Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

Original poster

gallstone help/advice pkease

21 replies

waitingtobeamummy · 13/05/2012 10:13

Well I'm sure I posted this last night but It's dissapeared so.I'm.writing it again!
For the past six months.been having horrific cramping in my upper abdomen which we put down to stomach bugs as its happened 6times and I'm normally sick.after it. One time I.collapsed and dh called ambulance. They said gall stones and gave me gas and air then I.was sick.and they said stomach bug and to just rest. Happened again and my Dr said she thought it was gallstones and I've got an ultrasound booked for ten days time. I fit all the symptoms and lost weight v quickly so pretty sure it is but want a few questions answered.from anyone who knows really!so:
The pain is happening more and more often- is that normal?
When I have the ultrasound will they tell me straight away if they can.see them?
If they can see them will I then have an appt made to see a specialist?
Will.they try other things before an operation? I'm already on a low fat.diet and avoiding stuff that possibly could.set it off.
Do you have to wait long for.the.op?
I'm in so much pain and its happening about once a fortnight now.and I just want them gone!

OP posts:

Original poster

waitingtobeamummy · 13/05/2012 10:15

Sorry for all the full stops! Stupid phone!

OP posts:

LadySybilDeChocolate · 13/05/2012 10:20

IIRC, the pain is dependent upon what you're eating. If you're eating fatty foods then your gallbladder is forced to work overtime to digest the food. They can tell right away from an ultrasound, they can see the stones or sludge and the gall bladder is almost always enlarged. If they find stones then you'll be referred to a gastroenterologist. It's possible that they may try and clear the gall bladder out and put in a shunt to open the duct up a little but it depends on the type of stones they spot. You should have had an ultrasound when you were taken to A&E. It's possible that they ruled this out due to the vomiting. Waiting times vary from trust to trust. I haven't had gallstones, I used to work in a hospital.

Sounds horrible for you.

Original poster

waitingtobeamummy · 13/05/2012 10:31

Thanks for your reply lady sybil. They wouldn't even take me to.a and e in the end as they said just sickness bug. When I.get an.attack it is horrific but now the Dr has booked an appt I think I'd be wasting there time if I phoned 999. Apparently yes fatty food.can cause it but also if you loose lots of weight.quickly that does too. I'm still on very low fat diet and every time it happens I look at what I've eaten and try to cancel out what it could be but I'm running out of foods! :-)
Thank you for.the info. I'm prepared for what's next.now.

OP posts:

LadySybilDeChocolate · 13/05/2012 10:36

It may be helpful to keep a food diary. I don't think it's just fatty foods which set it off, I think it's also foods like tomatoes. I'd hang on for the ultrasound if you can, you really should get medical attention if you're in severe pain though. Gallstones have been known to cause jaundice, your poop should be pale and float when you're in pain, urine is usually dark.

Original poster

waitingtobeamummy · 13/05/2012 10:42

Oh god I have been eating loads of salad thinking its good for me!
My wee is dark but when it happens I don't poo for a couple of days. I keep thinking, its only ten days but when I get another attack it seems a very long time! Thank you for your help.

OP posts:

LadySybilDeChocolate · 13/05/2012 10:46

You're very welcome. I'll have a think, I'm fairly certain it's not just fatty foods.

LadySybilDeChocolate · 13/05/2012 10:49

I found this for you

Original poster

waitingtobeamummy · 13/05/2012 10:56

That's brilliant thanks, already cancelled quite a few of the "danger" foods out but am miffed about cauliflower!

OP posts:

LadySybilDeChocolate · 13/05/2012 10:59

I've no idea. Different foods release different chemicals when they are digested so it could be something like this?? Try keeping a food diary, it should help you identify anything which makes the pain worse. I really do hope it's sorted soon.

mercibucket · 13/05/2012 11:25

Also worth a thyroid test as can be linked to hypothyroidism

mercibucket · 13/05/2012 11:25

Also worth a thyroid test as can be linked to hypothyroidism

Original poster

waitingtobeamummy · 13/05/2012 11:28

I had a thyroid test about 6 months ago because of infertility (lucky me!) And it was fine but that was pre all of this. Do I need another one?

OP posts:

mercibucket · 13/05/2012 19:16

I don't know but couldn't hurt. Also, for probs conceiving you are looking for a low tsh - below 2 for sure but think I remember it as being lower still, so worth asking what the tsh was. Range goes up to 4 or 5 but if yours is above 2 I'll try and find that article for you to show gp

mercibucket · 13/05/2012 19:16

CutItOutAndRestart · 13/05/2012 19:24

in the end my gallbladder attacks where coming and going as they pleased so restricting diet did nothing for me. Mine also appeared to be hormone related as I would always get an attack before my period, don't know why and neither do the doctors!

the last attack I had they also queried my kidneys and kidney stones. As you've mentioned dark wee is this something worth asking about?

CarpeJugulum · 13/05/2012 19:39

I had this. I was sick after meals, and eventually had the stones removed - I think I was at the docs every few days before being admitted to hospital by the OOH.

It was fine for about 3 weeks, then I was blue lit to hospital by the ambulance on very heavy morphine and gas and air. Turns out my gallbladder had helpfully decided to perforate; luckily they still managed a keyhole op to remove it.

If you're in that much pain, tell your GP. Give them a score of the pain on a 1-10 scale; it helps them track it. I would never advise bothering GP's for no reason, but if you don't let them know, they can't sort it.

Good luck!

Shakey1500 · 13/05/2012 19:54

Feel your pain. I've got a scan booked for 29th May for gallstones. Though, my pain doesn't seem half as bad as yours and I've not vomited at all. It hurts constantly though.

Original poster

waitingtobeamummy · 13/05/2012 20:12

Thanks all, I think if it happens again I will call. Mine often happen at night ( text book apparently) else I would just go straight to drs. I think I'm similar to you cut it out with hormonal. For that reason my Dr also suggested abdominal migraines but I think far more likely to be g.stones. I keep a food diary with losing weight anyway and there is nothing the same. Drives me mad! Do you think theyll see my kidneys too when they scan? I don't really understand ultrasound and what it can/can't see! Shakey I know what you mean, I have a constant dull ache....like indigestion but in the wrong place?? Horrid isn't it? But then the other pain. I cant describe it. Just want it out! Thank you all! X

OP posts:

Mrsfluff · 13/05/2012 20:19

When I had severe attacks I would go to A&E. They gave me morphine injections for the pain - it was the only thing that touched it for me.

Original poster

waitingtobeamummy · 16/05/2012 21:21

Well Sunday night had three attacks in as many days so Sunday night went to a and e and Monday afternoon had emergency surgery to have it out! Was so inflamed/infected that they were worried it was going to rupture. Feel achey but so much better!

OP posts:

LadySybilDeChocolate · 16/05/2012 21:35

I'm so pleased it's all sorted. Wishing you a very speedy recovery.

Flip