Help me through a gallstone attack

[lostandfound55]

I’m currently having another gallstone attack. The last one I had I fainted and cut my head open on the kitchen table and got concussion.

This time I have taken tablets and am now on the sofa as I don’t dare walk around in case I faint again.

I had 3 trips to A&E, bloods and chest X-rays each time and was admitted every time for 2-5 days due to other complications, one being jaundice/blocked bile duct, another being pancreatitis (even more painful than usual attacks , I genuinely thought I was going to die at one point). It all very well saying you can “manage” the pain at home, but sometimes it’s not “just” a gallstones attack and if it feels worse/longer than usual - unless you get checked you could be very seriously ill. After the first admission, I was sent home with oramorph and the last two attacks even that didn’t touch the pain.

You poor thing, gallstones are just horrendous. Have the op as soon as you can OP. It’s fantastic.

I emailed my consultant in the end asking if I could be referred to have the op privately as I couldn’t wait any longer (it had been about 5 months of attacks every couple of days and eating less than 10g fat A DAY). He said if I could go to a different hospital he could do it the next week on the nhs and booked me in.

So from that I learned if you don’t ask you definitely don’t get. I ended up last on the list for that day and therefore had to stay overnight whereas I otherwise wouldn’t have had to- but worth it!

I seem to be having a low level pain all day today can this just go away without causing another attack?

Hi op,

My attacks used to last up to 3 days with vomiting

Kneeling position arms on the floor breath like you have been
Take soluble tabs like panadolne extra
Drink water to flush tubes through

Thank you. I haven’t drink much today so I’ll go have some more water and follow your tips.

The low level pain doesn’t always escalate in my experience. Drink lots of water and see your doctor as much as you feel you need too.

I ended up with an infected gallbladder, was in hosp for 5 days on antibiotics, horrendous at the time but did push me up the list. Dont hesitate to seek help, at first, docs thought it was a regular attack and I had a low pain threshold until they did blood tests.

Go to the GP and get stronger painkillers. Diclofenac and codeine 60mg. That is what I had after 5 attacks in 8 days. I was suicidal it was horrendous but the codeine knocked me out so at least I was semi conscious and didn't care as much.

I had loads of grumbly attacks where it felt like something but can to nothing so it can just go again.

@lostandfound55

I heard the a&e dr call the gallbladder surgical department and she advised them I had 3 attacks with 10 days and could they speed up the referral. They seemed to also ask her whether I had been to a&e before with the pain.

The a&e dr said that I should be seen within weeks not months but who knows, especially with covid. I also had to have a chest X-ray whilst there to save me going back for one.

It's good that they're taking your full history into account - hope you're not kept waiting much longer.

I used to get low level pain for a couple of days after a bad attack.

Gosh this happened to me a few weeks ago, I fainted and bruised my shoulder badly.

I’ve found that kneeling with my chest leant over the bed, knees on the floor so that edge of the bed presses into the band on my bra helps. The pressure seems to relieve a bit that way.