Ali
I had gallbladder attacks from the age of 25 years until 28 years when I finally had the thing removed through laproscopic surgery. I did not mention anything to my doctor for a long time, though, because the pain was not really all that bad at first. I would usually feel "discomfort" beneath my lower right rib cage. As time went on, the "attacks" go more frequent and the pain more intense and for longer periods of time. I FINALLY told my doctor something was wrong with me (I had no idea it was my gallbladder, though). Of course, I assumed it was something way worse, like cancer. Anyway, I was about 6 mos. pregnant with my second child in 1997 when I had a slice of pizza and damn near died from the pain. I called my mom (who had gallstones) and told her what was happening. She asked my if I had a greasy feeling in my windpipe and I said no. i just had sharp pains in my back like I was being stabbed and the pain passed through to that same area in my ribcage. I could only take shallow breaths. The next day I went to see my doc. and he sent me for a ultrasound to see if I had stones. I did not and that's when I figures I must hae CANCER for sure! He said the next time it happens, let him know. I started to avoid greasy food around this time. I had my baby and around 4 months later I had a severe attack in a very public place at a lunchoen. They served ChickenCordon Gold, and within 10 minutes of digging in I was very ill. I had the sharp stabbing pains, shallow breathing, and even the inability to sit up straight. I had enough of the attacks at this point. I demanded my doctor do whatever tests necessary to find out what the problem was. He sent me to get some sort of a test that involved being injected intraveneously with a radioactive substance (I had to wean my baby off breastfeeding before I could undertake this procedure)and lay still for around one hour so that the technician could "watch" the fluid course through my system. The fluid, I was told, would make its way to my gallbladder. IF my gallbladder was functioning normally, it would release the fluid into my stomach (like it should with bile)to help the stomach digest its contents. Needless to say my gallbladder did not release the fluid and I had symptoms similar (but not as bad) to those that I had been having for the past 3 years. Once it was determined that my gallbladder was functioning at 10% of what it should be, they hooked my up to a Dr. Kavorkean type of machine that injected into my veins some thing that would help my gallbladder contract so that the radioactive fluid could be released (slight cramping). The whole thing took about an hour, but afterwards I was much relieved. It's the 'not knowing' what's causing your pain that is more scary than knowing what's wrong. I was scheduled for surgery on an "emergency" basis as the gallbladder can "when inflamed" rupture just as an appendix can. If you have not already opted for surgery, I would seriously consider it. I was inthe hospital overnight only, with no complications. I can eat deep fried foods if I want to, or bacon, etc. but not very much. I learned the hard way that I can't enjoy of full serving of onion rings anymore as without a gallbladder, my liver has taken over the task of producing bile for my stomach. But, I don't think it does as good a job as the gallbladder does, as I would be enjoying greasy foods in excess, but I guess it is not such a bad thing after all. Hope the story helps.