Gallbladder??

[Ell82]

Hello

For the past few months I've had some symptoms which the GP suspected were gallbladder. An ultrasound revealed stones, but as my symptoms are very mild (no attacks, just niggling urq discomfort, wind etc), the surgeon has recommended a watch and wait approach.
I just have a couple of questions. Did anyone have floating stools (normal colour, just mushy) with gallstones? I get these 3 days out of 7. And is anyone taking a watch and wait approach to their gallstones? Thanks

feels like I'm on a watch and wait- I'm waiting for a gallbladder removal op but it looks like it'll be 18-24 months before I get to the top of the list.

The poop issue is probably linked to the whole system not working correctly, have a look at biliary stasis- that fits your symptoms.

Thank you Internetio. Why such a long wait?! What are your symptoms? I can't seem to find anything about floating stools with gallstones, only pale stools, but I don't have this

I get frequent attacks- starts off feeling like my bra's too tight, then I get hot and shaky and then the pain starts and travels to my shoulder blade- breathing hurts etc, can be over in 20 mins or can be 4 hours and by then I'm asking my (farmer) son to put me out of my misery! I'm on a v. low fat diet to manage it, both of my parents have had problems so the genetic link is there and I fit the 5 'f's as for the long wait... covid I guess, took 4 months to get a scan!

See this screenshot re biliary stasis

Sorry to hear about your symptoms, that sounds awful and I really hope you can have surgery sooner.
Thank you so much for that screenshot, that is so helpful and sounds just like what I have!
I am guessing so many gallbladder surgery will now be delayed....

I'm on an "urgent" waiting list for removal and have been since September 2019. I'm practically watch and wait lol. Stupid covid and NI's really long waiting lists combined. I have no hope of getting this out any time soon. Cocodamol helps me. My Dr said if that didn't work go to a&e

The waiting list where I'm at was 1 year 9 months when I got put on it but it hasn't even started back since covid as the hospital had closed for all non covid patients and red flag bowel surgery.

I've recently had my gall bladder out after waiting 3 years. (The normal wait time and then an extra year over Covid).
My advice would be to consider surgery sooner rather than later because wait times can be long and your condition may worsen over that time.
In the meantime, cutting out fat helps a lot and some people swear by peppermint oil.

Common cause of floating stools is when they’re fatty - this would potentially indicate that you / your bile (supplied by your liver & gallbladder) isn’t managing to digest the fat you eat effectively - basically yes, could easily be caused by gallbladder issues!

I’ve been diagnosed with gallstones, abdominal ultrasound for other reasons, but I’m yet to be seen by a consultant. No nasty pain, just a intolerance to fats which I believe I’ve always had and the occasional stomach upset which could be caused by anything.

The gallbladder releases bile which breaks down the fat you eat . If stones block it off you get a lot of severe pain and the fat also makes your stools float .
I put myself on a low fat diet on the lines of Rosemary Connelly who wrote a five per cent cook book when she had gallstones. I read the details on the packet of everything I ate and kept to the five per cent fat rule for 6 months while I was waiting surgery . The diet kept most of the pain away but the best part was that I lost loads of weight.

Thank you all, it's very helpful to hear other peoples experiences. @PurplePumpkinDream, how did you know you had an intolerance to fats? Your symptoms sound like mine

@Ell82 hi I’m self diagnosed. I realised early on that any greasy fatty food would give me hell, so I’ve avoided ever since. I must have had gallstones for ages. Also the occasional stomach upset could have been caused by the stones or by anything else.

Did you ever have a sensitive area (to the touch) under your right rib? The consultant said that's normal and didn't seem to concerned when telling me they will watch and wait. Apart from the occasional floating stools and sensitive area under right rib, I feel fine (good appetite, no nausea, no painful attacks)

I'm glad I found this thread, I'd had horrific pain below my ribs on my right side since Thursday evening, worse after I eat, I get sweaty, get the shakes, feel sick, constipated, the a&e waiting times where I am at the moment are 6-8 hours to be seen so I'm trying to ride it out till Monday. (I also have ibs and coeliac disease hence why I didn't go drs Friday I thought it was this but now I've realised it isn't). Anyway, has anyone got any relief tips?

Sorry to hear this @AnonlsTaken. I can't offer advice in terms of relief tips as I've never really had an 'attack' such as what you describe.
My main symptoms are sometimes a mild discomfort in upper right abdomen (not all the time), occasional floating stools (although haven't had this for a week now) and a sensitive area to the touch, under right rib. I've spoken to my GP again who says there is nothing they can do of the consultant is suggesting watch and wait to me