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

[dudsville]

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.

That leaves you in a dilemma. I don't know how often gallbladder surgery becomes unnecessary. My understanding is that once the gallbladder starts hurting, it's inevitable that you'll need surgery. Is it possible to get back on the list, so that at least you have the option of surgery? By the time your appointment comes through, you might need the surgery.

@Rarewaxwing I would still go to the GP to try to get some stronger painkillers, the worst they could say is no.

@AlltheJays23 Could you get referred again, really it's the surgeons call as to whether you can have the surgery. The surgeon I saw was very much of the opinion that once you have had an attack it's not really going to go away. She left the decision to me but was very much steering me in the direction of having the surgery (which hopefully will not be too much longer).

Well yes, when I was first refferred he did say that it would need to come out but then when it all got postponed and mucked around I was taken off the list and my GP said that if attacks b come infrequent and less severe then a watch and wait approach can be recommended. Which is where we are at now. I don't get full blown attacks, more minor symptoms now and again. Since I've cut fats out of my diet it has improved. I'm on a huge weight loss journey at the moment and my understanding is that this could well bring on my attacks again..

@ihaveayod - yes, I will see if I can get an appointment tomorrow.

@AlltheJays23 - when I was first diagnosed with gallbladder disease, in ambulatory care, I was told that I had the right to ask for elective surgery even if the surgeon didn't think it necessary. If that is correct, you should be able to make a request to go back on the list.

Saw a doctor this afternoon. My BP, temperature, etc are all fine, which is reassuring. But the pain from my gallbladder is ongoing. It used to disappear between attacks.

She prescribed me the strongest codeine (plus laxatives!) and has booked me in for a blood test tomorrow. I said I've stopped eating and she said that was OK, but to drink fluids.

I've taken half a 30mg codeine tablet and come to bed with a hot-water bottle.

Honestly, I think this might qualify as the illest I've ever felt. It's certainly up at the top.

Dozed off, but was woken up by the pain. Considered going to A&E, but I don't fancy sitting on a hard chair for hours in pain. So will take the full dose of codeine when it's due and hope that works.

@Rarewaxwing Oh no, sorry to hear you are still in pain. I am wary of taking codeine due to the side effects but if you are in that much pain you really need to take it. Hope you manage to get some sleep.

@ihaveayod - than you. 30mg of codeine has done the trick. Bliss 😊.

Feeling much better this morning, apart from feeling as if I've been kicked in the stomach. Cuddling a hotwater bottle and my cat is helping.

I was reading through the previous thread earlier. So sorry to read what a battle so many of you have had to get the operation.

Also interested to notice that a couple of you (@dudsville was one) noticed they could feel their gallbladder contracting or similar, but had their observations dismissed as 'psychological' by doctors and nurses. I had exactly the same experience. I told the first consultant I saw that I could feel my gallbladder when it was reacting to food and he said it was all in my head. I'm not sure why medical professionals are sometimes so dismissive of patients' experiences.

That still irritates me @Rarewaxwing, I'm sorry you're had it too. I don't understand it why some physical sensations are acknowledged and others dismissed. For me it was a clear sensation of something i described as being like an accordion or juddering feeling. I had this for years before suffering with my gb and its gone in its absence.

@dudsville - it's frustrating, isn't it? And I don't see why it should be dismissed. They wouldn't dismiss it if we said we could feel heart palpitations.

The doctor phoned me this afternoon. My CRPs are high, which is a sign of either a bile-duct infection or a gallbladder infection. He said if it's the former, it's 'very serious', which has played on my mind a bit.

I've started on antibiotics already and will have another blood test on Monday. If the pain gets worse again, I'm to go to A&E for intravenous antibiotics.

I feel now that the consultant was a bit too breezy about my pain being caused by my gallbladder. It started two days after the ERCP, so it seems a bit of a coincidence.

The pain has actually been better today, although I still feel as if I've been punched in the stomach. I'm also exhausted, so have spent all day in bed with my cat keeping me company.

If the infection isn't under control by early next week, my gallbladder op will have to be delayed. Sigh.

I'm currently in hospital with surgery planned for tomorrow to remove my gall bladder.

What advice would you give?

I haven't had my surgery yet, but I recently found a useful guide to recovery on the Royal College of Surgeon's website.

www.rcseng.ac.uk/-/media/Files/RCS/Patient-care/Recovering-from-surgery/GWSGall_bladder_removal.pdf

Hope you manage to get some sleep tonight and that all goes well tomorrow.

Thank you.

It's a robot surgeon performing the procedure which feels very 'futuristic'!

@Rarewaxwing

That's a really helpful document, thank you x

What is a 'robot surgeon'?!

I'm glad it helps. I'm going to follow its recovery plan.

Hello, this is my first post on these threads.

I was recently hospitalised with gallbladder infection and I have a lot of gallstones.

I’m due to have my gallbladder removed later this month. They are doing blood tests three days before the operation, to check that my gallbladder is ok enough to be removed.

Can anyone shed light on what these blood tests are about? I’m worried in case they show something and I can’t have the operation. My gallbladder has been ok since I came out of hospital, but I think I’m starting to get twinges in it (which I’ve never had before, my gallstone attacks have always been full on agony!). If I have another attack will the surgery be cancelled?

A human surgeon will make the initial incision and then the robot will do the surgery. Back to the human to close up.

@Rarewaxwing Oh you have really had a rough time of it haven't you. Hopefully the antibiotics will work and you can have the surgery next week.

@stargirl1701 Good luck for tomorrow. You will soon be gallstone free.

@vinoandbrie They will probably be checking for infection and inflammation markers. If there is a possibility of infection in the gallbladder or bile duct they will not be able to do the op until the infection has cleared. Hopefully you will be ok for the surgery.