Gallstones/gallbladder problems

[babybell89]

Hello so I need to change my diet to reduce my night time attacks! I am seeing the doctor also so no worries on the seek medical help front.

I'm wondering if anyone else has this problem and if Diet has helped. What are you eating? What are your triggers?

Thanks babybel...no I didn't, he was faffing about on my right side for aaaaaages and took dozens of images, but I was laying on my left side and angled away, the screen was behind me!

I had a good look when he scanned the other side but nothing to see there. He did ask me questions about my kidneys and whether I'd been diagnosed with stones, I thought he'd found something untoward on my right kidney, he was scanning there for so long. I was itching to yell WHAT CAN YOU SEE but I know he can't say so I resisted!

Just to let you know, peppermint tea seemed to ease mine! google it! x

Welcome billy I missed your post there sorry. Glad to have found this thread as they say misery loves company!

Must be a case of one size doesn't fit all with the gallstones as I'm underweight and it doesn't come on after any particular food for me just randomly too.

I had 2 ultrasounds as they weren't too sure on the first one but all they could tell me was that I have stones and they didn't say how many.

I'm off my head on co codamol today trying to get the pain to subside!

babybell I am not sure about controlling with diet as someone mentioned that whatever you do the stones won't go away? Not sure if that's correct but not good to hear

Amazed to hear how common it is too - my hospital said today that the waiting list for the op is at least 6 months!

Coffee set mine off.

Hate to sound like an alcoholic but what alcohol can people drink safely? I'm out Saturday night! Really need a tipple x

I am still having attacks but I saw the surgeon and he said my BMI makes me too high risk. He actually suggested extreme weight loss and mentioned weight loss surgery.
I have been looking into it a while and decided to take the plunge and they may also be able to remove my gall bladder at the same time.

Really Hobby? Mine is about 36...never thought of that!

Sorry thanks for the welcome snoopy...and I'm afraid I'm no help babybel as I'm teetotal, but I'm sure I read that alcohol has no direct effect? Might have dreamt it though...

I've been reading this with interest. I have IBS and have suffered off and on with what was diagnosed as gastritis. After being awake with awful pains in the centre of my chest/top of abdomen last night, I'm wondering if it might be an issue with my gallbladder? I'm not even sure I know where the gallbladder is or what it does?!

I get classic gallstone pain but no stones were visible on the ultrasound so they have referred me for a HIDA scan . My bloods were also normal .

I am eating very low fat but getting an attack almost exactly every six weeks . Does anyone else have them in some sort of cycle? I had another last night , cocodomal took the edge of it but it was still agony as it seemed to lose its effect after an hour . Can we take any other painkillers in between cocodomal?

I am so tired today but I otherwise feel fine again

for everyone else suffering.

Curbside I would ask your GP to refer you for an ultrasound. Does sound like you could be another stone keeper!

onecandy my attacks seem to be about every 4-6 weeks too. Hope they can find out for you with the other test. I don't know what else you can take apart from co-codamol and buscopan!

For the girls getting them every 6weeks ish maybe it's your hormones?
When I had my implant removed I got the worst attack ever!! Also looking back after I had babies and changed contraceptive. There is a proven link with hormones I read somewhere so maybe that's a factor for you girls?

In regards to the lady with ibs and suspected gall stones I would watch some drs on YouTube that's how I was sure that and my GP. Get booked in!

I just finished my period and got one not last night night before so could be that, or the sugar that day as it was super high!! X

Update: sorry there is so many, I feel like coming to this thread is a sort of diary and helps with my anxiety!

Last night I went out for a few drinks to see how I would be for a band I am going to see tonight.

I think I only had two single vodkas possibly three. I stirred the bubbles out of the Coke to make it flat and easier to go down and after each drink I got a Diet Coke to keep me from over drinking whilst keeping up with the others who were none the wiser.

I was really quite hammered! Not sure if due to gall stones or that I don't drink much but I'm glad I did a normal Coke in between! Also checked my urine on loo breaks to make sure it was pale/clear. I think this is going to be the best thing to do when drinking alcohol with gall stones for those special occasions.

No pains! But some pressure on the other side almost like when your pregnant and you can feel the baby pressing on the organs/ribs slightly. Only very slight or I would be concerned and not going out tonight. Problem being a hypochondriac is you don't know whether normal people would notice it as I sit there perfectly still reading my body looking for signs!

I also checked my eyes for yellowing as my fake tan would mask my skin 😂.

Spagetti hoops on toast when I got home too, I was a good egg! :)

Please don't give me any additional medical conditions that could be flaring up the other side as it causes panic attacks! Does anyone else get that pressure on that side? No pain just a kind of bloating pressure feeling? GP aware and scan on 6th! X

Yes I get that too...not pain, just a sort of pressure sensation! No idea what causes that but I guess when everything is grumbling around the gallstones, you can get referred pain through associated nerves anywhere around there.

To be honest my pain has always been predominantly central and runs under my ribs around both sides.

I seem to have been remarkably lucky with my local NHS services - I've had mild pain for years, more severe for 3 months or so, and went to the GP for the first time about it on 19th July (10 days ago). I had my scan 6 days later on 25th, results the following day, then my gastroenterology appointment came through in writing this morning and is on 18th August!

That seems to be very good by most standards?

Alcohol doesn't seem to cause any issues for me ( not confirmed as gallstones though) Too much gluten seems to cause aggravation all around my upper abdomen so I am trying to avoid that . Hope you have a lovely night tonight
I did one about hormones and attacks but my cycles are pretty much 28 days and my last 3 attacks have been dead on six weeks apart, to the day. Do it definitely seems to be a cycle but I don't know what it is related to !

@Oncandystripedlegs that's odd then isn't it, I'm sure it will all make sense eventually! X

@BillyDaveysDaughter that's super quick yeah good going, I thought my scan was quick, -6 weeks from appointment roughly.
The gastro appointment you mentioned next what does that entail? What did your scan show again? Sorry bad memory! X

I think next appointment is just a specialist figuring out whether I need it removed and therefore to put me on the waiting list, or just to watch and wait.

My scan showed the gallbladder to be chock full of stones apparently.

@BillyDaveysDaughter ooh did they say how big?

@babybell89 no they didn't actually! If they're bigguns there is less chance of one getting wedged in a bile duct, which is a bonus...

Maybe at my appointment on 18th they'll look at the scan again and tell me?

@BillyDaveysDaughter so when your in pain it's a smaller one getting wedged before it passes? X

@notanurse2017 that sounds awful. Try watching what the health on Netflix if you can it might motivate you to eat better! Not that I'm saying you need to I just know it's helped me x

@notanurse2017 that's incredible well done! I go to my local pharmacy weekly too most Rowland's have that funky machine that measures all sorts, water different types of fat etc.
That helps me as if my weight hasn't changed my fat usually has and it's free x

Hi I was wondering how everybody was? I have had my pre op appointment but been told it could still be 6 months grr