Gallstones

[Frlrlrubert]

So after a few months of increasingly frequent and severe nighttime abdominal pain I ended up in A&E on Monday night. Scanned today and gallstones confirmed. The doctor says they will only take it out if I start getting infections, jaundice, or get hospitalised three times a year or more.

Do I really rock up at A&E knowing what is wrong with me just to make a point? It seems like a massive waste of resources.

It seems pretty common so I'm sure the wise vipers will have some advice.

Was it the A and E doctor that said that or your own GP? I have gallstones and the pain is unbelievable! I didn't want surgery at first if I could avoid the pain with diet adaptions. Eventually agreed to be referred as attacks happened more often regardless of what I have eaten.

Anyway if it was your GP get a different one, if it was the A and E doc go see your own GP.

I have gallstones and am awaiting surgery. Thankfully, I've only had one attack since March, although I was miserable when it happened. It seems like a bit of a postcode lottery with regard to whether they operate quickly or not.

That was the doctor at the hospital after the scan. I'd rather just have it out tbh, from what I've heard / read it's likely to just get worse until I do. I've already made changes to my diet and the last 'attack' I'd eaten absolutely nothing that should set it off.

I'll try to get to see my GP but that in itself is a complete nightmare at the moment!

@Frlrlrubert

That was the doctor at the hospital after the scan. I'd rather just have it out tbh, from what I've heard / read it's likely to just get worse until I do. I've already made changes to my diet and the last 'attack' I'd eaten absolutely nothing that should set it off.

I'll try to get to see my GP but that in itself is a complete nightmare at the moment!

It might not get worse. I had two or three episodes in March, which led to the diagnosis, but have only had one since. I'm mindful of what I eat but not ultra careful tbh, because the attacks that I've had have been fairly random. I do avoid eating too much very fatty food

I'm always scared of another attack happening though. It's so horrible.

I paid for it (half on finance). When mine flared up I wasn't able to get to A&E, only curl up and KEEP BREATHING. The waiting list is so long now that if you have any way to get it done privately, just do it. I'm so much better, didn't even realise how ill I was. A week after the op I kept staring in the mirror, not recognising myself, feeling well again.

Some people can go literally decades between episodes of biliary colic and some poor people have really regular bouts. That’s why they take the wait and see approach initially if it’s safe to do so.
The best things to do are try and keep a food diary to identify potential triggers, keep to a low fat diet if you can, keep a stash of strong painkillers with you and definitely don’t be afraid to call your GP, nhs 24 or go to a and e if need be. Once you say you have known gallstones and are in pain you will be treated as everyone knows it’s a bastard!!

That's reassuring about not everyone's getting worse, thank you.