right side upper pain: I have had pain... - British Heart Fou...

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right side upper pain

Platypus6 profile image
37 Replies

I have had pain in my right upper side for over a month now, been to Dr a few weeks ago he thinks it’s gall bladder problems has referred me for a scan, my appointment is a month away. The pain is getting worse when would the best time to go to a&e hope that’s not a stupid question. Any help with gall bladder problems would be appreciated.

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Platypus6 profile image
Platypus6
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37 Replies
seasider18 profile image
seasider18

I doubt if A&E will welcome you for something that you already have an appointment for.

I don't think that nowadays there is a best time for A&E as so many people without GP's or unable to get an appointment with theirs go there instead.

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star in reply toseasider18

As none of us are healthcare professionals I am afraid I do not agree with your comment.

A person should be advised to ring 111 and follow the advice that the appropriately staff will provide.

seasider18 profile image
seasider18 in reply toMilkfairy

I know gall bladder pain can be as my wife had hers removed. At the moment she has another very painful stomach problem. Her GP referred her for a CT Scan and was told that he is not allowed to and she has to see a consultant first and she has a January appointment . We had to call 999 when she was in very bad pain and she spent a night in MAU after a day in A&E. She was seen by various doctors before being sent home to await her appointment.

Platypus6 profile image
Platypus6 in reply toseasider18

Thanks seasider18 have seen Dr been given strong pain relief he has requested an urgent scan.

seasider18 profile image
seasider18 in reply toPlatypus6

As I said my GP has been told three times that he cannot get her a CT scan without her first seeing a consultant. He has twice spoken directly with the X-Ray department . We are both 85 her pain was so bad that it was causing nausea and she headed to the kitchen to be sick but passed out. In the confined space I could not get her up and called 999. They had several attempts to get her up before going back to their ambulance to get an airlifting cushion device.

A&E as usual were confused by her symptoms and went all round the bush with only the last of six doctors believing that it was stomach related.

Her Gastro consultation is not until January 28th.

I hope that your NHS area is kinder.

Platypus6 profile image
Platypus6 in reply toseasider18

I hope your wife is ok! Not sure if the nhs here in Shropshire, I spent 16 hours in a corridor when I had my heart attack earlier this year.

seasider18 profile image
seasider18 in reply toPlatypus6

When I was waiting for my aortic valve replacement it dragged on for 16 months due to extreme waits for tests at local hospital after having initial diagnosis at Imperial College when trying to get on a trial for a new hypertension treatment. When eventually at the end of October 2011 they were going to refer me to Brighton for the operation. When I asked how long they said that I would have it before Christmas. After a month I phoned Brighton and they said that they had not had any referrals from that hospital since September.

I phoned the local hospital and was told that Doctor X was a bit behind with his paperwork. When I phoned again after Brighton had still not heard it turned out that he was on a months holiday.

Platypus6 profile image
Platypus6 in reply toseasider18

Oh my goodness it’s absolutely disgraceful to be treated in this way, hopefully you are ok.

seasider18 profile image
seasider18 in reply toPlatypus6

The operation was successful but it I am one of the 35% who go into AF after it. I had a cardioversion that was successful until a colonoscopy stimulated my vagus nerve and put me back into AF. Another cardioversion and back into now permanent AF after another procedure (DRE) that stimulated my vagus nerve.

Platypus6 profile image
Platypus6 in reply toseasider18

You poor man take care.

seasider18 profile image
seasider18 in reply toPlatypus6

Of course at 85 that is when the NHS gives up on you and now our local private hospital has closed to become a fertility clinic!

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star in reply toseasider18

Not so sure...

Most of my fellow patients during my latest hospital admission were old enough to be my mother in their 80's.

One was 105 and shouted that fact out with volume on many occasions 😊

seasider18 profile image
seasider18 in reply toMilkfairy

There are many aspects of health that they no longer want to treat. That can also apply to others over 65. At that age I had tendonitis and was in pain and had difficulty walking. My GP said 'Of course you will have a long wait for physio" I asked why and she said because you are no longer a worker.

At the moment my wife has been waiting for Physio since February and has just received an appointment for 17th December. During her wait they have twice written asking if she wants/needs the appointment. Each time he has replied yes and said that she will accept any cancellation.

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star in reply toseasider18

Sadly many people are waiting far too long for the care they need irrespective of their age.

My mother at 89 was offered all the available treatment including surgery and radiotherapy when she was diagnosed with cancer.

Perhaps you should consider changing GPs?

seasider18 profile image
seasider18 in reply toMilkfairy

Its not GP's It's the hospitals. Cardiology and cancer are OK it's the lesser things like orthopaedics, urology and neurology that are the problem. Our GP referred my wife to neurology in February, She got a letter saying she would get an appointment sooner if she accepted and appointment twenty miles away. We went privately but did not cancel the NHS referral and she has not yet heard any more.

I gave up on NHS orthopaedics years ago as waiting times were so long.

Many here feel cardiology appointments take to long and see in particular EP's and then seem to jump the NHS waiting lists.

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star in reply toseasider18

It is not good I agree.

Even worse for referrals for heart patients with chronic pain and those needing psychological support.

Platypus6 profile image
Platypus6 in reply toseasider18

I have just rung the X-ray re my urgent scan, was told by a jobs worth that they had received the request from my GP, I will be vetted and they will be in touch they don’t know when.

seasider18 profile image
seasider18 in reply toPlatypus6

When did it all start to go wrong? Up until the late 1990's doctors used to give you a slip to take to X-Rayfor an appointment and if a general one it was done right away. When we lived in Surrey my doctor used to say which hospital to take it to as he knew which one was likely to be the quickest.

Platypus6 profile image
Platypus6 in reply toseasider18

Yes it certainly has gone wrong! We are over populated and the NHS is struggling.

Platypus6 profile image
Platypus6 in reply toseasider18

My husband complained to Pals regarding my waiting for a scan, a very nice lady rang me yesterday to say she would look into it! The Manager rang me in the afternoon to say they had a cancellation this afternoon, amazing. I have never been a complainer but it’s worked.

seasider18 profile image
seasider18 in reply toPlatypus6

We were at the hospital for something else weeks after a previous scan referral and had a similar reply.

For many years we have been to reliant on imported staff. When my wife was a nurse in Maternity even pre 1990 she used to help foreign nurses with their English during her lunch hour.

LaceyLady profile image
LaceyLady in reply toseasider18

You should NEVER lift her, put into recovery position, cover her with a blanket and phone 999.

seasider18 profile image
seasider18 in reply toLaceyLady

I have twice had to ring 999 after dizzy spells made her fall this year. The trouble is they take so long to arrive.

As she has osteoporosis one time last year she fractured a vertebrae and cracked three ribs. That fall came from dizziness after she had acupuncture at Maxillo Facial to her head in an attempt to help facial numbness

LaceyLady profile image
LaceyLady in reply toseasider18

I sympathise, but if she has osteoporosis it is important you don’t lift her.

seasider18 profile image
seasider18 in reply toLaceyLady

The last two paramedics did not make a very good job of it. They had about four attempts before going for their inflatable device. Even then they had to partially lift her to get it underneath her.

Boudica1 profile image
Boudica1

Phone 111 they can advise you or will send a paramedic out to you. If it is a problem with the gallbladder it can cause the symptoms you are describing.

I had gallstones and ended up on the floor because of the pain. They wanted to take me to A&E not only because of the extreme pain but because the gallbladder can rupture or a stone can move and get lodged elsewhere.

There's also a NHS site on gallstones and gallbladder that will inform you about the problem and when to call for help.

But as you have not been diagnosed fully yet until you have the scan to see if it is what the GP thinks I wouldn't mess around. A&E won't mind if you end up there as believe it or not gallstones can be a serious problem.

Again don't mess around and phone 111.

Good luck.

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star

Hi Platypus6

I agree with the very good advice given by Boudica1.

Please ring 111 and the trained staff can advise you best.

Platypus6 profile image
Platypus6 in reply toMilkfairy

Thank you have seen gp he has asked for an urgent scan

Dolphin14 profile image
Dolphin14

glad you will get the scan urgently. You need the confirmed diagnosis sooner rather than later.

Good luck. Hope you feel better soon.

Platypus6 profile image
Platypus6 in reply toDolphin14

Many thanks Dolphin 14 yes your right, the sooner I get it done I’ll know what’s wrong don’t know how long urgent is!

Dolphin14 profile image
Dolphin14 in reply toPlatypus6

Until then get to the ER if you have this pain. Never ignore it.

LaceyLady profile image
LaceyLady in reply toDolphin14

I agree, or 999.

I know someone, who has got this problem.

My sympathies.

I hope it's not too bad at the moment.

Platypus6 profile image
Platypus6 in reply to

Thank you autumnsonnet

Hi everyone, While we are on the subject of gall stones l will tell you of my experience , l had my gall bladder removed 10 years ago l thought that was the end of gall stones ,not so , l developed stones in the bile duct which gave me cholangitis and sepsis which was no fun and l have been in hospital 18 months after that episode for the same reason minus the sepsis because l was more alert to it this time and done 999 straight away. I have not got high cholesterol but was told this could be the reason.By the way l am 82

LaceyLady profile image
LaceyLady in reply to

Yes, sadly that’s right the gall stones are made by the liver and can get caught in the bile duct.

in reply toLaceyLady

Yes there are two types of stones , one is formed by cholesterol and the other by bile , l have had a heart attack in the past and the pain has no comparison with what you get with stones.

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