected and non functioning. Close call
I would definitely insist on a scan, shocking your doc won't give you one.
Hi Victoria, is your doc a gastroenterologist as he shouldn't be talking that way if he is. A CT scan isn't dangerous so I don't know what he's talking about, as you have gallstones they generally do a CT scan to make sure that there aren't any stones elsewhere. Your pain sounds like standard gallbladder symptoms and is very common with gallstones or a gallbladder thats not functioning correctly like mine, I didn't have gallstones.
Gallstones that cause pain will continue to cause pain and your gallbladder will always make stones that will cause problems so the only answer is to take the gallbladder out.
Gallbladder surgery is elective so it is your choice and if you have already reduced fats in your diet and you're still having pain that pain will only get worse I'm afraid.
By all means for your own peace of mind see another doctor as a gastro should be able to answer your questions so that you don't feel like you do.
Let us know how you get on.x
Désolé que vous traversiez cela ! Il me semble que vous avez consulté un chirurgien, qui connaît peu ou pas du tout le système gastrique. Malheureusement, une vésicule biliaire malade ne fera qu'empirer. Je vous suggère d'obtenir une référence de votre médecin généraliste à un gastro-entérologue, qui sait quels tests effectuer et comment les interpréter.
Bien que vous ayez pu améliorer vos douleurs à l'estomac, le fait que vous ayez toujours des symptômes de la vésicule biliaire signifie que quelque chose se passe encore. Dans le tractus gastro-intestinal, tout est complexe et interconnecté.
Je m'inquiète pour vous car votre médecin généraliste vous a référé à un chirurgien qui veut opérer bien qu'il ait peu ou pas de connaissances sur ce qui se passe en vous intérieurement. Je vous suggère de vous trouver un nouveau médecin généraliste et une référence à un gastro-entérologue dès que possible. Vous méritez un meilleur traitement médical que celui que vous avez reçu de ces deux-là, je déteste les appeler médecins.
Veuillez me faire savoir comment vous vous en sortez !
hi victoria, that sounds awfull, as if the pain isnt bad enough on the right side, i also have pain in my right side, and it feels the same as the pain i get on the left side all that i can think is that this is referred pain, as i had a ct scan after the gallstone was found and there was nothing in that area, apart from this i have no idea what it could be, but i have read other posts on here where people complain of right side pain, that they think is linked to their gallbladder. Take care.
Bonjour, la douleur du côté droit des côtes est une douleur classique de la vésicule biliaire, comme on me l'a dit, et je l'ai avec mes calculs biliaires, plus comme une sensation de contusion douloureuse.
Hi
I went yesterday to see consultant too .
He told me I don't have to have my gallbladder out it is my choice but it is the only way to remove my symptoms as the pains I have. He was very good telling me what could go wrong blah blah blah ... And it is down to my choice but also explaiing it us the only way to relieve My symptoms
Sorry forgot to say - pain under right run and in shoulder area x
Hi Victoria, it does sound like gallbladder problem. What a nice doctor(not) really unsympathetic. You must go back and state that you WANT an ultra sound to check whats going on in that area. Try not to worry, because if the gallbladder is acting up it is better that it is removed, because if left it will over time, make you feel more and more poorly. If needs be just tell them the pain is getting worse (even if it isn't) that will usually make them do something, like send you for a scan.
Hi I know I couldn't believe it he said a scan had a 1 in 500 chance of giving you cancer so he said he wouldn't do it. I have rebooked an appointment with my old doctor for two weeks time and will ask for a referral. Hopefully all be ok this time . For now it's lemon water and hot water bottles
Thanks Katherine I've rebooked to see my old doctor for in two weeks time. The consultant wasn't a gastro consultant ...he said he wouldn't do a scan as there was a 1 in 500 chance of cancer so he refused to do scan I couldn't believe it. Fingers crossed it will get resolved and the door won't be closed on me
Hi yes that was my concern that he wanted to operate without any further tests or scan .. His last words were next time I will see you is the day of your op. I was so upset all night and this morning so I have rebooked to see my old doctor and will ask for a referral . You think you're getting somewhere you're wanting answers to the pain just peace of mind really, then to have the door closed on you is frustrating. He wasn't a gastro consultant so I know I am going to have to wait again but hopefully it be better this time
He doesn't know what he's talking about, you could live in some parts of the uk and and get more radiation in a year than you would get on any of these scans these days, as they are so good. Its not as though you're having scans everyday, for the tests that you need the risks are minimal.
Lets hope your other doctor can see sense but you really need to see a gastro consultant as they are specialists in this area and can put you in for the correct tests that you need.
It sounds as though this doctor has a crusade rather than being a doctor.
Let me know how you get on. x
Yes he told me plenty of what could go wrong. I have rebooked to see my old doctor in two weeks and I will ask for a re-referral. I know I will have to wait all over again but I just want peace of mind.
J'espère vraiment que vous ferez mieux avec votre prochaine recommandation. Le consultant auquel vous êtes allé devrait faire l'objet d'une plainte. Au-delà de l'incompétence et de la paresse...
Veuillez nous tenir informés de la suite. En espérant le meilleur pour vous ! xx
Hi Lynda, I still haven't heard anything from Carol, I just don't know what to think. I feel really nervous for her as her daughter was so ill.
I'll let you know if I do hear anything though. x