Looking backwards from surgery date to symptoms, I had jaundice, uncontrollable itching, nausea, chest pain (that felt like someone took a belt and cinched it under my breasts as tight as they could), abdominal pain from under my breasts down to my lower abdomen, back pain from under my shoulder blades to my spine and then other times I would feel perfectly normal. Of all the symptoms, the only one that seemed to be consistent was the itching. Published: August 27 ::

The first episode began gradually with a burning pain and a lot of pressure just beneath my ribs on the right side, straight down from my breast. The pain and pressure got worse over the course of an hour until I could hardly move or take a deep breath. When I tried to manipulate the area (thinking it must be trapped gas) I could feel a hardening and enlarging of (what I now know was) my gallbladder. After a couple of hours, the pain slowly subsided. The second episode began the same way, same spot, but this time it radiated to my back. I tried to burp, thinking it would relieve the horrible pain, and I immediately and violently vomited until my throat bled. Two days later, an ultrasound showed two small gallstones. Published: August 27 ::

I just had my gall bladder removed about a week and a half ago, after having to be admitted to the hospital for acute pancreatitis. I had seven gallstones which apparently ended up blocking my pancreatic duct. I cannot say that I had jaundice or itching, but I definitely felt the pain in my lower rib cage/abdomen. For those of you that feel the pain in the center, you may want to get an ultrasound, because pancreatitis is life-threatening. I know, I spent 9 days in ICU. But now that the gall bladder is gone, I feel like I have a new lease on life. Published: October 06 ::

I had one gall stone attack about one year before I became pregnant and when I went to hospital that evening I was advised I had trapped wind and to go home. I severely suffered that night with no sleep! I then became pregnant and experienced no attacks at all, but about 3 weeks after giving birth I suffered the worst attack ever it was after eating Chinese! I took medication, but nothing helped. I was awake all night and suffered it out. I could not stay still just had to keep moving the whole time, holding a water bottle to give a tiny bit of ease! These attacks then came every 2nd night. I had even starved myself just eating tea and biscuits as any food brought on an attack. By this stage I had been for an ultrasound where gallstones were confirmed. Every 2nd night I was getting injections of tramadol to relieve the pain. Eventually I was prescribed Tramadol and it was the best pain relief and the only thing that took my pain away when suffering an attack. I met then with the consultant who advised me I should really be on a waiting list but due to the extent of my attacks every 2nd night, he would operate asap. Eventually 2 weeks later and loads more suffering, I finally went in to get my gall bladder removed. I was very sore after with 4 incisions and staples on my stomach but at least I could eat again! When I got out of hospital I had a steak and garlic potatoes as I was soooo looking forward to it! Published: October 06 ::