I went to the GP & said I have Gallstones, IBS and I'm menopausal - she said I can only treat one thing

[KatyMac]

So I showed her the large(ish) lump in my tummy and said well I think one of them caused this - can you just treat the one you think it is

But instead of one of those three causing it - she suggested it's a 4th possibility a hernia

Which will be fun!

[lljkk]

gallstones sounds most urgent, followed by IBS. Surely she can help you rate which one is most difficult?

[Bombardier25966]

One appointment one problem - it's because they're so short on time. If you need more time in future, ask for a double slot.

[Gammeldragz]

They only treat hernias if they're causing problems (pain, gastrointestinal issues) so I'd go for the gallstones. IBS they can't do much for and it's more about finding out which foods set it off and avoiding them. If you knew there were several issues you can book double appointments, most are only 10 mins long and not adequate for that kind of complex consultation.

[ShovingLeopard]

Won't one appointment one problem just tie up even more appointments, so it's even harder to get one?! Not seeing it as much of a solution, personally.

[Walkingthroughawall]

How do you know you have gallstones? The GP is right - in 10 mins they cannot address 3 completely separate problems. Not sure why you think ibs/menopause would cause a palpable mass. Gallstones big enough to feel are pretty rare. Hernias do often get fixed even if they're asymptomatic because of the small chance of a loop of bowel getting stuck in it (which is then a surgical emergency...prevention is better than cure).

[KatyMac]

I know I have gallstones they were scanned and diagnosed about 12 weeks ago

IBS 25 yrs, menopause new & exciting

But as I have 3 abdominal stuff and a fair amount of pain - the large lump I have I presumed was casued by an existing rather than a new something (esp as it was about an inch from my gallstone pain)

I guess I just thought something (I already had) was having a temper tantrum and making everything else sore and uncomfy

[welshmist]

Your gallstones could be giving you ibs type problems. Mine grumbled on for three decades before they scanned me.

[KatyMac]

Sorry that wasn't very coherent

I honestly thought my pain/bloated lumpy stomach was a result of one of the pre-existing conditions I had, rather than a new one - however I wasn't sure which one, which was why I mentioned them all as I thought it would help her track the particular problem

[Gammeldragz]

Walkingthroughawall re the hernias, maybe it depends which type they are? I was only repeating what a surgeon told me during a hernia op I was watching a few months ago. I was surprised, as I assumed people wouldn't like walking around with a lump sticking out even if it didn't hurt or anything!

Op makes more sense now you say it like that, but perhaps the Dr didn't really get what you meant either. They do get a bit fed up with people saving up all their ailments to do in one appointment! Hope you get it all sorted eventually anyway. Do try to find a diet that keeps your IBS settled, will probably make the menopause easier to handle too.

[KatyMac]

I went on a FODMAP exclusion about 3 or 4 years ago - I can't come off it at all - NHS dietician shrugged

My diet is appalling but new food=pain

[KatyMac]

Anyway my new hernia is about the size and shape of a mango and up high under my ribs on the right hand side

It's not massively comfortable and is causing clothing difficulties - I have had to buy trousers 2 sizes larger for work as my old ones cut into it uncomfortably and also rose up at the ankles to go round it

I keep getting bigger round the middle despite eating less and exercising more! My appetite is completely gone

[AbigailisFarty]

I don't understand about your diet being appalling on the FODMAP regime. Yes, a lot of foods are excluded but it still leaves a reasonable selection of food you can eat including fruit and veg.

That's an odd place to have a hernia. Most hernias are in the groin or somewhere around /below the belly button. A hernia is when the wall of the abdomen give way and your intestines bulge through the weakness. Given you have lost your appetite and are losing weight your GP should refer you to someone urgently. Worst case this could be cancer, so she ought to rule it out. Insist you see a gastroenterologist.

[KatyMac]

Root veg red meat & an occasional potato and I have no symptoms anything else (that I like bit fussy not tremendously) starts it up again so I make choices

2 scans booked one for my bit and one for my lump hopefully at the same time - blood test yesterday, phone call about results tomorrow

I have been complaining about the weight/size/appetite the last 3 appts (about a lump I found in my boob) but it was always a symptom of my gallstones/ibs/menopause until the tummy bulge appearred

[AbigailisFarty]

That sounds very restrictive- you aren't on the FODMAP really, you are on a stone age exclusion diet. You should be able to eat lots of other foods and if you can't it seems like something else is going on. FODMAP LIST

I did some work (professionally) with the drs who brought FODMAP to the UK and my opinion FWIW is that you need to talk to another FODMAP expert such as this person (she does Skype) to get more help. //www.wisediet.co.uk

Hope your scans are soon and you get sorted.

[KatyMac]

It's boring so I often slip up - I have been able to add new things recently - the tops of leeks and small amounts of banana

But things like coconut, almond & soya cause bleeding so I avoid those religiously - things that are bitty like raspberry seeds or oats are fairly crap too & artifical sweetners are the pits - the consultant asked me to avoid egg substitutes too (no idea why)

I'll look at that lady's website - thanks

[Crazy3]

Treat the gall stones I had my gall bladder removed as a result of a scam showing what looked like a bag of maltesers. It’s worth it you may also find all your abdominal digestive problems go after you have the gall bladder removed as having gall stones can cause a more acid stomach etc. Also it can become pretty impossible to function with gall stones if one moves the pain is horrendous.

[KatyMac]

It sound bizarre but I am so much better than I was even 3 years ago!
Gall stones consultant mid July goodness knows now long til my op (suggested as the only option)

But right here right now bulge tummy is a pain - a year ago I was a size 14 knicker with a size 10 waist (although I wore 12/14 trousers) now I am a size 10 knicker and I just bought size 16 trousers as the bulge pulls the legs up so my other trousers are too small and sadly the waist now fits!!

Plus it feels wibbly and is quite sore

[KatyMac]

Please let us sell our motorhome then I can go private!

I can't wait another year after I (eventually) see the consultant in july!!

Actually I just noticed a couple of the gland on that side of my body are swollen too so it may just be some sort of infection....

[welshmist]

I am baffled that the lump in your boob was not investigated. More lumps and now glands swelling, something odd is going on. I would go back to gp. See a different one if possible.

[KatyMac]

It was under the two week wait thing mammogram and everything

It was all clear apparently it's my age but it's carried on getting bigger and smaller in tune with my gallstones so I wonder if it's some sort of gland as well

Doctors ringing in the morning to give me my blood test and see when my scan is ( no appointment yet) she is really nice and listen to me the previous doctors ignored half of what I said ( including my bloated tummy and my weight loss - apparently that's my Age too)

[welshmist]

Age and weight loss I wish. I really do think you should go back with these glands. Something is not right and its not the bloody meno.

[welshmist]

How much weight have you lost and what time scale a 1lb a month e.g.