gallstone diet

[Babyramone]

Hi have already posted re my gallstones. I have been trying to follow a low fat diet but not sure how low to go. Do I have to cut out fat completely (don't you need some fat for certain body functions)or is there a set percentage I can have.
I assume vegetable better than animal?
I like things like cheese and mayo are there any decent alternatives or do I accept can't have.

How's everyone doing.
Tortoise I know how you feel. It's so hard, I sometimes would love a curry or big cheese sandwich. Daren't though.
Still managing to stay on diet. Am doing the ledd than 5% fat thing.
Keep it up we can do it.

Chocolate how's it going for you?

Eh that's less than not ledd obv

Hi BabyRamone. I am ok. Still no attack and i have been eating quite badly. I want to try harder as i don't want to put weight back on that i have lost or risk having a sudden attack. I think i have it quite mildly at the moment and don't want it to get worse.

How is everyone doing?
I had a terrible attack at 8am today. lasted just over 3 hours. And i still feel tender. Is this normal? Not had an attack that bad before.
I did get to speak to a different Dr who has prescribed a strong pain killer whcih will help if it happens again. plus he was more positive about surgery than the last one i saw. He said if i get at least 1 attack a month its worth having surgery.

Feeling better now. Pain finally gone. Don't feel like eating much but i am trying.
I have pethidine tablets for the next attack. Possible Side effects are a bit scary though.

Can I join you ladies. I have been having terrible attacks, mother of 3 and overweight. My GP suspected I might have had H Pylori bacteria, which can give you ulcers - had to wait over a week with pain for the results - which were negative.

Saw the emergency doctor on Thursday who said he thinks I have gallstones and to not eat any fatty foods(how hard is that) although I must admit, I haven't even really been tempted. I went to make an emergency scan appt, to be told there was at least a 6-8 week wait. the receptionist must have taken pity on me though, my appt date is now 5 July. I have been given Zoton to take once a day and Buscopan if the pain returns - although I am not convinced it is going to do much. I just want all this pain over. My symptoms only started at the beginning of May this year

Hi I ended up with acute pancreatitis because of undiagnosed gallstones (useless doctors won't go into it here!) and had my gallbladder out in March. It was keyhole surgery and I was in and out in a day. My mum came and helped as I couldn't lift for 10 days but I only took paracetamol for the pain which was really only discomfort. I can now eat normally again but unfortunately am putting back on the weight I lost eating a low fat diet!

Oh and they really use staples when they say they do! For some reason I wasn't expecting real metal office type things!

And they gave me my gallstones in a little pot! I counted and there were over 60 of them! Wanted to make them into something til someone equated it with hanging a dog poo on a necklace!

Hi RBH

Glad to hear you are better now, i dream of getting to where you are now.

Pancreatitis sucked though. 100 times worse than childbirth! And about 10 times worse than gallstone attacks! Hope everyone finds ways to manage the pain as it is so awful. Best wishes xx

Hi sassygirl33. Sorry to hear you are going through this too. Glad that the scan date is soon.

RBH_ I bet you are relieved to have it all sorted now. I have to have more attacks before Dr will book me in for op.

I am finding that i can't always link the attack to fatty foods. The last attack was just after having cheese spread on toast. I wouldn't class that as really fatty food. I eat worse than that some days and am ok!

Am enjoying finally losing weight though.

Mine was never directly linked to fatty food either. The only strong link I ever found was tiredness as I seemed to get gallstone attacks when I was especially knackered.

Can you get a second opinion about having an op? Is it your GP or the hospital doctor who won't book you in? My consultant told me they tried to get everyone in to avoid possible pancreatitis or jaundice.

The 1st Dr i saw to discuss the scan results was very anti-surgery. He kept on about major op and huge hole in the tummy even with keyhole!
The Dr i spoke to recently during 3 hour attack said if i get at least one attack a month its worth having the op and to get back to him if that does happen. Been prescribed Pethidine tablets for the pain when next attack occurs.

First doctor sounds odd! Yes it is major surgery even done by keyhole but it's not like there is going to be a vaccuum where your gallbladder used to be!

I had keyhole surgery for gallstones last summer, at the time I was approx 19st (having lost 4 stones in the 6 months following DD's birth as I couldn't eat any fat without ending up in a&e). The consultant told me if I didn't have the surgery there was a high chance I'd end up in there with pancreatitis which could kill me, and that despite the risk of surgery at that weight I needed to have it. I have been left with only 2 very small scars, despite having 5 incisions, three of them have completely disappeared. It's wonderful to be pain free as I suffered needlessly for years due to fear of the surgery, until it got so bad that I couldn't eat a single gram of fat. On the downside, now that I can eat fat again the weight is piling back on. I pretty much survived on marshmallows (not ideal when you're diabetic!)and lentil soup.

Also, sounds pretty gross but I found it helped a lot. Voltarol Suppositories. I found that by the time an attack started it was kinda too late to take oral pain-killers, as by the time they were digested (particularly as attacks were usually following eating which would slow down the digestion of the pills) I was in agony (and frequently throwing up too making them useless). Voltarol Suppositaries made a big diference. If you're not squeamish about popping something in the back door might be worth asking doc to prescribe them.

Hi girls.
I've mainly been symptom free since my big attack weekend(had couple of mild ones)and doing okish on my low fat diet but it so hard.
I've had my visit with consultant and oh waiting list for sugery.
Beeen told if have major attack again will be seen as emergency but tbh would rather prepare myself and have house etc sorted as not sure how much help I'll get.
Had offers but it's hard when have baby too.
Tortoise the Consultant said that even if my op goes to open it's preferable to gall stones and their potential complications.
Hope you get settled soon.
When I got diagnosed I thought "GOD thats an old persons disease" but am amazed by how commmon it is with younger women esp mothers.
Asked consultant if caused by my weight and he said no it's got so many reasons and had know a 13 year old slim boy with them.
He said still good to eat low fat as helps prevent attact and being slimmer and healthier only a good thing.

One of the websites I looked at whilst in hospital recovering from pancreatitis talked about the 4Fs being factors- fat, fertile, female and flatulent! Yep that'd be me then!

I read that too (also applies to me)but I suppose there's always exceptions.
How was your recovery.
You said pain managable. Was the liftimg really hard. I have 9 month old and although she's light Still in 3-6 month clothing unsure what I'll be allowed to do.
Not sure about how much help I expect to.
My mum wants to help but has mild form of early denmentia so can be hindrence (all depends on how she is that day)and MIL has says will help esp after I told her how worried Iwas but she has a lot of commitments. Had bad SPD and she never came near me to help with my 3 yar old.
Don't expect help but more wondering if I'll really need it

My recovery was really good. Took 2 paracetamol every 6 hours for about 4 or 5 days and then cut down. BUT I did NO lifting for 7 days and very little for another 3 or so. And that included not even picking up dd2 from the floor when I was sitting and she was about 5 months at the time. I am sure it was the no lifting that allowed me to heal well in the early stages and that set the groundwork for the rest.

I was pretty apprehensive about surgery but now it is like nothing was ever wrong. Do try to get help though. Hope it all goes well.

Thanks thats a good tip about recovery.Will make sure have help.
I am nervous about getting general.

I was too especially as my mum doesn't react well to it but I was fine. Thought I saw DD1 running around the recovery room as I was coming around and tried to get off the trolley but the nurses held me on!

I nagged the doctors for good painkillers as I used to get really bad period pain and so have a high tolerance so was amazed that only paracetamol were needed. Have a load of dihydrocodeine knocking around now!

It is scary - although I am completely freaked out at the next possible attack? I have been cutting out fat(although cheating a little) and it is mega hard. I have taken some sick leave as it is making me feel really depressed. Only another week till my scan - hoping I am attack free till then at least - but I just never know. My last attack happened on Thursday after eating a bag of cashew nuts and a chocolate bar? Doc said that is what will have brought the attack on??? Am also overweight and worry about a general anaesthetic too. Last time I was in hospital was after having DD 2 years ago

I had another attack at midnight last night. Felt very mild pain for about 15 mins which then stopped. I hoped that was it but suddenly a severe pain started. i took just one pethidine tablet and 20 mins later i went light headed . i think 10 mins after that i was asleep. Pain went totally thankfully!

4Fs apply to me too.

I have no idea what i am going to do if/when i have surgery. DS's can go to their dads but DD's only allowed supervised contact with their Dad and no way could he have them. I have no-one else. Parents live in Turkey and they can't afford to fly over.

I think this is whats scaring me the most.

So sorry to hear you had another attack. Isn't pethidine great though?!

How old are your kids? How much lifting do you need to do? On other threads I have seen people say that you can get help from trainee nursery nurses at colleges. Is that an option?

Pethadine is fab! I did feel a bit groggy this morning though but i don't know if it was down to that or not.

My DC are DS1 10,DS2 7,DD1 4 and DD2 nearly 3. I know DS's would be ok looked after by their dad(and his mother who he still lives with!).

Its DD's i am worried about. Local CM that i have used a few times says she is reg for over night but that doesn't help with the 10days of no lifting part.