Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Back Pain And Nausea When Diagnosed With Gall Bladder?
Question: 50 yr old; female; diagnosed with gallbladder sludge, wall thickening-have attacks characterized by pain (scale of 5-6/10) and nausea with pain radiating to my back. been off and on for one month. ER last Thursday made the diagnosis, gave me script for tylenol 3s and gravol and follow-up with family doc and possible surgeon. Have had 3 flare-ups since Thursday...don't think taking tylenol 3 is a good solution. (have low fat diet and further reduced fat intake). What other options?
Brief Answer:
the surgeon has to be consulted...
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
regarding conservative treatment there are not many things to consider. Low fat diet and painkillers are the only conservative treatment for biliary colic which lasts for minutes (definitely less than one hour each time). If the pain lasts for more then it's either due to another cause or it's cholecystitis. Ursodeoxycholic acid is another (not very well documented) approach.
Sludge is not an indication for surgical treatment. Repeated attacks are. If your doctor believes that it's your gallbladder the source of your pain then consultation with a surgeon is warranted. The sludge may evolve into stones and the stones may cause problems to the pancreas (pancreatitis) which is a dreaded complication. Helpful tests during pain would include the liver function tests (AST, ALT, ALP, gamma-GT and bilirubin).
So in conclusion, there is not much more to do. Since the attacks are frequent, you should visit a surgeon. The surgeon may decide to proceed with surgical removal of the gallbladder (or not). A conservative (but not well documented) approach may include using ursodeoxycholic acid or ursodiol to help prevent stone formation. Ursodiol dosage is 300mg twice a day.
I hope it helps!
Kind Regards!
the surgeon has to be consulted...
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
regarding conservative treatment there are not many things to consider. Low fat diet and painkillers are the only conservative treatment for biliary colic which lasts for minutes (definitely less than one hour each time). If the pain lasts for more then it's either due to another cause or it's cholecystitis. Ursodeoxycholic acid is another (not very well documented) approach.
Sludge is not an indication for surgical treatment. Repeated attacks are. If your doctor believes that it's your gallbladder the source of your pain then consultation with a surgeon is warranted. The sludge may evolve into stones and the stones may cause problems to the pancreas (pancreatitis) which is a dreaded complication. Helpful tests during pain would include the liver function tests (AST, ALT, ALP, gamma-GT and bilirubin).
So in conclusion, there is not much more to do. Since the attacks are frequent, you should visit a surgeon. The surgeon may decide to proceed with surgical removal of the gallbladder (or not). A conservative (but not well documented) approach may include using ursodeoxycholic acid or ursodiol to help prevent stone formation. Ursodiol dosage is 300mg twice a day.
I hope it helps!
Kind Regards!
Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
