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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Mumsnet diagnosed me

12 replies

Elleoodle · 13/08/2019 10:53

Just an update on my last post about not being able to eat and experiencing pain.
I had an ultrasound today and my gallbladder is completely compacted with stones. The only reason I asked for the ultrasound is the replies on here. So, thank you to everyone who replied.

I'm worried as I'm almost underweight and losing weight fast, I'm averaging 300 calories a day. My anxiety is doing overtime and I'm not able to be the mum I was. It's overwhelming. I've heard of people waiting months for the surgery and I honestly don't think I can.

OP posts:
Jemima232 · 13/08/2019 10:56

Have you discussed your inability to eat with your doctor?

Original poster
Elleoodle · 13/08/2019 10:58

Of course I have. They just added it to the notes.

OP posts:
Teddybear45 · 13/08/2019 11:00

Weight loss often causes gallbladder stones, so they might not be related in the way you think. Have you had tests to look at your liver / pancreas / ovaries too?

BillieEilish · 13/08/2019 11:04

This was me 5 years ago, it was my pancreas, that also makes sense with the gall stones.

Sending lots of good wishes Flowers

But obvs, we don't know, see a doctor asap

Original poster
Elleoodle · 13/08/2019 11:07

Ultrasound looked at the pancreas and liver too and I had bloods taken at A&E last week.
The first time I felt this pain was 12 years ago. I've had to call 4 ambulances so far, the pain is indescribable. It was following a lengthy battle with a undiagnosed illness that meant I developed a fear of choking and didn't eat or drink much for months. I don't know what came first but it isn't impossible that pregnancy started the gallstones and the whole issue afterwards has been gallstones.
I thought I was going to die and the anxiety from that has instantly reappeared at that level this time.

OP posts:
LakieLady · 13/08/2019 11:10

You could try a high-calorie drink, OP, and see if they aggravate your gallstones. I'm guessing that you'd need a high protein, low-fat one, but I'm sure someone on here will be able to suggest what will work best for you.

Unwanted weight loss is not a problem I've ever had - quite the opposite!

It can often be worth getting referred to see a consultant privately, which needn't cost a huge amount (a friend paid £150 to see a gynae privately recently). If they then think you need surgery, you switch to their NHS list, but much higher up.

Not saying I agree with this (far from it!), but I understand how desperate people can feel when they're waiting for surgery and in pain.

ThatCurlyGirl · 13/08/2019 11:31

Bloody hell OP you poor thing this sounds awful ☹️

Agree with @LakieLady

It can often be worth getting referred to see a consultant privately, which needn't cost a huge amount (a friend paid £150 to see a gynae privately recently). If they then think you need surgery, you switch to their NHS list, but much higher up. Not saying I agree with this (far from it!), but I understand how desperate people can feel when they're waiting for surgery and in pain.

I've had to beg and borrow but having a private appointment for my epilepsy complications is the best thing I've ever done. The private consultant wrote a letter to all involved to push for treatment and I then had the paperwork to keep bothering PALS (not enough people know about them) to push for NHS support.

Had I not chased and chased and chased referrals I probably would have died from complications by now. I hate owing money but it was worth every penny.

Spaceprincess · 13/08/2019 14:59

Not all consultants jump their private patients up their NHS lists. Good luck tho.

maccaroni · 13/08/2019 15:02

When my mum was waiting for her op to remove gallstones she switched to a really low fat diet and that stopped the attacks.

chimpandzee · 13/08/2019 15:41

I had my gallbladder removed a couple of years ago.

Once I was diagnosed I switched to a fat free diet on Drs advice and had no attacks in the weeks waiting for the op.

Didn't have to wait long for the op (NHS), about 6 or 8 weeks in the end I think. I lost loads of weight in the weeks leading to diagnosis as i didn't know what to eat to avoid pain.

Things I ate once I knew what I had were:

  • lots of fruit
  • fat free / very low fat dairy - make smoothies with skimmed milk or fat free plain yogurt and frozen fruit, put some oats in to bulk it up
  • low fat cereals like special K
  • rice cakes
  • vegetables - I roasted big trays of them without any oil, actually quite good!
  • lean protein like chicken, white fish, those seafood stick things. I made lots of homemade turkey or chicken mince burgers with grated veg in them, just grilled or baked in the oven.

I just remember being constantly hungry but managed to stop the weight loss.

Good luck OP at least you know what it is and hopefully you won't need to wait long for the operation.

onanothertrain · 13/08/2019 15:48

Fat free diet

TeethingBabyHelp · 13/08/2019 18:33

I got diagnosed through an A&E visit when pain was unbearable and dr kept giving me acid reflux tablets
After 2 days they tried to discharge me and put me on waiting list for the op. They expected 6 weeks. I explained I was still in too much pain to work, would lose my job if I called in sick for that period of time and asked how I was to manage to pain for that period. They kept me in and did op next day. Could you try having a similar conversation if your pain leads to a&e any time soon? My liver was being impacted as gallbladder was enlarged so not sure if that helped with the rush

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