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)

I had about twenty 1cm size stones. I am so glad I had my GB out as they'd have got ever bigger. The op was keyhole and I healed really well.
BUT
I subsequently discovered I had a pretty rare side effect. It's called sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (or SOD) and it really is one. I can't take codeine any more without risking pain that is literally the same as biliary colic. I have migraines. So I have to flip a mental coin and risk a 1 in 2 chance of getting the pseudocolic. It lasts about half an hour compared to 11 to 15 for the headache so I usually take my chance. They thought at first it was a missed stone but nothing was found on scans.

I have now had more bouts of pseudo biliary colic than I've had actual biliary colic...

@TulipTuesday my DH went completely back to normal afterwards. No unfortunate effects! He eats everything

I would have the op OP. The worst bit of it is being nil by mouth. I had no side effects although I still have to be careful of eating fats.

If I eat huge amounts of fatty foods ( entire large size packet of crisps or lots of cake) then I feel sick for a bit but I can have a sensible amount of treat food and I'm fine!

18 months post op. Don’t think there’s anything I can’t eat.

Thanks all for sharing your experiences!