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Original poster

Gallbladder - does it affect bowels?

13 replies

lostandfound55 · 20/10/2020 12:18

After 2 attacks of what the gp thinks is gallstones I have been referred for an ultrasound however the wait is 10-12 weeks.

However does anyone know if gallstones can affect your bowels? I have been having to go for a bowel movement a lot more times then normal for me and they are often more like diarreah.

If it is the gallstones affecting the bowel then I am considering going private for the scan and maybe the op as I am really getting affected by this as well as the pain that they cause.

OP posts:
DiscombobulatedAf · 20/10/2020 12:27

Yes it can affect your bowels. I had awful gallbladder attacks and was so happy when I had it taken out. If you can afford it I would do the scan privately and see if you can get it taken out ASAP. Mine ended up affecting my pancreas and I was in hospital for almost two weeks. All fine now though. I can eat fatty foods without any issues and I’m a lot more comfortable

gamerchick · 20/10/2020 12:33

Yeah they can. I had mine out and it got worse, I go through a lot of imodium and I still get pain if I eat a fatty meal. It's better than those God awful attacks though.

Myneighboursnorlax · 20/10/2020 12:35

Yes it can, but keep in mind it can also sometimes be worse after your gallbladder has been removed.

TheSeedsOfADream · 20/10/2020 12:44

I'm in the same boat OP. Think will pay for scan. GP says it's not urgent but will be 2 months wait.

Original poster
lostandfound55 · 20/10/2020 13:00

Thanks all, I am going to call the two private hospitals near me this afternoon for prices and availability. We can afford it but would just obviously prefer to use savings for something fun.

The bowel issues are daily occurrences now. Either constipated but have to go 6 times a day or diarreah that has me running for the toilet. I also have quite a constant low level pain at the bottom of my right rib and pain in back between shoulder blades. I have been suffering now since start of July with these symptoms but the agonising gallbladder pain only came on last week.

@TheSeedsOfADream sorry your in the same situation. I know we are advised it’s not urgent but with my constant bowel symptoms and the fear of that pain coming again it feels urgent to me.

OP posts:
Original poster
lostandfound55 · 20/10/2020 15:35

@TheSeedsOfADream just for info for you. I have managed to book an appointment for tomorrow and the cost private is £250.

OP posts:
TheSeedsOfADream · 20/10/2020 18:37

Oh good...I'm going to do the same next week I think. Good luck! Brew

Original poster
lostandfound55 · 21/10/2020 19:18

Been for the scan this afternoon. The radiographer showed me the screen and I saw 2 gallstones on the screen but she said there were multiple.

She is now sending the report to my gp, I guess then they will contact me as she said I needed referring to specialist but I don’t know how long that will take.

OP posts:
LizzieMacQueen · 21/10/2020 19:27

I've had my gallbladder out which means there's now a constant drip of bile into the stomach rather than bile being delivered when required. The result is I often have an urgency for the toilet. I also can't go too long between meals which is a bugger when you're trying to diet.

It's not major but it's definitely made a difference to me.

TheSeedsOfADream · 21/10/2020 20:28

@lostandfound55

Been for the scan this afternoon. The radiographer showed me the screen and I saw 2 gallstones on the screen but she said there were multiple.

She is now sending the report to my gp, I guess then they will contact me as she said I needed referring to specialist but I don’t know how long that will take.

Fingers crossed it's not long for you @lostandfound55. I'm sorting mine out for next week.
Original poster
lostandfound55 · 27/10/2020 10:13

@TheSeedsOfADream how are you doing, have you booked in for your scan this week?

OP posts:
TheSeedsOfADream · 27/10/2020 10:52

Hello, thanks for asking. I have to ring GP tomorrow and see if she advises a private scan or not.
Think I'll do it anyway though. I have done a non scientific experiment with stomach acid...I was taking panteprazole for acid but my symptoms fit more with low than high...so I did the bicarb test (if you burp after so many minutes you have low stomach acid, if you burb quickly it's high) and I didn't burp for 4 minutes yesterday and 3 today Confused so that points to low stomach acid which may or not be connected.

Original poster
lostandfound55 · 27/10/2020 11:02

I didn’t mention going privately for scan to my gp I just called up my local hospital who do nhs and private and they picked up the nhs referral that way but I know for a consultant referral you have e to get gp to send referral letter.

I’ve not heard of that test for stomach acid before. Did you find any improvement when taking the medication from the gp?

Good luck when you talk to them tomorrow.

OP posts:
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