Gallbladder Woes: A Two-Year Battle with Embarrassment and Misdiagnosis
It started with a seemingly innocuous feeling of trapped wind, a common ailment many of us dismiss without a second thought. For one individual, however, this initial discomfort would escalate into a harrowing two-year journey of escalating pain, self-doubt, and a battle against the healthcare system, ultimately revealing a serious gallbladder condition.
The ordeal began in August 2022 during a holiday in Cornwall. A few drinks with friends led to an early night, but a strange sensation around 2 am jolted the author awake. Initially diagnosed in her own mind as “trapped wind,” the discomfort on the right side of her stomach persisted. Despite trying various home remedies and even yoga positions, the sensation refused to budge.
‘You have gallbladder disease,’ a locum GP told me, matter-of-factly. ‘Your chances of developing gallbladder cancer are at an all-time high,’ she continued. ‘The gallstone you have is so big that the next time it tries to pass, it could perforate your bowel – and you’re a significant sepsis risk.’
She went on to tell me I’d need to have my gallbladder removed. I tried to focus my eyes on her as my world collapsed in on me.
I couldn’t wrap my head around it – and I couldn’t help but blame myself.
I kept thinking about how, for two years, I had frequently dismissed my painful, debilitating symptoms out of embarrassment.
The mild discomfort soon morphed into excruciating pain. Nausea and panic set in, leading to vomiting. Her then-partner rushed in, finding her unable to move, clutching her stomach in agony. The pain was described as a vice-grip on her ribs, threatening to pull her organs out. Despite the severity of her symptoms, the author resisted her partner’s pleas to go to Accident & Emergency.
‘It’s trapped wind,’ she insisted, reluctant to “waste NHS resources.” This self-diagnosis, fuelled by embarrassment, would prove to be a critical turning point, delaying necessary medical intervention for a staggering two years.
The Persistent Shadow of Pain
Throughout this period, recurring stomach pain became a constant companion. Flare-ups, which initially lasted around three hours, gradually extended to 16 or even 20 hours, occurring roughly once a month. Yet, the author remained convinced she was simply suffering from an extreme case of bloating, a persistent voice in her head urging her to seek help was repeatedly silenced by the fear of discussing “trapped wind” with her doctor.
Nausea and panic began to set in, and I was sick all over the bedsheets. I ran to the bathroom and vomited some more – but the pain kept getting worse. My ex ran in to see what all the fuss was about.
‘I can’t move,’ I sobbed, clutching at my stomach. ‘I can’t sit up.’
It felt like someone had a vice-grip on my ribs and was slowly pulling my organs out from underneath.
My ex tried to persuade me to go to A&E. But, despite the fact that I was writhing around in – quite literally – the worst pain I’d ever experienced, doubt crept in.
‘It’s trapped wind,’ I insisted. ‘There’s no point in wasting NHS resources.’
I let this go on for another two years before I sought help.
My stomach pain flare-ups were my one constant; outlasting that particular relationship and seeing me into a new one. While my earliest flare-ups only lasted around three hours, my later ones would reach 16 to 20 – and, while they could be sporadic, they happened roughly once a month.
But I was so convinced I just had the worst case of bloating in Britain, I managed to go ages without telling anyone about it. I repeatedly silenced the voice in the back of my head saying it could be something more – because I was too embarrassed to speak to my doctor about trapped wind.
The pain reached a dramatic crescendo in June 2024 at her workplace’s summer party. After a few sips of Prosecco, the familiar vice-like grip returned, this time radiating not only to her upper right side but also to the top of her stomach and her back. The pain was so intense, she described it as feeling like a heart attack.
The next thing I knew, I collapsed in a heap on the cubicle floor – having briefly lost consciousness.
Minutes later, as soon as I was cognisant, I rang my current partner, telling him how terrified I was and begging him to come and get me.
I then made an emergency GP appointment for three days later.
Looking back, I can’t believe it took me two years to speak to a medical professional.
And when I did, I didn’t feel like I was being listened to.
The Long Road to Diagnosis and Treatment
The author collapsed in a toilet cubicle, briefly losing consciousness. Upon regaining awareness, she called her current partner in a state of terror, and three days later, managed to secure an emergency GP appointment. Reflecting on this period, she expressed disbelief at the two-year delay and a sense of not being heard by medical professionals.
Initially, her GP suspected endometriosis, leading to a three-month referral to gynaecology. However, a consultant quickly determined the issue was gastroenterological. This experience, though frustrating, ignited a determination to advocate for her own health.
My surgery was scheduled for 20th June, after being placed on an ‘urgent’ waiting list. This was the first operation I’d ever needed, and the thought of it terrified me.
Despite knowing the extent of my gallbladder disease, I kept momentarily talking myself out of surgery; that I ‘didn’t really need it’, because I wasn’t in pain ‘every single day’.
The operation was a success, though, and I felt instant relief about having the rotten organ removed as soon as I woke up.
After more than 70 appointments, an upper-gastrointestinal ultrasound in April 2025 revealed the culprit: a golfball-sized gallstone lodged in her gallbladder, which was also chronically inflamed. The recurring pain was caused by the stone attempting to pass through the bile duct and becoming stuck.
Surgery was scheduled for June 20th, placing her on an urgent waiting list. Despite understanding the severity of her condition, she still found herself questioning the necessity of the operation, rationalising that she wasn’t in pain “every single day.”
Lessons Learned and a Call for Self-Advocacy
The surgery was a success, and the author experienced immediate relief upon waking. While she anticipates a lifetime of medication, she now feels “great.” The experience served as a profound lesson:
- Don’t Dismiss Symptoms: What may seem like a minor ailment, like trapped wind, could be a sign of something more serious.
- Prioritise Your Health: It’s crucial to overcome embarrassment and seek medical advice promptly.
- Be Your Own Advocate: Don’t hesitate to make appointments, ask questions, and seek second opinions. Feeling like a “nuisance” is a small price to pay for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
- Embrace Open Communication: Discussing health concerns with your GP, no matter how minor they may seem, is essential.
The author has transformed into a staunch advocate for her own health, no longer embarrassed to discuss every niggle and twinge. Her journey underscores the importance of listening to your body and not allowing fear or embarrassment to delay vital medical attention.
Understanding Gallbladder Disease
Gallbladder disease, often linked to gallstones, can manifest with a range of symptoms. Recognizing these signs and seeking timely medical advice is paramount.
Common Symptoms:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Bloating
When to Seek Emergency Medical Attention:
- Intense, uncontrollable pain
- High fever with chills
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
For further information on gallstones and their management, consult reliable health resources.
‘You have
gallbladder
disease,’ a locum GP told me, matter-of-factly.
‘Your chances of developing gallbladder
cancer
are at an all-time high,’ she continued. ‘The gallstone you have is so big that the next time it tries to pass, it could perforate your
bowel
– and you’re a significant
sepsis
risk.’
She went on to tell me I’d need to have my gallbladder removed. I tried to focus my eyes on her as my world collapsed in on me.
I couldn’t wrap my head around it – and I couldn’t help but blame myself.
I kept thinking about how, for two years, I had frequently dismissed my painful,
debilitating
symptoms out of
embarrassment
.
It started in August 2022, when I was holidaying in
Cornwall
with my ex and his
friends
.
One night, we went straight to bed after a few drinks at the local – but around 2am, a strange sensation startled me awake. It was a dull, bloaty feeling on the right side of my stomach.
‘
Trapped wind
,’ I thought to myself. ‘That’s all it’ll be.’
Right there and then, I tried all the trapped wind tips and tricks I had in my toolkit, from small sips of warm water to assuming the cat/cow
yoga
position.
But nothing would shift it.
Then, alarmingly, the sensation suddenly formed into a ball of excruciating pain, deep in my side.
Nausea and panic began to set in, and I was sick all over the bedsheets. I ran to the bathroom and vomited some more – but the pain kept getting worse. My ex ran in to see what all the fuss was about.
‘I can’t move,’ I sobbed, clutching at my stomach. ‘I can’t sit up.’
It felt like someone had a vice-grip on my ribs and was slowly pulling my organs out from underneath.
My ex tried to persuade me to go to A&E. But, despite the fact that I was writhing around in – quite literally – the worst pain I’d ever experienced, doubt crept in.
‘It’s trapped wind,’ I insisted. ‘There’s no point in wasting NHS resources.’
I let this go on for another two years before I sought help.
My
stomach pain
flare-ups were my one constant; outlasting that particular
relationship
and seeing me into a new one. While my earliest flare-ups only lasted around three hours, my later ones would reach 16 to 20 – and, while they could be sporadic, they happened roughly once a month.
But I was so convinced I just had the worst case of
bloating
in Britain, I managed to go ages without telling anyone about it. I repeatedly silenced the voice in the back of my head saying it could be something more – because I was too embarrassed to speak to my doctor about trapped wind.
The pain came to a very sudden climax in June 2024, at my work’s
summer
party.
After arriving, mingling and having a few sips of Prosecco, I started to feel that vice-like grip take hold of my right-hand side. I knew I had to get away quickly, so I excused myself to the toilet.
I sat hunched over on the loo, eyes tightly closed.
The flare-up felt different this time, though. Not only did I experience the upper-right pain, but it radiated to the top of my stomach and my back. It was excruciating.
In fact, I felt like I was having a
heart attack
.
The next thing I knew, I collapsed in a heap on the cubicle floor – having briefly lost consciousness.
Minutes later, as soon as I was cognisant, I rang my current partner, telling him how terrified I was and begging him to come and get me.
I then made an emergency GP appointment for three days later.
Looking back, I can’t believe it took me two years to speak to a medical professional.
And when I did, I didn’t feel like I was being listened to.
An ultrasound scan found a golfball-sized gallstone nestled in my gallbladder
QuoteQuote
Despite my periods being normal, my GP was adamant for a time that it was
endometriosis
. I spent three months on a referral list to gynaecology at my local hospital, only for the consultant to tell me in two minutes that my issue was related to gastroenterology.
The experience gave me a fire in my belly to stop accepting the bare minimum from my healthcare provider. Despite my anger, though, I still felt like an inconvenience every time I made a follow-up appointment.
Eventually, after over 70 appointments, I was booked in for an upper-gastrointestinal ultrasound in April 2025. This scan found a golfball-sized gallstone nestled in my gallbladder – and the organ itself was chronically inflamed.
My flare-ups were happening because the mass was trying to pass itself, and getting lodged in my bile duct.
My surgery was scheduled for 20th June, after being placed on an ‘urgent’ waiting list. This was the first operation I’d ever needed, and the thought of it terrified me.
Despite knowing the extent of my gallbladder disease, I kept momentarily talking myself out of surgery; that I ‘didn’t really need it’, because I wasn’t in pain ‘every single day’.
The operation was a success, though, and I felt instant relief about having the rotten organ removed as soon as I woke up.
Understanding Gallbladder Disease
Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, and bloating.
If you experience intense, uncontrollable pain, a high fever with chills, or jaundice, you should seek emergency medical attention immediately.
For more information visit:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gallstones/
And, despite the prospect of probably having to be on medication for the rest of my life, I now feel great.
But it’s an understatement to say I’ve learnt my lesson.
Back when my symptoms first started, I didn’t want to go to A&E because I was ‘confident’ I had trapped wind. So I put it off – until my gallbladder disease had progressed to a point of no return.
I’ve become the biggest advocate for my own health since then. I don’t mind feeling like a nuisance; especially if it gets me much-needed answers.
Most of all, I’m never embarrassed to speak to my GP any more – I’m down there for every lump, bump and twinge now – and I’ll never be embarrassed of my own health (or lack thereof) ever again.
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