Possible gallstones

How do you know if you have Gallstones. Been getting really bad pains under my boob on the right side for days now. My doc says it is tender around my Gallbladder. But I have NO idea what's going on..
He is sending me for another Ultrasound to see what is going on. I'm hoping it's not!!

Please help me!!

[Christopher R Watters, MD]

You make the comment that you are getting "another" ultrasound. Does that mean you have had negative studies previously? One must remember that you are looking for gallbladder disease not just gallstones. The two don't necessarily equate as about 75% of patients with gallstones have no symptoms. The absence of gallstones does not rule out gallbladder disease. When patients present with typical biliary symptoms and have a negative ultrasound, the next step is usually a functional test of the gallbladder (HIDA w/ CCK stimulation). An upper endoscopy is also typically performed to rule out other causes. These will produce an answer in the vast majority of patients.

[misskay31]

My doc is ordering another Ultrasound cuz he believes I may have Kidney stones onto of cysts and now possibly Gallstones. I am waiting for an ultrasound to be done on Aug 20th! To check my cysts and to see if it kidney stones that is causing soo much pain in my right lower back! That I have had since about July 3rd!! And I still have found no relief for the pain!!

[Christopher R Watters, MD]

What type of physician is ordering the test? It would be rather bizarre for kidney cysts to cause pain. These are almost always an incidental finding. If he is repeating the ultrasound to follow a kidney finding have you at least been seen by a urologist? Further, why in the world would it take three weeks to get an ultrasound? If the question is kidney stones a CT would be the appropriate test not an ultrasound.

[misskay31]

He is my family doctor. I have an ultrasound tomorrow to see if I do have gallstones or not. And he said he would not order a CT scan cuz an ultrasound is safer and less radiation, is what he told me. I'm not sure why he wants me to wait soo long to check for kidney stones!! All I know is, the pain in my right side lower back is unbearable!! It has been almost constant since July 3rd!

[Christopher R Watters, MD]

If the main question is whether or not you have gallstones the ultrasound is clearly the best choice. If the question is whether you may have a nonobstructing kidney stone in the ureter ultrasound would be useless. Maybe if you had a stone obstructing the ureter then the ultrasound would be able to see the urine baked up into the kidney like it was going to explode. This would not be an elective situation though and would warrant a study the same day. The pain in right flank and lower back could easily be either one (or a missed retrocecal appendicitis that would show up on the CT scan but not the ultrasound). He has the advantage of having examined you so I hope you and he get to an answer soon.

[misskay31]

It's not gallstones! My gallbladder is all clear and nothing wrong with it! No idea about my kidney tho!!! It still hurts and have to wait til the 20th to figure out what's going on with it!!

[Christopher R Watters, MD]

Not to rain on your parade but a negative ultrasound does not automatically mean a normal gallbladder. Your symptoms would be typical for gallbladder disease. If no other cause for your pain is found a functional test of your gallbladder would be in order. This is a HIDA scan with CCK infusion. They can see if your gallbladder is functioning as it should and/or if making your gallbladder contract reproduces the pain. Today, approximately 20% of the gallbladders that are removed are because of dysfunction on testing after a "normal" ultrasound. Statistics argue that 93% of these patients enjoy resolution of there pain.

[Patientwanthelp]

Hi doctor ,i have lots of respect for doctors coz doctors are just like as saints of god sent  by him to help and the human and other creatures on  earth .doctor i have also some problem with my health one when i eat food eat come back not just like vomit material but same as i chewed . Second m 26 year old guy height 5'11 feet my weight is 58 kg m too skinny pls help or suggest any medicine or tonic to improve my appetite pls doctor  

[Christopher R Watters, MD]

If this has been a persistent problem it should be evaluated. Reflux disease, gastroparesis, or rumination syndrome would all be possibilities. A gastroenterologist would be a good place to start.

[Patientwanthelp]

Thanks doctor for help i will definitely go through your advice .doctor today i wanna share something with you .on this earth every human has different kinds of dreams and wishes .m sure you too .doctor i have lots of dreams too but my main dreams are just to give my mother lots of happiness, and want and take care her till my death coz she gave birth to me and coz of her m enjoying each and every part of nature and my life .And other dream is to become healthy guy who looks handsome not skinny .so pls doctor if you can help me so that my second dream will come true .i will think that you are my  god for forever.pls doctor help me to get rid of this skinny word .may god full fill all of your desires .      

[Christopher R Watters, MD]

You are very kind. I hope they solve your issues quickly.

[Patientwanthelp]

Thanks doctor i want to know the gastroparesis is it dangerous for my life and is it the reason for skinny physic .

[Christopher R Watters, MD]

Gastroparesis can be quite challenging to treat but should not directly threaten your life.

[Patientwanthelp]

Hi doctor how are you? Doctor i have big issue with my skinny body .for that i had concerned with one chemist and he suggested me two tablets to gain weight .there are Cyproheptadine hydrochloride and dexamethasone .he told me to take these tablets together two times a day .meanS 1 Cyproheptadine and 1 dexamethasone at breakfast and dinner every day .tell me doctor are there medicine ok or is their any side effects .