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Original poster

Gallstones advice

28 replies

ohbloodynora · 27/02/2012 18:20

I have had what I'd thought were reflux problems for about 18 years (i'm 34 now). It started with pin in my stomach right under brestbone and in ribs, it would last anything from a few hours to a day.
Fast forward to now and I am having the pain really frequently, maybe once or twice a week or more. I mentioned this to the doctor and he sent me for a scan which showed gallstones. The radiographer said I should make an appointment with doctor in about a week (it is this Thursday).
I was wondering why the pain has got more frequent and I think worse - any ideas? and any ideas on what the doctor may suggest?

OP posts:
Lynli · 27/02/2012 19:06

I had problems for years before I knew it was gallstones. I think it tends to get worse when them move into a position where they block the tubes. It can be absolutely agonising.

I had my gallbladder removed a year ago and have never felt better.

Original poster
ohbloodynora · 27/02/2012 20:06

Thanks Lynli.
I know, I've had problems since my teens - tried everything from rennie to prescription for a tablet tht stops stomach from producing as much acid, can't remember the name..
I was really surprised I had gallstones, I had no idea. I'm worried about surgery as I'm very overweight, I don't think they can perform keyhole surgery on me :(

OP posts:
FeathersMcGraw · 27/02/2012 20:13

I have 3 big buggers and the attacks are getting more intense. I have seen a consultant and as I too was very overweight was told I needed to lose weight before they could operate :( I was told it was the anaesthetic that was dangerous rather than the keyhole (would just be a bit trickier with too much fat in the way...

Anyhoo, I have now reached my target bmi for the op and am waiting to see the consultant again so they can remove the pesky thing.

Agree with Lynli - the pain is the worse I have ever experienced....

Winkly · 27/02/2012 20:14

Hope this doesn't sound rude... If you're very overweight and your diet has got worse, that may be why the pain is more frequent/worse - fatty foods can often trigger gallstone attacks. Also if you've yo-yo dieted - apparently rapid weight loss releases the stuff that can form stones into your blood stream in larger quantities.

I had my gall bladder out last year (my gallstones are clearly hereditary), and am amazed by actually feeling well for the first time in a long time. Thinking about it, I can remember what were clearly gallstone attacks from I was about 15 years old. Mine was keyhole. They may be able to go keyhole anyway, the consultant will discuss your options with you but even if they have to 'open' you, it'll be worth it ultimately.

Original poster
ohbloodynora · 27/02/2012 20:26

Thank you feathers and winkly.

You're right, I am a serial yo yo dieter, I had really bad issues when I was in my teens, I starved myself and sometimes made myself sick or took laxatives. I've put on a lot of weight since I had my little girl 2 years ago and now am at the other end of the scale.
My attacks are really random, sometimes I'll get one from eating a banana! I have been trying to watch what I eat to help though, I'm hoping the doc can give me a list of foods to avoid apart from the obvious ones - I've heard even cauliflower can make it worse, or bread!

OP posts:
Winkly · 27/02/2012 20:31

I had a horrific one after eating some melon. Not a helpful comment I know, but you're not alone. I have literally felt your pain.

Having that fucking useless organ out is fab. I just sat and ate some chocolate icecream, and nothing happened. Bloody marvellous. What is your BMI, if you don't mind me asking? (Tell me to MMOB if you do mind Grin)

FeathersMcGraw · 27/02/2012 20:33

mine have a hereditary link but my poor diet definitely didn't help Blush although I didn't really eat fatty food (my poison was sugary crap!!)

I agree about the weight loss link too - the intensity had increased since I've started losing the weight, ironically. Before, the attacks were pretty short and were over quickly, now they last hours and have even knocked me out for a couple of days at a time.

Roll on my next appointment - want this sorted asap now!

Original poster
ohbloodynora · 27/02/2012 20:38

My BMI is about 41 Blush

Definately, me too, I was thinking of going to the doctor tomorrow instead of waiting til Thursday as I'm in so much pain now :(

OP posts:
Original poster
ohbloodynora · 01/03/2012 16:56

Hi,
Just wanted to update. I ended up going to A and E by the following morning, I have been given strong painkillers to cope until surgery (which doc has referred me for today after recieving scan results).
The doctor said the consultant could discuss my results (multiple gallstones and fatty liver) does anyone know about fatty liver?

OP posts:
Threeprinces · 01/03/2012 19:31

I had my gallbladder out in October when my BMI was 39.5. I asked the surgeon about losing weight beforehand and he thought it was a non issue even said "I operate on people a lot bigger than you". The GP said the same when I saw her for the referral.

Mine was keyhole and didn't have any unusual problems.

Good luck with it all.

desperatenotstupid · 01/03/2012 20:27

ohbloodynora, in answer to your original question, Gallstones for some reason that i dont know, tend to get worse after pregnancy, and judging by the fact you are here on mnet, im assuming......... Grin But its no Grin matter as i have had it and i know how painful it can be Sad is fucking awful, i was so ill. But like others, i have had the GB out now and i have no problems, although sometimes when i have a high fat meal it can give me a bad tummy.

Just avoid fat like the plague, seriously, i had to cut it out completely - and it is possible (i lost 4 stone in about 8 weeks, although i was breast feeding as well - god it was just awful). When you eat a fat laden meal it makes the gall bladder contract and push bile into the stomach to emulsify the fat, that pushes against the stones (do you know if yours are big or small, mine were like fish tank grit and the worse kind for pain) and causes pain, then you get inflammation, bla bla pain pain pain. The one bit of advice i was given is, if you go yellow go to the docs ASAP, because that means a stone has got in your bile duct and that is a bad thing.

The fatty liver could be because it has been under duress due to your gallstones, your liver enzymes will be through the roof when you have gallstones, and maybe your diet contains high fat, and if you have a sluggish gall bladder it might contribute. The liver is pretty resilient though and will recover pretty darned quick.

Pester yoru doctors though, every time you have an attack, pitch up at their doorstep - i did this and it sped my op up.

Dont worry about your BMI, but do cut down the fat simply because it will reduce the amount of attacks you have xx

kazzymac · 02/03/2012 18:36

I feel your pain I really do. I have had this pain on/off since 2009 and then had a sharper pain under my ribs on the right hand side which made me return to the Doctors back in November. My scan showed up lots of gritty stones plus both my Mum and sister have had theirs removed. I am very very bloated and have been sticking to a very low fat diet which has helped with the pain enormously but wierdly I have not lost a single pound! My consultant today told me to go home, stick on the low fat diet and learn to live with it and take paracetamol when needed Angry He said that the gallstones do not cause the pain on the right hand side and it doesn't run in families. I stood my ground and I would just keep going to A&E until something is sorted as I can't go on like this...he finally relented so my operation is booked in for 5th April- thankfully. I just want to feel better Sad My advice is to not eat anything over 5g of fat per 100g and eat lots of soup, avoid chocolate and cheese (especially melted) and watch out for your trigger foods so a food diary may help. i hope you feel better soon.

desperatenotstupid · 02/03/2012 18:46

Shock at your consultant kazzy, gall stones don't cause pain PMSL, no pain under the rib?? oh god, what an idiot!!!

feedbackforfree · 02/03/2012 19:05

OP, I've just had my gall bladder out on Tuesday evening. My pain has worsened over the last 3 months and it's because a stone was lodged in a bile duct. Funnily enough, my colour has also improved and I look healthy since I had it done.

For what it's worth, my surgeon said that although a fatty diet is thought to be the main reason for gall stones, there are young people with no predisposition to the condition that also present with symptoms and stones.

If your diagnosis is gall stones and you are recommended a cholesystectomy please do not worry about it all. I went down at 5.30pm on Tuesday, back in my room just after 7 and home again by 10pm. Got up next day, and had a walk in the sun and apart from a couple of doses of paracetamol yesterday, I've had very little discomfort. Wish I got this investigated a lot sooner and resolved!

Good luck.

feedbackforfree · 02/03/2012 19:10

Oh also, when I ended up in A&E, the doctor there told me to avoid eggs as they are trigger in a lot of sufferers. The pain caused by biliary colic is simply awful and I once had a bout that lasted 15 hours accompanied by projectile vomiting. AWFUL!!!!

Kazzy, I can't believe your consultant said that. The symptoms you describe are classic and not to be underestimated. My liver function has been showing signs of stress because of this condition.

kazzymac · 02/03/2012 19:45

I know I was getting quite angry with him but I was determined not to leave that room without my op date Grin all the signs are there and I know what my mum and sister went through. Does make me a little concerned about him doing the op now in case he removes something else to make me pay for being a stroppy assertive cowGrin

Aerobreaking · 02/03/2012 19:51

Kazzy, what he might have meant (but phrased badly) was that gallstones sitting in the gallbladder usually don't cause pain - many of us will have them for many years without them ever becoming an issue. The pain arises usually because, either a stone has got trapped in the cystic duct or common bile duct, or if the gallbladder has become inflamed, usually due to infection. It's generally not the stones per se that is causing the pain. or maybe he was just a rubbish doctor Grin

feedbackforfree · 02/03/2012 19:55

Actually Aero, that is a very good point you make.

kazzymac · 02/03/2012 19:58

Aero, you could be right but he did say it wasn't inflamed. Could he tell if something was stuck seeing as they are small gritty stones? Well I guess I will find out once the gallbladder has gone then we will see if he was right but he did mention IBS a few times. Can you imagine having it removed and it wasn't that at all, how depressing would that be Sad

kazzymac · 02/03/2012 20:08

I'm getting worried now but I do get that horrible pain in my back as well. He wouldn't operate if he didn't think it was that would he?

Feedback-I'm going in as a day patient too so it was good to hear that you felt so well so quickly-thanks.

desperatenotstupid · 02/03/2012 20:18

the pain in your back is from your gallstones too - they are the work of satan and need to be gone!!!

kazzymac · 02/03/2012 20:46

Desperate-that is trueGrin the pain must be bad if I'm actually looking forward to the op! Be gone with you evil stones and leave me to enjoy my easter eggsGrin

AvonCallingBarksdale · 02/03/2012 20:52

I had my gallbladder and 54 stones removed via keyhole about 6 years ago - I was in agony with increasing attacks. It was amazing how, literally, the pain went overnight.

Original poster
ohbloodynora · 03/03/2012 17:19

Thank you so much for all of your messges everyone :)

I am trying to stick to a low fat diet, if it gets too bad, I'll mybe just have soup etc. The pinkillers should keep me going until I see the consultant - Hope it won't be too long.

It's been a wake up call for me, I'm so determined to lose weight now...

OP posts:
Slainte · 20/03/2012 13:57

Hi thought I'd join this conversation as I had an abdominal scan which showed that my gall bladder is full of stones, stenographer said that some had "concreted", at least I think I heard that correctly.

I should hear from my doctor within the next week (I'm not in the UK).

I've had alot of low level pain but only two bad attacks. But the second time I told my husband to call an ambulance as I thought I was going to give birth, even though I'm not pregnant!! Grin. It was much worse than labour.

Anyway, hope you're all keeping well and would love go hear how you're coping. TIA