Living with gallstones

[Lees83]

Hello
I've been diagnosed with gallstones. My symptoms are discomfort upper right side, lots of gas and floating mushy stools.
I don't have typical gallbladder attacks which I hear about, I just get some mild discomfort under right ribs if I eat a fatty meal.
Because I am not in pain and my liver panel blood, FBC etc are all normal, I have been told to adopt a watch and wait approach.
Is anyone out there also living with gallstones (I.e. has anyone been told they don't need surgery for now)? My bowel movements are frustrating me, I feel like I have IBS with floating stools!

I had an NHS ultrasound and the radiographer told me I had gallstones immediately but failed to mention a large cyst which she also spotted. The cyst was mentioned in the report which took a month to get to my NHS GP even though I was told it would take 7 days. I knew the NHS gall bladder removal waiting list in my area was 18m to 2 years so I self-paid for the op privately. I will likely do the same for the cyst as well, also privately. The keyhole surgery was fantastic and my recovery was straightforward even though it was an inflamed gall bladder which they removed. Once your gall bladder plays up and causes pain most surgeons would advise their own relatives to get it removed as there can be serious side effects if you wait for a crisis such as pancreatitis
www.nhs.uk/conditions/gallstones/symptoms/
Don't be fobbed off. Get yourself on that waiting list would be my advice.

I had pain for years, wrongly diagnosed as IBS. I then had a bad attack which hospitalised me, and once the inflammation calmed down a bit I had keyhole day surgery to remove gallbladder. Consultant said stone was big and nearly had to do open surgery to get it out. But it was fine and I can eat anything now, I do get a bit of indigestion if I eat too much cream

Thank you for your replies. I think too much googling is definitely not a good idea. I’m hoping they will tell me what they see. I’ve stripped my diet right back to fruit veg fish and pulses which is about all I can eat without the pain kicking off again. Cutting dairy has helped too. A healthy diet but rather dull! Braved a hot cross bun with butter earlier and it’s now grumbling away with pain in my shoulder again. Very unforgiving.

@Gingerbeerfear - I expect the radiographer will tell you what they see. I had a general abdominal ultrasound which revealed gallstones and a thickened gallbladder wall. It was done privately but I can't see why that would have made a difference. No harm in asking if they are not forthcoming. I'm having mine out in May and eating very carefully in the interim so as not to annoy the gallbladder. I got some digestive enzymes from Holland & Barrett which I take if I am eating out and therefore can't know for sure how much fat is in the food. Since taking those I have not had any grumbles and the low-grade nausea I kept getting after eating, even if I had no pain, has also gone away.

I know this thread is old but I had a scan today where the lady said I have gallstones and will inform my GP. I have symptoms of pain in lower part of chest, vomiting, shivers, pain in right shoulder and indigestion sick feeling for up to 48 hours after, this has happened 4 times in 2 years, the last attack been the worst. What are the chances my GP will adopt a lets see approach?

Also adding currently taking Rennies and Buscopan to help the stomach discomfort

VividSnare..it seems to vary so much depending on GP, I had mine out after a bad attack when I went to A and E, my friend at same GP surgery has been given a 'wait and see' approach, to be fair her symptoms are milder. Do you want 'wait and see' or surgery? I would contact GP and argue your case.

Hi NecklessMumster, now been told I have been reference for surgery, when i have an attack it lasts for a minimum of 4 days in agony, can't est and feel awful with shivers & aches. Also been told I have NAFLD which I am surprised at, at 30 and not out of my BMI scale! I don't drink and I have a varied healthy ish diet

That's bad luck. I hope you get your surgery soon, I was really pleased when mine was done

hi abit late to the thread how is everyone now i have suspected gall stones did anyone suffer with diarreah

Yes, on and off if eating fatty things.

i suffer with diarreah terribly since having gallstones i didnt know if it was a symptom or not or wether there was anything else wrong with me lol