How to live with gull bladder sludge/ should I be concerned? Been sent away from hospital even though I’m still in pain

[Jccccc]

I have been diagnosed with bilary sludge in my gullbladder. I’ve had constant sharp pains/discomfort under my right lung which at times spread onto my chest. My surgeon told my that I just need to change my diet and take pain killers. Obviously I’m in pain and have been in a lot for 2 weeks. I’m in constant pain, I’ve had my hot water bottle on me constantly for 2 weeks, pain killers do nothing. Has anyone else had to live with bilary sludge? I’m concerned because I have no answers and just have to deal with it. I’m 22 had every possible test in a&e and everything came back healthy. But why am I in pain/so much discomfort? I have been eating more healthy and taking it seriously. But it’s scaring me that the pain hasn’t changed, I I want to see a gastroenterologist but you have to be referred. I’ve got a phone call with my gp on Thursday but the pain is bad and I don’t know what to do because I already spent 2 days in a&e this week to be told to just take painkillers.

How do you live with sludge? Surely there has to be a specialist I can talk to or someone’s that can help me/ prescribe me something to help.

Any help appreciated!

[gwillistexas]

My gallbladder was removed because of sludge. I had nausea (like pregnancy), for 3 months and just before my surgery the pain kicked in. Dr said sludge often happens before stones develop. I’m sorry you’re going through this. I would get a second opinion.

[dtol]

Hello. My advice is that you must insist on a referral. I had this and had my gallbladder removed. It turned out that my common bile duct was blocked lower down, causing a rare condition called Sphincter of Odi Dysfunction. They never figured out if the sludge caused the blockage or the if blockage meant the bile duct wasn’t draining properly, causing the sludge to develop. I had lots of MRI scans, ERCPs & several more surgeries to correct over several years but it was corrected in the end. Biliary pain is one of the worst you can suffer (I personally found it more painful than labour). You shouldn’t have to put up with it. I was also in my 20s also when this first came about and my gp didn’t take it seriously, telling me to “eat more broccoli” (Gallbladder issues don’t usually present until you’re in your 40s/50s). Once I was referred, my Gastroenterologist got on top of it. If you by any chance have access to private medical, use it to speed up the process. Good luck

[rubberglove]

Sorry your having problems with your gall bladder. I had mine removed 3 year ago age 69. Not because of pbc though.

[Jccccc in reply to rubberglove]

Thank you for your reply. What’s pbc?

[gwillistexas in reply to Jccccc]

Primary Biliary Cholangitis