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

Low fat for me. It was only ever a high fat meal that triggered it. But I know people who seemed to get attacks without eating fat sadly.

Herbal remedies have really helped my GB, more than anything else including avoiding triggers foods - dairy, fats, chocolate etc. But you’d need to see a qualified medical herbalist.

I've had my dodgy gallbladder for around 15 years now. I ended up with pancreatitis, but I've had two ultrasound scans and they tell me there's no stones. It hurts constantly though, even more so if I press the area. If you're a woman they're just not bothered. The pain is stratospheric if I eat the wrong thing.

You absolutely have my sympathy.

This is what worries me. I've realised I've been having these attacks for years but always put it down to trapped wind/indigestion. I can't work out any particular trigger food. A salad set me off last week and like someone else said I can happily have a massive takeaway some days.

I had a blood test on Saturday and should get the results back tomorrow.

I cannot see that zero fat and opioids are a long term solution if they decide I don't need surgery.

If I have a bad attack again I may well go straight to A&E despite 111 telling me there was no point and see if that gets me anywhere.

For anyone who was interested in what the GP would say, he felt my stomach and said it could be indigestion or a problem with my gallbladder so gave me Omeprazole and referred me for a scan in 6-8 weeks. I know with nhs waiting times it is what it is, but I'm nervous about waiting so long and it happening again, or getting worse.

Thanks for the update, i was curious as i don't know what i should be putting up with. This thread has helped. For me, I rang my gp in december to explain my symptoms, at the time they said they couldn't be sure it wasn't heart, and so i could only have one referral route at a time and I've been slowly making my way through that with lots of set backs from their side and mine, it's just been so disjointed. It'll hopefully become clear with a ct scan for my heart that's in a few weeks. But for me the symptoms have changed in that it used to be near my heart, but the last two events have definitely been under my right ribcage, so much more like gallbladder. I'm hoping to get a referral for that asap after the ct scan. I'm grateful for your thread @HeyBwoss , you have a long wait ahead of you. I hope it's pain-free.

@dudsville it's frustrating and worrying though, that what if it is your heart and it's been such a long wait for any answers?!

I've been googling and found this upper abdominal scan for £110, which I'm considering putting on our credit card so I get seen sooner. It might be helpful to you too, as although £100 is still a lot of money, it's less then I thought it would be. Just want to make sure they are legit and have good reviews first.

Oh, that's financially doable for me, thank you so much. I'll look into that.

I wondered about paying privately for a scan too but I wasn't sure where it would get me. Can I go to the GP with the results and say I'd like surgery?

Do any of you have yellowy / ochre colour stools? I still have my GB but I’ve had a couple of excruciating attacks where I’ve been nearly passing out in pain. Been to GP, given the usual painkillers and told to eat a low fat diet. Ultrasound showed no issues / stones but I’ve had loose, yellowy poo for about 5 years now, around the time the attacks / rib and flank discomfort started.

I burp constantly, have a low full fullness / ache around my right side and often get explosive, uncontrollable loose poo which is always that yellow colour.

GP says IBS. I know it’s gallbladder related.

I’ve had a private ultrasound before - they’re all around that price.

@CleanQueen123 that link I posted says this

You will receive a clear written report of your scan results, including our recommendation for your next steps. If we recommend a medical follow-up, we can email a copy of your report to your healthcare provider at no extra cost if you provide their contact details.

But I'm not sure if the GP would do a further referral based on a private scan? Has anyone else any experience of this?

@Cheekyfuckerry funnily enough, yellowish stools is something I have noticed today but forgot to mention it to the GP.

A GP will refer if the scan shows gallstones.

Great, thanks @Mirabai

Does an ultrasound detect the stones?

I live in fear of this. Ive had weight loss surgery and of course its more common in people that lose weight quickly.

I also do not like low fat products, I eat low carb as it suits me. My daily intake of fat is always under 50g, usually far under that, but thats because Im eating very small amounts of food, I thought that 50g per day or less is considered a low fat diet but am worried that an item I eat, like a mini baby bell, or nuts or a chicken thigh is considered a high percentage of fat, does anyone know if its per item/or per day?

At the price given above I would go for a private scan to reassure me. I have the odd twinge just under my shoulder blade but it could easily be trapped wind

I could never work out triggers, though high fat food were a definite no. All that I found that worked was surgery unfortunately. The surgery itself was fine though and once it’s done no more attacks.

Sorry @bellac11 I really don't know. I asked the GP today if there was anything I could do to help/avoid another attack until my scan but he just said avoid fatty foods.

@Malarandras glad to hear surgery was positive for you. I'm scared of it, and of the recovery as we have 3 DC and no local/available family to help, but equally I'm scared of being alone with the DC or on the school run or a day out and having another attack. I can't live like this, so I'd have the surgery tomorrow if I could.

Uber low fat - zero Saturated fat, no alcohol, buscopan and the strongest painkillers you can find … then get gallbladder removed asap !!!
sugar and coffee fine lol!

The problem doesn't always show up on ultrasound. I don't think it shows up sludge or other types of disease in the system.

Also, the pharmacist said today they are having trouble getting hold of buscopan so they had none. Neither did asda, Wilkinson's or Tesco's recently so I haven't managed to get any yet!

Gastritis and gallstones seem to go hand in hand so the omeprazole will probably help but you could still have gallstones.

I had gallstones and had my gallbladder removed 2 years ago. If you turn yellow, have excruciating pain, stools are not normal Colour, wee is not normal colour - you need to go to a&e. Apart from that chase your gp. I had lots of tiny stones, gallbladder was infected. So was put on antibiotics before my op. It was so nice after the op to be able to eat again and feel better.

It’s a miserable situation OP; I had the same a few years ago. Once I was diagnosed I was given a dose of really strong painkillers (administered anally!) and carried them everywhere for a year while I was awaiting surgery. They were amazing but really knocked me out when I needed them. The only other thing that would take the edge off sometimes was stretching out on the floor; it somehow felt like it released the pressure a little. But basically the drugs saved me until I could have the surgery. Good luck OP: you will get it sorted but it’s v uncomfortable and uncertain while you’re at this point.

Yes the very low fat diet is the thing. It's difficult - low fat is 3 g or less per 100g. High fat is 17.5g or more per 100g. See traffic light table in link below. Difficult but partner did it for months without further pain or trips to a&e while awaiting surgery.

www.heartuk.org.uk/low-cholesterol-foods/saturated-fat

Oh dear, that would mean cheese is out, full fat greek yog 10%, full fat cottage cheese which is about 5% and so on, what about avocado, salmon, nuts etc?