Could this be gallstone related pain ??

[aussie mum]

Hi i have just been diagnosed with gallstones (i do however feel have had them for a while) my question is can pain on the left side of your abdo be related to the gallstones/gallbadder ?? The pain seems to be under mid chest/breast area and near the lower ribs on the left side.

I do get quite a bite of pain between my shoulder-blades. The pain on the left seems to almost mirror the right !!

Does any body else have this. I have an appointment to see my gastro doc mid Oct as my GP feels i need to have my gallbladder removed.

Also can they pass by them-self. If so is it pain-full. Can this be causing the pain on the left.

Any help would be GREAT !!

Thanks "}

[aussie mum]

Hi thanks for your reply !! My pain has eased off somewhat so I'm not sure if i've past some or not ?? I would rather have laparoscopic surgery then open surgery however i am over weight :{ so until i see him mid Oct I'm not to sure what will happen.

Do you know if the pain can come and go ?? I've also noticed when i move/twist my upper body i do get a pulling feeling around the gallbladder area which does hurt sometimes ??

Did your mother have any problems post opp or even now after having hers out ??

Thanks :}

[Itacri]

Hi aussie mom,

I've been checked for gallstones (clear), but when they did check, I was having pain on my left side. I was curious and asked why they would check the left side when the gallbladder is on the right. It's apparently very common what you are feeling with the stones.

My mother had her gallbladder removed about 4 years ago, she had *one* stone in there that was giving her all kinds of pain & problems. The doctor showed it to me after she was out of surgery. It was about the size of pea. (all that over such a little stone! I was amazed)

For the type of surgery, she went with laparoscopic surgery (cholecystectomy), be sure to ask your GI doctor if you're eligible for this type of procedure. If you have no complication factors, i'd go with this. It's done outpatient and recovery time is quick. (about 10 days).