Possible gallstones

[CormoranStrike]

Symptoms - pain in ribs, spasming like, which I was convinced was muscular, but GP is fairly certain they are gallstones.

I get an ultrasound in around a month's time. If confirmed, does it always mean surgery, and if so, how quickly will I be referred for surgery?

[Snoopyokay]

It is up to you if you have the surgery or not. I had to wait 7 months before my op which is coming up soon. Hope you're okay!

[rockinnrollin]

I was diagnosed 3 years ago but didn't want the surgery because I was scared but because of regular gallstone attacks like you describe, I decided to go to my GP early 2017 and ask for the surgery. Got a letter about the referral a few weeks after, I booked the consultation for two months later as that was the nearest date I could get, and less than a month after that I had the surgery. So all in all, about 3 months from GP to surgery. Best thing I did.

[Snoopyokay]

rockinnrollin have you had any problems since the op? I've read so many horror stories that I'm also scared to have mine out but don't want to have any more attacks in the future. Not had one for 3 months now!

[helensburgh]

I had excruciating attacks and had.mine out..was.brilliant..... then the pain returned.
I actually had sphincter of oddi dysfunction. My advice to anyone is to get that ruled out prior to surgery

[NewIdeasToday]

Suggest you talk to your GP about medicine that would help if you get further attacks while you wait for your scan. You may find that you can manage your condition through careful diet and meds, at least while you wait for surgery.

[CormoranStrike]

Thanks all - I have pain meds and acid reduction tablets in the interim, but have pain every day. So far not excruciating, but definitely lasting - three weeks now.

[Hippywannabe]

@CormoranStrike that was what I was like. Have you had blood tests? I ended up with emergency surgery just before Xmas . Still not mended yet but no more excruciating contraction type pain.

[overwhelmedbyitall]

I had regular pain for a couple of years. Gp thought it was stress. Only when I had an ambulance called as the pain was so severe was I referred for a scan. Another couple of severe attacks and lots of minor ones in the few months between confirmation of gallstones and op and nothing at all since. Best thing ever for me!

[CormoranStrike]

Maybe the GP does know what he is talking about then

[milkjetmum]

Has your gp given you advise to avoid eating fat? This is an be of the main triggers for pain. Fat free/ultra low fat diet is hard but not impossible (have been doing this for a year+ now, can't wait for an op!)

[Eolian]

I had the op 18 months ago. Totally fine (and I'm a wuss!) and no further problems at all. Aside from very minimal scars, I would never know I'd ever had a problem. DM had hers out 25 years ago (pre-keyhole, so open surgery) and she never had any more issues either.

Apparently it's pretty risky saying no to surgery. Constant damage and attacks can give you pancreatitis and liver problems. I controlled mine with diet for 8 months while waiting for the op, but it was hard work. Any more than about 2g of fat would set me off!

[CormoranStrike]

I have no plan to refuse surgery - bring it on, if the diagnosis is confirmed.

I've not been given any diet advice, but am on my own healthkick from January 1, so hopefully will see some changes.

[Eolian]

I lost a load of weight while waiting for the op. But put it all back on again afterwards . The excitement of being able to eat what I liked again after 8 months of extreme fat was too much for me, and dud not wear off for a while!

[CormoranStrike]

Well, I am at least four stone overweight, so if nothing else weight loss will be good for me

[Eolian]

It absolutely fell off me. But beware the desire to inhale vast quantities of cheese and cake once you've had the op! For me, sticking to very low fat was annoying but a real no-brainer. No willpower is required when you have the threat of excruciating pain to keep you on the straight and narrow!

[ADuckNamedSplash]

Hi OP - I'm going through this too. Re timelines - I was hopsitalised at the beginning of October. They did an ultrasound as part of it and diagnosed gallstones. I was given an appointment with a consultant 6 weeks later (mid-December) to discuss treatment and was advised that the surgery will be in February. I'm still waiting for a letter with the specific date, but concerned it might be pushed back with today's news about non-urgent operations being deferred. I'm also on ant-acids in the mean time.

I second the advice to avoid / limit fatty foods. It's not fool-proof - I sometimes have an attack without any idea what's caused it - but the overall frequency has definitely reduced since I adjusted my diet. You'll find your own threshold - PP said theirs was 2g of fat, but mine is around 15g. I also try to have my evening meal well before bedtime and not snack afterwards.

[dahliaaa]

@helensburgh can you tell me what your pain was like after op?
I am three months post op and have pain in right rib area.

(OP don't let this put you off. I am one of several people at work who have had their gallbladder removed and all the others have been 100% fine. With me the op itself was no problem.)

[dahliaaa]

Sorry that was to @helensburgh
Missed the s out

[Hippywannabe]

@dahliaaa
I have just got back from the gp. Had mine out on 12th Dec and am very sore around the right rib area particularly and also navel area. Found it difficult to get off to sleep last night as I couldn't get comfortable. I have been signed off for 2 more weeks and been told firmly that keyhole or not, it is major abdominal surgery. Back to the sofa for me!

[Battyoldbat]

I’d like to find out more about the sphincter of Oddi dysfunction too @helensburgh
My DH had his gallbladder removed a few months ago and was fine for months but has recently started to have pains similar to a gallbladder attack again. He’s had an ultrasound which hasn’t showed anything up so we’re a bit baffled at the moment.

[Downhillatfifty]

My gallstones started off as a grumbling pain but moved very swiftly on to unbelievable pain, worse than any other pain I'd had including childbirth and the attacks got ever more frequent. Modifying my diet unfortunately had no effect although I know it works for other people.
I apparently had hundreds of small gallstones so the only possible treatment was gallbladder removal. Waiting for the surgery, 8 months, was a nightmare so would advise anyone to get on the waiting list as soon as possible.
I know quite a few people who have had the surgery , including two close family members, and not one of them regrets it.
After the surgery I was fine and was able to go back to my desk job after a week, and back to a fully normal life after 3 weeks.

[Snoopyokay]

Good to hear a positive story downhill I was thinking of cancelling my op but sounds like it was the right thing for you!

[TrippleFlappyDiamondSparrow]

My Gallstone story (sorry it's long)

I was 20 when I had my first Gall stone attack. I was not over weight or anything like that. I had, had my son 12 months earlier. I was sitting in bed one night and I woke up in agony, like I could not move. I was crumpled over and could not describe the pain except it was worse than childbirth - breezed an 8 hour labour with no pain relief - I can take pain! this was so so much worse. My partner called for an ambulance after about 2 hours, I waited in A&E curled up in a ball waiting to be seen. Finally they got to me and gave me some tramadol and Gaviscon! told me it was heartburn and sent me on my way after the pain had left.

Around a month later, the same thing happened, back in an ambulance on Gas & Air not being able to even talk through the pain. Again passed off as Heartburn and IBS and told to see my GP if it happens again.

This went on for about 6 months until I ended up collapsed on the floor and actually blacked out from the pain. My partner phoned for an ambulance, took to hospital where they did an ultrasound and numerous tests. Came back I had lots of tiny gallstones and my blood tests showed my Liver function was through the roof. They sent me home after 6 hours when the pain subsided and said they would book me in to see the consultant, not even 2 hours later I was back in A&E, same thing again. After more tests they realised I had a stone trapped by my bile duct and this was why the pain was coming back straight after the pain relief had gone. I spent 2 weeks in hospital, I also ended up with Pancreatitis and at risk of sepsis. After my liver function settled a bit they did an endoscopy and fitted a stent to remove the stone.

I could not have surgery till all the infection and attacks had stopped as they will not operate until it's all settled. I had my surgery booked in for 3 weeks time, it got postponed due to lack of staff. They re-booked the op, it got cancelled again by the hospital! The attacks were still happening in between all of this. I had morphine at home to help control the pain. I finally got my surgery and the bloody thing out on the third time it was booked in. I was in an out within 24 hours and never had a problem since. THE best thing that I have ever had!!!!!

The side effects

• I still can not eat anything high in fat, it goes straight though me (be aware for this, can make eating out a bit awkward at times if there is not a toilet nearby), and without sounding gross, it's like yellow liquid that does not stop for ages.
  
• I still get the odd pain in my shoulder, this seems to die down after an hour so, I believe this may be because other organs are working a bit harder as there is no Gallbladder.
  
• The best symptom - I got my life back!
  

Have the surgery, it will be the best decision you ever make.

There are far worse things that can happen than just gallstone attacks, I nearly got sepsis due to doctors not diagnosing me correctly for month. Take every bit of pain relief they offer and get the god damned thing out :)

[dahliaaa]

@HippyWannabe
There was a huge difference in my healing between 3 and 6 weeks. Good that you are going to have more rest.

[dahliaaa]

@battyoldbat what kind of symptoms is your DH having ?