Unknown medical condition, possibly gall bladder issues?

On Dec. 30th, I went to the ER because I was in extreme pain. It started just below my right rib cage, wrapped around my ribs and went straight up my back to my right shoulder blade. I was also nauseous. Everyone was telling me that it was "classic gall bladder" symptoms.

Did an upper abdominal quadrant ultrasound with normal results. Had a full blood CDC run, as well as a liver function test, and those were normal. I've also had an ultrasound of my lower rt. abdomen (I'm prone to painful ovarian cysts) and still completley normal results.

I've noticed that the pain does intensify after I eat, particularly spicy foods, which again is a "classic gall bladder symptom". I'm so frustrated with my doctors. If I hear one more say "you shouldn't be any pain", I may lose it. Something is definitly wrong and I'm tired of dealing with the pain.

Are there any other tests, X-Rays, blood panels, etc that can be used to rule out or find the gall bladder issue? Is it even my gall bladder?

I was reading online that a change in estrogen levels can sometimes cause gall stones. I recently (as in, in November) switched to the Yaz birth control. Could this switch be related somehow?

JessiC, When I finally had my gall bladder attack, I ran 104* -105* fever. I was so sick and I slipped in and out of consciousness. Instead of the small incisions so commonly done today, they had to actually cut across the stomach. I am so thankful. Like Pooch's daughter, the duct leading from the gall bladder was so small, it could not be seen and caused the surgery to take a little longer. Still, it went without a hitch. I had a good doctor who didn't fool around and the surgeon was just as good. I suggest you push for better screening. It really sounds like gall bladder, but your doctor is the best source for diagnosis. Don't get so hung up on this diagnosis that you ignore something else your doctor may be looking for. Hope you feel better soon.

It does sound like your gall bladder and I know how frustrated you are. It took my doctors almost 3 months to figure out that I needed to have mine taken out. Here is a list of procedures to check your gall bladder.

Gallbladder problems are diagnosed through various tests. These may include:

Liver function tests (LFTs), which are blood tests that can show evidence of gallbladder disease.
A check of the blood's amylase or lipase levels to look for pancreatic inflammation. Amylase and lipase are enzymes produced in the pancreas.
A complete blood count (CBC), which looks at levels of different types of blood cells such as white blood cells. A high white blood cell count may indicate infection.
The use of ultrasound testing which uses sound waves to image the intra-abdominal organs including the gallbladder.
An abdominal X-ray, which may show evidence of gallbladder disease, such as gallstones.
A computed tomography (CT) scan that constructs X-ray images of the abdominal organs.
A HIDA scan. In this test, a radioactive material called hydroxy iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) is injected into the patient. The radioactive material is taken up by the gallbladder to measure gallbladder function. This test also is referred to as cholescintigraphy.
Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), which uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to produce detailed pictures.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), a procedure in which a tube is placed down the patient's throat, into the stomach, then into the small intestine. Dye is injected and the ducts of the gallbladder, liver and pancreas can be seen on X-ray.

JessiC I have a daughter who had exactly what your describing. She had all the same tests and ultra sounds, every thing you've done? After her surgery (gall bladder) they found the tube running out of the gall bladder was abnormally small with scarring in it and the gall bladder, the doc said that's why it couldn't be seen by x-ray or ultra sound.

i had my gallbladder out, i thought i was having a heart attack it felt so bad. i was tested for over 2 months and they found nothing. i started a fever and got so weak the day of my sons graduation. the infection had spread to my other internal organs. 3 weeks i was in the hospital, 2 weeks to get the fever down. then surgery, my dr was my friend & i was the second person person she misdiagnosed, the other person died and his wasnt as bad as mine. she even visited me at home.