Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum.  ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Gastroenterology  (Expert Forum)
 | 
Are these gallstone attacks?
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
Post a Question Back to Forum
MedHelp Member's Question

Are these gallstone attacks?

by Claudette9641, Jun 15, 2002 12:00AM
I have been having these attacks since I was 12 (I'm 31 now) and I've been to many docs. Sometimes after I eat I get a dull pain in the middle of my stomach that gets worse by the minute.  When I feel the attack come on I feel tired and out of it.  The pain becomes so intense that I can't sleep, eat or drink anything.  When I feel the pain decrease (after 2 - 7 days), then I know it's safe to drink or eat something bland like chicken broth. Sometimes the pain gets so bad that it radiates to my back (i don't remember which direction).  Gradually with age, I have developed constant reflux due to a seizue medicine I am on (Depakote), so I have to take Prilosec.  That doesn't work anymore, so I'm taking an OTC with it...and that's not working either.  It seems that the reflux medicines have decreased the "attacks" though.  Anyone have any ideas? I've had the barium test(21 yr old), the H.Plyori test(28 yr old), and a sonogram (12 yrs old & 21), and a lower GI ink dye test (name? - 12 years old). I'm just sick of going to the docs if they are going to tell they can't find anything.  Are there certain tests I can ask for? Any help is appreciated.
Member Comments (18)

by virgo57, Jun 15, 2002 12:00AM
This is a cut and paste..it also states that an ultra sound can

be preformed to detect any gallstones.

What are the Symptoms? Symptoms of gallstones are often called a gallstone "attack" because they occur suddenly. A typical attack can cause

Steady, severe pain in the upper abdomen that increases rapidly and lasts from 30 minutes to several hours.

Pain in the back between the shoulder blades.

Pain under the right shoulder.

Nausea or vomiting.

Gallstone attacks often follow fatty meals, and they may occur during the night. Other gallstone symptoms include



Abdominal bloating.

Recurring intolerance of fatty foods.

Colic.

Belching.

Gas.

Indigestion.

People who also have the following symptoms should see a doctor right away:



Sweating.

Chills.

Low-grade fever.

Yellowish color of the skin or whites of the eyes.

Clay-colored stools.

by Claudette9641, Jun 16, 2002 12:00AM
Thanks for the info.  My doc at the time did not see anything on the ultrasound.  But of course, I was not having the attack at the time.  Is that why they did not find anything? That would be convenient if I could schedule my attacks around my lab appointments!

by virgo57, Jun 16, 2002 12:00AM
Hi...from what it says in this cut and paste that an ultra sound should detect the stones even if you are not having an attack at the time of the test.

How Are Gallstones Diagnosed? Many gallstones, especially silent stones, are discovered by accident during tests for other problems. But when gallstones are suspected to be the cause of symptoms, the doctor is likely to do an ultrasound exam. Ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of organs. Sound waves are sent toward the gallbladder through a handheld device that a technician glides over the abdomen. The sound waves bounce off the gallbladder, liver, and other organs, and their echoes make electrical impulses that create a picture of the organ on a video monitor. If stones are present, the sound waves will bounce off them, too, showing their location



Hope this info helps :)

by s.mcm, Jun 16, 2002 12:00AM
To: claudette
If the ultra sound did not show anything, it will not show more during an attack.  If they suspected gallstones it would show on the ultra sound anytime.  I had my gallbladder removed because of a large gallstone found on the ultrsound.  They also did the scope during surgery and discovered that I also have Gastritis.  Your symtoms sound like mine with Gastritis.  I recently switched from Nexium to Zantac and find the Zantac really helps

by virgo57, Jun 16, 2002 12:00AM
For my acid the doctor gave me Nexium but i was getting sharp stomach pains while on it and a sort of weird headache like an icecream headache..i too switched to Zantac and take one teaspoon of metamucil a day which keeps the pain in my left side away. I cannot drink juices or soda pop though or I get the major heartburn which makes my whole chest feel bruised and so sore I can feel each heart beat.

by Lynn28, Jun 16, 2002 12:00AM
To: Claudette9641
Hi Claudette-



The ultra sound may not have shown "Stones", but it will not show if you have a gallbladder that's not "Fuctioning" properly. A disfuctioning gallbladder will cause a lot of your symptoms, and your symptoms do sound a lot like it "Could" just that, so the test for this is called a "Hida-Scan". My old GI sent me in for an ultra sound to rule out stones, but my new GI is the one that explained the above, therefore he wants me to have the Hida-Scan. You may want to ask your gastroenterologist about this test. You are seeing a GI correct? Also, I have gastritis as well, and your symptoms relate to this as well, especially the PAIN after eating. I think it's important to have proper GI work-ups. Find a good GI. A good GI will suggest the tests to you, not the other way around where you are suggesting tests to him!



-Jenn

by Soccermom, Jun 16, 2002 12:00AM
To: Claudette9641
Hi Claudette, from what I have read on this forum, your "attacks" sound more like they are pancreatic in nature than gallstone related. I only say this because they last for such a long period of time and you cannot eat or drink anything during these episodes.  Search for chronic pancreantitus (sp)and compare your symptoms.  Hope this helps.

- Soccermom

by Claudette9641, Jun 16, 2002 12:00AM
Thanks everyone for your help.  I will call and make an appointment to a GI specialist in my area. When I was growing up I had medical care through the military and a lot of the docs were interns.  Luckily, I have a PPO now and have better choices.  I welcome any more comments.  I like to be well prepared for my appointments, because of past scary experiences with docs.

by Lor, Jun 17, 2002 12:00AM
Sounds to me like you might have a non functioning gallbladder. Which is called "biliary dyskinesia" with this you would have sludge in the gallbladder. Ask for a hida scan with ejection fraction this will show how well the gallbladder is contracting. I suffered with this for many years. First starting at 16 I'm now 36. I did not have gallstones. Which is why an ultrasound comes back normal.

by viola