Gallstones -without the attacks

[Troubleintmill]

I know there are a few threads on this subject but they seem to be quite old so was looking for more recent info in the hope it would be different!
I have been diagnosed with gallstones, found eventually through MRI scan.
Thing is, although my toilet habits are abnormal and I have some discomfort/heartburn I do not suffer with attacks like most people seem to do. Or should I say if I have had an attack I put it down to a bug. I used to get frequent d&v but has calmed down.
Are there varying degrees if attack or are most people having the same symptoms and pain?
I know people will probably tell me I do not want the pain as I understand it is horrendous and of course I am grateful not to suffer badly but it concerns me my symptoms are different from others. Surely the scans etc can't be wrong.
Any info gratefully received. thank you

As far as I know most gallstones don't cause any symptoms so you don't sound unusual. Presumably the scan was for something unrelated?

Ps. My gallstones pain was awful. Just below the ribs but going right through to my back. Impossible to describe quite how painful it was -certainly nothing like heartburn or a bug.

No I never had the attcks either. I just had moderate pain all the time on my right side. I had loads and loads of tiny stones a few of which were stuck and affecting my liver. I got it done 3 weeks after diagnosis and then 10 years later after complaining about the pain to the docs many many many times they found some in my bile duct trying to get out (hence the PAIN OF ALL PAINS). Since I have had those my tummy has been a real state and I have to be very careful what I eat and cannot eat late etc. Weird! I have never before this latest procedure had any tummy troubles at all. None and now I am a delicate little thing who cannot eat after 6.30pm!!!!!!!!

You may well have gallstones, a lot of the population has them with no symptoms. If they don't cause trouble then there is no reason to operate.

The digestive things you mention are not i think anything to do with gallstones as gallstones don't cause symptoms like that so I would guess it is coincidental that you have gallstones.

A gallstone attack is caused by gallstones getting stuck in the bile duct and is the most unimaginable pain. I thought it was worse than labour and seriously thought I could be having a heart attack the first time. The pain lasts between 2-8 hours typically and is totally debilitating, I couldn't do anything at all apart from sit in extreme pain, I went hot, sweaty and dizzy because of the pain. It was genuinely the worst pain I've ever felt.

I had four attacks over an 18month period before I was diagnosed. I then had surgery a couple of years ago and it is brilliant to know I will not have that pain again.

It certainly is nothing like a bug, and they do not normally operate unless you get the severe attacks. I am sorry but I think something else is causing your symptoms and your gallstones are coincidental.

I had a jam packed gallbladder, with big stones. The attacks were terrible but not frequent (until just before removal). I had it for years with very little symptoms. I think the consensus is that if you don't suffer from attacks then they will leave it alone however as you have other symptoms which they have tested they could well decide to remove to rule it out.

If you are offered surgery I would say go for it. I was in pain for a few weeks, first week was the worst but it was just pain from surgical site, nowhere else and pain killers sorted it out. I didn't feel unwell at all in fact I couldn't believe how well I actually felt, it made a massive difference. A gp even commented on how well I was looking about a couple of weeks later, she said compared to how I was I looked great.

I would do it all again to feel how well I do now.

Thanks for your replies. It is interesting to know that people do not always suffer attacks. I asked mainly as I spoke to a friend who's cousin had gallstones and when I told him I had them he was surprised to learn I did not suffer greatly with them.
I had the scan following from a colonoscopy and ultrasound. I initially went to consultant with a hernia, probably caused by having DS. When I answered his questions on bowel habit etc he was concerned and decided to run some more investigation to see if had underlying problems. When they did ultrasound they found nodules in my gall bladder but were not convinced they were gallstones so offered me an MRI - I was a bit concerned so decided to go for it to get to the bottom of things. They are not huge stones so probably why they do not cause much discomfort.
I have been seeing a private consultant as husband has health insurance so guess the more stuff I have done the more money they get! That is probably why he suggested an op! I was concerned as I don't want the op to cause more problems. They will repair my hernia at the same time though. If its not necessary i may cancel but obviously the stones could grow and cause problems at a later date.
I am trying to watch my diet though do not eat late much these days as we try to eat with DS (2.6). I find the frequent rushing to the toilet and discomfort that causes more of a problem. The other tests I had didn't bring up any other problems so I don't know what else I can have done!? I guess I'll just have to live with dodgy bowels. Have had them for years so kind of used to it now!