Hello, I've been suffering annoying burning pain on my right side lower rib area. If I was to stand, it'd be where my elbow might hit my side, and move toward the front. Last year, I had bloodwork, xray, ultrasound. Gallstones were found, but I wasn't told to remove gallbladder. It was up to me, I decided to wait. Well the pain, disappeared for a bit, and returns. I have it again. It feels like mildly irritated, the area between lower ribs and skin. I know this sounds like a weird explanation. I just cant be postitive that this pain would be from gallbladder? I do not feel pain in abdomen area. Thank you for any information.
I am not a professional medical person so don't really feel I am in a position to advise you.
All I can say is that I had my gallbladder removed 2 years ago because of gallstones.
I would not say that I necessarily made the wrong decision but since having my gallbladder removed I now have a huge kidney stone. No idea if this is related or not.
Sorry I can't be of any more help to you really.
Take care and keep in touch
Sarah
Hi I have had pain in right rib area since October 2016 ultrasound at Xmas showed gallstones. Exactly as you consultant happy for me to keep hold of gallbladder .. I asked for scan on side for peace of mind as unsure linked to gall bladder. Doc and consultant refused scan and said would only know if pain was related to gall bladder upon operation .. I am on waiting lost but could be months yet until op. So I am paying to have a private scan for re assurance .. But I have same rib pain hard to explain .. With hot water bottle pain subsides if exercise a little better but always there.
Kelan,
It sounds like another Gallbladder attack. You should go to the doctor and get it checked out. You can risk infection of the Gallbladder and Kidney on that side. Does the pain radiate to the back at waist level? If so, the kidney could be involved. Better to be safe than sorry. If it is another Gallbladder attack, you may have to opt for surgery to remove it. Gallbladder pain can be different in some people. Pain is always a warning that something isn't right. So, call your doctor. Let me know how things go.
Thank you for your response. Yes the pain is rather annoying. But, only this pain on side of rib, no other, that I know of symptoms.
Thank you for your response, at times, my side waist is sore, then up toward, and to rib area, pain site is about the size of my palm if i place it over my rib area. Ive had basic bloodwork for kidney function, and ultrasound of kidney. They mentioned gallstones, mild fatty liver.
Thank you for your response, I haven't yet decided on the removal, don't know if itd be beneficial or not.
Yes that is the only symptoms I have no stomach pains or flare ups they passed when I altered my diet etc ... The only pain or nagging dull ache I have is my right rib area
I also have fatty liver
ive read fatty liver causes no pain, is that correct?
When I had my ultra sound results back my doctor showed no concern at all for the fatty liver said it was very common. I'm not over weight only 9 1/2 stone but my diet I guess wasn't the best. But I've changed that now. He said not to worry at all. Like you I just have rib ache constant but I can put up with it . I often wondered if the ache was maybe a swelling of the liver or the gall bladder but my doc said can't answer this until they operate then they can determine what the ache is. But they won't scan me. Hence why I going private to put my mind at ease over the ache. But lots of people including doc have said not to worry about fatty liver. I hope that puts your mind as ease.
Just like you describe mine. However Igot nausea and high temperature too with the attacks. Worst part is pain is still there 6 years on, been told its adhesions formed after op and when liver is stressed dealing with fat. Nausea and temperature gone though thankfully
Hi, I know a fatty liver can cause this sort of pain as well as the gallbladder. I had a gallbladder that wasn't working properly which gave pain on the right side underneath the ribs and went around the the back and upto the shoulder blades. If it is your gallbladder then it does give you attacks and ease off and those may get more frequent. Does food effect you and give you more pain after eating?
What tests have they done as I know the symptoms you are having are similar to so many things in that area so they need to rule out other diagnosis.
What did they say about your bloodwork, does that show anything?
Let me know. Take care xx
So you also have the "rib " pain? it's so wierd, just feels like mild swelling between rib and skin, a burning annoying pain.
bloodwork good, xray clear, abdominal ultrasound clear, except for mild fatty liver, and gallstones
No actual swelling but the area is sore to touch, or rest my arm against.
I know alot of people have a gastroscopy to rule out ulcers and any problems in the stomach and duodenum. When I had it they also took biopsies to check for other disorders that can cause the same pains. Mine all came back as normal. They usually do this and a CT scan to rule out other diagnosis so at least they know if the pain is coming from the gallbladder.
I know with the gallbladder that they do tend to monitor if your symptoms aren't constant as there isn't always any urgency to remove the organ at that point but you will need to go back to your doctor if your symptoms change or get worse.
Keep me updated with what happens. x
yes, no actual swelling, just the feeling of it
Hi Adrian, yes mine's like that. I can't bear any pressure on it as its very sensitive. I'm just be diagnosed with sphincter of oddi dysfunction which causes similar pain. My gallbladder is out now as it wasn't working properly. It must be very difficult suffering 6 years later.
Are you still seeing a doctor?
Hello Kelan, I decided to have my gall bladder removed after delaying it for so many years but because I was starting to have this burning feeling, not from the front but mostly at the back on the right side where my gall bladder was. I was really hesitant to go ahead with it and waited for another year. I was having more of the back problem and frequent indigestions. To be honest I think the back problem is another issue, but my burning feeling from indigestion is gone now. I had bouts of diarrhea in the beginning probabaly for two weeks and I had to discuss that with the surgeon, he suggested. Yogurt with probiotics and I tried whatever heals and after a week my body adjusted and now my problem is gone. I still have soreness on the navel area, perhaps because it takes time to heal inside. Also I was starting to feel nautious at times and the discomforts of the burning sensations. accdg to the doctor the smaller the stones the higher the risk of blocking the duct. Discuss it with your doctor because the decision is really yours and they can give a better advice. I know the feeling and I hope that you will get better soon but make sure to do your own research. Good luck! I hope my past experience dealing with the same problem helps.