Gallbladder pain: Hi there, My gp has referred me... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

137,647 members161,423 posts

Gallbladder pain

larissa profile image
24 Replies

Hi there, My gp has referred me for a gallbladder ulterasound. I get pain in my shoulder blades , across my middle Cabove belly button ) and in my right side. I also get much lesser pain in my left side ? Can this be referred pain ? Anyone had left side ache too ? It makes me anxious !

Written by
larissa profile image
larissa
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
24 Replies
Debimmm profile image
Debimmm

Yes, I have had the same pain as you for 5 years and gallstones were found. After 2 years of drinking a cap of cider vinegar each day I managed to dissolve the stones but still have some pain so have asked to have my gallbladder removed. I also had a ct scan last Friday which I am waiting for results. If you read up on hypo and slow metabolism/gallbladder disease you will see the 2 are very commonly linked and you should start getting ready to change lifestyle and diet if you want to delay things getting worse. Also maybe check out information on PCB just to be educated. Good luck on the scan!

Karunablue profile image
Karunablue

I was diagnosed with gallstones and did a liver and gall bladder flush eventually after researching it for a long long time. This really helped though I am ready to do another one shortly. I think we have to be really careful whether to decide to do the flush as some folks stones are massive and it would be dangerous. There's a lot of good info from people who have done it on the well mama forum. Andrew Moritz book is supposed to be really good too but I did t read it yet.

I sometimes get pain on the left side too. I've changed a lot of how I eat and this has helped too. Much less gluten. Takes a many pronged approach back to health.

I had my gallbladder removed (2013) the pain was mistaken for chest pain intially but it was mainly in my dyaphram where I felt the pain, which was excruciating. I had TT in 2001. A lot of people get gall bladder problem related to thyroid. Hope this helps?

Shon profile image
Shon

Hi. I suffer three gallbladder attacks, the pain started at my right should the carried through the top of the right side of my stomach. It was agony. These happened in the space of three weeks. Eventually I put the down to my thyroxine level which was 100, because since I moved up to 150 I have not had another attack in 4 years. Just a thought for you. Also Google diet for gallbladder and adjust your diet.

Obviously you still need to get check out properly. Hope you feel better soon.

Shon

dovey62 profile image
dovey62

Hi Larissa,I had pain in the middle of my back,but the pain only started after eating products,with fat in or spicy products..pain was so bad I could not stand,lay down,till I was violently sick,I was rushed in to hospital,were I was informed my gall bladder was inflamed...was kept in for week on intravenous drip...then it was taken out 2 weeks ltr...that was 4 yrs before I was hypothyroid...I thought it was a bad case of indigestion.....but good luck in what ever you decide...

finder profile image
finder

Do yourself a favour and Google Hulda Clarke and do one or more liver cleanses with Epsom salts, pink grapefruit juice and olive oil....I think you will feel much better! I believe it removes much of the need for gall bladder surgery!

wadhamk profile image
wadhamk

yes mine was the same had my gallbladder removed last June and loads better now good luck

linnet2014 profile image
linnet2014

I am 57 and my gallbladder first gave issues in my early 30s. Was very severe with back, shoulder, abdominal left and right side pain.

Had to have an antibiotic prescription at the ready constantly as had bile duct infections twice.

The last major episode was 8 years ago. They wanted me to have emergency surgery but I am neurotic about hospitals ( ,with good reason )

I decided to do a flush on the basis that if it went wrong I would have no choice re surgery.

I drank organic apple juice and ate green apples ( sometimes stewed) for 3 days before. Nothing else except water,also some hot water with a teaspoon of cider vinegar. Then on day 4 I did the flush.

The result was amazing !!!!

My gallbladder is now pretty good. I apparently have 1 stone remaining ( this is a huge improvement) but causes little bother - just an occasional ache if I overeat continuously for days ( like Xmas)

To remedy I take cider vinegar in hot water and eat beetroot. It goes within the hour.

I am very glad I avoided surgery - it is not always the wonderful solution it claims to be. Read up before having surgery !

My results are supported by several ultrasounds over the years. No one can dispute the flush worked !!!

shambles profile image
shambles in reply to linnet2014

I am suffering with gallbladder pain again and it 's lasting rather longer than any other time.

Can I ask how you know if you have a bile duct infection because I am thinking I have an infection somewhere too?

5858 profile image
5858

It's another individual decision. I was so glad to have mine removed it was ready to burst and they didn't see that on any scan.....that would have been a big mess....I also have had no problems since it was removed. Best of luck! Susita

More protein, remove polyunsaturated fats. Get at least 100 grams of protein and 200+ quality carbs from fruit (no starch), saturated fats only. Gently massage the liver and gallbladder areas. Add some ox bile until you resolve through diet and thyroid. Also drink coffee with cream and sugar daily with food.

Minxie27 profile image
Minxie27

I know someone who is currently in hospital after complications from the gall bladder op . She has been put into a controlled coma twice and has lost her pancreas and got holes in her bowel as a result , she had massive organ failure still in a life threatening state . As I have got gall stones and do suffer bouts of pain I am going to research some of the info above ( thank you all ) I did not realise there was a link between thyroid disease and gall stones .

larissa profile image
larissa

Thankyou . I do have Costochondritis but thought my left side pain was too low to be that ? ( just above my belly button ) At present my ribs aren't too bad??? My thyroid is fine ,I had it checked last week x

larissa profile image
larissa

Thankyou for all your replys' . I feel less anxious now and have lots of reading to do ! some great advice.

sos1965 profile image
sos1965

Hi Larissa, I had my gallbladder removed 20 years ago now, best thing I did, the pain was terrible had the pain in the areas you have described, I also had it in my back. I had left and right side pain sometimes at the same time, I know how you feel, I hope you get sorted out soon.

Hi Larissa,

I have a very large gallstone (Hypothytoid= slow metabolism= increased chance of gall stones). I had pain on my left side and at connection between oesophagus and stomach. My GP referred me for cardiac exam = result, heart sound as a bell. She also referred me for an ultrasound= result, large gallstone. At the same time I was experiencing lower right shoulder pain and pain down my right arm. I was tested for carpal tunnel syndrome= result, negative!. about 3 weeks ago, the pain centred lower rib cage, just left of centre. When pressure was applied, the stomach felt hard and the area was painful. Now the pain has shifted right of centre, across my right chest. It is often painful to swallow food...discomfort at lower oesophagus connecting with stomach. I continue to have right shoulder pain, pain down my right arm and pain down my right side, plus occasional left side chest discomfort. According to my reading, gallstone pain can be sharp or it can be experienced as a dull ache. My pain is a dull ache that persists much of the time, not only associated with meal times.

You and I sound very similar. It is possible to have deferred pain. I would say gallstones are the problem!

waveylines profile image
waveylines

Has anybody had a polyp in their gallbladder? This is what I've been told I have. Going for a MRI scan. I get gallstone symptoms though not violent but a dull ache in my right side just below the rib cage, that can wake me in the night -had it for a year now. Have not noticed any difference in what I eat -doesn't seem to be connected. It comes and goes but never stays away!!

Just wondering if this is connected to thyroid too. Let's face it most things seems to be ...lol!!!

jlat profile image
jlat in reply to waveylines

what a relief I have the same but was told a polyp wont cause any pain? I am starting to worry a lot as I have metallic taste in my mouth dry eyes dry mouth and rash too,do you or anyone else have these symptoms ,GB pain been 16 months now.

waveylines profile image
waveylines in reply to jlat

Jlat -who on earth told you that polyps don't cause pain? Of course they do though-they say it's generally not as sharp as gallstone pain.

No I don't have metallic taste in my mouth or the other symptoms you mention. Are you being checked out? I would go back to your GP and mention these -they may not be connected but best to be cautious.

jlat profile image
jlat in reply to waveylines

Thanks it was my GP that said Polyps don't cause pain, mine like yours is a dull almost constant ache, other symptoms I have mentioned to him and he thinks something Thyroid as I had issues years ago but TSH 2.5.I have been taking a natural iodine mix from seaweed ,gone gluten free and dairy free, improved slightly but every few days get a rash ,which only lasts about 10 mins but itchy, I also have been having aching glands in clavicle and under arms, bloods(a few months old now) ok only ALT out by 1 point and told nothing to worry about?Iam starting to get worried.

waveylines profile image
waveylines

Your GP is clearly ignorant about polyp pain! Am the same as you on that!

Did your GP check your thyroid hormones as well as TSH? Low thyroid can cause a host of other symptoms which are different for each person -that's why it's called the great mimicker. A friend of mine had terrible frequent urges to constantly go to the loo and urinated frequently. She was worried -complex specialsit testing was undertaken but nothing found so told she had an irritable badder. She also had terrible feelings of nausea and often felt dizzy. All of this went away once she was treated for hypothyroidism. She was amazed as was her GP.

Am not saying this is the case with you and this is why you need to revisit your GP.

jlat profile image
jlat in reply to waveylines

Ok thanks so much already knowing that GB polyp can cause pain has really helped thank you :)

waveylines profile image
waveylines

It was intermittent Kathmax but gradually it has become far more frequent and longer lasting. Had it over a year now. It's rarely intolerable but bad enough to wake me.

My pain is almost invariably a dull ache, which I have constantly. Also I have discomfort and sometimes pain when swallowing food. Much of the time, the ache is situated just under the rib cage, but often I get pain under the right shoulderblade that travels down that side and along my right arm.

You may also like...

Thyroid gallbladder pain

Gallbladder pain all the time and tests come negative. I am hypothyroid and have had ulcers also...

RUQ pain, Gallbladder?

any thoughts? Right upper quadrant abdominal pain for 3 yrs, pain lower corner of right rib cage...

Gallbladder

years, I reasoned I had a 4:5 chance of not being an emergency and trusted my then painful gall...

Gallbladder

Foods not digesting well, having on and off gallbladder pain! I’m thinking it’s due to my thyroid...

Thyroid and GallBladder

symptoms I have that I now have a problem with my gallbladder which is being looked into.It is very...