Another gallbladder one, sorry - any advice?

[MarieLloyd]

I have had gallstones for several years with no symptoms, however they flared up suddenly and really badly at Christmas, possibly because I ate fatty foods over the Xmas period. I spent 24 hours in bed in severe pain, necking nurofen (which didn't touch the pain), then finally DH took me to A&E when I started feeling dizzy and delirious. They scanned me and said I have loads of gallstones 0 my gallbladder is completely packed with them and they think a stone may be blocking the bile duct, however, they discharged me the same day and told me to see my GP and get a referral to have my gallbladder removed, as they were too busy to keep me in. Fair enough, although I was in severe pain, gagging constantly, couldn't hold down food and felt like i was going to collapse .

I saw my GP, who made a hospital referral.

2 weeks ago I got the initial appointment to see a consultant at the end of this month. I am in daily pain and am permanently nauseous. I dont sleep well because of the pain, so I am also exhausted and run down. I called up the hospital and asked when it was likely I would get a surgery appt, and they said April/May. This is just so depressing . I feel like death and cannot bear the thought of weeks an dweeks more of this.

I went back to my GP in utter misery and begged for some better pain relief 2 weeks ago and was prescribed co-codamol. Again, this hasnt touched the pain.
I went back today and was given tramadol, some hardcore antacids and an anti-nausea drug. My doctor also said he would write to the hospital and ask them to bump me up the lost, but couldnt make any promises. I have been taking the tramadol today and it is barely touching the pain. WTF can I do?

I NEED this thing taken out. I am so unwell. I had a day off today and wanted to dosome shopping and housework, but I have literally been on the sofa sleeping or on MN most of the day, as I have zero energy and when I stand up the pain gets much worse. Miserable and wondering if anyone else has been through this?

sorry for essay!

I should also add, I have been told to get my bloods done on Monday to test my LFT, as I am also really itchy, which was a symptom I had when I had OC while pregnant...

I'm afraid I can't offer any advice but wanted to say how much I sympathise with you. I have lots of tiny gallstones which rarely give me trouble but when they do the pain is as you describe. However, in my case it only lasts a maximum of seven hours before subsiding, though I feel completely washed out for a week. In my case I think the stones are so small they can pass through the bile duct in a few hours.

Gallstone pain is truly terrible - when I'm experiencing it I think that if I had a loaded gun on the bedside table I'd shoot myself. I would have had mine removed but for the fact that I have separate health issues which makes operations a very big deal, and that it happens rarely (two years since the last one). I don't know how you can manage to get through the day with this going on and on. And I've found pain-killers make very little impact, too.

It is most unsatisfactory that you are having to wait so long. I don't know what to suggest apart from plugging away at your GP; they say the squeaky wheel gets the oil.

I hope a mumsnet medic sees your post and can give some constructive advice.

marie I would say that if you feel this bad tomorrow go back to a&e. Tell them about your itchy skin especially and ask for a liver function test as itching is a symptom of bilirubin backing up into the blood, which can happen if there is a bile duct obstruction. I know this as I have one right now and am finally getting treatment. I got told just yesterday, by a nurse fitting my cannula, that if I feel like I'm waiting too long, to make a nuisance of myself. Also, if your urine is dark and stools are lighter that is a sign of a blockage too.

My gallbladder should have been out of me last november - i was so poorly in the run up to my op, but sent away by 3 different medical staff, not one of them ordered a blood test, just told me to wait for my op! Even when I asked for one, they told me the same. The day of my op comes round, the surgeon went in and came back out again as my gallbladder and bile duct were too inflamed to continue. 3 months have now passed and I am only starting proper treatment. I wish I had shouted louder much sooner.