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Original poster

Gallbladder attacks advice PART 2, where heybwoss gets ready to celebrate

398 replies

dudsville · 29/10/2023 20:30

In June 23 Heybwoss started the thread titled "gallbladder attacks advice". I don't know how to do links, but that thread helped a number of us through some really dark and scary times. Now heybwoss is finally getting her gallbladder removed this Friday! This thread is to have a space to check in about that, and for anyone suffering the awful physical and psychological pain and suffering while waiting to have theirs removed, for all those missing all the celebratory and holiday meals, missing the ease of simply eating when hungry, and simply missing the ease of enjoying eating without The Fear. Come on heybwoss 🥳🥳🥳

I've tried to link posters names but i can't work out how to do this.

OP posts:
Trying81 · 18/11/2023 19:58

dudsville · 03/11/2023 17:42

Lots to catch up on here, but how are you@HeyBwoss ?

I agree either push for scans or get them done privately, if the gb is ill it won't get better. What meds did your gp prescribe @Trying81 ? I hate prescription without evidence.

Colesevelam and omeprazole - nothing has really changed though

I have called my GP to insist for an ultrasound - I do thing it is my gallbladder but I’d rather know than blindly take pills

MiniCooperLover · 18/11/2023 20:05

didsville I know the name of my consultant so when I ring the hospital and ask to be put through I often get 'this voicemail is full, goodbye' and it hangs me up 🙈 I've managed to leave a message once but not heard back. I've rung several times a week but I'm guessing if the secretary is part time the voicemail is switched off when they aren't there.

ihaveayod · 19/11/2023 08:56

@MiniCooperLover Hi, I was a medical secretary but in a GP surgery. We had to chase scan results and on occasion they had not been reported on weeks later so the consultant had not received any results. If you are getting nowhere getting through to the secretary contact PALS who should have better luck getting hold of the secretary, who would be able to chase the results. I'm afraid with the NHS at the moment you sometimes have to push for things to happen. Most people don't want to be "that" patient but sometimes needs must.

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General health
uneverkno · 19/11/2023 12:37

Just wondering if I can get any suggestions here from a dear friend currently ill and in bed for days after her discharge from hospital without the much needed surgery to remove her gallbladder giving problems (she is all yellow and in pain)

She said Endoscopy is needed but it has a risk of pancreatitis and because of my age they won’t do it"

Pls any suggestions on how to get them to get the surgery done ASAP pls pls. Thank you

Original poster
dudsville · 19/11/2023 12:47

@uneverkno I think Jaundice (yellow) is one of the symptoms that means she needs to be in hospital. Either A&E or ring an ambulance for guidance - they may advice you to go by car if you can.

OP posts:
uneverkno · 19/11/2023 14:40

Thanks @dudsville

She was in hospital and then discharged few days ago and now at home and in bed since in pain

Her bilirubin was 77 and still sent home as ultrasound doesn’t show a stone blocking

Original poster
dudsville · 19/11/2023 15:31

How awful. I'd press for more intervention. I know there are situations that mean that removing the gb isn't advised, and this may be the case for her, but maybe mire hospital/A&E time is required?

OP posts:
MiniCooperLover · 20/11/2023 08:55

I'm amazed they sent her home with jaundice, my hospital said I was to go straight back in if I showed any signs of that. Even if they can't remove her GB for whatever reason, surely they should be monitoring her?

Trollfeet · 20/11/2023 09:14

I was still jaundiced when sent home. A stone had been blocking my bile duct but had moved by the time I had an MRCP. I still felt unwell as I had an infection so was taking antibiotics. My bilirubin was still elevated but had dropped from the highest it had been.

MiniCooperLover · 20/11/2023 11:50

Managed to speak to the Consultants secretary this morning. Consultant just back after two weeks off apparently and 'hopefully' will review my MRI scan and get a letter out to me this week. Progress at least which is good.

Trollfeet · 21/11/2023 12:06

@MiniCooperLover , good to hear you got in contact.

My stomach hurts and I feel sick. It’s been getting progressively worse over the last couple of weeks. Went to the GP today and she’s arranging scan as she thinks it could be complications from the surgery.

Original poster
dudsville · 22/11/2023 09:07

I'm sorry to hear that @Trollfeet, that sounds very unlucky and i how you get some resolution soon.

I was thinking of you all as I was recently abroad and ate a lot of fatty meals. My digestive system struggled a bit with it in that i felt exceptionally full and a bit sick with it and i passed some undigested fat at one point. Everything's been fine since being home and returning to the low few fat diet.

OP posts:
ihaveayod · 22/11/2023 09:24

@uneverkno How is your friend now. I hope she has improved. I was in A&E last night with a particularly bad attack. My bloods were showing an infection but they were not convinced it was gallbladder related so I was sent home but told that if I developed a fever or jaundice I had to go straight back.

I think my infection probably has to do with my 5 year old granddaughter generously sharing the cough and sore throat she came down with the day after I was with her and I told the A&E doctor this but he was still adamant that I have to go back if I develop a fever or jaundice.

MiniCooperLover · 22/11/2023 21:09

Managed to book massage for this eve last minute, lady who did it does reflexology and even without me mentioning it said ‘your digestion is quite dodgy at the minute’ 😱

MiniCooperLover · 23/11/2023 09:00

I've got a horrible metallic taste in my mouth today, really hoping it's not the start of something.

MiniCooperLover · 23/11/2023 09:01

ihaveayod, I'm sorry to hear you've been feeling rough, how are you feeling now?

ihaveayod · 23/11/2023 09:58

@MiniCooperLover Hi, I'm not feeling too bad. I have mild discomfort now and also think I'm coming down with whatever my DGD has had. I think if I had pancreatitis (which is what they were worried about) I would be in a lot more pain but I'm checking my temperature as I have to go back to hospital if I have a fever because of my infection markers being up, I'm not jaundiced so that's good. I still feel very tired though

MiniCooperLover · 04/12/2023 06:24

How is everyone at the moment? I had a letter off the consultant confirming I'm on her surgical waiting list and 'the hospital will be in touch with details'. No inclination of waiting time, etc. and there was supposed to be a leaflet but that wasn't enclosed, but it's a step closer I guess. Online seems to suggest waiting times for my area are short for gallbladder removal but I guess now it's a wait and see and hope December doesn't bring any nasty surprises.

HeyBwoss · 04/12/2023 09:53

Hi, I haven't posted here in a while! I'm doing ok, all my insicions are healed (now look like I have 2 belly buttons!) And I have been able to eat anything. I have noticed I can't over do it, I get bloated quite quickly and feel sick if I eat too much, but honestly I needed a stop button anyway.

I hope you are seen soon @MiniCooperLover but glad you are going in the right direction. How are you feeling while you wait?

Have you had your scan yet @Trollfeet?

Hope everyone else is doing ok.

ihaveayod · 04/12/2023 10:12

@MiniCooperLover you can check your approximate waiting times on this website My Planned Care

@HeyBwoss Good to hear your recovery is going well

Rarewaxwing · 04/12/2023 10:14

Glad you're recovering @HeyBwoss and hope you don't have to wait too long, @MiniCooperLover.

I'm doing OK, thanks. In fact, I'm surprised to be feeling really well. I'm sticking to the low-fat/no-alcohol diet, so maybe it's working. But, to be honest, I was expecting more pain as I've been having attacks every couple of weeks until now. I'm wondering if, perhaps, I passed the stone that was causing issues, so that the problem is now resolved - is that possible?

Anyway, I'm seeing a doctor next week and I think I'm due to have an MRI, so should find out more then.

Rarewaxwing · 15/12/2023 18:55

@AlltheJays23 - bumping for you.

AlltheJays23 · 15/12/2023 19:31

Hi everyone. Iv had gallstones since last year. It strt d with very bad attacks, three or four times weekly (before I knew they were gallstones I thought I was having a heart attack)! I was out on the waiting list for surgery but chickened out twice due to being absolutely terrified of being put to sleep, I have bad health anxiety so the though I could be out under and not wake up if something goes wrong fills me with dread. Anyway, I didn't have th surgery so my doctor said let's do a watch and wait approach. All was going well, I haven't had any major attacks for a whole year and to be honest I haven't changed my diet and hat much and still eat the odd crap. I do get little niggles iny side going round to my back and I get some tenderness, nausea and some GERD but no where near the pain of full blown biliary colic. Has anyone got gallstones on expectant management? And has managed to avoid surgery? I'm just curious b cause I don't want the surgery but I'm terrified of complications. Even though it's been okay.

Rarewaxwing · 28/12/2023 15:59

@AlltheJays23 - how have you been over Christmas? I think I'll have to have surgery, but I've been managing pretty well on a very low-fat diet and no alcohol. Christmas Day was a bit different for me this year - no roast potatoes, Christmas pudding or prosecco this year 😒.

I've just heard that the MRI showed stones in my bile duct as well, so I need to have an ERCP to remove them before I have the gallbladder op. Am terrified of having the endoscopy. I can have enhanced sedation, which the doctor says is as effective as a general. I hope he's right!

AlltheJays23 · 28/12/2023 16:59

Rarewaxwing · 28/12/2023 15:59

@AlltheJays23 - how have you been over Christmas? I think I'll have to have surgery, but I've been managing pretty well on a very low-fat diet and no alcohol. Christmas Day was a bit different for me this year - no roast potatoes, Christmas pudding or prosecco this year 😒.

I've just heard that the MRI showed stones in my bile duct as well, so I need to have an ERCP to remove them before I have the gallbladder op. Am terrified of having the endoscopy. I can have enhanced sedation, which the doctor says is as effective as a general. I hope he's right!

Mine has been okay! I really feel for you. I guess I'm just lucky! i have way overindulged over Christmas and eaten what I wanted and crossed my fingers. Had an odd niggle but no major pain at all. I guess my stones have gone to sleep!
Your much braver than me, I'm too much of a wimp to hav surgery. I was never offered an MRI but I'm assuming I can't hav anything stuck anywhere as I've no major symptoms of anything. Good luck! Xx