Gallstones / faecal impaction / generally feeling rubbish

[torthecatlady]

Help! I've been feeling pretty sorry for myself over the last 4/5 months...

I thought I had another stomach ulcer caused by dieting (3 stone lost) and stress. Then my father took his own life last month which made my symptoms even worse.

I have seen 5 doctors who wouldn't take me seriously when I suggested gallstones. I finally had no choice but to go to a&e on Tuesday because of the pain. I have never felt anything like it.

I had X-rays, bloods and ultrasounds. The diagnoses confirmed gallstones (now awaiting removal), faecal impaction and something isn't right with my liver but need additional bloods to clarify.

The faecal impaction which surprised me as I assumed I was fairly regular. It was actually shocking to see it (literally in black and white in front of me). Since then, I have no been able to go to the toilet to pass anything. I've drunk gallons of water as apparently this can help? They've given me Laxido to try and clear the blockage, but no luck yet. I'm so bloated and uncomfortable.

I'm on two different antibiotics for an inflamed gallbladder and Cocodomol for pain (which I am limiting because of the faecal impaction).

It's my birthday tomorrow and I feel rubbish. I really need some good home remedies to try and sort myself out. Has anyone got any experience with the above? I'm at my wits end now.

[ChiaraRimini]

You poor thing!
I have had gallstones which is bad enough without everything else.
Definitely do not take cocodamol if possible as codeine makes you constipated. Stick to plain paracetamol and hot water bottles. I guess you can't take ibuprofen if you've had stomach ulcers.
Peppermint tea is good for digestion generally. Having a warm bath may be helpful. The meds you've been given should do the trick and I'd be wary about trying home remedies in case they interfere.
When you are able to poo try raising your feet by putting them on a small box in front of the loo, this gets you into a better position.

[torthecatlady]

@ChiaraRimini thanks for your message. It felt good to write it all down.

Yes I was concerned when they prescribed the cocodomol. I did query it, but they didn't seem too worried as they had given me the laxido

My brother is a pharmacist and he said I should try to avoid anything codeine based where possible, so I will definitely use them sparingly.

You're right, I avoid anti inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen because of my previous stomach ulcer. I usually try to avoid pain relief wherever possible to be honest!

I was looking at different herbal teas and thought maybe one in the evening and morning could help? Not sure which kind to try. I'm going shopping tomorrow and will go in Holland and Barrett, I'm sure there will be loads to choose from.

I really need to clear myself out (ideally over the weekend as I work in a small office mom-fri) as it's been causing nausea and vomiting.

[torthecatlady]

My friend has one of those steps that you get for the toilet to help position your legs and swears by it but I can't bring myself to purchase one!

I've had all of my laxatives for today, about 3 litres of water and a hot bath. I've got some chamomile tea at the back of the cupboard so will make a cup of that shortly.

As I said, my diet has been really good. But I clearly need to make some more changes. I don't really eat meat and I don't drink alcohol, but I do eat carbs... They're my downfall. I've been trying to reduce my carb intake and will continue to do so in the hope that it will help.

The gallbladder removal won't be for at least 6 months. The waiting list is so long here. So between then and now I need to do anything and everything possible.

[Liverprobs]

What are your liver levels OP? You probably CAN’T take paracetamol because of that.

Are you under a specialist? My dd is now recovering from horrendous liver problems ... it’s been a nightmare. Whole other thread.

DON’T drink herbal teas, don’t take anything other than what is prescribed by your specialist. If your brother is a pharmacist he should know better and have also told you NOT to take paracetamol due to liver issues. Every single thing you take (food, drinks, medicines, herbal remedies) are processed in your liver ... your liver will be ‘wrong’ due to your gallstones and probably can’t process things properly and you could make things a whole lot worse . Only take what your specialist prescribes for you.

Go back to GP/specialist for further advice and help. Due to your liver, you really can’t take matters into your own hands regarding oral items.

I’m sorry you’re going through this

[torthecatlady]

@Liverprobs sorry about your daughter. Is she better now?

I don't know my liver levels. I'd spent 7-8 hours in a&e and didn't think to write down anything they said. There's a few things I wish I'd asked, said or done, but really wasn't at my most prepared.

I think I either mistyped something earlier, or you misunderstood? My brother raised his concerned about codeine. I said that both the surgeon and dr I saw had said it should be ok because of the laxido. Everyone I have spoken to in healthcare have warned me about the cocodomol having paracetamol in it. My brother has advised me not to take paracetamol and he wasn't keen on me taking cocodomol either.

Cocodomol - I took 2 tablets on Wednesday AM at a&e and 2 tablets on Thursday night. I generally tolerate pain very well. So as I said before, I'll be using them when I really need to only.

The laxido hasn't worked yet. I did have a chamomile tea last night. But nothing is moving. What are your concerns about herbal teas?

[Liverprobs]

Sorry tor .... I was a bit confused ... I thought your brother had told you to take paracetamol. My mistake!

Dd has been poorly since May, she has just now turned a corner and is on the road to recovery. Her liver started to fail and a transplant was mentioned if things didn’t improve. She’s been in hospital a few times with it and has been seen in outpatients twice a week.

The reason I said about herbal ... herbal remedies can cause liver problems in some people, especially when the liver is already compromised, as yours is. Our liver team checked all the time that dd wasn’t taking anything not prescribed by them, including anything herbal. They’ve had patients in full liver failure due to over the counter herbal remedies. Most people are fine with these but when the liver is already struggling then everything is off limits.

I’ve learned so much in the past few months about the liver and I’m truly shocked just how fragile our bodies can be.

Dd’s Liver problems started, they think, from glandular fever. It attacked her liver and made it quite poorly. Then when it was getting better, it worsened in a different way due to, they think, her contraceptive pill. It struggled for some time before starting to fail. Once the liver is poorly, you have to be very very careful with anything you take orally. My dd couldn’t have a tooth filling, couldn’t have a mole removed from her arm ... all because her liver was poorly. Our GP was reluctant to give dd anything, always just referred us back to the liver team for their advice.

Have you been seen by a specialist yet? You can get suppositories for severe constipation which work wonders! I’d imagine you could use these but you’d have to check with a specialist.

[Arnoldthecat]

Get some extra virgin olive oil and take a tablespoon full every morning..

[Aquamarine1029]

Have you tried an enema? They really work.

[JJSS123]

I was impacted and MOVICOL sorted me out after 4 sachets a litre of water and some fresh orange juice. And I’d not passed anything at all for a month. Hope you get some relief soon it’s so awful. A hot tea and 2 large sugars helped too x

[KickAssAngel]

There are MANY threads over the years with suggestions for how to overcome constipation/impaction. Do a search and see all the regular advice given.

The problem you have now is that anything you take at the top end won't help with the blockage at the bottom end. You probably need to use suppositories to loosen things from below. Also, you can possibly manipulate things with a careful finger inserted in the vagina.

This sounds like you've had a lot to deal with. Try to get your body back in balance, or as well as you can given the gallstones, so that you can process the emotional impact of everything.

[torthecatlady]

Sorry for disappearing! I've generally been feeling sorry for myself and stressed.

I managed to go to the toilet once yesterday and this morning. Not a great deal, but something at least. I have terrible sickness so struggling to eat. But I'm going to stir fry some vegetables and bean sprouts for lunch and try some wholewheat pasta this evening.

It's given me the kick to take a look at my diet and make better choices. Any amount of chocolate or spice seems to be a trigger so I need to avoid those for now. I've also cut out any fizzy drinks which I've wanted to do for a while. Sticking to water and tea.

Waiting for the blood tests on Tuesday to see what comes back. Will book a drs appointment as well.

[RhinoskinhaveI]

I second the enema suggestion but it can be be tricky to get the hang of at first.
Emotional trauma and loss such as you have experienced has a significant effect on the body, I tend to find that things shut down in the gut department if I'm stressed which of course just makes you feel really horrible on top of everything else.
I'm so sorry for the loss of your father 😔💐 OP

[torthecatlady]

Thanks for all of the advice and support on here.

I'll ask if they think an enema would help on Tuesday. Although the thought makes me wince a little

I had a small serving of dried prunes for breakfast, stir fried vegetables for lunch and whole grain penne with bolognese made with low fat mince for dinner. I also had some mango as a quick snack. I've only had water and squash (and laxido 🤢) to drink as I've banned myself drinking fizzy drinks.

Pretty happy with what I managed to eat, that's the most for a while plus I managed to keep it down. Although my gut is gurgling away constantly. I'm back in work tomorrow so hoping my body behaves itself. I'm also hoping the office is busy so no ones hears all the noises coming from my stomach

[Hollingsworth40]

@torthecatlady I feel exactly sane as you I was diagnosed with gallstones in March, hoping to have my op on Tuesday, I’ve suffered all way through with constipation and feel impacted, doctors says the two are t related although for me I got both symptoms around same time. I’ve had a terrible week this week feeling sick loss of appetite, everything I eat actually hurts my gut and blocked up totally. I only ever eat well or have done since being diagnosed to cut down any risks of attacks.
Every day I eat fresh fruit, veg, fruit juice and probiotic yoghurts and only lean meat. I feel totally miserable

[torthecatlady]

It's interesting that the symptoms aren't related? I actually had a very good diet prior to diagnoses (lost 3 stone) which seems to have caused the gallstones

I've always eaten a lot of fruit and veg so I was surprised about the faecal impaction. I've been keeping a diary of my BM (riveting stuff) and in the last few days I've been at least once a day. But anywhere between 1 and 3 times.

In terms of diet since diagnoses I've really concentrated on reducing carbs and switching pasta / bread to wholemeal / whole grain. I've also cut out fizzy drinks. And I have a "banned list" stuck to the fridge next to my meal planner which says "no chocolate, no spicy food, no cake, no biscuits" basically all the good stuff. I've also been eating a small portion of prunes in the morning and a bowl of bran flakes.

I also get the gut pain, not so much with eating but all day long, as well as an intension bubbling / gurgling. Plus agreed, the sickness is awful.

I've finished my two lots of antibiotics now, which alongside multiple BM and change of diet should help.

Truth be told, I'm a bit of a wimp and scared to ask for an enema

Good luck for your op, hopefully it will be sweet relief!

[Hollingsworth40]

@torthecatlady thank you I hope so too, the flesh on my ribs is so swollen I’ve had a terrible week feel absolutely dreadful. Every doctor I’ve seen says constipation isn’t linked but I got both at the same time.
Alike you I lost nearly 3 stone but 2 years ago since I have eaten really healthy and was exercising too prior to feeling like this. I too feel the pain daily rather than massive attacks. It’s horrendous isn’t it, I just have no energy or get up and go.

[torthecatlady]

I've been to hospital again, on top of everything else I tested positive for helicobacter pylori.

Now on a couple of different antibiotics to take alongside omeprazole, which is known as triple therapy. The side effects are NOT good and I've lost my appetite. Only another 10 days though.

Once I've finished the antibiotics i need to go for a gastroscopy.

I just want to be well!!

[Mehripoop]

@Hollingsworth40 how are you now? Did the constipation stop after the gallbladder removal?