How do you know if you have gallbladder issues?

[Mommysonadiet 25]

Just wondering, how do you know you have problems with your gallbladder? What does a gallstone feel like? I get some pain where my stomach was removed 4 weeks post op and the fear of it being my gallbladder is in the back of my head. I've never had issues with my gallbladder.

[lnelson796 117]

When I had my gallbladder attack the pain was right between my breasts, I thought it was a heart attack.

[jess9395 5,448]

Just wondering, how do you know you have problems with your gallbladder? What does a gallstone feel like? I get some pain where my stomach was removed 4 weeks post op and the fear of it being my gallbladder is in the back of my head. I've never had issues with my gallbladder.

My pain came mostly from my back. The pain refers everywhere so it's hard to pinpoint for some, but your gallbladder is on your right below your ribcage, opposite side of your stomach. Pain comes in attacks that grow and eventually subside. Pain is worse (more "attacks") after a fatty meal.

[Arts137 1,811]

Yep. Try a fatty meal, and if the discomfort comes back and lasts for 1 to 4 hours, get suspicious.

But here is better info...

http://www.gallbladderattack.com/

[Sassy Pants1 186]

The best way I can describe it is labor pain, but in your chest. It feels like your chest is being squeezed super tight. That was my experience anyway. I've heard some people say back pain.

[Miss Mac 6,261]

My experience goes back to 1973 (when I was 21), but I doubt gallbladders have changed much. My pain was in my back just below my right shoulder. Unconsolable knife stabbing pain that was so bad that all I could do was lay on the cold kitchen floor to get relief. Finally ended up in the E.R. one day, where they gave me a fatty creamy liquid meant to soothe ulcers. That threw my gallbladder into full-on spasms and emergency surgery (back when they cut you half in two). My gallbladder had burst in the ER thanks to a rapid misdiagnosis, and the surgeon had to go fish for stones everywhere.

I agree with the others on this forum.....fatty, greasy, creamy, or rich foods will assault your gallbladder right way. That's the bad news. The good news is that gallbladder surgery is done laparoscopicaly now, with minimal invasion, small incision, easier healing, quicker discharge from the hospital.

One thing my primary physician has taught me is not to get

"Google-itis" when symptoms come up. A while back, I thought I had a shoulder injury from exercising, and I put Ben Gay on it. That just made it burn plus hurt. When I finally gave in to go see him, I was flabbergasted at his diagnosis - shingles.

So what I am saying is that it's time to call your doctor when you aren't sure what something is....good luck and get well

[SuperFab 689]

I literally felt like I was skewered with a sword all the way through. All I could do was cry