Norovirus vs. gall bladder problems

[gooch47]

I had a visit with a surgeon yesterday to discuss having my gall bladder removed because of gall stones. (TMI?)

 

What I really found interesting was that after describing a recent attack (at home) it occurred to me how closely it compared to my four so-called Norovirus episodes on various cruise ships: starting in the middle of the night, extreme nausea but no vomiting, severe, wavelike stomach cramps and eventually diarrhea.

 

I'm a little surprised none of the ships' doctors ever mentioned the possibility it wasn't Norovirus. Just being careful, I guess.

 

Only one episode which was eventually diagnosed as bacterial diarrhea didn't match.

[fergusonvt]

I had a visit with a surgeon yesterday to discuss having my gall bladder removed because of gall stones. (TMI?)

 

What I really found interesting was that after describing a recent attack (at home) it occurred to me how closely it compared to my four so-called Norovirus episodes on various cruise ships: starting in the middle of the night, extreme nausea but no vomiting, severe, wavelike stomach cramps and eventually diarrhea.

 

I'm a little surprised none of the ships' doctors ever mentioned the possibility it wasn't Norovirus. Just being careful, I guess.

 

Only one episode which was eventually diagnosed as bacterial diarrhea didn't match.

 

 

I had my gallbladder removed many years ago however my symptoms were nothing like you just described.

[luvs2beachit]

I also had mine removed many years ago but I don't remember having the symptoms that you list. I only had mind boggling pain that would last from anywhere betwen 1 to 3 hours.

[sailingnut]

I had mine removed years ago and the pain was in my shoulder blade so bad I could not move!:)

[fergusonvt]

I had mine removed years ago and the pain was in my shoulder blade so bad I could not move!:)

 

Exactly, I thought I was having a heart attack.

[babyher]

Don't remember any of those symtoms either. Just the worst pain imaginable in my right side that just wouldn't ease up for a couple hours . It hurt sitting, standing, or laying down

[sparks1093]

I had a visit with a surgeon yesterday to discuss having my gall bladder removed because of gall stones. (TMI?)

 

What I really found interesting was that after describing a recent attack (at home) it occurred to me how closely it compared to my four so-called Norovirus episodes on various cruise ships: starting in the middle of the night, extreme nausea but no vomiting, severe, wavelike stomach cramps and eventually diarrhea.

 

I'm a little surprised none of the ships' doctors ever mentioned the possibility it wasn't Norovirus. Just being careful, I guess.

 

Only one episode which was eventually diagnosed as bacterial diarrhea didn't match.

 

99% of the people that they see with those symptoms have some sort of stomach virus, so they look no further than that.

[gooch47]

Interesting. I have researched gall bladder symptoms and everything you have described was mentioned, but also what I had. I guess it affects everyone differently. There are also differences between a "simple" gall bladder problem and more acute symptoms when a stone gets lodged in the tube.

 

As you all probably know, eating high-fat meals contributes to attacks. And we do eat differently on cruises than our every-day meals, or at least I do.

 

For what its worth, two cat scans have both confirmed that I do have numerous gall stones so the surgeon isn't just going on the physical symptoms.

[sparks1093]

Interesting. I have researched gall bladder symptoms and everything you have described was mentioned, but also what I had. I guess it affects everyone differently. There are also differences between a "simple" gall bladder problem and more acute symptoms when a stone gets lodged in the tube.

 

As you all probably know, eating high-fat meals contributes to attacks. And we do eat differently on cruises than our every-day meals, or at least I do.

 

For what its worth, two cat scans have both confirmed that I do have numerous gall stones so the surgeon isn't just going on the physical symptoms.

 

And the symptoms are different even for the same person. I suffered with undiagnosed chronic gallbladder problems for over 30 years and experienced most of the symptoms everyone has noted at one time or another. Had my gallbladder removed a couple of years ago and it's amazing- no more symptoms:).

[ourfamilylovescruising]

I had mine removed 2 years ago. I was sick to my stomach for 48 hours and thought I was having a heart attack and the whole time my husband kept telling me i had gas:eek: anyways we were out of town and I was sick on the plane all the way home my husband was trying to make me feel better by telling everone on the plane i had to much to drink so between that and him telling me it was gas I almost killed him:cool:

[weltek]

I've never had Norovirus, but you are right, someone could easily assume food poisoning or a severe virus (FWIW, I always felt like something needed to come out one end or the other, but nothing ever did). I had acute attacks in the middle of the night for about 8 years in my 20s. It was always dismissed as "gas," even in urgent care. My worst night, I went to the ER and they finally said it was likely my gall bladder. Hallelujiah! After the ultrasound scan where it was confirmed, they asked if I wanted to have it removed. I don't think they realized how much this bothered me for eight years! Best decision I've ever made!

 

Thanks for bringing this up. Given how much we can overindulge on cruises, it's good for people to be aware this could be an issue, particularly if they've had these types of symptoms before.

[Methusala]

Generally about 20% of the population that have their GB removed also have residual issues with frequent diarrhea and abd cramping. (may last for months to years) This is related to bile salts. I would contact your surgeon and let him know the situation. I dont remember nausea being related to it. Their are also other bacteria that can cause the symptoms you are having, one big one called Clostridium Diffacile (C-Diff) which can be fix with antibiotics/ antiinfectives. Ultimately for a diffinative answer a culture would need to be sent to see if anything grows in the lab. Hope its just a fleeting bug and goes away quickly.

[mommyto2girls]

Interesting. I have researched gall bladder symptoms and everything you have described was mentioned, but also what I had. I guess it affects everyone differently. There are also differences between a "simple" gall bladder problem and more acute symptoms when a stone gets lodged in the tube.

 

As you all probably know, eating high-fat meals contributes to attacks. And we do eat differently on cruises than our every-day meals, or at least I do.

 

For what its worth, two cat scans have both confirmed that I do have numerous gall stones so the surgeon isn't just going on the physical symptoms.

 

 

 

I had all of your symptoms plus the horrible pain others mentioned and wound up with an emergency gall bladder removal 4 years ago. The most interesting thing I have learned since then is you can still have gall stones 3x since then and once on a cruise last year.

[crew mom]

My gallstone attacks were always in the late evening. Stabbing pain in my back just under my right shoulder blade, nausea and vomiting. It happened during December so I was attributing it to all the "extra goodies" at work and at parties. Which was actually true as the rich food caused the gallbladder to work harder thus producing the symptoms. After the 4th episode, in as many weeks, I went to the ER and ended up with an emergency gallbladder surgery. Took about a year for the digestive system to adjust to not having the additional bile to digest food. Glad I had it taken out even tho I have the 5 inch incision versus the Laparoscopic surgery incisions they usually do now.

[notmyccname]

I had a visit with a surgeon yesterday to discuss having my gall bladder removed because of gall stones. (TMI?)

 

What I really found interesting was that after describing a recent attack (at home) it occurred to me how closely it compared to my four so-called Norovirus episodes on various cruise ships: starting in the middle of the night, extreme nausea but no vomiting, severe, wavelike stomach cramps and eventually diarrhea.

 

I'm a little surprised none of the ships' doctors ever mentioned the possibility it wasn't Norovirus. Just being careful, I guess.

 

Only one episode which was eventually diagnosed as bacterial diarrhea didn't match.

 

The last attack I had was nothing like you described. It was an intense pain just under the breastbone. I was not able to lie down as the pain was worse.

 

After that I modified my diet and haven't had another attack in over 10 years.

 

Some gall bladder attacks are brought on by overeating & fatty foods. It seems to happen for a lot of people when they are dieting & restrict many fatty foods, only to overindulge on vacation.

 

I think if I were you, I'd be concerned as to why I contracted the Noro-virus so many times while on a cruise.

[gooch47]

Well, I have a really bad habit of putting my fingers in my mouth. I suppose that would contribute if I really had Norovirus. And we've been on 50 cruises so far so that would increase my odds and it is possible that I've just been unlucky. But now I'm really convinced it may not have Norovirus at all.

 

We also go to casinos a lot and I would think that touching all those slot machines would be a prime way to catch Norovirus, too. But I've never had it after a casino visit.

 

I also have a different symptom that I haven't noticed so much on cruises that also might confirm gall bladder problems and sounds more like what some of you others have. It is a sharp, intense pain like the others described, but mine is just above my hip bone on the right side, not quite on my side and not quite on my back. The doctor did say that could also be part of it and compared it to those of you who have it around your shoulder blades.

[Deedeelu]

Generally about 20% of the population that have their GB removed also have residual issues with frequent diarrhea and abd cramping. (may last for months to years) This is related to bile salts. I would contact your surgeon and let him know the situation. I dont remember nausea being related to it. Their are also other bacteria that can cause the symptoms you are having, one big one called Clostridium Diffacile (C-Diff) which can be fix with antibiotics/ antiinfectives. Ultimately for a diffinative answer a culture would need to be sent to see if anything grows in the lab. Hope its just a fleeting bug and goes away quickly.

 

Thank you for your info. Had my surgery almost 3yrs ago and have become a hermit. Afraid to eat, afraid to leave the house. Looked up bile salts which led me to other sites and now have something to discuss with my doctor and maybe educate her a bit along with , hopefully, receiving some help.

[Zukini]

Well, I have a really bad habit of putting my fingers in my mouth. I suppose that would contribute if I really had Norovirus. And we've been on 50 cruises so far so that would increase my odds and it is possible that I've just been unlucky. But now I'm really convinced it may not have Norovirus at all.

 

One distinguishing characteristic of Norovirus...it nearly always presents with a fever, in addition to the gastro symptoms.