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

Thanks for that. I have to sign in at 12.30pm so obviously pm surgery.

I expect to feel dopey for a few days as a result of anaesthetic - I am 78 and somewhat plump 😔, so expect perhaps to take longer to heal, but will play it by ear. So first week immediate healing, then hopefully gradually up to speed! Better by Christmas - but one of the children can do Christmas this year.

I had surgery at around 10:30am and was home by 7pm. I don't go straight to bed but propped myself up on the sofa.

I wasn't tired but did feel the need to rest. I was also really thirsty for a good few days afterwards. Lots of water and ice lollies.

The surgery has been postponed to next week, frustrating!

Hello everyone. I'm new to this thread, it was recommended on another thread regarding the dreaded gallstone attack. I have an appointment with the surgeon on Friday so fingers crossed he/she will agree to surgery.

I had a private scan as the wait is around 8-10 weeks for a routine scan here. The private scan showed multiple small gallstones. The first attack was awful, truly awful. Since then I have had episodes of minor pain around the ribs but not enough to warrant going to hospital. The GP did say that if I have another attack like the first I have to phone 999.

Hope everyone's planned surgeries and recoveries go really well for you.

@ihaveayod how much was private scan pleaae

Oh no @Trollfeet, I was coming on to wish you luck for tomorrow! How frustrating for you. At least it's only a week I guess, although I know a week feels like a month.

Welcome @ihaveayod sorry to hear you've been in pain. Your story sounds similar to mine, I also went for a private scan as it was a similar wait.

@Packageholiday I linked the place I went to upthread, it was a baby scan place for an upper abdominal scan. It was £110 I think. Once I showed my GP she referred me to a surgeon.

I've been quiet recently but still reading all your updates. I'm glad you are all recovering well, you're making me look forward to after recovery! I've been feeling a bit fed up and bored of food again (what's new). I really want to bake or go out for dinner. I've perked up today though as my pre op has just come through for the beginning of October, so things are moving! Just trying not to get my hopes up too much in case it is cancelled/still a long wait after.

@Packageholiday Hi. It was £99. It was with Essex Ultrasound. When I was googling the prices in this area they ranged from £99 to about £120. I went with Essex Ultrasound as they were the cheapest but also because they are the service that the GP's use here. I waited 2 days for an appointment.

Even though I got the scan very quickly, it took 4 phone calls and 4 weeks to get one of the GP's at my (crap) surgery to even look at results.

Thank you @HeyBwoss. I'm hoping for a positive outcome from the surgeon on Friday.

@ihaveayod thank you and did you have to specially ask them just to scan the liver

@Packageholiday No that was for an abdominal scan, so they check liver, gallbladder, pancreas and spleen. I'm not sure if it covers kidneys but I mentioned to her that I have an extrarenal pelvis on one of my kidney's so she checked that as well.

That's annoying @Trollfeet , we pin our hopes on that surgery. Hope the coming week goes quickly for you! And that's exciting @HeyBwoss !

Adding my welcome to @ihaveayod, this is such a supportive thread for a truly awful problem!

Think I'm at the beginning of an attack. Have taken paracetamol and buscopan. No idea what's triggered it as I only had a jacket potato, beans and salad for dinner.

Oh no@HeyBwoss, how are you feeling now? I think even when we're having such strict diets the gb is still unwell, there are still stones. You may have done everything you can and have this still happen.

Hope you are feeling ok today @HeyBwoss

Morning, thanks for checking in. It didn't get any worse but went on for a while in waves, it was definitely a mild attack. I felt able to get out of bed around half 9 but it started again by 10 so I went to sleep and feel ok this morning just tired and hungry

I had my appointment confirmed for Friday. I was getting a little worried that it may have been postponed due to the Consultants and Junior Dr strikes but all good so far.

I don't know if you are aware but there is a website where you can check the waiting times for treatment at your local hospitals.

My Planned Care NHS

Glad it wasn't a bad as it could be @HeyBwoss . Might it have been biliary colic?

Glad it wasn't too bad HeyBwoss, but it's so rough you have to go through it at all.

Has anyone had tingling in their hands from this? Today my right shoulder is aching and my hand is tingling while I'm trying to work.

That's interesting ihaveayod my area states around a 20 week wait. I'm about 7 weeks in so far.

@MiniCooperLover I don't know how accurate it is but my hospital said 9 weeks for initial appointment but it was about 5 weeks (appointment tomorrow) and 19 weeks until treatment.

Mine is one of the NHS commissioned private providers.

That's weird@MiniCooperLover , how long did it last?

Most of y'day to be honest but not so much today so I think it was just an odd moment?

How was your appointment @ihaveayod ?

@HeyBwoss She has listed me for surgery so I'm on the list. She explained exactly what happens during an attack and why it happens. She said the choice was mine for surgery but she recommended having it, I have lost some weight due to the very low fat diet but I also have pre-diabetes so have to follow the diet for this. Both diets totally disagree with each other so I really can't eat much hence the weight loss and I don't want to lose any more.