I have had same symtoms for years, but recently found out the problems wa due to disc degeneration, i guess upper right ab pain is a symtom of it..... but now im thinking i also have Gb probs , cause i cant drink without getting sick after one or 2 drinks , and i recently started smoking again and my pain has gotton worse, and now im starting to get sick after eating fatty foods so just thought i would let ya know about disc degeneration in case they cant find anything else wrong ya might want to check into it.. good luck
I've sent you a PM. I've got similar symptoms and was hoping to email you.
Thanks for the response! I have SOD on my list of questions for the next time I talk to my DR. I have been taking narcotic pain killers for this and they seem to cut the pain a bit. My doc had me avoid them for a week to see if the condition improved (he never mentioned SOD). Unfortunately it didn't, but I will stop taking them again to see if it improves. Fortunately I am not taking very much as I can't work and take them at the same time. I am also watching the fat content of my food much more closely. Hasn't really helped, but it is still a good habit to get into! Thanks again!
There is a condition called SOD, sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, that may be a cause of 'underlying' problems that seem to be gallbladder issues but are not. Evidently the biliary system, a portion of the common bile duct, or the muscular opening to the duodenum (the sphincter) could be spasming and that will cause a LOT of pain. Typically, SOD isn't found until after the gallbladder is removed, but it's possible it could be present if all the tests turn out normal. The only diagnostic test for this is ERCP and manometry. If elevated pressures are found in the duct, they typically perform a sphincterotomy (cutting the sphincter) to loosen the opening. But if the pressures aren't high that sphincter should NOT be cut - so the manometry is very necessary.
You might want to talk to the doc about the possibility and see if you could try some fairly high doses of specific anti-spasm meds (or calcium channel blockers) and see if they can help cut the pain. If they help, it might suggest that the problem is SOD - but the blockers/meds don't work for everyone so it's a bit hard to tell.
I hope you're also following a lot fat diet. It's of help to some.
A very 'indirect' indication is the pain seems to get worse if a person takes a narcotic-based pain reliever - they increase the ductal pressures.
And is the doc sure no sludge was present? They can do a 'capture' of release bile to check. Sludge can be a MAJOR problem in some people.