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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask if anyone has a remedy for gall stone pain

59 replies

skunkatanka · 09/09/2018 02:17

At least I think that's what it is- I'm awaiting a date for a scan. Currently struggling to type this as I am in absolute agony. Taken paracetamol but it's not touching it. Have had a few nights like this- hence the pending ultrasound- but tonight I'm in agony. Help!

OP posts:

Aquamarine1029 · 09/09/2018 02:27

Surgery will fix it, but sadly you need to power through. I've been there. Please be aware, and talk to your gp, that it's possible you don't have stones. Instead, your gallbladder may simply be dying which causes just as much agony. That's what happened to me. Two years ago mine was removed and I'm better than ever. Hang in there.

NewIdeasToday · 09/09/2018 02:29

You can get medicine which helps from your GP. For example omeprazole.

For now, a hot water bottle might help? And stay away from fatty foods.

Original poster

skunkatanka · 09/09/2018 02:29

Just awful tonight. I'm standing up sobbing with it. Can't find any sort of position that is comfortable and have yet to sleep a wink.

OP posts:

Lucylugs · 09/09/2018 02:30

2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in large glass of apple juice or eat a lemon or half cup of vinegar from pickle jar. Hope you have some if those in the house.

Original poster

skunkatanka · 09/09/2018 02:36

Eating a lemon and got a hot water bottle on it. Thanks for advice ladies. Hope it does the job.

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MargaretRiver · 09/09/2018 02:40

If you are able to make yourself vomit, I found that it seemed to make the stones shift and the pain stop (until next time)

BritInUS1 · 09/09/2018 02:47

Try Hot water bottle and strong painkillers tonight. Get to the docs Monday and ask for some anti gastro tablets like omeprazole

namechangeforanonymity · 09/09/2018 02:47

Don't want to worry you unduly but there could be an infection which requires antibiotics.

I was vomiting and in pain (with undiagnosed gallstones), attended A & E, was admitted, scanned and treated with A.B.'s for the infection caused by a particularly large stone in the gallbladder..

Unfortunately the gallstone was so large it later caused additional problems (due to the NHS's minimal intervention/watch and wait policy) so I would go to A & E if the pain is as bad as you describe because earlier diagnosis/treatment could prevent the added complications which I am left with.

Original poster

skunkatanka · 09/09/2018 02:47

It's always at night time it kicks off, making me exhausted the next day. Hideous pain.

OP posts:

Original poster

skunkatanka · 09/09/2018 02:50

It's awful but my kids are fast asleep (as is dh). There's no way I can drive myself right now (struggled to lift the kettle to make hot water bottle) and I don't want to drag my kids to A and E at this time on a Saturday night. Need to power through it tonight and see where I am tomorrow I think.

OP posts:

stellabird · 09/09/2018 02:58

Sorry for all your distress - I know how horrible it is. You can only go with the pain killers / hot water bottle at the moment, unfortunately. But until you get the surgery, I'd recommend a fat-free diet . The gall bladder contains bile which digests fat , so when you eat anything with fat in it, the gall bladder has to squeeze out some bile . It's that squeezing which pushes the stones into the entrance of the gall bladder, causing that excruciating pain. Staying away from fat, gives your gall bladder a rest and you'll get less of these painful episodes.

Good luck !

Original poster

skunkatanka · 09/09/2018 03:04

My dh, thinking he was being nice, bought some ice cream earlier and stupidly I ate it. This is the price I'm paying and nice though it was, it wasn't worth it!

OP posts:

QueenCity · 09/09/2018 03:06

Lying on your right side can help.

Lucylugs · 09/09/2018 03:08

My MIL was told no icecream or cream, they were the worst and my friend finds beef triggers her attacks. She takes the organic cider vinegar in apple juice as an everyday tonic as well as when she's having an attack. She also tried olive oil in coke! Pretty vile but I guess you try anything when your in such bad pain. Good luck op, I hope you feel better soon.

Original poster

skunkatanka · 09/09/2018 03:09

I'm a vegetarian so safe with the beef. It's definitely the bloomin ice cream. Lesson learned- won't be doing that again!

OP posts:

Lucylugs · 09/09/2018 03:15

That's a pity. About the ice cream not about being vegetarian!

Original poster

skunkatanka · 09/09/2018 03:53

Does anyone know what the waiting time will be between the ultrasound and an op (assuming I need one)? Pain slightly less but still too much to sleep. Hot water bottle helping

OP posts:

MooseBeTimeForSummer · 09/09/2018 04:13

This is when I’m grateful for the Canadian healthcare system. Got woken up at 3:15 with pain in the back of my right shoulder. It travelled through to the front like a red hot poker and settled in my chest.

At 10:30am I went to my local hospital. I was put straight on a morphine drip. Lots of fluid, some IV ABs and an ultrasound followed. They removed it at 8pm the same day.

With hindsight, I’d had a similar attack about 6 weeks earlier. I put it down to bad indigestion.

My MIL was gob smacked. Hers had troubled her for three years, courtesy of the NHS. She paid privately to have it removed in the end.

IndieTara · 09/09/2018 04:27

The only thing that helped me before surgery was a hot water bottle or walking cocuuts round the living room

nogooddeedgoesunpunished · 09/09/2018 04:28

Huge sympathies. There is really nothing as excruciating as gallbladder pain and I've had several major surgeries. You will probably be told that it is quite a common surgery with a long waiting list. I got bumped up that list when I came in via A and E with what turned out to be pancreatitis. You might have to start to be v proactive and push otherwise you could wait for over a year. I was told a fat free diet whilst waiting. Once it needs to come out it can be v difficult to manage the pain but fat free can help. Good luck and don't be fob offed

Busybusybust · 09/09/2018 04:29

Been there. You have my total sympathy. It’s the worst pain I ever experienced. The doctor did give me some heavy duty painkillers and some tablets to stop me vomiting, which helped. Hope you get your op soon!

NeverKeepANameTooLong · 09/09/2018 04:34

Buscapan tablets. You can buy these over the counter. Was recommended by A&E bloody marvellous

HPandBaconSandwiches · 09/09/2018 04:36

Please don’t ignore it if the pain is this severe. You don’t even have a diagnosis yet and even if it is gallstones this can become complicated by infection. If the pain is so bad you can sleep or move around you really should seek medical help.

HopelessWanderer · 09/09/2018 04:42

I think a lot of people end up in hospital when it's really bad, as only morphine will do.

An option is hot water bottles, hot baths, deep heat. Not sure if that would help.

agnurse · 09/09/2018 04:46

I was told Buscopan and ibuprofen by my doctor when I had it, but check with your provider to see if these are safe for you.

I wouldn't recommend an antacid or acid reducer because the problem isn't excess acid. The problem is gallstones.

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