Gallbladder knackered

[Bouffalant]

I've felt short of breath, dodgy stomach and like I've broken a rib quite a lot recently.

Just had a doctors appointment and apparently it's a dicky gallbladder. Awaiting a hospital letter for scan and blood tests. But doctor says the usual best course is to remove the gallbladder.

Anyone been there? Is it horrible?

I would love if they could do it in 2 weeks time. I'm on day 3 of this attack, still can't really eat, shirting orange water, and having to hold my breath through the annoying pain.

Gah, I want it over with.

3 days is a long time. Not to worry you but when I had an attack that long it ended up being choleycystitis. What’s your pain out of 10?

You really need to go to the doctor - right now. You may need to home on an antibiotic drip at the hospital. Orange wee and a lot of pain for days are not normal.

Sorry my post is not making much sense. I had identical and was sent straight to A & E and spent the night on an antibiotic drip. Your GP should be able to see if that is necessary.

Yes I ended up in hospital on iv antibiotics for a week with the choleycystitis.
Get checked out OP

As pp have said above. An 'attack' lasting longer than a few hours is likely to be cholecystitis. I ended up in hospital on an antibiotic drip. You really need to see someone urgently. If you call 111, they will tell you the same (from experience of my painful 'trapped wind' that wasn't!).

Yeah that's not standard gallbladder pain, you need to be seen urgently in hospital now.

Be careful. There are risks the doctors didn't tell me before I had mine out!

The first is weight gain. Apparently really common. Another is losing to ability to use codeine/co-codamol for my headaches. The pain is the same as a gallbladder attack even though you no longer have it

Oh fuck. I did go to the doctor on Monday morning and he just said to book blood tests with the nurse and he'll refer me for a scan.

If I've been having pain and constant shits for 3 days should I go back tomorrow?

@Bouffalant I would ring 111 now and explain that you're still in pain. That way you will be seen tonight.

I rang 111, as I'm not vomiting and my the whites of my eyes haven't turned yellow, they've told me to call GP in the morning.

If I get the above plus become confused or start shitting blood then go to A&E.

Had mine out in 2011. Best thing I ever did.

Yeah you have to turn yellow to be an emergency.

Apparently so according to 111.

I found bending over a puffy so my middle was compressed really helped with the pain OP. It might be worth a try, it's mega knacking at first though. Poor thing, my longest attack was 24 hours. Utter nightmare. I spent months living on chicken noodle soup and a crusty bun practically alone before the bugger came out.

I really would see your GP. I didn't have the other symptoms. My GP examined me and sent me straight to the hospital.

My friends mum died from the consequences a gall stone that got lodged in the bile duct, so it is not a trivial or superficial thing.

I found lying down with a cold flannel over my upper abdomen eased the symptoms.

My cat always used to sit on me when I had an attack and tried to massage the affected area - perhaps it was attracted by the heat.

I'd see another GP. I got one who blew me off with blood test and wait for a scan. I wound up in A&E had pancreatitis (and no, I don't drink!) and searing pain - stones were blocking ducts. I also ended up having to have open incision to remove it.

You don’t have to go yellow for it to be serious. I had gallstones and dr thought it was a bad back. I ended up going to a&e, spending 2 months in hospital with severe necrotising pancreatitis. i’m now tube fed, have diabetes and can’t be far from a toilet. Can’t work. In pain almost all the time which gets severe often. My life is not massively far away from ruined. But I never went yellow. even though my liver was very unhappy at one point. If only I could go back in time knowing what I do now and get the gallbladder out. Push for treatment before you end up like I am

I'm so sorry @sonypony How awful.

I had another dr appointment this morning. They did my temperature and blood pressure this time and poked my belly around more. Still inflamed but less pain than yesterday, and no temperature.

I'm going back for bloods on Friday.

Hello OP

I hope you feel better soon

Just to add my experience - I had my gallbladder removed via keyhole surgery on a Wednesday last July and was back at work the following Monday. I felt so much better!

I was first in theatre that day (8am). The operation took 1.5 hours and I went home later that day.

Best of luck

Thank you very much

I had my blood tests today and had my scan letter through- it's for next week! I'm amazed, I thought it would take ages. I am very grateful.

Now the attack has subsided though im having a bit of a toddler strop about food. It's Friday night, homemade pizza and wine night. And yet I'm having a chicken salad. Woe.

I've just had my abdominal scan and now I'm super paranoid.

I know sonographers aren't allowed to tell you anything much, but he took about 20 minutes doing loads of angles and seemed to go very quiet and serious. Could mean nothing, but now I'm having thoughts about liver cancer and all sorts! How long did everyone else's take? Did they tell you much?

My scan was for something else and they picked up the gallstones during it. They told me that in relation to the thing they were originally looking for, they're not allowed to give results and to call my GP the next morning to get the official confirmation that everything is fine with that. I think they only told me because I told them how anxious I'd been. They didn't mention a word about the gallstones though, I found that particular aspect out from my GP when he read the scan report.

I think mine took about that long and they weren't very chatty. But I'm an antisocial bugger at the best of times - so that could have just been me.