Bouts of terrible chest and back pain every few weeks (ruled out heart issues) - galbladder?

[Anonymous]

I had pain like that with a duodenal ulcer.

[Anonymous]

Update: I went to my pcp and they were surprisingly helpful.

They: 1) Did their own EKG to get their own baseline, 2) Ordered bloodwork (the resulting flagged labs were then suggestive of possible galbladder issues), and 3) put me on some acid refulx meds to see if that helped while we investigated. Once we got the labs back they referred me for an abdominal ultrasound, which I had last week. Gallstones confirmed. Next step is a referral to gastroenterology and probably surgery.

[Anonymous]

I get this when I swallow air.

It takes time, but it eventually resolves. Trying to make yourself burp helps. And slowly sipping peppermint tea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Update: I went to my pcp and they were surprisingly helpful.

They: 1) Did their own EKG to get their own baseline, 2) Ordered bloodwork (the resulting flagged labs were then suggestive of possible galbladder issues), and 3) put me on some acid refulx meds to see if that helped while we investigated. Once we got the labs back they referred me for an abdominal ultrasound, which I had last week. Gallstones confirmed. Next step is a referral to gastroenterology and probably surgery.

Surgeon will give you your options, but I didn’t hesitate to ask for surgery. Gallstone pain is something else. I felt so much better after removal. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Final update:

Gallstones confirmed via ultrasound, but before I could meet with GI or pursue surgery a rogue gallstone found its ways to my pancreas and I ended up in the ER and spent 5 days hospitalized with pancreatitis. I was finally well enough to have my gallbladder removed last week. Hopefully that is the end of this whole ordeal.

Don't ignore abdominal pain for months! Pancreatitis SUCKED. Sucked especially hard because it meant 5 days without being able to see my baby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Final update:

Gallstones confirmed via ultrasound, but before I could meet with GI or pursue surgery a rogue gallstone found its ways to my pancreas and I ended up in the ER and spent 5 days hospitalized with pancreatitis. I was finally well enough to have my gallbladder removed last week. Hopefully that is the end of this whole ordeal.

Don't ignore abdominal pain for months! Pancreatitis SUCKED. Sucked especially hard because it meant 5 days without being able to see my baby.

Oh, wow! Thanks for the update and glad you are ok.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is a special test for your gallbladder. The symptoms you describe, in my case, are from GERD.

It's probably this. Do you try a sip of ginger ale or a cracker? If that helps, it's probably GERD. I would get what you describe on and off for about a year. It would come on from one minute to the next and I would almost pass out it was so painful. Like a huge stake going from front to back. I assumed it was GERD because eating a small amount helped but who knows what it was. Once it happened while driving and I had to eat an old fortune cookie sitting in my console. Good luck OP.

[Anonymous]

Wow OP! Sorry for the trauma but glad to know you are on the mend and thanks for the PSA!