Gallbladder attacks advice

[HeyBwoss]

Been having episodes of pain since January but have now had 2 in the past 2 weeks. I thought it was trapped wind (actually the first one I thought was a heart attack, at first) but have seen it may be gallstones. All my pain matches everything I have read. Except for labour, it's the worst pain I've ever had.

Anyway, I'm hoping to see the GP tomorrow, but in the meantime I'm terrified to eat incase something triggers it. Does anyone have any advice on how to manage or anything that stops the attacks? Thanks in advance

@dudsville good luck with staying dry.

@Lionoso it’s very positive to hear how well you are recovering, hope it continues.

I had a roast dinner yesterday, I just wanted a lovely home cooked dinner. It was delicious but then just before bed I started feeling sick and ended up have a bad attack. I took buscopan and strong painkillers and tried to breathe through it until I fell asleep. I think I nodded off after a couple of hours, feeling sore this morning so sadly back onto a liquid diet.

I was told to go back to A&E if it happened again but couldn’t bear the thought of being there while in pain, it’s much easier to deal with in the comfort of my own bed. Will go if this has triggered a spate of attacks like I had before.

Sorry to hear that@Trollfeet , also totally sympathise with not wanting to be in A&E when feeling like that. Any symptoms of infection? What was it do you think? I haven't found a gravey that's low fat, but the meat and veg sound harmless. Awful that a fine, healthy roast should leave you suffering.

I'm glad to have finally pressed the pause button re smoking and drinking. I actually feel relieved so far. Such stupid self sabotaging crutches that don't help in any way.

How you feeling @Trollfeet?

I'm 7 days on now. Took my dressings off. The two bigger incisions (sternum and bellybutton) look great. Stitches clearly visible but healing nicely. Sternum one is a bit awkward as I cannot find a comfy bra yet. The two smaller ones on my right ribs have opened a wee bit. I think it's from rolling and stretching. They are on some er.. fat rolls! 😀I'm keeping them covered for another couple of days, then I think I can leave them alone.

I ate eggs again today with no problems! Yesterday I stole one (just one) of my son's chicken nuggets from Macdonald's. That salty fatty bit of chicken tasted AMAZING! Normally I find Maccies nuggets very bland.

There is hope ladies! I'm still pretty sore, can't lie on my side etc but every day it's feeling better.

Oh @Lionoso you are making me excited for life after gallbladder! Really glad you are doing well and very grateful for your updates giving us an insight into what to expect.

Sorry you had another awful attack @Trollfeet. How are you feeling? I've also avoided a&e because I don't want to be ill in public.

Well done on giving up smoking and alcohol @dudsville! That must be really hard, but you're doing well. How is it going? I guess whether the private surgery is worth it depends on how long your wait will be on the NHS. Any ideas?

It's always exciting to read about your progress @Lionoso, glad it's going well!

I echo @HeyBwoss @Trollfeet , how are you doing?

I've had minimal/minor gb irritation a lot today. I haven't eaten anything i shouldn't have. I did read early on that wine was good for gb, i hope the absence of it isn't going to give me trouble!

The cost of private is worth it for me as my nhs wait was a year. The stopping drinking and smoking is going well, thanks for asking @HeyBwoss ! This is day 4/30 and that feels like it's starting to feel like an achievement already. I don't usually drink and smoke daily, and have several weeks and months in the year when i don't, but it had really become daily since the diagnosis in June. I feel glad to be doing this, so it's not been difficult... yet?!

How are you getting on @HeyBwoss ?

Nothing came of my more active gb yesterday. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, I have exactly 2 weeks to go, Wednesday after next, until the surgery. I feel like I've been in a waiting room since June 17!

Exciting now @dudsville! It'll fly by. I'm ok, have managed my food quite well while I've been away but I'm currently at the airport waiting for my flight feeling gallbladdery! Really hoping it's nerves as I can't cope with an attack now and I don't really enjoy travelling (especially with kids!)

That would be awful, do you have pain killers with you? Fingers crossed it passes quickly @HeyBwoss .

Today I've returned to being very belchy and am massively bloated - haven't had that for weeks I don't think.

I actually carry buscopan, paracetamol, ibuprofen and cocodamol wherever I go now! But I didn't have an attack, thank goodness. Hope you are feeling better this evening

That's smart@HeyBwoss , and glad you didn't get an attack! I have to try really hard to remember to take pain killers with me when i go out. It's only been two months since i learned what this is and how to manage it but it's just not second nature yet to plan well. Twice I've found myself on a journey and then realising i didn't have pain killers with me and had a quiet little panic!

How are you both getting on@Trollfeet and @Lionoso ?

Well an update from me. My surgery is now next Thursday. They had a cancellation so offered it to me.

I've just had mine out 2 weeks today!

I've had attacks for the last 2 years and blamed anything but the GB.

I had never been in so much pain in all my life, bearing in mind I've broken my right leg (twice) and given birth to an 11ib baby!!

I had an emergency keyhole GB removal. The recovery is slow... I'll keep anyone updated if you wish on the recovery, I've only just learnt how to reply

Must Dash 'emergency toilet break' as I'm referring to them 💩💩💩💩

Good news @CleanQueen123, keeping everything crossed for you that it all goes ahead.

Would love to know your updates @BrazilianBumBum, the 'emergency toilet breaks' are what I'm particularly worried about after surgery! You made me laugh a bit, my middle DC was nearly 11lbs too and I'd rather have her again then another attack!

I haven't had any Must Dash Toilet breaks yet. I had a (or three) Hobnob yesterday after dinner and had some aching under my right ribs afterwards. Very similar to gallbladder pain but not as bad. Like a phantom pain almost.

So far no diarrhoea though.

My dressings are all off now apart from one where the incision has opened a little bit. I'm struggling with bras still. Even if bras don't rub my sternum incision, they put weight on it. I am quite er well endowed in the boob area. So not wearing any form of bra isn't an option for me!

Aah chocolate hobnobs, the stuff of dreams! Glad you are recovering well

That’s great news @CleanQueen123

I had read that some people get diarrhoea after with increased urgency and this does worry me but I think if it does happen taking ox bile helps.

I haven’t had another attack but still feel tender. My symptoms do increase when I’m on my period so it’s very annoying that it started again yesterday which is only 20 days since my previous one.

I spoke too soon didn't I...

I'm having a terrible day, indulged into a handful of Cashew's last night!!

Never again... the pain in my back is horrendous and took me a few steps back :-(

Washing it through with hot Tea and Water.

Digestive enzymes looming in my Holland & Barratt cart 🛒

With Love & Updates ❤️

Oh no @BrazilianBumBum hope you're feeling ok now. Have you been eating normally until now? That's my worst nightmare, that things won't be mostly "normal" after surgery.

I'm feeling really uninspired and fed up of food again. I'm starving today, but nothing I want to eat (that I can have anyway!) DH and DC are having pizza tonight. I'm probably having a nother jacket potato and beans.

Sorry to hear it @BrazilianBumBum , how are you feeling now? I would love to have nuts.

I'm with you @HeyBwoss , i had boiled potatoes with tomatoes, beet root, and tuna.😔 my dh had roasted nuts and seeds in salad with quiche. I don't love quiche, but a pastry thing would be so nice.

@Lionoso, an incision has opened up? Uff, that sounds awful.

I'm actually about to eat a potato with tuna and salad. I really really don't want it. But wary of attacks if you don't eat, and I am hungry. Some days I feel positive and ok, others I just feel miserable and then guilty as I know others are worse off then me. I'd love pastry though!

I had a letter confirming my consultant appointment today (I thought when it was booked it was confirmed anyway, but who knows?!) And it said if the consultant decides I need surgery they may do the pre op on the same day. I'm not sure they will though, as my appointment isn't until 4:15pm.

I thought today how massively outing this thread is to anyone I've moaned to in real life (only close family) as I say the same things in real life. Oh well, the support here has been so so helpful, I'm so grateful to you all, even though none of us want to be here!

It could happen@HeyBwoss , I've got my fingers crossed for you. My consultation was only 30 min and the pre op (mine is Monday) is supposed to be the same.

Funny we had the same dull meal! And i know what you mean, I've also thought this is incredibly outing, but oh well, this has been a real port in a storm for me. I don't know anyone irl who's had this. It could have been incredibly isolating. Thank you again for making this thread!

My incision opening up wasn't too bad, it was one of the small ones on my right side. I think it was glued rather than stitched, but it's healing ok now.

I'm not sure when I can bath, I think they said at least a week depending on wounds, but sticking to showers for a bit until I feel the wounds are 100% ok with a soak in the tub.

Past 24 hours I have had pain in my left chest. Bit odd, worse after eating so I assume it's stomach related. I don't feel otherwise unwell so assume it's not heart/lung/pancreas related. I did have a lot of left side pain with gallstones which was referred pain so maybe it's just more of that. 11 days on, it's my sternum that's causing me the most pain with my wounds, and the new pain is just to the left of it. I'm wondering if it's a bit of bile reflux maybe. Hoping it will settle down, if not I might give the hospital a call on Monday for a bit of reassurance. Feels like a pulled muscle or a big bruise inside somewhere.

I had a cheese sandwich yesterday and had no issues with it. Very thin slice of cheese but still CHEESE! I haven't had anything give me the runs to the loo which seems to happen post op with fat. I am adding fat back into my diet slowly (apart from Hobnob consumption).

Cheeeeese! Oh i can't wait for cheese. But sorry to hear about your various pains, i would also be keen to get answers/reassurance. Is there any follow up post op care?

I have my surgeon follow up in a couple of weeks time. Other than that they just told me to phone the ward I was on if having issues, not sure if that was just for the first few days post op though rather than ongoing. It's not really painful and seems to come and go a bit. Will keep an eye on it over the weekend. Apart from this issue I'm feeling better every day.