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

I had mine in pre-op and then had to have them again on the day of surgery because there was something up with the results or they'd been taken too long ago, I can't remember which.

I know, 16 weeks is such a long time so much could change. I'm hoping she said 16 weeks so people don't keep calling to check if they say a smaller number, but then this is the NHS, so who knows! Not long for you now, @whitewave!

Is everyone who has had the op back to normal now? Also, after your surgery how sore were you going home? Just thinking about what clothes to take and wondering if leggings would be ok to come home in. A dressing gown is on the list of things to bring. Did you actually wear one?!

I think you wear your dressing gown walking to surgery. I’m wearing a tent like dress with long line cardigan - I live in the south so not cold yet. Also for me 😄(at 78] very skimpy knickers, no bra. I’m also taking toothbrush etc to refresh my mouth. My time is 12.30 and my nurse neighbour said if you are last on that days list they might keep you in overnight. So am wondering about taking a voluminous nightdress.

I wore a very loose fitting house dress and pants, no bra, socks and clog type shoes so i would have to faff with trying to tie anything afterward, but i would have been fine. I was just very shaky and unsteady and slow after as a result of the meds. They provided the hospital gown, socks and robe for me to wear for the walk down to the surgery. And i felt simply but i asked if i could keep my oants on and they said i could, i felt like a child! I didn't have any pain BUT i also don't know how i felt because they simply gave new 1 pain killer immediately after and another a few hrs later. They didn't ask if i had pain and i was so out of it i just took it. They were adamant that i would feel pain but i didn't have any and stopped pain meds shortly after, but i think someone here needed them for about a week? I think leggings could be troublesome with the bending to put them back on afterward? Do you have to travel far after surgery @HeyBwoss ?

I wore big tracksuit bottoms, big tshirt, pants, and crop top type bra. Plus trainers I could put on without needing to bend down.

I didn't bother to take anything else in with me. I was told they didn't have room to store anything apart from a handbag so someone would have to bring an overnight bag in if they kept you.

I kept up the pain meds for about a week but had dropped down to just paracetamol by the end of the week.

When I arrived I changed into a gown, paper knickers and compression socks. I was grateful to have my dressing gown especially when I walked to theatre.
When I came round I felt very sick and was in pain, I was vet tearful. I was given more pain meds and then drifted in and out of sleep for a while. I had an oxygen mask when I woke up but because I felt sick they changed it to a nasal one.
When I came round a bit more I took my gown off and put my pj top on. Then when I got up to got the toilet I put my pj bottoms on and that’s what I was wearing when I went home.
I didn’t really feel much pain but was wired when I got home and felt great the day after. The day after that I was exhausted!

After a couple of days I just took painkiller morning and night, then a couple of days later dropped the morning dose. Tonight I won’t take any, tomorrow is one week since surgery. I took my second set of dressings off today and it all looks good.

I’ve had no issue wearing sports bras as my incisions are not too close to my bra line.

It's so interesting how this varies so much, person to person! It sounds like you're healing well @Trollfeet. How are you doing with energy and food?

I haven’t thought about shoes - good tip. I shall wear my clumpy clogs that will look peculiar with the dress, but needs must.

yes I do agree about the variation in experience, but I guess every one’s body is different.

Im someone who is lucky to be pretty pain tolerant, so it will be interesting to see if I need to take pain killers.

@dudsville my energy levels have definitely improved so I feel slightly frustrated that I cant get straight back to normal as if I overdo it o can feel pulling inside me. Food wise, I’ve been eating lots of fibre and last night ate pork shoulder without any ill effects - no digestive issues so far.

@whitewave I wore green Birkenstocks, my dressing gown is covered in stars and planets and my pyjamas have leopard print stars - my going home look was ‘interesting’!

Thanks for all the tips and advice. Theatre scheduling just called, looks like I'll be joining the no gallbladder club in 4 weeks!

That deserves a drumroll @HeyBwoss , it really gave me a smile, you started this thread and it's been such a support and help and this is long overdue for you, woohoo!!!!!

Fantastic @HeyBwoss !

Thanks, I'm pleased and nervous at the same time, as I'm sure you all were. And just in time for this thread to almost be full!

I've had gallstones....I've not had kids so can't compare it to childbirth, but the only pain I've had worse is a broken shoulder (twice....I'm unlucky!).

I diagnosed it myself via Dr Google, I ticked every box....bar one. My pain was central, between my belly button and my sternum. I only looked ar reliable sites eg NHS, BUPA, etc. They all said while the pain was usually to the right, it can present as being central. Anyway I pressed for an ultrasound which showed my gallbladder was full of stones. However the hospital doctors weren't convinced (it was a phone consultation as it was when we were coming out of lockdown) because of where the pain was. Anyway after a lot of toing and froing to the hospital and a trip to a&e and further ultrasounds I had my gallbladder out. On the morning of the surgery, the surgeon said "its clear you have gallstones so we're doing the op, but we're still not convinced that's what's causing your pain as it's normally to the right, not central" and I'm like "yeah, yeah, tell that to the ones who write your website ". When I came round I was seen by the surgeon again. He said it's standard practice to count the stones. Most people have a handful-less than 10. They gave up counting at 200. 🤑He said it was no wonder I was in pain.

The surgery is done by keyhole and you're out the same day. I was a bit sore for about a week but was fine after. There is a small risk of complications but honestly compared to the pain of gallstones I was willing to risk it.

😄. And don’t forget the flight socks.

The hospital provide anti thrombosis socks.

That's great news! 🤞 for you!

That's great HeyBwoss I'm pleased for you: I realised today that I hadn't had the apt for my MRI (last attack just over 3 weeks ago). I rang GP who said ring ward who said ring MRI sept who gave me an MRI apt for the weekend. I've really pushed it food wise, I can't work out why 😱 I've been v lucky and I need to stop. It leaves me sluggish with a desperate digestion but will try harder. I've been good till this week and it was like a switch went that said oh you're fine 🙈🙈

After an attack in July that led to a night in A&E and a diagnosis the next day have a scheduled phone call with a surgeon today. No idea what the point is? I'm trying not to get my hopes up for a surgery date, but I'm hoping despite myself.

I can't imagine that a phone conversation is a good use of a surgeon's time though. NHS. Anyone else had this?

So. Had my scan this morning. Apparently I’m incredibly difficult to scan and my organs are not in the correct place and all was hidden behind ribs etc. so from what she could see no stones. But she couldnt see the bile duct. So who knows. Carry on with the low fat and wait for it to get worse I suppose.

Hi all hope you are all doing well.

I'm now three months post op and it's mostly been great. I'm eating like a normal person again. Only things I'm avoiding is anything deep fried or with cream. They give me the runs.

I have however had an issue. Last week I felt I had a gallbladder attack. I was in agony for about two hours to the point I phoned 111. By the time they phoned me back it had completely resolved and it hasn't happened again. I hadn't eaten anything fatty so it wasn't triggered by that. The thing worrying me is that it happened about 30 minutes after I took paracetamol and codeine. It's concerning me as codeine is know to cause spasms rarely in the Spincter of Oddi. It's a rare complication of gallbladder surgery.

I have a GP appointment next week to check me out. 111 said it might be a missed stone somewhere, so either way I better have it checked out.

Don't let this put anyone off surgery btw, I have been sooo much better overall since having it out. I apparently had several stones stuck in the neck of my gallbladder when it was removed so it definitely had to go.

I don't know what i would expect from that @summergreens , but sounds like a step forward to me too, fingers crossed!

What's the plan then@Bananas1350, are you awaiting an op?

Geeeze, @Lionoso , I'm sorry to hear that and I'm going to google it now. I had one event after my op, about a week in. I'll check back in after i Google and compare symptoms!

"Geeeze" was supposed to be an emoji, oh well. @Lionoso , I've just Googled this sphincter of oddi, i sure how that isn't the problem. I'm be very curious to hear about your diagnostic process. My one event post op was when i was still taking codeine. It's been interesting reading.