What a gallbladder flare-up really feels like – and how I got through it

If you’re reading this while curled up in the fetal position, wondering if you’re having a heart attack or just digesting a baked potato wrong — hi, welcome. You might be in the middle of a gallbladder flare-up.

This post isn’t medical advice (blah blah blah, talk to your doctor), but it is what I wish I could’ve read during my first few attacks. Because let me tell you: they’re terrifying, confusing, and often dismissed — even by healthcare professionals.

So here’s the real talk on what a gallbladder attack feels like, how I managed the worst of it, and what helped me not scream my way into the ER.

What it felt like (I thought I was dying)

The first time it happened, I legit thought my lungs were collapsing. I remember the exact meal I’d eaten hours earlier – delicious poutine – and within a couple of hours, this sharp, radiating pain started under my ribs and shot through to my back.

It was like my organs were staging a protest.

I tried standing, lying down, curling into a ball, pacing — nothing helped. I was sweating, nauseated, panicking. I couldn’t find a position that didn’t hurt. At one point I Googled “upper right abdominal pain dying???” and seriously considered calling an ambulance.

I didn’t know it at the time, but I was having a classic gallbladder attack.

Common symptoms (and ones that I personally had)

• Sharp pain under my right rib cage
• Pain that wrapped around to my back and shoulder blade
• Intense bloating and pressure
• Nausea
• Chills and sweats — I felt feverish but wasn’t
• Rapid heartbeat and anxiety
• Exhaustion and soreness after the pain passed

Some people get vomiting. Some get diarrhea. Some get mild discomfort and think it’s just gas — until they’re doubled over at 3 a.m. from half a cheeseburger.

It’s not always predictable. But when it hits, it hits.

What helped me get through the attack

Note: If you’re in extreme pain that lasts longer than a few hours, or have a fever, vomiting, or yellowing of your skin/eyes — GO TO THE HOSPITAL. This can turn serious fast.

Here’s what helped me manage the pain while waiting for it to pass:

• Heat: at the time, I didn’t have access to a hot water bottle or heating pad. I did however, have a hot shower. Targeted (see: scorching) heat on the affected area definitely offered temporary relief. Since, I’ve acquired this heated bean bag which comes with me wherever I go.
• Positioning: If you’re doubled over in pain, try carefully adjusting your position. Sitting upright or leaning forward slightly (like hugging a pillow on your lap) may relieve pressure. Avoid lying flat on your back — this can make the discomfort worse for some people.
• Deep breathing: It sounds woo-woo, but calming my breathing helped manage the panic. Shallow or panicked breathing can make the pain feel worse. Try slow, deep breaths — in through your nose for 4 seconds, hold for 4, out through your mouth for 4. It won’t cure the attack, but it can calm your nervous system and reduce muscle tension.
• Minimize stimulation: Lights, sound, even conversation can feel overwhelming during an intense gallbladder attack. If possible, retreat to a dark, quiet space. Give your body the least amount of sensory input to deal with so it can focus on getting through the attack.
• Lie on your left side: if you can tolerate lying down, some find that lying on your left side relieves pressure on the gallbladder. It may also encourage bile flow and help the spasms pass more quickly.
• Track the attack: When all hell has passed, make a quick note of what you ate before the attack, how long it lasted and what helped. Over time, this can help identify triggers and patterns to avoid.
• Prepare for next time: I wish I could tell you there won’t be a next time, but I think we both know that’s a lie. If you’ve had one, there will be more. Keep essentials on hand. Having a plan in place can help you feel more in control when it strikes again.

What I wish I’d known

Oh, sweet baby me. How I wish I’d known what I know now. I would have known that:

• it was my gallbladder all along — not heartburn, not an ulcer, not stress. I was misdiagnosed twice.
• that “healthy” food isn’t always gallbladder-safe
• the pain can come and go — just because it subsides doesn’t mean it’s solved.
• I’m not alone — once I started talking about it, people came out of the woodwork with stories.

If you’re in pain right now

Please call your doctor. If your symptoms are severe or lasting more than a few hours, go to urgent care or the ER.

In the meantime:

• Heat
• Upright posture
• No food
• Deep breaths
• Don’t downplay it
• Don’t gaslight yourself
• Please don’t eat food truck poutine past 9pm

Final thoughts

Gallbladder attacks are awful. And if you’re dealing with them, I’m sorry — you didn’t do anything to deserve this.

But you’re not broken. You’re not dramatic. And you’re definitely not alone.

I started She’s Got Gall because I wish someone had told me all this when I was stuck Googling “can pain from a combo of gravy, potatoes and cheese last 10 hours.” If you’re here, I hope this helped even a little.

Want more real talk and gallbladder-safe living tips?
🟢 Check out what to eat with gallstones
🟢 Or start from the beginning