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

Thank you all. I'll keep you posted!

Good to know @Lionoso. Sounds like getting back to normal eating might take a little while post surgery.

@CleanQueen123 good luck today.

@Lionoso sorry to hear about the urgency, hopefully it’s not a regular thing.

Another attack last night, seemed more painful than the night before but feel ok this morning.

All the best for today @CleanQueen123.

Oh no @Lionoso, I hope it doesn't continue. I've heard that taking digestive enzymes can help, if it does continue though. They were mentioned way up in the beginning of the thread, I did buy some but never started using them. Saving them for after surgery now

I'm awake and minus a gallbladder! Everything went smoothly. They've given me all the good drugs so I'm in minor discomfort but not pain as such.

I'll be going home this evening but I'm here for a few hours to get me eating, drinking and having a wee.

On the whole I feel good. Relief that it's finally done is huge. And I'm a bit stoned I think 🤭

Glad to hear it went well. Enjoy all the drugs! 😀

So pleased for you @CleanQueen123!

Woohoo @CleanQueen123 🥳🥳🥳 !!! And it's funny that you feel a bit stoned!

@Trollfeet , you're really in the thick of it. I'm sorry. @HeyBwoss , you've reminded me about the digestive enzymes too, i need to Google this, but did you read that is good to have post op in particular?

I am newly diagnosed with gallstones and have pain every day. We are going away for 2 nights on Monday and am stressing about what I can and drink that wont cause me pain! I would like a glass of something alcohol wise but I guess that's not a good idea at all!

Hi welcome.

I found I was fine drinking a beer or a glass of wine. I'm not a heavy drinker at all though and never drink alot.

You need to avoid fat primarily. To avoid attacks it's best to try stay under 5g of fat for a meal. We all seem to have different tolerance levels though. It takes a bit to get your head around it.

I've got such a craving for olives. Would a few be safe do you think. I don't want to test myself to the point of attack but SUCH a craving.

That’s great news @CleanQueen123

@summergreens I only drink occasionally, sometimes it makes me feel sick but it never triggers an attack.

I'm fine with wine or a gin @Stressedandpoorlydressed

Tricky to find food to eat while out snd about though. I've found sushi works, as does deli meat with an undressed salad.

Thank you, I appreciate any advice. Am struggling for meal ideas! Don't want to do anything to bring on an attack.

That's good to hear. We are booked in for an Indian meal on Monday night which is scaring me! Obviously I will go for boiled rice.

Hi@Stressedandpoorlydressed , wine's been good for me but i read bubbly drinks should be avoided. I was having olives and other healthy fats but that turned out not to work for me. I've kept to below 3% general fat, 1.5% sat fat, and no dairy, even the 0% fat yogurt. But having said that, as @Lionoso said, we're all different. A dr told me it's lipids we need to avoid. I must say i keep forgetting to look that up as I've found what seems to work for me.

I sometimes have the tikka masala starter (so it's dry, no oil) with rice and some cucumber raita - I know that sounds a bit sad!

Not tikka masala, chicken tikka, the dry one!

I was thinking along the same lines. The dry meat with the rice. I just want to enjoy being out and not be in pain or as little pain as possible.

@CleanQueen123 so pleased you are now gallbladder free! To those still waiting, hang on in there, it will be worth it.

I'm 5 weeks and 2 days post-surgery/sepsis. Returned to work this week and, other than a little tiredness, I feel pretty much back to normal.

I did have some urgent toilet visits in the first few weeks but that has massively improved now. I have been eating anything and everything, no pain and no ill effects. A previous poster mentioned using surgery as a catalyst for a lifestyle change and I'm planning just that. I've lost 10.5lbs since the op (still have several stones to lose) and have today joined a gym with my two sons. Hoping this will be a start to a healthier me!

I'm home! So far, so good. Done all of my meds for the evening including stomach injections 😬. I've managed some toast and a few digestives. Tea was a step too far so I'm sticking with water. Going to try an ice lolly soon.

What are the stomach injections @CleanQueen123 ?

Sorry that was totally selfish of me!

Clexane. It's more of a precaution really because I had bilateral pulmonary emboli (blood clots on my lungs) late last year. They think it's unlikely they'll reoccur but surgery and being laid up always carries that risk so they don't want to take any chances.

Feeling sore but otherwise alright this morning. Woke up at 2 for more painkillers but if I'm honest I was expecting to feel worse than I do.

I'm going to keep the food bland for a few days. Tea didn't agree with me yesterday so i think best to reintroduce things slowly.

@dudsville yeah I've read ox bile is good if you are struggling to digest fat after op. I'm not sure if you are on Instagram but I found a woman called lifewithoutmy_gallbladder who has digestive issues and mentions taking them. I think maybe @CleanQueen123 mentioned ox bile upthread too? So glad you are home and recovering well so far. Did you struggle with tea before or is this new now? But also, biscuits! What a step forward

Hi to everyone new, hope you aren't in too much pain. And thank you for the post surgery updates from everyone at all stages.