I'm having pain on my right side, about 3 inches under my ribs. Could it be my gall bladder?

It comes and goes(anywhere from once a week to three or four times a day). Sometimes it's so bad I can't move for three or four seconds. A few months ago a doctor said I may have acid reflux and put me on prevacid temporarily, it didn't help. But this is mostly on my right side, not the middle. It's too high to be my appendix. I've tried to monitor the foods i eat to see if that's it but it doesn't seem to matter. There really isn't any pattern to time of day or month. Any suggestions??

Hello.

Well, based on your symptoms it may be your gallbladder but, to keep an open mind on other possibilites, it may be something intra-abdominal or something unrelated. First biliary colic (gallbladder attacks from stones or sluge) is common. Classically, but not always (like everything in medicine) it is in the right upper area of the abdomen, goes in spastic waves (colic) lasting minutes to hours (rarely that long though) and precipitated by fatty meals. Often, the gallbladder is inflammed and irritates the diaphragm (breathing muscle) above it, causeing a sensation of right shoulder pain/ discomfort. Sometimes stools are pale in people with this condition (too long to explain why).

The best diagnostic test to evaluate and rule out gallstones or sluge is an abdominal ultrasound. However, before rushing in, there are some inherent pitfalls. First and foremost, most people have gallstones, but only a minorty have biliary colic, therefore having stones on an abdominal ultrasound doesnt necessari;y give the answer. Second, a history suggesting underlying biliary colic warrants testing ... if other possibilities are excluded in "high risk" groups. That is, biliary colic occurs in highest frequency in certain groups: women, especially in their 40's, pregnancy, obese/ overweight individuals.

Hope this helps. Also, your doctor is not an idiot as suggested, and abdominal pain is often vague because the nerve endings there, put simply, are not as precise as in your finger tips. In other words, it may be reflux, though it does not sound like from what you inherintly feel.

Regards,
Arik

yes, actually, it could be your gallbladder. The only way to know is to have it tested.

Liver, gallbladder, gas etc. Your doctor was an idiot for putting you on a drug in case you "might" have acid reflux. If he doesn't know for sure, what is he doing prescribing you medication? Try eating lots of fruits, vegatables, stay away from red meat and drink a ton of water. That should help clear out your liver and gallbladder, but it takes several days. Stay away from fried foods too. If it doesn't clear with a better diet, then go for tests.

Your pain is definitely on the side of your liver and gall bladder.

It could be gas, drink something hot (repeat if necessay).

It is possible, but you need to see a doctor to confirm this.

Yeup! You could be passing a stone or "gravel". Have a doctor check it out before you have a really bad attack!

Get scanned for kidney stones.

Ask your doctor to send your for a HIDA scan of your Gallbladder.

go to the doctor, don't ask here