Is it gallbladder pain???

I have been having a pain under my right breast that started in my back and has come around to my right side. I can't even sleep on that side at night. Last week I had an ultrasound and the results were that a small polyp was found but the radiologist doesn't really know if it's a polyp or a gallstone. I am still in pain and now I am getting a CT scan of the abdominal area. Has anyone ever had this pain? If so please let me know your experience.

[Banned1]

I'm sorry you are suffering.  Yes, I've experienced a similar pain.  Even after having my gallbladder removed, the pain continues but this post is about YOU not me.  Forgive the length.  I want to try to provide as much information as I can.  I wish someone had done the same for me in the beginning.  I'm not a doctor and I know nothing about medicine beyond what I've experienced.  They might run a test called a HIDA Scan (Hepatobiliary Imino-Diacetic Acid scan) to evaluate how well your gallbladder is functioning.  If the ejection fraction rate is 35% or less, your gallbladder could be the culprit and may need to be removed.  

Doing your own research can only help.  Check out the "First Principles of Gastroenterology", http://gastroresource.com/GITextbook/en/Default.htm.  I would take special note of the biliary system, Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction and pancreatitis.  Learn as much as you can before you go through ANY surgery ~ especially how your biliary system works.  Knowledge is power.

Diet is KEY!  Keep a log of everything that goes into and comes out of your system, including medications and any holistics.  A low-fat, fibre-rich diet can make a BIG difference.  If you eliminate fried foods from your diet and start with bland foods only, you may get to a point where you have no pain.  Then you can add new items to see how you feel.  Less than 30 grams of fat per day is a great starting point.  

A few other less invasive tests such as the Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) and MRCP-S (Secretin) can image the whole thing including pancreas and ductal system.  If you like the GI you are seeing, s/he might be willing to try an EUS or MRCP-S.  ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) is more serious and riskier, from what I understand.

Are you taking Metamucil or a similar daily fibre product?  This is a great help for MANY people and might help.   It does not make you go, it makes you regular by adding fibre to the watery stools, making them firm.  

Many people have great success with digestive enzymes and pancreatic enzymes.  This is something you can talk to your Doc about.  You'll want to make sure that they only contain Proteases, Lipase and Amylase and no other active ingredients.  Prescription enzymes are the best.  There are sustained-action enzymes and immediate release enzymes.  A combination of the two can work wonders but you'd need to get instructions from your doctor and then figure out what works best for you.  Enzymes take several weeks before they work.  Enzymes are also sold in health food stores but, again, watch the ingredients.  Some contain acids and that can be bad news, depending upon your symptoms.

I mentioned keeping a log earlier.  It also helps to keep a journal.  It's a great way to review your situation objectively and identify patterns in your foods, symptoms, medications, bowel habits and pain level.  Hindsight is 20/20 and keeping a log might help you look at things more objectively over the longer term.  Also, when you do go into Emergency, you can say, this has been the pattern...  

You’d be shocked to learn how many people with abdominal pain are ignored or disbelieved.  Especially when it goes on for a long time without any answers, even those closest to you might have their doubts.  Please read the "spoon theory".  It is incredibly helpful and a MUST-READ for everyone: http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/navigation/BYDLS-TheSpoonTheory.pdf.  It puts things in perspective for those suffering from chronic pain.

Remember that you are not alone!  Try to stay positive and reach out for support when you need it.  Talk to your Doctor, family, friends, co-workers, church or social service volunteers or anyone you feel safe with.  

Yahoo! support groups can be wonderful.  To find one, search the web for Yahoo! groups.  Once you have the page where you can search the Yahoo! groups, search or "sphincter" (for Sphincter of Oddi).  Also, the best website to visit is top5plus5.com and there is an amazing forum/support group there.  Of course, there are no costs associated with these groups.

When you do find answers, it would be wonderful if you could let us know the root cause(s) and how you got rid of your pain.  It gives people on this site hope to hear success stories.  Post or email me anytime.  Email if you want a quick response.  I don't check in here that often anymore.

Take care of yourself.  Good luck and Godspeed.  All the best,

Sam