Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Remedy For Severe Chest Pain And Vomiting Caused By A Possible Acute Cholecystitis
Question: Ok, first of all....Please, please do not tell me to "go to the ER right away". I know that would be the optimal answer. Believe me, I know that, and I would go if I could get my husband to. However, it is not my option right now, which is why I am here.
The issue: My husband has been suffering from what I believe is acute cholecystitis for the past 24 hours. He has been experiencing severe pain in the upper right quadrant and vomiting every couple of hours. (He has had 2 previous episodes like this in the past. They have both subsided in about a day.)
No fever.
Pain increases when inhaling. Does not subsist when changing position or lying down. It is a sharp pain; he is in a lot of pain and unable to sleep through it.
The pain has now traveled downward and is parallel and slightly lower than his bellybutton.
...is it possible that he is actually "passing" a gallstone?
The concerns I have is that he doesn't fit the usual: he is 48, he eats a very healthy diet - we are vegetarians. He is not overweight or a smoker/fatty eater/doesn't smoke. He could probably eat a more varied diet, and might have triggered this with Thanksgiving food which was richer and fattier than usual?
He is an great health otherwise, and does not get sick normally.
(Please understand we do not have medical insurance for him until January 1st and an ER trip is far too expensive. He refuses to go. He said he would rather die. We are currently trying to pay off a previous ER XXXXXXX I hope you can see the position I am in. I have been trying to find out as much as I can online about what could be wrong with him.)
The issue: My husband has been suffering from what I believe is acute cholecystitis for the past 24 hours. He has been experiencing severe pain in the upper right quadrant and vomiting every couple of hours. (He has had 2 previous episodes like this in the past. They have both subsided in about a day.)
No fever.
Pain increases when inhaling. Does not subsist when changing position or lying down. It is a sharp pain; he is in a lot of pain and unable to sleep through it.
The pain has now traveled downward and is parallel and slightly lower than his bellybutton.
...is it possible that he is actually "passing" a gallstone?
The concerns I have is that he doesn't fit the usual: he is 48, he eats a very healthy diet - we are vegetarians. He is not overweight or a smoker/fatty eater/doesn't smoke. He could probably eat a more varied diet, and might have triggered this with Thanksgiving food which was richer and fattier than usual?
He is an great health otherwise, and does not get sick normally.
(Please understand we do not have medical insurance for him until January 1st and an ER trip is far too expensive. He refuses to go. He said he would rather die. We are currently trying to pay off a previous ER XXXXXXX I hope you can see the position I am in. I have been trying to find out as much as I can online about what could be wrong with him.)
Brief Answer:
Following answer to your query...
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.
Yes you are right. What your husband is suffering most probably is related to gastrointestinal problems, especially gallbladder issues (acute cholecystitis).
I would like to suggest the following measures:
- He shouldn't eat any food for 24 hours.
- Use black seed oil
- Use antispastic (no spa) otc
- Use tramadol and NSAID (advil) to relieve the pain
- Use chamomile tea
This will help to relieve his pain.
However, Ischemic heart disease (especially myocardial infarction) and other life threatening problems should be excluded. Since you can't afford another ER visit you should wait for at least 24 hours. If the things will cool down than definitely his symptoms are related to acute cholecystitis.
In case that the things seems to get worse or if the symptoms doesn't go away after 24 hours you should go with him on ER.
Hope this will be of help!
Wish you and your husband health!
Dr. Klerida
p.s: If you have more questions, please don't hesitate to ask me again
Following answer to your query...
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.
Yes you are right. What your husband is suffering most probably is related to gastrointestinal problems, especially gallbladder issues (acute cholecystitis).
I would like to suggest the following measures:
- He shouldn't eat any food for 24 hours.
- Use black seed oil
- Use antispastic (no spa) otc
- Use tramadol and NSAID (advil) to relieve the pain
- Use chamomile tea
This will help to relieve his pain.
However, Ischemic heart disease (especially myocardial infarction) and other life threatening problems should be excluded. Since you can't afford another ER visit you should wait for at least 24 hours. If the things will cool down than definitely his symptoms are related to acute cholecystitis.
In case that the things seems to get worse or if the symptoms doesn't go away after 24 hours you should go with him on ER.
Hope this will be of help!
Wish you and your husband health!
Dr. Klerida
p.s: If you have more questions, please don't hesitate to ask me again
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your understating. Money is not more Important than my husband's life but he keeps saying he just wants to see if it will pass...
Did the "moving" pain seem indicative as well, of perhaps a gallstone moving through the system? It was that it moved that I thought I better ask someone.
Did the "moving" pain seem indicative as well, of perhaps a gallstone moving through the system? It was that it moved that I thought I better ask someone.
Brief Answer:
Following answer to your query.
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
The "moving pain" is an indicative clue for gastrointestinal problems (especially for cholecystitis). This pain may be related to the stone passing through the billiary system.
Hope that his pain will be relievd soon and everything will be back to normality.
Wish you and your family health!
Dr. Klerida
Following answer to your query.
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
The "moving pain" is an indicative clue for gastrointestinal problems (especially for cholecystitis). This pain may be related to the stone passing through the billiary system.
Hope that his pain will be relievd soon and everything will be back to normality.
Wish you and your family health!
Dr. Klerida
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
