bilary colic/gallstone pain

[libertytrainers]

i have been having really bad stomach pains for ages now on and off and the dr is referring me for gallstone check. all online symptons seem to suggest this is what i have. the pain is almost unbearable though and i don't know what to do with myself when i have it. can i take buscopan tablets? they seem to be good when i've had stomach spasms with illness.

also how long from diagnosis does this usually get treated? i've had three attacks in the last week alone and am scared it will happen at work or when i'm driving.

should i try to avoid certain foods etc? i know fats can make it worse but what else. it's agony :(

Yes buscopan will help.
Zero fat til you have the op
Sorry
It's very grim

You have my sympathies op, it just awful. Buscopan did nothing for me, the only thing that relieved the pain was Tramadol, ask your GP for some but be warned, the made me high as a kite.

I suffered with gallstone pain for 2 years, the attacks got worse and more frequent towards the end. It took me 12 months from diagnosis to surgery but I fell pregnant during this time so had to wait for surgery. The pain is unbearable, giving birth to twins was nothing compared to the hell that is gallstones! I ended up in hospital three times on morphine drips just 4 weeks after having my babies as all my organs must have shifted back into place after my pregnancy and the attacks were bad! They must have felt sorry for me as I was booked in to have the surgery a week later when my babies were just 6 weeks old. No pain at all since.

I would avoid fatty foods completely. Good luck

When I had that pain I sipped mint tea, clutched a pillow and rocked back and forwards. I don't know if it helped, or just made me feel like I was doing something! On the bright side, the op was straightforward and I've never had any pain since. Going fat-free will make a massive difference while you wait.

Do you have the date for your ultrasound yet? From when I was diagnosed with gallstones, it took a couple of months to be referred to the hospital for a chat about my options. Then I had the pre-op not long after and was told to expect a maximum of 18 week wait for the operation. Had to have mine done before though as I developed complications (jaundice and gangrenous gallbladder).

I was given cocodamol, diclofenac and oromorph to control the pain of gallstone attacks. Ask the doctor if they can give you a strong painkiller to help, I know how excruciating it is!

Stick to a really low fat diet, and avoiding dairy products also helped me. I haven't had any problems since the operation and can eat what I like now.

Really hope you get this sorted out soon!

Sympathy, it's awful.

Eating as little fat as possible definitely reduced my attacks between diagnosis and having the gallbladder removed.

So, skimmed milk, no butter or oil except a little spray of oil to stir fry, chicken and fish, lots of rice, couscous, pulses and salad. Crispbreads instead instead of bread and obviously no cakes/biscuits/crisps. Everyone is different, but I know with hindsight that eggs triggered an attack and they are the one food I can't really tolerate now. Apart from that, diet is now back to normal and the op was fairly straightforward. Best of all, no more pain!

I know the low fat diet can be really hard, but I found it was worth it to really reduce the risk of further attacks. For treats, I had Haribo, ice lollies, frozen yoghurt, caramel snack a jacks... God knows that my teeth are like now, sugar consumption probably went through the roof!

Get well soon OP.

Oh, yes. Gall bladder is the worst pain. And it doesn't even have those considerate waves of pain, it's just constant. I took buscopan and lots and lots of compatible painkillers. And I found curling into a ball on my front helped - though that may have just been in my mind. I used to rest my forehead on the cool kitchen floor.

Dairy was terrible for me, all the fats I suppose. I made the mistake of ice cream once and the pain lasted for a lot of the next day.

As someone else said further up - the op is simple and quick and such a blessed relief! Good luck and get well soon.