Suspected gallstones but feel like I'm being lazy

Hope you're doing okay OP & getting some answers

I’m glad you’ve been admitted. Hope you get some good pain relief!

Just seen your update. You're in the right place, I hope you feel better soon x

Oh god, I remember this, its actually a year ago today I went to A&E and was admitted with pancreatitis and jaundice due to gallstones, I had my gallbladder out at the start of February 2025. The pain is beyond horrific. I had my baby a few months before with no pain relief (not my choice) and I'm not sure which was worse.

Have you been told what to look out for ie if a stone is stuck? Just that personally my attacks lasted a few hours, say 4, but when it went on for 5 days it was because I had pancreatitis. Did they do a blood test?

When I finally saw a gastro consultant about mine, he told me I should go to A&E with any severe gallbladder pain while I was waiting for the op (they’re worried about pancreatitis, which can be extremely serious). It might also help to speed up your diagnosis/surgery. The downside is you risk sitting on chairs in pain for hours. But it is medically advised I think (I’m not a doctor!) and they might give you some proper drugs. Sorry you’re going through this - it is absolutely horrible, you’re not making a fuss.

Someone here referred to the fallout of an attack as like having a hangover - a really bad, all-body hangover.

Gallstones, once they start kicking off, are exhausting in every way & so phenomenally painful you're on edge for another attack all the time. My gb has been gone since May '25 & I didn't truly realise how much pain I'd been in for nearly a decade till I wasn't in it any more.

At the first sign of a twinge get some buscopan & peppermint tea in you along with a hot water bottle made up for your stomach. It MIGHT help. I had about a year of actual attacks & it makes you feel desperate & fearful. There are things I still don't eat & I could, with no issues, I'm just legit scared of them lol.

I second the 3% fat rule (less than!) - I found it very effective while I was waiting for the operation although admittedly I only had to wait a few months. Check everything - I screwed up by eating plain scrambled eggs once, gave me an attack within about 30 minutes. It’s a reasonably serious illness - you wouldn’t think anyone else with one of those was being lazy, so give yourself a break.

I had gallstones and attacks around once a week for months. The MOST horrendous pain - worse than childbirth. I was going to GP at first but they’re not very fast moving! When it starting happening more regularly, I went to hospital every time I had a severe attack and that really sped things up for removal. Not ideal because of waiting times etc but they take bloods and can see the spikes which confirms what’s going on. I was admitted on Xmas eve 2023 and referred for fast track surgery because they could see how high my blood scores were compared to the previous time I was there. Had the removal 4 weeks later, thank goodness!

If you can’t get to hospital, take the strong painkillers when you’re sure you won’t be sick (I was always vomiting during an attack) and then sit crossed legged, leaning over a cushion placed against your tummy. That was the only way I could get any relief.

I really feel for you and I’m sending love. I hope you manage to get things sorted soon.

I had gallstones which led to an infected gallbladder and ended up in hospital for a week with it. It was so excruciating, i could barely move.
I think as soon as you start ending up in hospital with the attacks they whip your gallbladder out really quick. I was scheduled straight for preop and it was out within 4 weeks. They said once you have one bad attack it will likely just keep happening so they take it out as urgent.

I had gallstones and pancreatitis. The worst agony ever.

Pain medication doesn't have much effect on gallstones. I was in hospital on Tramadol and a Morphine drip and it didn't make the slightest bit of difference.
Best advice is to get your gallbladder removed as soon as you can. I managed to ride out my gallbladder pains until it got infected, and that's a whole new level of pain.

You have my sympathy. Gallstones have caused me a lifetime of pain and problems thanks to one damaging my pancreas. Always take it seriously and get it out asap. It really is horrible pain, worse pain i’d had until pancreatitis.

Same. The suppositories were amazing!

She’s joking but seriously, I did find a brisk walk helped. And codeine and low fat diet. It is vile though and I hope you’re sorted soon!

Take it easy and be kind to yourself. Gallbladder pain is horrendous.

I had mine out a while ago now but the attacks were really awful and totally wiped me out. Because it's quite common, people don't always realise just how debilitating it is.

I found that even after the initial bad pain subsided to a dull ache, I was still exhausted. It's because there is still inflamation and your body is still recovering.

I was so relieved when I had mine removed.

I hope you get yours sorted out soon. Until then, a really low fat diet definitely helped me. My doctor said less than 3% fat until it was out helps to prevent flare ups.

Buscopan is a waste of time. When I had gallstones they gave me volterol suppositories. Not nice to use but definitely helped with the pain!

I think the poster was being sarcastic

I have them too and am waiting for op to remove my gallbladder. You have my sympathy- the pain is hideous and quite frightening. The last time I had pain like that that wouldn’t go away no matter what I took, I ended up going into hospital and had an infected gallbladder. I needed IV antibiotics. I don’t want to scare you but that can lead to pancreatitis if not treated. Have you taken your temperature? I would strongly consider going to A&E

You are most definitely not being lazy! My DD had an attack of gallstones several years ago and she was literally crying with the pain. And she has she has quite a high pain threshold!

What?? Op is in PAIN! 🙄

Goodness! I waited 3 years to get mine out despite repeat agonising attacks, your wife was very lucky!

Reading this thread, I'm so relieved that my wife's gallstones were dealt with incredibly quickly. She had an awful attack and showed up at A&E crying and in a cold sweat from the pain, which she said was many times worse (for her) than childbirth. She had surgery within the week, on the NHS (I know, we were really surprised it was so quick).

It would have been awful to see her suffer like that for months on end while languishing on a waiting list. Good luck to all who suffer from this horrible pain.

Gallstone pain is the most horrendous thing, truly worse than childbirth. Unfortunately due to misdiagnosis mine went on a few years but my gallbladder was removed some years ago now and it such a relief not to live in fear of another attack happening. You are definitely not being lazy!!!!!!!!