Gallstones

[ShastaBeast]

I recently became bloated in my upper abdomen. I had a scan and they found a number of gallstones up to 16mm. I have had some pain, nothing terrible but I’m not sure the pain, bloating and other symptoms are connected. The GP is referring me with the expectation of surgery.

Has anyone has these and can share their symptoms and experience of treatment? Is bloating likely connected or heartburn?

[Tesbel]

I've had my gall bladder out a number of years ago. When I had an attack it felt like bloating but it also felt like something was stuck in me and had to come out. I remember my 1st attack before I knew what it was I drank 2 litres of prune juice in the hope it would help. I'm not sure that it did but the pain did pass a few hours after. I also remember the sheer pain that I had going up my back between my shoulder blades... it was unbearably sore and I actually did think I was going to die.

[ShastaBeast]

I’m permanently more bloated but worse after food. Some pain is cramping as if I need to run to the loo but nothing happens. Other times I get pain that feels like the muscles have tightened up all around my lower chest and round the back. It’s unpleasant but not the terrible pain I’ve read about before.

I wondered if the heartburn could be connected or it can cause other digestive issues.

I suspect it’s caused by weight loss and I’m hoping to lose a bit more which may make it worse.

[daretodenim]

If you've lost weight quickly that can cause gallstones and it's advised to do it very very slowly if you have them.

[gamerchick]

OP, having had mine out and all the shit that went before it. If you want to wait until you're crying and puking before getting it out then it's up to you.

Personally, I'd grab the opportunity to have it out with both hands before you get to that point.

[loutypips]

Have them out! A friend went to hospital with a suspected heart attack that turned out to be gallstones, and having suffered for four years, I can quite believe why! The pain can get so bad, it would usually make me vomit and then ease off slightly. I even fainted a few times due to the pain.

[ShastaBeast]

If I knew it was the cause of the bloating and heartburn I’d be tempted to go private and do it quickly. Otherwise it’s not much of a problem so far so I can wait for the NHS (with the current situation who knows when that will be).

I’ve not lost a lot of weight, just gone from top of healthy BMI to mid way, 25-21. But I’ve yo-yo’d around these weights and want to get down to 20 after putting a bit on over winter. I saw advice to cut down fat but also that high fat diets (low carb) can be better for weight loss and not making the problem worse.

[gamerchick]

It might be. I have GERD anyway and it was miles worse before I got my gallbladder out. In fact nearly a year later I'm wondering if I can come off the meds as it's massively improved.

I really would get it out if you can. Awful things gallstones.