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

Yes I did buy some digestive enzymes. Not sure if they made a difference but maybe they're better once the gallbladder is out.

Struggling with tea is a new thing but I was only a few hours out of surgery so maybe that was the anesthetic contributing to the nausea. I'll probably try again later. But biscuits are a great improvement even if they're not chocolate covered 😂

Biscuits! They aren't my thing but i have a birthday cake that's been sitting waiting for me in the freezer. I imagine that's going to be far too rich after so long on an almost no fat diet for so long.

No matter what I eat the pain always comes 😞. I really don't want to be taking painkillers every day but I don't see another way to manage it. Sorry to moan, just know you guys get it. How is everyone doing?

@Stressedandpoorlydressed moaning is always welcome here. Moan away, I do! Others upthread previously mentioned they have periods where everything they eat triggers an attack even if it's fat free. Maybe you are the same? Hopefully it eases off. Have you tried buscopan? Have you seen your GP? Might be worth calling 111/seeing out of hours doctor as I know others here have had infections too and needed antibiotics.

I'm feeling really bloated in the afternoons/evenings lately. I'm so uncomfortable, but not in pain. Doesn't seem to be triggered by anything in particular. Bit fed up of it all, as we all are I know.

It's so nice to know I am not alone. I am currently sat with a hot water bottle and that is helping a bit. Just taken a buscopan so waiting for that to kick in too. I have a CT Scan on Wednesday so hopefully that will confirm the gallstones/inflamed gallbladder and get the ball rolling onto the next stage. Sorry to hear your feeling bloated and uncomfortable, it's miserable. My belly looks big even though I havent eaten much at all!

I know the feeling, currently look about 8 months pregnant and I've only had fruit and yogurt for breakfast and 2 chicken salad rolls for lunch. I'm fat anyway, but my stomach is solid bloat at the moment. Good luck with your CT scan

@Stressedandpoorlydressed moaning is absolutely allowed here.

I found Buscopan and paracetamol as soon as any niggles started took the edge off or stopped the attack in its tracks.

Definitely keep banging on at medical professionals until you get proper pain relief and antibiotics if you need them. Clearly the infection improved my quality of life massively and helped me keep trudging on until surgery.

I'm surprised I managed to avoid another attack before my surgery but I think it was only a matter of time. The surgeon said my gallbladder was full of pus 🤢

@Stressedandpoorlydressed, i second what@HeyBwoss said. This is the place to come to moan. We know what it's like. I hope you can find a food that doesn't hurt.

Your description of solid bloat is spot on boss, it gets tight as a drum. So uncomfortable.

🤢🤢🤢 urgh, what a mean little organ the gb is!

Sorry, that was @CleanQueen123 obviously!

Thank you c

Thanks for all the advice much appreciated.

I’m reading everything with interest. Had my pre-op and first lot of blood tests, but no date yet.

thank you all for your posts, I think I’m luckier than most as I can manage my symptoms pretty well, so I don’t have the miserable time a lot of you are having.

I have to book a blood test not more than 5 days before my operation. Does anyone know why two lots of blood tests?

Thanks @dudsville. I live in hope!

Oh yes just another question. When I have had a bad attack, what is the fluttering feeling? It is as if my gallbladder is rippling or shaking itself? Does anyone else get that?

Just massive solidarity here - I had mine out about a year ago - worst paid ever before - I ended up paying and having it out privatelY best money ever spent!!

@Hyppogriff how do you feel a year on? Is there anything you struggle to eat now or still get pain?

@whitewave yes I was sure I could feel mine moving.

I've had a good night. Didn't even wake up in the middle of the night needing to take pain meds so I haven't had any since 8pm last night.

The difference is amazing. I reviewed the meds I was taking when I had my last attack against what I'm taking now.

My last attack I took paracetamol, cocodamol and 60mg dihydracodeine within 2 hours of each other and still needed morphine.

I've now had actual surgery and can manage on 30mg of dihydracodeine.

I had small portions but relatively normal food yesterday. Even managed a small bowl of spaghetti and bolognese last night. No cheese but it was good to have a bowl of something hot and comforting.

@whitewave , I've had the two bloods drawn, well 2nd week be on Monday. They told me it's to double check what I'll need in case of requiring a blood transfusion.

I also get that fluttery feeling. To me it can sometimes feel like an accordion fluttering about. One dr told me i we imagining it. Another told me the gb contracts after meals. I have stones so i also suspect there's movement from time to time.

Good to hear your update@CleanQueen123 . It's good prep for me mentally, to not expect to eat all the things when i come out. I've placed the weekly shop and all I've done is make sure there's butter and eggs. I have peanut butter, frozen croissants and really nice fish fingers left over from the before times. If i get to have any of that towards the end of the week I'll be excited.

That's what they told me. They also need to check my levels to see if I'm still anaemic.

I've got salmon, broccoli and potatoes for dinner this evening. Good bread, smoked salmon and eggs are also on the shopping list. Next week I've got portions of homemade chicken and turmeric broth in the freezer. I'm trying to get back to good quality protein rather than basic white carbs.

The unexpected bonus has been weight loss and now that I'm at my goal weight I'd rather not put it all back on.

Another attack last night, that’s 3 times out of the last 4 nights. I would say they are moderately painful rather than the severe ones I’ve had before. Hopefully this doesn’t carry on as it’s draining.

@Trollfeet I have been the same, an attack every night. It really does wear you out.

I've also got weight loss i want to maintain @CleanQueen123 . I'm 7 pounds from my goal. Too close to risk any set backs, at my age this was a real bonus.

It sounds really awful for you both @Trollfeet and@Stressedandpoorlydressed , this is an awful thing, really dispiriting at times like yours. Hope you catch a break soon.

I'm heading for 3 weeks post op now.

I'm mostly fine, I'm having some left side pain still, nothing bad just grumbling and it might just be an IBS flare up. My right side has been mostly fine weirdly.

Food wise I'm upping fat content gradually. Yesterday I ate a scone (just jam and butter on it with no problem). Also had some oven baked fries and sausage cooked in the air frier ok.

Today I had some biscuits and er forgot how many I had. I've relaxed a lot with food and I clearly got overly complacent and 15 mins later had to run to loo accompanied by an ominous grumble where the dreaded organ used to be. That will teach for me being greedy. In my defense it was chocolate digestives. 😊I have just been enjoying food again after being miserably deprived for so long. I'm trying pizza tonight but a veggie one that's not high fat.

I'm back on diet on Monday! I have lost 2 stone and have at least another one to go and don't want to ruin that by eating half the contents of the biscuit aisle at Tescos!