Question:

Can you tell me more about gallbladder attacks? I have been having pain inthe upper right area of my abdomen for some time now. It isn’t constant. Comes and goes. It almost up undermy rib cage at times. I also get heartburn and nausea. Does this sound right? Also, my stomach feels better when it’s full. And, of all things, red meat helps. (me, and ex-vegan!::sigh::) I also get a lot of gas with the symptoms. Sometimes the queasiness can ill feeling can go on for days. Also, emotional upset can bring on the problem.

Gallbladder attacks are a YMMV, some people have mild, colicky pains, and some       ( like myself) have severe  pain. My gallbladder attacks would wake me up in the early morning, and it felt like someone had their fist pressing in my back, very uncomfortable. Then after awhile, the pain would radiate to the right upper quadrant of my  abdomen, just under my  right ribcage.   I sometimes had indigestion and would vomit. My attacks at the beginning lasted 12 hours, and each attack lasted longer and longer. Some people c/o of pain radiating to their right shoulder, and also c/o of nausea. You seem to have some of the symptoms, of course your doctor needs to dignosis you. My pain I don`t know what to make about feeling better when your stomache is full, and that red-meat makes you feel better. I know you are good at journaling, everytime you get a attack, think of what you ate 12 hours prior to the attack and record it. If it is gallbladder, you usually will have  a few "triggers", mine was mayonnaise or hot dogs. My friend`s was kielbasi and sausage. Any kind of food that is fatty, spicy or rich can be a trigger.The pain is not relieved by acid blockers. I don`t recall queasiness for days. And it is food that will trigger a attack, never heard of emotions being a trigger. One thing after my attacks, my abdomen felt sore for days, like I had exercised to the point of pulling my abdominal muscles. I know I need to get into the doctor. And, I am going to try to after the first of the week. Life has just been so hectic. Bad excuse..I know. <HG

You really have to go. The best test for gallstones is a sonogram. Don`t put this off Jen, I did and I made myself very ill. I ended up in the hospital for 7 hour surgery, I was butchered ( had 32 staples to close  the incision ), and got to stay in the hospital for almost 3 gallbladder woes. I woke up from sugery with a nasogastric tube ( which I had for  one week ), I was permitted no fluids or food for a full week,  a foley catheter, and a assorted collection of tubes and machines for different things. Surgery these days is a breeze.You are usually in and out in one day, the procedure is called "Laparoscopic Cholecytectomy". Instead of a long incision, it is two or three small holes. Ian had this procedure, but I think they removed more than his Gallbladder<g. Thanks for the info in advance!

Any time. And I am going to be on your case about getting to the doctor<VBG Really, take care of it, and I hope you feel better. Jackie

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snipped Ian had this procedure, but I think they removed more than his Gallbladder<g. LOL! Well, they had to go down a bit further if they removed any brain tissue. <G (Just kidding Ian!) snipped Jen

:-(  mumble,grumble, sigh. After spending a long time composing/sending a IMO thoughful, supportive post I finally come to this.  <head shakes  The evil *Her* I can understand, but you Jen !!!!!!!   Tut, tut!! I’ll  have you know that my brains are intact, and still between my ears!!, unlike some who long ago lost *Her’s* and has had to resort to bleached wood shavings ever since!! And my nether regions are also in (almost) 100% working order (# tricyclics!!!). And now I’m going back to the entirely sane world of fishing! CYAs all Ian

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If I were you I would go get this symptom checked out by your doctor. It is a good idea that any new symptom be checked out. It might be anxiety, but I am suspicious that it may be your gallbladder. My gallbladder attacks were terribly painful and the pain went from my back on the right sid,e all the way around to my upper abdomen. And when I had these attacks I was very anxious due to the pain. Please check this out. Take care!! Jackie, Can you tell me more about gallbladder attacks? I have been having pain inthe upper right area of my abdomen for some time now. It isn’t constant. Comes and goes. It almost up undermy rib cage at times. I also get heartburn and nausea. Does this sound right? Also, my stomach feels better when it’s full. And, of all things, red meat helps. (me, and ex-vegan!::sigh::) I also get a lot of gas with the symptoms. Sometimes the queasiness can ill feeling can go on for days. Also, emotional upset can bring on the problem. I know I need to get into the doctor. And, I am going to try to after the first of the week. Life has just been so hectic. Bad excuse..I know. <HG Thanks for the info in advance! Regards, Jen

Jen, gallbladder pain can vary a lot, but it tends to occur a few hours after meals, particularly if the meal contains a lot of oil/fat (bile is used to break them down). In my case it seem to mainly occur late evenings, not often during the day. This may be because if you move about a lot the stones blocking the little tube that runs from the gallbladder to the intestine tend to get dislodged. The thing that alerted my doc that it probably was the gb was that I was doing the horizontal rub at about diaphragm level. The symptoms you describe do sound like it may be the gb. Its easily tested either by ultrasound or a CAT scan. Unlike Jackie’s experience these days a good surgeon should be removing gbs using laparoscopic techniques (occasionally if a stone is caught down the tube they may have to do a conventional procedure, but its fairly rare). This involves three 1/2" incisions, one just under the ^ of the rib cage, one into the bottom of your bellybutton and another about 5-6" to the right. The op only takes 45-60min, doesn’t require sutures (although for cosmetic reasons you might want the top one stitched), and they will probably kick you out on the second or third day. Get onto your doc, this gets progressively worse, and can get a lot worse. Good luck Ian BTW-keep the stones, I’ve got 128 complete and lots of broken pieces, they might end up being valuable. G/stones are used in chinese medicine, so once they’ve killed the last bear/tiger/whatever :-(  I’m going to make a killing!   ;-)

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – snipped Ian had this procedure, but I think they removed more than his Gallbladder<g. LOL! Well, they had to go down a bit further if they removed any brain tissue. <G (Just kidding Ian!) snipped Jen :-(  mumble,grumble, sigh. After spending a long time composing/sending a IMO thoughful, supportive post I finally come to this.  <head shakes  The evil *Her* I can understand, but you Jen !!!!!!!   Tut, tut!!

Ha! Just couldn’t come back with a snappy one could ya!? <HG I’ll  have you know that my brains are intact, and still between my ears!!, unlike some who long ago lost *Her’s* and has had to resort to bleached wood shavings ever since!!

Hey, I’m not in that thread! ;-) And my nether regions are also in (almost) 100% working order (# tricyclics!!!).

Well, that is certainly better than nothing!

A little closer there with that…..{never mind!} <EG And now I’m going back to the entirely sane world of fishing!

I hope to do the same soon! Soon as it warms up a bit more. CYAs all

And u! Jen

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Jen, gallbladder pain can vary a lot, but it tends to occur a few hours after meals, particularly if the meal contains a lot of oil/fat (bile is used to break them down). In my case it seem to mainly occur late evenings, not often during the day. This may be because if you move about a lot the stones blocking the little tube that runs from the gallbladder to the intestine tend to get dislodged. The thing that alerted my doc that it probably was the gb was that I was doing the horizontal rub at about diaphragm level. The symptoms you describe do sound like it may be the gb.

<snipped for space Thanks Ian! I am going for the ultrasound on Tuesday. <sheesh, you guys do nag! <G Like I said in a previous post, the "punch in the gut" feeling at 1:30 this morning kinda lit a fire under my butt about getting in to the doc. I am as paranoid about anesthesia as I am about flying…if not more so. SO, if I do have to have surgery, this IS not going to be anywhere close to pleasant. Not that it is for anyone else…but, hey, this is me. ;-) Regards, Jen

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Okay! I went to the doctor today. After a LOVELY morning in a psychologists office taking the MMPI for the umpteenth time and having an interview for social security disabilty. (BTW, I am not really rterribly disabled currently, BUT this whole disability thing has been going on for 2 years now come May. And I STILL have not been approved or denied. All I want is the back pay from when my PD & agoraphobia WAS really severe.) ANYWAY….. After that decidedly "un-fun" time, I got into my MD’s and she said: "U-huh, sounds like classic gallbladder symptoms to me." The vampire nurse took 2 vials of blood for testing for liver enzymes and for amalyase (pancreas). And, I have to go have an abdominal sonogram next Tuesday. Whatever that shows, we’ll go from there. So, I did manage to do it! ::sigh:: The 1:30 a.m. "wake-ip" call kinda helped. I was up this A.M. feeling as though someone punched me in the gut and having a hot flash at the same time. Almost panicked, but decided sleep was a better idea. ;-) Regards, Jen

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Pardon me for jumping in here, but please, please, see your physician if you think you have any problems with your gallbladder.  It’s fairly easy to diagnose – you eat a few radiopaque tablets after fasting overnight, and have an x-ray in the morning.  If you need to have your gallbladder removed, they usually do a video cholecystectomy these days – you’re asleep and you only need a couple band-aids to cover your incision and you MAY even go home the same evening. If you don’t attend to a "bad" gallbladder you could develop some nasty problems that aren’t so treatable. Rigby

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I am as paranoid about anesthesia as I am about flying…if not more so. SO, if I do have to have surgery, this IS not going to be anywhere close to pleasant. Not that it is for anyone else…but, hey, this is me. ;-) Regards, Jen

Hey Jen, I can relate! My biggest fear really. Still, it would seem advisable to take this one step at a time. Nobody said that will have to have surgery and possibly you won’t. You would suffer needleslly AA-ing (like my new verb? ;) ) about something that may never happen. Yeah, I know, I would too. Big time. I’ll be thinking about you which is a pleasant pastime anyway :) Philip

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Pardon me for jumping in here,<snipped for space

Hi Rigby, No problem! The more the merrier! <G If you don’t attend to a "bad" gallbladder you could develop some nasty problems that aren’t so treatable.

So I have been told. I am having the sonogram next Tuesday. They only do them on Tuesdays. ::sigh:: Modern medicine, ya know! Plus, after seeing my acupuncturist, I am feeling better…for the moment. So, we will see after the results of the sonogram which route I’ll need to take; Allopathic, i.e. surgery or alternative; i.e. acupuncture and diet. Luckily, my MD is both an allopath and a naturopath/homeopath. So, I have choices! Yippee!! Thanks for the good advice. I really appreciate everyone’s responses to this thread. Regards, Jen

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Hey Jen,

Hey Philip, I can relate! My biggest fear really. Still, it would seem advisable to take this one step at a time. Nobody said that will have to have surgery and possibly you won’t. You would suffer needleslly AA-ing (like my new verb? ;) )

::smile:: Yeah, I like that one! Actualy, I am not AA-ing much at all. Went to my acupuncturist today. I am always amazed at the level of relief I get from the treatments. I could actually feel the spasms in the upper right side when she inserted particular needles. But, after some initial nausea and pain, I am feeling better this afternoon than I have in a long while. We are going to wait to see what the sonagram has to say. If it is not too awful and I can treat the problem with diet and such, I will continue on with mt acupuncturiist and chaning my diet to an even lower fat one. And, I’ll try to lose those last 10 lbs. too! ::grrr::: ;-) I have a pretty good feeling about all fo this actually. And, the only time I am losing any sleep over it is when I get up with pain. So, no anxiety around it. about something that may never happen. Yeah, I know, I would too. Big time.

Now, if they tell me I need surgery…then I’ll be AA-ing …a LOT! <G I’ll be thinking about you which is a pleasant pastime anyway :)

Why thank you. :) Flattery will get everywhere! ;-) Regards, Jen

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Okay! I went to the doctor today. After a LOVELY morning in a psychologists office taking the MMPI for the umpteenth time and having an interview for social security disabilty. (BTW, I am not really rterribly disabled currently, BUT this whole disability thing has been going on for 2 years now come May. And I STILL have not been approved or denied. All I want is the back pay from when my PD & agoraphobia WAS really severe.)

Good luck in getting your disability!!! ANYWAY….. After that decidedly "un-fun" time, I got into my MD’s and she said: "U-huh, sounds like classic gallbladder symptoms to me

I am so happy for you lady that you went to the doctor and bummer that they think it is the gallbladder. I really was going to hound you to death about going.<VBEG ." The vampire nurse took 2 vials of blood for testing for liver enzymes and for amalyase (pancreas). And, I have to go have an abdominal sonogram next Tuesday. Whatever that shows, we’ll go from there.

giving them. In nursing school we practiced injections on oranges, but we couldn`t wait to give our first injection on someones butt….we are so bad<G. So, I did manage to do it! ::sigh:: The 1:30 a.m. "wake-ip" call kinda helped. I was up this A.M. feeling as though someone punched me in the gut and having a hot flash at the same time. Almost panicked, but decided sleep was a better idea. ;-)

Well Jen, please take care of yourself and feel better. Watch what you eat, it really does help keep those attacks to a minimum. Take care. Jackie

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Good luck in getting your disability!!!

Thanks! I’m sure I’ll need it! It really pisses me off that if I went in there missing a leg or had some other "visible" disablity or even PSTD, I would automatically qualify. But instead, I have been run through hell and high water for two damn years now. And, it may still end up going to hearing. ::sigh:: I am NOT trying to get anything that I am not "entitled" to. I worked for years before my PD got so bad I had to quit. And, I don’t want it now, since I am better. Typical govt. BS. Anyway…… I am so happy for you lady that you went to the doctor and bummer that they think it is the gallbladder. I really was going to hound you to death about going.<VBEG

Oh, I’m sure you were! <G I wasn’t going to give you the chance! ;-p~~~~~~ giving them. In nursing school we practiced injections on oranges, but we couldn`t wait to give our first injection on someones butt….we are so bad<G.

It never really bothers me. Now, Hawk OTOH is really bad with needle. He’s gotten better since a series of rabies shots due to a "tangle" with a stray house cat when were inUpstate NY and since he has learned that acupuncture cures his back pain within minutes. <G But me, you can stick needle all over me and it really doesn’t phase me. I just have lousy veins though and I almost alwasy bruise from a blood draw. ::sigh:: Oh well….. Well Jen, please take care of yourself and feel better. Watch what you eat, it really does help keep those attacks to a minimum. Take care.

Watching the food. And, I am feeling much better today after the acupuncturist yeaterday. I am always amazed at how well it works. And I am the biggest skeptic in the world. But, I have found this to be effective for a lot of different problems over the past 2 years. I actually even got out with my duaghter and got in a "nature walk". It was pretty cool. They are stocking the backwaters of the lake near us with Northern Pike. We got to see all the eggs and the insdie of the hatchery on wheels. We also saw lot of other cool stuff. I really enjoy homeschooling her. It’s great for all of us. Thanks for the support…and the nagging. <G Best Wishes…er fishes! ;-) Jen

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If I were you I would go get this symptom checked out by your doctor. It is a good idea that any new symptom be checked out. It might be anxiety, but I am suspicious that it may be your gallbladder. My gallbladder attacks were terribly painful and the pain went from my back on the right sid,e all the way around to my upper abdomen. And when I had these attacks I was very anxious due to the pain. Please check this out. Take care!!

Jackie, Can you tell me more about gallbladder attacks? I have been having pain inthe upper right area of my abdomen for some time now. It isn’t constant. Comes and goes. It almost up undermy rib cage at times. I also get heartburn and nausea. Does this sound right? Also, my stomach feels better when it’s full. And, of all things, red meat helps. (me, and ex-vegan!::sigh::) I also get a lot of gas with the symptoms. Sometimes the queasiness can ill feeling can go on for days. Also, emotional upset can bring on the problem. I know I need to get into the doctor. And, I am going to try to after the first of the week. Life has just been so hectic. Bad excuse..I know. <HG Thanks for the info in advance! Regards, Jen

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<snip My pain

Not even close to childbirth! ::shivers:: Mostly just sensitive and tender with gas and idigestion. IMO, it really is probably all stress. But I will do the doc thing. I have had stomach problems since I was 4 or so. Had my first upper GI in 6th grade. So, this is nothing "new", I just haven’t had these symptoms in a long time. So, then then become "new". I know you are good at journaling, everytime you get a attack, think of what you ate 12 hours prior to the attack and record it.

It may be dairy for me. Since we moved, there is a place that is about a block away that has the most awesome frozen custard. I have a serious weakness for any kind of ice cream and the really rich stuff in particular. I know I have been eating poorly recently and have been in a sort of "trough" mood wise. So, that may have a lot to do with all of this too. I don`t recall queasiness for days. And it is food that will trigger a attack, never heard of emotions being a trigger. One thing after my attacks, my abdomen felt sore for days, like I had exercised to the point of pulling my abdominal muscles.

Well, it would be hard for me to separate that symptom from my workouts. <G I DO end up pulling my stomach muscles quite a bit rfom crunches and hanging leg raises and lifting in general. Nothing "major", just the usual exercise soreness. You really have to go. The best test for gallstones is a sonogram. Don`t put this off Jen, I did and I made myself very ill.

<snip Sounds really awful!!! I’ve had an NG tube in the past. ICK!!! And, the continnula stomach pump with it. It was pretty awful. I have had a laprotomy to remove a hemmoraghic cyst on my right ovary. I bit more involed that a laproscopy, but close to the same thing. I came through it pretty well. BUT, I was only 31 back then! Ian had this procedure, but I think they removed more than his Gallbladder<g.

LOL! Well, they had to go down a bit further if they removed any brain tissue. <G (Just kidding Ian!) Any time. And I am going to be on your case about getting to the doctor<VBG Really, take care of it, and I hope you feel better.

I know, I know. EVERYONE is on my case about it. I will make an appointment tomorrow. As long as I remember. I was going to do it today…then the day simply slipped away. ::sigh:: I just don’t look forward to all the appointments and tests and such. ::shudder:: I have gone thorugh enough of them already for two lifetimes! ;) Thanks Jackie. I really apprecite the info. BTW, my sister-in-law just had her gallbladder removed about 2 weeks ago. She ended up with about a 10" incision instead of a laproscopic procedure! It’s taken her quite a while to recuperate. I still don’t have all the details on what exactly happend that required such extensive surgery. Regards, Jen

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Does anyone experience severe pain in their upper adomen when having a panic attack?  I’ve had panic attacks for several years.  My last two panic attacks were accompanied by severe pain in my stomach that hurt through to my back. Just wondering if the pain is from some other cause and it somehow triggered the attack?

Hi Cazorp, If I were you I would go get this symptom checked out by your doctor. It is a good idea that any new symptom be checked out. It might be anxiety, but I am suspicious that it may be your gallbladder. My gallbladder attacks were terribly painful and the pain went from my back on the right sid,e all the way around to my upper abdomen. And when I had these attacks I was very anxious due to the pain. Please check this out. Take care!! Jackie Do not let the fear of dropping it cause you to hold it too tightly; the chances are, it’s holding you too.

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Does anyone experience severe pain in their upper adomen when having a panic attack?  I’ve had panic attacks for several years.  My last two panic attacks were accompanied by severe pain in my stomach that hurt through to my back. Just wondering if the pain is from some other cause and it somehow triggered the attack?

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Cazorp writes:

<< Does anyone experience severe pain in their upper adomen when having a panic attack?  I’ve had panic attacks for several years.  My last two panic attacks were accompanied by severe pain in my stomach that hurt through to my back. Just wondering if the pain is from some other cause and it somehow triggered the attack?   Hi Cazorp! In a word, yes! Many of us with PD also suffer from GERD & IBS; according to Dr. Shipko, these problems are part of the disease as a whole (he has a great website explaining this in detail at www.algy.com/pdi/)…IMO, his research is amazing, as it has put the pieces of the panic puzzle together for me in a way I’ve never seen before. As far as the stomach pain goes, I’ve had it radiate to my back, throat, and even down to my thighs:(. I usually take Xantac 75 for it; that seems to work best for me, although it does take awhile. The Tums, Mylanta, etc. route was never of much help to me, but YMMV. I HAVE noticed that the abdominal pain is more likely to hit me when I’m really stressed and/or panicked. I hope this is of some help to you, and I feel Dr. Shipko’s site is well worth checking out…JMO; I have never met him, but I’m impressed:) Best, ~~Char*) "You’re just jealous because the little voices talk to ME!"

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