Gall bladder symptoms

I have been having severe stomache pains.  I have bloating up high (gall bladder area),  but also then I get stabbing pains on the lower left & sometimes lower right.  I can barely eat,  have been mostly drinking slimfast for several weeks now.  Spent 2 days & nights vomiting earlier in the week.  I finally went to a stomach doctor,  he thinks maybe gall bladder.  Had  a HIDA scan,  won't have results till Monday,  but am still having pain.  My question is,  can gall bladder attacks last this long,  and can they cause so much gas that you can have lower pain?  These attacks are debilitating,  and I can't function when they happen!

[md1733]

I just had my gallbladder removed this past week due to a large stone blocking a major duct. Many of my symptoms were similar to what you are experiencing now. Not only did I have the upper abdominal pain, but I had both upper and lower back pains. My attacks initially lasted for about an hour or two (I thought they were indigestion because I am being treated for acid reflux), but my last attack included about 8 hours of severe pain that gradually turned into a very dull ache.

I think it was wise for your doctor to have your gallbladder checked. Although I didn't have much luck getting rid of the pain, I did find that long, hot showers helped to ease it somewhat....

I know you have a couple of days to wait for results! I hope you find some answers soon! Best of luck!

[Jaybay]

My gb symptoms were similar to yours.  Most of the pain was in the right upper quadrant and around to the back, but the last couple of months before surgery it just hurt all over, all the time.  The bloating was unbelievable.

Good for you for staying with liquid replacements like Slim Fast.  I did the same exact thing and it at least kept me alive.  For some variety, you can also try either making your own smoothies or get the pre-made yogurt smoothies at the store.  Nouriche is a good one to try.  

Has your doc prescribed anything to help with the nausea and vomiting?  Phenergan worked well for me, but it will make you sleepy.  

Hope they get to the bottom of things soon for you.  :-)  

[windygirl]

No my doctor hasn't prescribed anything for the pain.  I have no insurance & just made an appt. with a gastro-guy for a consult cause I had no-where else to turn.  He does know I have no insurance & basically didn't want to deal with me.  But I got him to give me a referral for the HIDA,  and if it comes back that it is indeed gall bladder,  there are surgery centers here for people with no insurance that do the gall bladder thing for a flat fee of $5000.  That is what I will have to do if it's gall bladder.  

As for my pain,  I was in excruciating pain Monday evening-Wed. mid-day.  Then it started to ease off,  and by Friday I was still not feeling great,  but the stabbing pains were gone,  although I was still bloated.  Today I woke up & it's like none of it ever happened.  I feel perfectly normal.  Even ate a half a sandwich today & kept it down & no pain.  I just don't understand it,  makes me feel like I am going crazy.  My mom said that that's how gall bladder acts,  though,  you get attacks,  and then when they're over you feel fine.  Weird!  I still don't understand the lower left & lower right quadrent pains, though.  Maybe it's gas from all the bloating.  Either way, I sure hope this gets resolved,  and thanks for the input.