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Is it my gall bladder or a more serious health issue?

Thank you for taking time to read and respond to this post.  I am actually very concerned about my current health situation.  I'll try to be as brief as possible.  Three weeks ago (July 19, 2009 to be exact), I over indulged in a BBQ buffet consisting of pork ribs, beef brisket and beef/pork sausage.  I followed with a fairly large piece of pecan pie with ice cream.  I ate about 7 pork ribs, 4-5 pieces brisket and 5 small slices of sausage.  About 3 hours after the indulgence, my symptoms began.  Nausea, terrible headache concentrated on the back of neck (right side), stomach cramping, bloated, heart racing fast... i really thought i was going to pass out, felt like a heart attack.  Took Advil after 2 hours all symptoms seemed to subside.    No one else that ate got sick so I assumed it was just the overindulgence.  
Monday, had soft, stools.  A bit of nausea and lightheadedness.  Ate a small vegeterian soup... 45 minutes later, all symptoms returned, with stomach cramping/bloatness and headache most prevelant.  cramping/bloatness was conentrated around belly button area(mid abdomen), slight back pain but no pain under right rib cage. lasted for 2-3 hours and subsided.  took advil went symptoms returned.  At this point, we are all thinking food poisoning.   Bowel movements don't change, no diahrrea, no fever just terrible cramping/bloatness.  
Tuesday, same as monday.  Had smaller bowl of veggy soup, cramps not as intense but headache wanting to come back. Felt better and did not eat anything the rest of day.
Wed, cramping/bloatness in same area, now after first bowel movement.  
Thursday, Diahrrea, went 2 times in AM, 3 times in PM, had small dinner.  Cramps/bloatness, headaches continue.  
Friday: Finally went to Dr.  Explained all that happened, also believed it was food poisoning/parasites due to pork.  Started metronidazole, injected 2 g Rocefin, ran all sorts of tests, CBC (all normal, RBC, WBC within normal range).  Metronidazole helped a bit, but Monday, cramping/bloatness returned, lightheaded, dizzy, headache.  
Tuesday:  Returned to Dr.   Gave me Vermox.  Ran another round of CBC (no changes in RBC,WBC), blood test, stool tests ordered.
Friday:  Vermox helped.. i thought i saw what appeared to be thread worms (small black stringy things in my stool).  Were not there before Vermox so i assumed it was a parasite.  end of story.  Weekend, felt better just drop off in my blood pressure (and I have hbp... another symptom; dropped to 105/80 without medication).  
Monday, I notice my stool turning into a sort of sandy, light yellowish soft stool (yellowish tint on toilet paper).  On toilet paper it has the consitency of "baby poop".   Cramping/bloatness returned but not as severe.  Slightheadedness but not as severe.
Tuesday this week this is when i begin to suspect the gall bladder:  Bloatness returns esp after first bowel movement,  about 1 or 2 after eating anything, i feel a rather harsh digestion after i eat.. like if i have to go to restroom but then it stops, when i feel bloatness i wish i could pass gas...but i cant.  Tenderness/discomfort in right upper abdomen right below rib cage and now cramping in left lower pelvic (intestines).  Returned to dr... all results negative!!! No parasites, no worms, CBC Normal (no elevation in R or WBC), Liver enzymes one point elevated from normal, even did Typhoid fever (e coli tests slightly elevated but all within normal ranges)... ALL tests normal.  Will refer me to gastro.
WED, Thurs bloatness worsens, especially after first bowel movement., more pain in upper right abdomen area and cramping in left pelvic area (intestines) esp after eating anything.  Same stool consitency.

My history with gall bladder:  About 6 years ago, had problems with gall bladder.  Severe pain upper right abdomen, bloatness, back pain.  Scan done, no gall stones detected, gall bladder not working at full capacity but within acceptable range to avoid surgery. Rx (forgot the name) given for about 1.5 years.  Since then, i have felt pain in my right upper abdomen... it comes and goes maybe about once a week but not bothersome. but i know its my gall bladder.  I lost about 35 pounds (from 220 - 185) in a course of 3-4 months two years ago with diet and exercise.  Kept the weight off for almost two years.  But this February I started gaining some weight back going from 185-190 and then in april to 196 and varying my weight from 196-200 and then back down to 195.  I would not keep up with my exercise/diet and began to consume fast food almost daily since april 2009.  right now i weigh 202 lbs.    I know this is another risk factor for gall bladder issues.  About 2 weeks before these symtomps began, i was feeling a bit lightheaded and my stomach (middle abdomen) had been feeling upset/not hungry from time to time.  My mother has had gall bladder issues in the past too requiring rx.  I am hispanic/latino.  I have been reading about parasites and now gall bladder issues and it seems i may have a gall stone that is causing this. I don't know but i am worried.  Please let me know what you think or if you need additional information.  I'm going back to the same gastro MD on Tuesday August 11. Thank you.
3 Responses
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Avatar universal
Have an ultrasound done to look for gallstones.
(If they find stones, have them remove the stones NOT the gall bladder.  You need it, and may suffer 'the runs' without it.)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Have an ultrasound done to look for gallstones.
(If they find stones, have them remove the stones NOT the gall bladder.  You need it, and may suffer 'the runs' without it.)

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Have you thought it's your stomach?  Sharon
Helpful - 0
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