Do gallstones hurt, considerably. I had gallstones many years ago but have not for years (knock on wood). I still have my gall bladder and have no problems.

Gallstones hurt when they pass through the small ducts which happens when the gall bladder is activated too much.

I have had gallstones and kidney stones.

The gallstone symptoms were deceptive; I apparently had problems for years without tying the problems to my gall bladder. It started with generalized lower back discomfort. Not an acute pain, but basically feeling sick, especially after eating. The discomfort would go away a few hours after I ate.

One night, it just suddenly became acute pain. I hadn't felt well after eating, same ol' generalized back discomfort and nausea. I went to bed and I got sharp pains on the lower right side of my abdomen. I thought it was appendicitis. The pain would come in waves. I couldn't stand the feeling of lying down. I had to sit up. Eventually I got pain even when sitting up.

At the hospital, I started to get lower back pain. Very dull, generalized pain that made me nauseated. I had my gall bladder taken out the next morning. I felt so much better afterwards.

Kidney stones were 50 times more painful! Radiating back pain that was very dull, and came in waves. The pain would get so bad that I would throw up. Worst pain ever. I always thought it was tied to the South Beach diet I was following at the time. I thought it was very ard on my body.

My doctor prescribed me Ursadiol to help prevent gallstones. I never had them, but I'm losing 2-3 lbs per week so its precautionary. Is this common? Why don't more do this?