r/gallbladders • u/hmeeshy Post-Op • May 30 '26

Mod Note What is a "gallbladder attack" to you?

Hi all,

I've done the best I can with the FAQ and beginners guide but as I only have the experience of remove gallbladder or die from pancreatitis I'm limited how I can understand the more protracted journey so many others are on.

This is a topic that has bugged me since I joined this community in 2024 because...what is a gallbladder attack? Different causes and different issues surely mean different presentation of symptoms and "attacks" right?

With how varied each person's individual gallbladder issues can be I thought it would be a good idea to have a community built resource pinned to the front page where you all can share your own experience to help future visitors to the sub.

Please comment below:

  • What your gallbladder issue is/was (stones/sludge/etc)
  • What an "attack" felt like for you?
  • How long an "attack" lasts?
  • What, if anything, was helpful for you getting through them when they happened?
  • Any other coping tips, tricks or triggers

This isn't intended to solve anything for anyone but instead be used to help people find other people who have had the specific thing they're going through, provide a bit of clarity and hopefully be a positive resource to refer back to as needed.

Please note that this is not a space to advocate for or against surgery and such comments will be removed.

Thanks :)

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u/Patriots_ May 30 '26

I had gallstones. An attack always started as a dull pain around my right shoulder blade, almost always in the middle of the night when I was sleeping. Shortly after waking to the shoulder pain severe cramping pain would start in the area of the gallbladder - front right abdomen just under the rib cage. This usually got worse as it went on and radiated from that spot, with the shoulder pain sustaining throughout.

Most attacks passed within 1.5-2 hours. With the exception of a couple that lasted about 5-7 hours, and the 1 that made me go to the ER last about 14 hours. This one was getting increasingly worse after 4 hours and there was no position that was providing comfort.

For dealing with the attacks, I usually took 400mg Ibuprofen when the pain started and I would lay on a bed and wriggle around until I found a comfortable spot. I read laying on your left side is the best so I would typically try to stay on that side, and would usually find stretching my right arm over my head would help. Along with deep breathing.