Gallstone questions

[AllBranEater]

I've had gallstones for 15 years at least, but the pain is so intense now sometimes (usually worse in the evenings) and every day, and wakes me up sometimes. I've tried paracetamol and ibuprofen, and I'm eating a low fat diet. My GP is going to talk to me about having my gallbladder removed. I'm not sure I would cope with the operation though. Is there anything else I can try? Are other painkillers better? (I could raise that with my GP)

Have the surgery, you'll feel so much better for it. It really is a non-operation as far as surgeries go.

Just have the op. They're only going to get worse so it's best to have it removed.
You will be nervous about the surgery, everyone is, but it's most definitely worth it to never have that pain again.

What is it you're scared of? Is it that you think you'd struggle physically or mentally?
Tell your GP how you feel, get a referral to the gastroenterology/surgery dept and find out what's involved. Speak to the nurse and tell her how you feel.
These days it's most often done as keyhole surgery so the recovery is quicker. Sometimes it's done as a day case.
Good luck.

What are your concerns - nerves? Or something physical? If your GP recommends the surgery it’s unlikely you will completely fail to cope.

Please have the conversation with the GP who will hopefully reassure you about the surgery. I had the surgery in March this year. They prescribed Co codamol for the post operative pain but I didn't need them, I only needed paracetamol for about 4 days. I had keyhole surgery as a daycase and now I can barely see the scars.

Just think if you have the surgery you will never have the gallstones giving you pain again.

It's key hole and very simple.

It was life changing for me.

I would put a cup of boiling water on my tummy as it was the only thing to stop the pain.

Thanks all for your insights. I'm anxious about it because I had an op which was supposed to be under deep sedation, but I wasn't sedated at all so I felt it all, and they held me down and continued. A nurse ended up leaving the room as she couldn't cope with it...

I echo what everyone else has said so far. I don't know exactly what you mean by not coping with the operation, but if you possibly can, go for it. Best wishes.

Have the operation.

I have gall stones, I take 2 buscopan at the first sign if any pain / discomfort. It usually works to stop it getting any worse, but not always.

Sorry, I was typing this while you had posted to tell us about your earlier experience. Well, check if it would be a general anaesthetic, for a start.

This is done under general anaesthetic, you won't feel a thing.

You will be given a general anaesthetic for this so you will not be aware at all. You will go to sleep and feel like you have woken up straight away following the surgery. It's very different to sedation.

Please have the surgery.

I can understand why you're apprehensive but like the other posters say, you will have a general anaesthetic and you won't be aware of anything until they're waking you up in recovery after the operation is over.

Have the Op! Best thing I ever did and recovery was quick , I was back at work after 2 weeks and had no pain since

Thanks all for your thoughts and experiences. Does anyone know if there's anything I can do to lessen the pain whilst waiting?

Hot water bottle.
Codine
Lying on tummy (bizarrely), though I think left hand side is recommended.
Try to identify triggers - easier said than done.

Cut out as much fat as you possibly can from your diet. This will hopefully reduce pain but also reduce inflammation of your gall bladder which will make the surgery easier.

Have the op. It will be fine.

I had an emergency op and was off for 3 weeks and then back to work as normal.

My gallstones caused pancreatitis. That was awful so get the op done before you end up with this.

Can I be cheeky and ask a question of those who’ve had the op. Have you been able to go back to normal afterwards?

I keep being put off by stories of those who now have near constant diarrhoea or bile acid malabsorption and their lives are now worse than before.

Completely normal. No side effects. Obviously some people aren't this lucky, but overall it's a very low risk operation. Would totally recommend to anyone suffering with gallstones!

Mine isn’t completely normal - I have to be a bit careful if I eat something like bacon, and always need to the loo after my first cup of coffee.

For me it was absolutely worth it to be free of the pain.

Completely normal after the operation with no issues. Can eat everything.
Had keyhole surgery on Tuesday afternoon, home next morning, and back to WFH on Friday.
I had one large stone that measured 4cm diameter.

I have had no issues at all since mine was removed. It was the best thing I have done.

While I waited for my operation I ate a very very bland diet. Literally flavoured rice packets or couscous with steamed veg. No meat or dairy as everything set off the pain.

Post op, I felt amazing. Very short recovery (only needed paracetamol for a couple of days) and I could feel a toxic thing had gone from my body from the next day. I have no lasting side effects at all and can eat normally. For me the op was 100 the right choice.

I don't know what deep sedation means but I don't remember anything about the op as I had a general anaesthetic.

The operation is a godsend. It's only a day case usually, keyhole, and so much better than suffering with the pain. When the attacks get so bad, only serious (prescribed) opiates worked for me.