Gallbladder Symptoms

Thanks in advance to anyone who can give me some advice.  I have had off and on pain for over year in the right side of my abdomen and back.  I have not been able to connect this to any particular foods, when the pain is there it seems to stay for a week or more before subsiding.  I have had one episode of what I would describe as an "attack", athough it was very painful it did not seem to be as severe as I have heard some people describe gallbladder attacks. When I had the episode by stomach hurt all the way across the top on both sides & it felt like the worst gas pains I have ever had.  I kept burping thinking that this would make the pain go away.  When I am having the aching pain that lasts for a while I also seem to have pain lower in my stomach & back.  I also have some pain in my mid back on the right side.  Has anyone ever had right lower quadrant pain with their gallbladder problems?  This is the one thing that is really worrying me.  I have always heard RUQ pain with gallbladder problems.  It almost seems that the whole right side of my abdomen is affected, from the bottom of my ribs down below my belly button.  I also burp constantly through out the day, but also have acid reflux & that may be causing the exessive burping.  Also a lot of nausea lately.  Any ideas?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

The symptoms you describe can be consistent with gallbladder-type pain, and if your doctor suspects this, an abdominal ultrasound can be considered.

Other possibilities that can be considered include various forms of dyspepsia, such as GERD or an ulcer, and can be investigated with an upper GI series or upper endoscopy.

More specialized tests, like blood tests for celiac disease, or breath tests to exclude lactose deficiency, can be considered as well.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin Pho, M.D.

KevinMD.com
Twitter.com/kevinmd