Ever Have Gallbladder Problems? Gallstones?

**forHISglory** · 01-06-2009, 08:53 AM

I was so sick last night. It just suddenly hit in my chest and upper back...... pain that just doubled me over. I kept feeling like I needed a good burp. It hurt to take a deep breath. I've never had gallbladder problems before, and was just wondering if that was what hit me. The pain lasted about 7 hours before it finally went away. Today I feel fine, but I sure don't to repeat what happened last night!

If you have experienced gall bladder problems, could you let me know what your symptoms were?

**Laurie in Bradenton** · 01-06-2009, 10:02 AM

Yep! Had that happen at 2 in the morning. Ended up in the hospital because I thought I was having a heart attack. Like you say it went away after several hours. I was discharged after they saw it wasn't my heart. Then it happened again in the middle of the night 2 weeks later. I went to the hospital again and this time had gallbadder removed. That was 2 years ago and I'm still making payments to the county hosptial about $20.00 a month. Its all I can afford but they keep taking it and knocking the bill down.
Took about 3 weeks to toally recover from the surgery. My gallbladder was one solid mass and had to be cut up inside and then pulled out throught the little holes they made. It was done as an outpatient surgery since I didn't have any insurance. In at 6am out and home by noon. Slept away the next 2 days. Thank goodness for a great husband and daughter. Both took great care of me and friends stepped up to the plate divding up the next 2 weeks and bringing supper every night. You'll see who really loves you when your flat on your back. Hope your as lucky as I am.
Laurie in Bradenton

**PrairieRose** · 01-06-2009, 10:21 AM

ForHISglory.....I have had gallstones and gall bladder problems, had mine out about 25 years ago the old fashioned, 8 inch incision way.I thought I was having a heart attack, like Laurie. BUT I want to say that although it very well might have been a gall bladder problem you had it could also be a HEART attack! You should go to the dr. anytime you have that type of pain. Most women that die of heart attack, die b/c they waited too long to go to the dr. . Heart pain in women presents differently than it does in men and pressure and in the chest (needing to burp as you described it) can be a symptom of a heart attack. Please go to the dr. Please. (now that I've scared you to death...I hope it is your gall bladder, even so you shouldn't wait to see the dr. for that either---a friend's brother died from not going soon enough---passed a gallstone, got pancreatitis, 9 mo.s in ICU and then died

Please see your dr. immediately.

**forHISglory** · 01-06-2009, 11:51 AM

Awwwgggggg! Now I'm scared! I hadn't thought of heart attack. I've been a pretty healthy person for most of my life (minus the allergies). Every person in my family has had gall bladder removal except for me. That's why I thought of this first. Hubby wanted to take me to ER last night and I told him that it would pass and I'd be OK. And the pain did pass. But I NEVER want to feel it again. Thanks for your replies. They aren't the nicest scenarios, but I need to consider truth and facts.

**frugalfriend** · 01-06-2009, 11:58 AM

I REALLY think you should go to the Dr. too! One of my close friends had her gall bladder removed, and described pain like that. Please check it out! I'm gonna worry about you until I hear that you've been to the Dr.! Sending hugs and prayers your way that you get to the bottom of this.

**Iansmommy** · 01-06-2009, 12:03 PM

I had my gallbladder removed after the birth of my 1st child. I've never had an attack that lasted 7 hours though. Most of my attacks lasted less than an hour. It was the worst pain I've ever felt in my life. It was mostly in my upper right chest and kind of radiated through my back. I had a hard time breathing during the attack. I dealt with the attacks for about 4 months and finally called my doctor who did a ultra sound. I would definately get checked out, in the mean time try not to eat any greasy food, which can trigger an attack.

My surgery was a same day procedure, so I went home in the afternoon. I was back to work a week later. I think I have 4 small scars, and didn't require any stitches, just tape to close them.

If you have any more questions, just let me know

**forHISglory** · 01-06-2009, 12:54 PM

I am humbled by your responses and advice and caring. And to Michelle who bumped the other gallbladder threads: mega thanks. We have ice here today, so can go nowhere. But I'll give my doc a call tomorrow for an appointment. Just thinking about the pain I had last night is daunting.

**Michelle** · 01-06-2009, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by forHISglory

I am humbled by your responses and advice and caring. And to Michelle who bumped the other gallbladder threads: mega thanks. We have ice here today, so can go nowhere. But I'll give my doc a call tomorrow for an appointment. Just thinking about the pain I had last night is daunting.

It was worse than labor pains for me. And it would last for HOURS.

**Dixie** · 01-06-2009, 02:06 PM

I've never experienced it, but I just wanted to let you know I'm praying for you.

**PrairieRose** · 01-07-2009, 12:22 PM

There's a standing 'joke' if you want to call it that......the last 7 words that a heart attack victim says is "I'll be alright in a few minutes". I really don't want to scare you but if you google heart pain in women it mimics gall bladder pain and vice versa..... . Both need medical attention b/c a lot of the time the pain from a gall bladder attack can be the passing of a stone through the bile duct....that can cause pancreatitis and other really nasty diseases.

(Please make a dr.s appt. asap)

One more thing, if it is your gall bladder....chances are you can cause it to 'act up' again by eating something really fatty......wait for about 30 to 60 minutes and OUCH it's hurting again (maybe not as bad as the first time, maybe just pressure up and ache.....but if you have gall bladder disease it should hurt again.....)

**frugalfriend** · 01-07-2009, 01:01 PM

forHISglory ~ Checking in on you, how are you feeling today?

**forHISglory** · 01-07-2009, 05:49 PM

Hey friends,
I'm feeling quite well today, but I made a doctor's appointment. You talked me into it! So I go Monday for a check up, and sooner if need be. Thanks for pushing me!

**Michelle** · 01-07-2009, 05:59 PM

Glad you made the appt. Peace of mind if nothing else, yk?

I wanted to warn you though that after my attacks I felt great like nothing ever happened...until the next attack. I am glad you called the Dr. even though you feel good today.

**frugalfriend** · 01-07-2009, 06:22 PM

Glad to hear you made an appt., and that you are feeling good.

Better to be safe than sorry!

**joyofsix** · 01-07-2009, 06:32 PM

I had problems this summer. I woke up at 3am (July 4th of course)and thought it was a heart attack. I only had the one attack but opted to get mine removed since who knew when the next attack would be and this way I could plan things. I was up and around the next day and went shopping the day after that. Honestly, anesthesia was worse than the surgery. Recovery was a breeze. Don't let fear of a surgery stop you.