I thought I had indigestion. Maybe a little heartburn? The idea of an ulcer was also floated.
Spoiler: I had neither of these things.
Unless “heartburn” usually makes you sweat through your clothes, clutch your ribs, and Google “Am I dying?” at 2 a.m., it was something else entirely.
It took me months of pain, confusion, and bad advice to figure out I wasn’t just being dramatic—I had gallstones. But nobody tells you that gallstones can feel like gas, reflux, or a minor existential crisis. So here’s my story, in case you’re sitting in the same uncomfortable, bloated, terrified boat.
“It’s probably just heartburn”
Or so I told myself. And so did a few doctors. For weeks, I chalked it up to stress, a sketchy dinner, or my body’s flair for the dramatic. I tried TUMS, Pantaloc, cutting spicy food, skipping dairy. Nothing worked. The attacks kept coming.
And let me tell you: this wasn’t “Oops, I shouldn’t have had that taco” discomfort. This was full-blown, knock-the-wind-out-of-you pain that made me sweat, panic, and question every life choice that brought me to that moment.
The symptoms I had (that weren’t heartburn)
Here’s what it felt like for me—your experience may vary, but if any of this sounds familiar, keep reading:
- A sharp, stabbing pain in the centre of my gut, or just under my right ribs
- A weird pressure that radiated to my back and shoulder blade
- Nausea—but no vomiting (which almost felt unfair)
- Sweating like I’d just run from a bear (spoiler: I hadn’t moved)
- A tight, panicky feeling in my chest
- Pain that flared up 1–2 hours after eating anything remotely delicious
- Fatty foods? Absolutely cursed
Every time I thought, This must be it—it has to be a heart attack, the pain would eventually fade. I’d convince myself it was gas, or something else entirely. Until the next time.
When I found out it was gallstones
You know that moment when even you stop believing yourself?
I was Googling (again), and landed on a list of gallstone symptoms. Right-side pain, check. Nausea, check. Attacks after eating, check. Feeling like death but still alive, check.
I called my doctor and asked—okay, begged—for an ultrasound. When the results came back, he said, as casually as if he were discussing the weather:
“Yup, gallstones.”
Oh. Cool. Just a bunch of little rocks ruining my internal peace.
What I wish I’d known sooner
If you’re reading this while lying flat on the floor, trying to breathe through an attack—first of all, I see you. Second: don’t wait.
You don’t have to “tough it out.” You don’t have to prove anything. If your pain feels real, it is.
Ask for an ultrasound. Push for answers. Your gallbladder may be small, but it can cause a whole lot of drama when it’s full of stones.
Real talk time
Gallstones aren’t rare. But they are ridiculously easy to ignore until they’re not.
If you’re in pain and the advice you’re getting is “take some antacids and relax,” please trust your gut (literally). Get checked. Advocate for yourself. I waited too long—and I paid for it with some truly miserable nights and one very close call with 911.
Your turn
Have you been through this mess too? Drop a comment or share your story. And if you’re still figuring it out, I’ve got more real talk coming. No smoothies, no fluff—just the stuff I wish someone had told me.
📩 Want updates from the blog?
📌 Or save this post to Pinterest so you can find it during your next 2 a.m. doom scroll. No judgment.
She's Got Gall 
Leave a comment