Question 1

havent had gallstone attack for months but last 3 days had mild aching with moderate pain. why would this be happening? its never lasted so long.

Accepted Answer

Large stone: Small stones passing into cystic duct can cause colic.  If a large stone drops into base of GB adjacent to cystic duct it can compress cystic artery and induce local ischemia which causes prolongation of symptoms and at times local necrosis of GB wall requiring resection of inflamed GB

Question 2

is it possible to have two biliary colic attacks that are 6-7 months apart from each other? i had an attack that was 7 months ago, and i had the same attack last week and now a gallstone is found. i've been told both were biliary colic. possible?

Accepted Answer

: Yes. the stone found now was probably there during the first attack too. Hope you do well.

Question 3

they found gallbladder stone at the er! but it wasn't necessary surgery they sent me home with pepcid (famotidine)  last night i had a gallstone attack what to do?

Accepted Answer

Surgery: You need surgery no matter what. 
This is recurring gallbladder pain attack.

Question 4

i was diagnosed with bilary colic and gallstones last week. i have gallbladder removal surgery in 2 weeks. i haven't had another attack, but keep having sharp sticking pains where gb is. is this normal and can i treat with advil?

Accepted Answer

Surgery: With upcoming surgery I recommend avoiding medication like Advil which can potentiate bleeding. Take acetomeniphen, but don't exceed the recommended doses and don't mix with alcohol intake. If your discomfort worsens, notify your surgeon for instructions.

Question 5

having gallbladder attack but no gallstones noted last november on ct scan of abdomen. what else can cause an attack?

Accepted Answer

Gallstones: Sometimes gallstones are of lower density, similar to bile, and if they are small, they may be difficult if not impossible to visualize on CT scan.  So you could still have gallstones.  Ultrasound would be the beast way to visualize them.  Functional gallbladder disease/gallbladder dyskinesia, without stones,  could also mimic biliary colic.

Question 6

lipase levels at 10. were at 16 last december. low amylase levels as well. had gallbladder stones for 10 years with recurring attacks. had a cholecystectomy last year in march. why are they so low? should i be concerned? is there anything i can do?

Accepted Answer

: Your levels of lipase are normal, to my knowledge there is no significance to low normal lipase levels .I would not be concerned in the absence of any symptoms.

Question 7

what are the symptoms of a gallstone attack?

Accepted Answer

Biliary Colic: Gallbladder attacks cause a very classic constant, noncramping pressure like pain in the right upper abdomen or mid-abdomen.  The pain often radiates around into the right back +/-shoulder; nausea+/-vomiting+/-fever+/-chills may occur, as well.  Typically the pain is precipitated by food, especially fatty/fried ones.  Typical attacks may last hour(s) and often resolve as quickly as they begin.

Question 8

i get these painful gallstone attacks. how can i stop them?

Accepted Answer

If you are: Sure that they are gallbladder attacks, you should have surgery asap.  If you wait too long, your gallbladder can get acutely inflamed, which makes your surgery and post op recovery that much more difficult.  Sometimes, the gallbladder becomes so inflamed that open surgery becomes necessary.  Go see your surgeon now.

Question 9

what can someone do for the pain when they have a gallstone attack?

Accepted Answer

Time or meds: Most episodes of pain from a gallbladder source are over within minutes to hours, but sometimes they last for days or until your gallbladder is out.  You can try pain meds, which help sometimes.  If you have an infection, though, you need different meds.  The ultimate cure though is remove the gallbladder.  If you haven't already seen a doctor, make an appointment now.

Question 10

please tell me what can i do for the pain when i have a gallstone attack?

Accepted Answer

Gallbladder out.: The best and safest thing to do for symptomatic gallstones is to remove the gallbladder.  If you are having pain from gallstones, it implies that the stones are blocking the opening of the gallbladder.  This can proceed to an inflammation and even infection that can make you very sick.  Find an experienced general surgeon and fix this once and for all.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

How long do gallstone attacks last

A member asked:

Havent had gallstone attack for months but last 3 days had mild aching with moderate pain. why would this be happening? its never lasted so long.

A member asked:

Is it possible to have two biliary colic attacks that are 6-7 months apart from each other? i had an attack that was 7 months ago, and i had the same attack last week and now a gallstone is found. i've been told both were biliary colic. possible?

A member asked:

They found gallbladder stone at the er! but it wasn't necessary surgery they sent me home with pepcid (famotidine) last night i had a gallstone attack what to do?

A member asked:

I was diagnosed with bilary colic and gallstones last week. i have gallbladder removal surgery in 2 weeks. i haven't had another attack, but keep having sharp sticking pains where gb is. is this normal and can i treat with advil?

A member asked:

Having gallbladder attack but no gallstones noted last november on ct scan of abdomen. what else can cause an attack?

A member asked:

Lipase levels at 10. were at 16 last december. low amylase levels as well. had gallbladder stones for 10 years with recurring attacks. had a cholecystectomy last year in march. why are they so low? should i be concerned? is there anything i can do?

A member asked:

What are the symptoms of a gallstone attack?

A member asked:

I get these painful gallstone attacks. how can i stop them?

A member asked:

What can someone do for the pain when they have a gallstone attack?

A member asked:

Please tell me what can i do for the pain when i have a gallstone attack?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?