Gallbladder Removal 2019 - support thread

[UserThenLotsOfNumbers]

Who is or is likely to have their gallbladder removed this year?

There seem to be a lot of threads on the topic (I've read most of them lol) so thought it would be a good idea to start a support thread for people for people having the op soon?

My story:

I'm 35, married with one daughter. I'm about half a stone overweight but reasonably fit. I work full time, husband is SAHP.

Comfort ate and ate irregularly after having my daughter and I have had issues with overeating, which I've now mostly conquered. I also have ulcerative colitis which is being controlled successfully with medication.
I was diagnosed with gallstones in Feb 2018. At the time, I had 2 large ones, 1 and 1.1cm respectively. Could be more by now!

Had been having symptoms for about 6 months before that. It started some time after my daughter was born. She's now 2.2. 12 years ago I had v similar symptoms which ended in a terrible night of pain then nothing for years until 2017. On reflection I wonder if I passed a small gallstone?

So after a year of dithering and fear, plus waiting to get over a colitis flare up earlier this year, I'm now having the op on 18th Jan.

My symptoms started as a dull ache upper right side, feeling sick and occasional vomiting. Now I get back ache, wake up with sore back, twinges, soreness, some acid indigestion. I don't (frantically touch wood) have the terrible colic. But I have some symptoms most days and I feel overall it's getting worse. I want to be well again.

I sometimes feel my gallbladder is swollen, especially at night. I do panic about it.

I've read all the post op horror stories, and all about the post op conditions, although I know that's comparatively unusual. Of course the op is sold as being easy and problem free - I don't believe that's the case! Most common outcome seems to be people are mostly fine unless they have something very fatty or take codeine. Ok, can live with that (hopefully).

What's your story? What are your concerns?

My fears are having digestive issues and pain after the operation, also am apparently being discharged with paracetamol! That doesn't even cure a headache for me! I was on oromorph for 3 days after having my c section, although I know that's not really comparable.

I will have my fingers crossed for you! Any questions you have about the op, just ask!

I've also had mine confirmed today by ultrasound, waiting now to hear from gp

Commiserations notapizzaeater.
I need some advice on pain management if anyone is out there?
I am off work with constant pain but haven't had any more full on flareups. I have been taking paracetamol plus 60mg codeine 4 times a day.
The codeine is making me woozy and I am nauseous which the gp also thinks is a codeine side effect.
He suggested just taking paracetamol 4 times a day and taking the codeine as and when if I need it. Well I tried that, the paracetamol did nothing on its own and after an hour or so had to take a codeine as I was in agony. But the codeine then didn't seem to touch it either, it was as if once the pain was in full flow it couldnt reverse it?
So my meds schedule was all messed up. Before bed I took paracetamol and one 30mg codeine - but then I was in bad pain again 2.5 hours later. In the end I took ibuprofen which I am not meant to have as also have ?gastritis. That worked and I was able to sleep for 4 hours until the pain woke me up again.
I just don't know how I am going to wait months for this surgery. I am a single percent with a full time job and 3 kids. At the moment I can't work and can only just manage the bare minimum to keep things ticking over at home.

Single parent not single percent!

Have you got anyone who can offer help and support post op Chiara? Friends? Family? Could you even pay someone to come in for an hour twice a day and get another school parent to do the pick ups? Just until you're recovered?

As for the pain I've got lots of codeine too. When it's really bad I have Tramadol. My GP isn't keen to prescribe it but if it's that or A&E then they usually agree to a prescription.

Hi Nancy
I'm not too worried about post-op as my older kids (17 and 19) can do school run, cook etc. I could get my mum to come and stay as well.
My main worry is how I manage between now and the op.

Hi all, new to the party here.
Had my gallbladder removed 3 years ago, experienced minor digestive changes after removal but nothing major until six months ago when I started feeling really nauseous all the time and even weirder bowel movements.
Bloods, stools and MRI later - I've been diagnosed with PCS and have been told to manage with diet. Thats it! Side note, Im in my late 20s and am relatively fit/eat healthy 😩

Hi Sinead welcome! Thanks for sharing. I'm sorry to hear you have PCS. What I really don't understand is how people have the op, are fine for months or years then this suddenly starts! It's so strange. What did your consultant say about it, have you been given any support?

Well I've finally had a scan and my not so little gall stone is 2.6 cm - about 1" big. They said that the gall bladder is okay, no inflammation and the duct? is also clear. I'm worried now that they may not operate if they are okay. I've to ring my doctors on Monday to try and make an appointment with my GP to discuss where we go from here. Has anyone else been in this position?

mummymayhem18
I do not absorb vitamins and minerals properly neither and need regular prescription boosts due to having my GB removed.

Steeve
I ended up with Post Cholecystectomy Syndrome. I battled for years with Dr's that A)something was wrong still and B)What the hell was it.
The best I'd be told was that I had biliary colic - a generic name when they don't have a clue what's wrong, Regular trips to A&E resulted in me being given morphine, admitted overnight then sent home the next day.
I've wrote about on here on GB posts a few times under different user names but in a nutshell - every symptom of a GB attack but without having a GB anymore.
I'm 19 years post op (mine was removed at 22 after pregnancy hormones kicked it off) I still have "attacks" but not as often these as I've learned what aggravates my digestion so avoid like the plaque so maybe once or twice a year now.
I do not want to frighten people nor put people off having this surgery but just a heads up for the future, living life without a GB.
I've said it before and I still stand by it - Given the option and knowing what I know today...I'd still 100% go ahead with my removal surgery. I just wished I'd been listened to and diagnosed a hell of a lot sooner than I was with the Post Cholecystectomy Syndrome - I often felt and was also made to feel tbh - like I was going/or was already batshit crazy.

I ended up with Post Cholecystectomy Syndrome. I battled for years with Dr's that A)something was wrong still and B)What the hell was it.
This is what I'm going through at the moment. Had no attacks before the removal but have regular ones now, some needing a and e.

Sorry to hear about all those who the op didn't work for.
I have my first outpatient appt with the surgeon on Wednesday. I am really struggling, been off work off and on in the last 6 weeks since it started. I am not getting full on attacks since I stopped eating fat but every day I have moderate back/abdo pain, nausea, headaches, fatigue and bad taste in the mouth. If I take the codeine I've been prescribed it makes me even drowsier.
I managed to walk to the corner shop today and back but that triggered the pain and I was exhausted afterwards.
I can't see this changing until I have the op so it's not going to be a fun (up to) 4 months.

zigzagbetty It sucks doesn't it. I drink peppermint tea cold to calm my digestion and I learned drinking kefir is kind of like medicine to my stomach. It really does help me. Avoiding triggers such as anything cooked in oil that absorbs it such as roast potatoes. Chinese food (was my favourite once upon a time, I can't stand the sight, never mind the thought of eating some now) I'm fine with spicy and cheeses which is bizarre. It's just learning to live with it really.

ChiaraRimini
Like you I had frequent and painful attacks(excruciating sometimes) before I had mine removed. 7 months of pregnancy(Gallstones began being bastards when I was 2 months) then 6 months for my body to recover after the birth. So as I said before, even knowing then what I do now I would still 100% go through with the removal.

I think the stats are something like- between 5 and 40% of patients will have some kind of issue following the removal but there's a higher % do not. Fingers crossed you're in the do nots. Also fingers crossed the waiting time isn't too long for you.

I posted right at the start of this thread re my post op issues.
(Lots of large gallstones. Discomfort rather than pain but advised to have gallbladder removed to avoid more serious problems. Since op have have been v uncomfortable in right side - like rugby ball under ribs and digestion really affected.)
Still following these messages with interest.

Does anyone find it effects your shoulder and arms/fingers at times?

Yes, I keep getting pins and needles in my hands 😢

I've had 2 attacks this week, not a happy bunny. Going to chase gp tomorrow. I think milk is setting it off. I drink black coffee anyway, will just give up my tea 😢

Hi everyone, sorry to hear some people are experiencing problems
I am now three months post op. Generally I'm doing really well. I am getting a few digestive issues that come and go, but nothing too serious. I am more prone to acid indigestion, and TMI alert I seem to alternate a bit between being slightly constipated and loose stools (not diarrhoea). I also get tenderness in my ribs from time to time. I have a GP apt in a week or so to check it all out. I think there may be two things going on, slight digestive issues since the op and something else with my rib cage. I now think some of my "gallbladder symptoms" may have been something else to do with my ribs/intercostal muscles.
I'm living my life as normal, no dietary changes but then never ate anything super greasy. Having said that I had McDonald's yesterday and have been ok since.
Sending love to anyone who is feeling unwell

b notapizzaeater

Thanks, i started having pains in my right hand side 4 weeks after having my baby. A few times a had a shooting pain in my arm and finger. Also my shoulder. Doesnt seem to me a particular pattern to it and gp said he suspects gallbladder and to just be careful with fatty foods! Yesturday and today been getting a bit of tingling in my middle finger and shoulder hurts after a week of not having many issues

Op this is exactly how I feel :

I now think some of my "gallbladder symptoms" may have been something else to do with my ribs/intercostal muscles

Hi again everyone
Thanks pickles for kind words.
I've been signed off work for a week as I've still been feeling terrible. No acute attacks but constantly feel as if I've been punched in the gut. Walking sets it off and I am really tired all the time.
The GP couldn't suggest anything else to help.
My friend commented y'day that My upper abdomen is quite distended, I have a bump that comes out from straight under my boobs like a baby bump.
The u/s said my gallbladder is distended and has thin walls. I'm hoping the bump is just due to the gallbladder and nothing else dodgy is in there :(

Hi dahlia, thanks for your post and I'm sorry to hear you're having some issues. I think when you have a dodgy gallbladder it's easy to put everything down to that. I know I did! By any chance are you right handed and work at a desk? Have you had a desk assessment/physio/anything like that?

Yes I am right handed and work at desk ...

I'm the same and will get some "gallbladder symptoms" later in the day if I over stretch or strain to reach the mouse or sit badly at work for example. It doesn't happen much now as I had some osteopathy and sorted out my desk position. It's worth a shot!

Thanks user

Hope everyone is well. I had my first appointment with the consultant y'day who has put me on waiting list for surgery and prescribed antibiotics as he thinks my gallbladder is infected which is what is causing the constant pain sickness and fatigue. The GP said I couldn't have an infection as I didn't have a temperature
Hoping to feel better soon.