gallstones - WWYD?

[noideawhattocallmyself]

Hi all,
I was diagnosed with gallstones last year - not big ones and I decided to try to manage with diet and painkillers - this has been OK and I've only had a few attacks but last night I had a really bad one (struggling to breathe through the pain), sitting in work this morning I still feeling like death and can't seem to keep anything down food / drink wise except water.
I haven't been brilliant at keeping my fat content low in my diet so some is self inflicted, so - do I try to continue with diet restrictions (but be stricter with myself!) or do I go and start the process to have my gallbladder removed? I work full time and have 3 children so I'm reluctant to have to take time out for operation / recovery but how critical is it to have your gallbladder removed if you have gallstones? Any experiences or advice very gratefully received!!
Thanks!

[Woodenmouse]

I had my gall bladder removed years ago due to gall stones. I've had absolutely no problems since. It was worth going through the operation to get rid of the pain.

I hope you get it sorted.

[Woodenmouse]

Sorry should have said that I had no kids at the time and I went back to my parents for a week and they looked after me while I recovered which was lovely. I'm not sure how easy it would be with kids. Sorry I'm no help.

[MrsRonBurgundy]

I had my gallbladder out last year and haven't looked back since.
I hadn't been suffering for long with gallstones, only about 18 months. But I had a particularly bad attack which came on so suddenly and while I was driving on a motorway which scared me because I nearly passed out from the pain which could have been disastrous.

I was out of hospital the morning after my operation (would have been same day but I was last on surgery list so didn't get out of recovery until 10pm so they kept me in. Recovery was approx 6 weeks until I felt normal but could drive and move fairly ok after around 2.

I didn't regret it at any point. None of the pain post surgery was anywhere near as bad as the pain of the gallstone attacks

[WaterWorld]

I had mine out last year due to not coping with the severely painful episodes (not sure if I'm a wimp but I needed gas and air/other drugs to get through flare ups and ambulance/A&E more than once). The op/recovery wasn't much fun but minor in comparison to even one flare up and no problems since.

[Kreeshsheesh]

I had mine out last August via keyhole surgery. In and out in one day. I needed a couple of weeks off (hurt my back moving stuff too soon after op) and also have kids but coped well. Surgeons prefer to remove then whilst you're feeling relatively healthy rather than as an emergency so I was told.

[NewStartNewName]

I had mine out 10 years ago keyhole surgery, had 10 week and a 2 year old to look after, wasn't that bad. Glad u had it out though.

[amarmai]

I kept my gall bladder,stones and all. I am a coward and pain taught me to eat a veggie diet. I think I am healthier as a result.

[Flatcoatfan]

I had my gallbladder out last week. I was diagnosed with large gallstones after only 3 or 4 episodes of pain. I changed my diet, which was already good. Cut right down on fat, increased my exercise lost a stone and felt great. Saw a surgeon who said the choice was mine whether to remove my gallbladder or not but he pointed out that the gallstones were never going to go away by themselves! I spoke to a few Dr friends who all said the same, have it removed while relatively young (!) and fit when the chances of complications are much less. I was also worried about ever being abroad and bring ill. So I bit the bullet and have had it out. Everything went well. Home same day. No pain but was not prepared for how tired I am. You will definitely need help with kids for a couple of weeks if possible but I'm relieved I've gone through with it. I didn't realise quite how grotty I had felt a lot of the time. But my gallstones were large and apparently the surgeon said there had been a lot of chronic inflammation for quite some time. Who knew!!!
Sorry for the long post but I really understand your dilemma. I felt fit and well before my surgery and worried a lot about complications and recovery but I'm glad it's gone now.

[Flatcoatfan]

I really hope you feel better soon.

[TheoriginalLEM]

FGS get it out!!! i went for along time undiagnosed and then it ramped up. The pain drove me to the edge of sanity. It was happening at least weekly. I still had to wait months for surgery.

That was 10 years ago. never looked back.

[randomcatname]

Get it out. My main problem with recovery was sheer tiredness. If you can get someone in to help for a few days I recommend it. Imagine that pain struck when you were driving, or due to go on holiday or a wedding or your kid's school concert. Honestly, why risk that level of pain again.

[Flatcoatfan]

Yes get it out! One of my attacks was during a romantic break away with DH. It wasn't romantic at all. He spent half the evening driving round looking for somewhere selling hot water bottles. In summer.

[DivaDroid]

Get it out! Mine was removed by keyhole surgery five weeks ago & I feel like a new person.
I was first in surgery (I'm allergic to latex) & was home by about 630pm the same day. I was exhausted for a few days & off work for 3 weeks, but I felt better pretty much when I woke from the GA.

[Araminkin]

I had my own last year with an 8mo! My DH helped and I did have help from my mum for the first week (couldn't lift him), but after one week I was back at work and all was fine. I would have it out!

[noideawhattocallmyself]

it looks like out is the answer. I couldn't be any more tired than I am at the moment
Will book a Dr's appt and get the ball rolling
Thanks all for sharing your experiences!

[Cherylene]

I would have it out. There is a small chance you could get pancreatitis as a complication. Happened to a family member, and she died. Would love to get mine scanned just to make sure there are no stones that I don't know of . I am paranoid now.

[jb007]

I'm another one saying have it out. I had cholesiscystis (?spelling) and ended up in hospital for a week when gallstones moved and got stuck, recovered from that then had pancreatitis a year later when stones moved again. The pain was indescribable. I was hallucinating due to lack of sleep and pain drugs. Had my gall bladder out and no problems since.

[DifficultLemonDifficult]

Get rid! I had repeated attacks over two years and was unsure about having surgery, but eventually went for it. It was a day surgery - went in at 8.30am and was home by 4pm. The recuperation wasn't my favourite thing ever, but when recovered, my overall wellbeing improved enormously. No further problems subsequently.

[tb]

I had mine out - had low level pain for over 20 years which I'd been told very nastily was due to stress so had tried to ignore it.

Felt so much better after the op - wore leggings all the time for a while as structured waistbands were very uncomfortable for a while. Felt so much better that was dancing around the sitting room with DH - that was a mistake as I acquired 2 hernias along the mid-line, so take it easier than I did.

Funnily enough, some 4 years later, if I'm stressed I get pain around where the scar is, but deeper so wonder if the hernia popped back into place as it should have done.

[Flumplet]

Had mine out 10 years ago after a stone got stuck in my bile duct and sent me to hospital for a week bright yellow with jaundice. I've not looked back since. In and out same day and back to work within 5 days.

[AmserGwin]

Get it out! It's not going to get any better. I had mine done with 2 small kids at home, out same day, horse-riding a week later

[uggmum]

I had mine removed. I had a lot of stones and prior to removal I had a serious infection and sepsis which took me months to get over.

My op was fine. I was up and about within a few hours. I was walking the kids to school within 4 days and was driving within 2 weeks. at times it was painful but the more you move around the quicker you heal.

Gall stone pain is immense and can be triggered by many foods so a low fat diet doesn't totally prevent attacks.