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Original poster

Gallstones pain relief?

38 replies

Septemberissue · 16/04/2020 21:11

Hi folks, can anyone recommend an effective way to relieve gallstones pain? I am doubled in agony! It is worse than labour!!!!!

I don’t want to trouble GP/NHS at this time of course.

Thanks!

OP posts:
Selfsettling3 · 16/04/2020 21:13

If it’s worse than labour you need to trouble someone. Keep an eye on the colour of your wee and poo as it can indicate if you have a blocked bile duct.

CatelynStark · 16/04/2020 21:13

I was prescribed Buscopan and Nexium. It’s an awful pain - hope you feel better soon.

Youvebeenmuffled · 16/04/2020 21:14

Buscopan and a hot bath

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jojobar · 16/04/2020 21:15

Ibuprofen and paracetamol, take them together for maximum effect. Buscopan also helps me though it doesn't work for everyone. Also a hot water bottle if you can tolerate it.
If the pain is coming in waves trying to relax and breathe through it (a bit like contractions) also helps oddly, I think it relaxes muscles.

Much sympathy, gallstone pain is awful, worse than labour!

HunterHearstHelmsley · 16/04/2020 21:19

Don't take ibuprofen! I have them and was specifically told by my GP and the hospital doctor to not take it.

Honestly, you need to see your doctor or go to the hospital. I was given Oramorph which helped for a bit. After that, swapping between cocodomal and paracetamol. It sort of takes the edge off.

ZestyDragon · 16/04/2020 21:20

I had my gallstones removed around 14/15 years ago. In the months beforehand I was prescribed tramadol. You need proper painkillers for bad gallbladder attacks so do phone your doctor.

Ilikeanimalsmorethanpeople · 16/04/2020 21:25

Sorry there was nothing that helped me during an attack, deep breathing and lots of swearing! I did ring 999 in the end and had an operation to remove them.

Have you had an ultrasound or anything?

The only thing I found that helped was to change my diet which means the attacks were less frequent!

bloodyhellsbellsx · 16/04/2020 21:31

Buscopan and paracetamol its what we usually prescribe for biliary colic, low fat diet and seek medical attention if you become feverish or jaundiced.

LuluJakey1 · 16/04/2020 21:34

You need proper medical advice and probably blood tests at a hospital.You may have developed pancreatitis by a small stone getting stuck in the tube into your pancreas. It is extremely painful and requires treatment in hospital. I had this happen to me - the pain was unbelievable. I have had 3 DC with just gas and air and each labour was a doddle compared to the pain from pancreatitis. Only morphine relieved the pain and not for long. I had 9 days in hospital with it.

yoohooitsme · 16/04/2020 21:35

Ambulance and gas and air was the only option for me - sorry you are suffering it’s awful.
Paramedic very sympathetic.

Are you on the list for surgery? At least ask GP to refer you if not. Best call 111 at least

KitKatKit · 16/04/2020 21:35

Don't take ibuprofen! It makes it worse! I suffered with attacks on a weekly basis for a year before I had my gallbladder removed.
Eat an entirely fat free diet (definitelt nothing fried, processed) as fat triggers the attacks.
Take paracetamol as soon as you feel an attack hitting(strike early) lay down and try not to move until the painkillers kick in.

I basically spent a year curled up in a ball on my bedroom floor/ bathroom floor/ various meeting rooms in the office, until I could have the surgery. Get it removed asap.

Bouledeneige · 16/04/2020 21:36

I don't have any recommendations, nothing touched the sides in terms of the pain - I writhed mine out and then had them removed as the gall bladder became inflamed. It was bloody agony. My sympathies.

Before Covid I went to the doctor and he sent me direct to hospital. If it goes on more than 5 hours call 111 or go to A & E.

Babypug · 16/04/2020 21:39

Hi OP, I could have written this myself but had kept putting off going to doctors and kept going on like we do. Had a ultra sound and co firmed gallstones and was waiting for a letter to book surgery but one night it was so bad I had to call 111. They said get to hospital within the hour because of the pain and I had them out as an emergency operation next day and left home day day too after keyhole.
Don't push the pain away and worry about the hospitals because they still need to hell those in need to which is you. I've gotta day no longer being in crippling pain is amazing and o have my life back.
Call 111 see what they say and take it from there, there are people there to help that are non coronavirus focussed. Xx

Babypug · 16/04/2020 21:40

Excuse the horrific spelling my hayfever has my eyes so sore!

MumOfDiamonds · 16/04/2020 21:43

I would call 111.

I suffered with a gallstone attack for 3 days (on a family break in London) before cutting short our trip and driving straight to the hospital. I was admitted for 4 days due to a bad infection and it was very inflamed and swollen. It can turn quite nasty if it's not seen to.

I was on the waiting list for 3 month before I had it taken out.

I really sympathise with you, the pain is horrendous.

frogsareflyinginfromthewest · 16/04/2020 21:45

Had my gall bladder out in Dec after 3 years and many many A&E visits.

Jumping sometimes dislodged the stone but more often than not I had to go in and have morphine. Second buscopan and paracetamol. Hope you get relief soon, it's the most awful pain.

Original poster
Septemberissue · 16/04/2020 21:46

Hi ladies thank you so much for your replies & advice!

I went to my GP in August 2019, who basically said he wouldn’t expect someone in their mid 30s to have gallstones Hmm I pushed for an ultrasound anyway, which confirmed gallstones present in my gallbladder. The attacks had subsided by the time I had the ultrasound & GP advised that lots of people have them & they only become troublesome should they leak from the gallbladder and to manage it via my diet — which I have done. the pains started again on Monday & I'm really concerned about going to a hospital just now but I think I’ll bite the bullet if this doesn’t subside! I currently have DH & the dog staring at me as I am double on the sofa, as though I’m having a contraction!!! Thanks again for your recommendations!

OP posts:
frogsareflyinginfromthewest · 16/04/2020 21:47

Forgot to add, if you haven't had any symptoms of Covid19, you will be sent to the 'Green' A&E. You will be probably be seen almost immediately. Good luck.

gamerchick · 16/04/2020 21:51

I used to bend over a puffy, kneeling on cushions so the edge squashed under my ribs. Sometimes I was there for hours but it made it more bearable oddly. Hurts like a bastard at first as it's so tender.

I used to lean over a big sofa cushion in bed as well if they went on all night to help get some rest.

Awful thing.

The worst thing is getting the bugger out although helped with the attacks. I still get the referred pain if I eat too much fat.

You have all my sympathies OP.

springydaff · 16/04/2020 21:51

Dunt be daft, you need to contact go/111. A gallstone attack can be dangerous. If your wee is brown and your poo white you're in big trouble! Jaundiced too - look at yourself in good light.

You have my total sympathy. I once passed out with the pain of gallstones and finally went to hospital in an ambulance. Its serious stuff.

Cocodamol did it for me ie took away the terrible pain. But that's not a long term solution. Zero fat in your diet. Oats were also a big problem for me, even gf Oats.

homemadecommunistrussia · 16/04/2020 21:51

My consultant told me not to take painkillers for it, but to come down to a&e when it was bad. His logic was that I would need tests to check for complications and painkillers might mask symptoms.

These were different times, but I still think it's best to get medical advice.

Tbh the only thing that helped with my pain was intravenous morphine. Not easy to get at home sadly.

TorysSuckRevokeArticle50 · 16/04/2020 21:53

I find that lots of water with lots of lemon juice in so it's as sour as I can comfortably drink helps to cut short a bout, along with paracetamol as early as possible on feeling twinges.

zombiepara · 16/04/2020 21:55

As a paramedic... it's one of the few things I give morphine for straight away.

Cannulate, iv paracetamol and then morphine.
Alongside which i offer gas and air.

Oramorph is ideal if you can get it prescribed... and to be honest, depending what area you're in.. ambulances may not be as busy as they normally are - my area has hd far lower calls this week than normal, and I've never seen more than 4 people in the waiting room at a and e either..

Don't brave it out - get some help.. and I would take a guess 111 will send you an ambulance anyway!

TaTuirseOrm · 16/04/2020 22:04

I had my gallbladder out 6 years ago, completely agree the pain was worse than labour! I ended up in A&E with the pain, and a 5 day hospital stay.
Don't feel bad if the pain doesn't go away and you have to seek help. Hope you feel better soon!

heymammy · 16/04/2020 22:05

I was given buscopan on prescription whilst waiting for my op but if I'm honest the only thing that reliably stopped the pain was vomiting! Uurrgh, sorry!

Being in pain since Monday is quite a prolonged attack, I'd probably risk it and get seen at out of hours.