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Original poster

2 year wait for gallbladder surgery

12 replies

pomegranatepie · 09/10/2021 09:46

I'm waiting to see a consultant, but have been told that it's currently a 2 year wait for surgery, and not to expect to see anyone soon. Go also told me to expect to live in a diet of codeine, laxatives and zero fat until it's out. I am a chef, and I'm now feeling so anxious about bringing on an attack it's making me wary around food full stop. I have managed to avoid an attack for the last week or so (they were happening every few days), by avoiding fat and eating smaller meals, but I now have near constant nausea, especially after eating, and sharp stabby pains in my guts, seems to move around. I'm miserable. I would have to borrow money off my parents to go private (which makes me feel crappy) but I don't know what else I can do? Has anyone successfully managed symptoms for 2 years?

OP posts:
Shuffleuplove · 09/10/2021 09:47

Nope. Mine ruptured and I ended up in A&E.

Original poster
pomegranatepie · 09/10/2021 09:56

God that sounds painful, and worrying. GP has said that if I go yellow or get a fever to go to a and e, but otherwise just wait.

OP posts:
CazM2012 · 09/10/2021 10:25

I’m 7 months into my wait for the consultant and expect the same wait for surgery (around 2 years) the worst being I’ve had them getting increasingly worse for almost 5 years and they have been misdiagnosed as other things or not so bad. I barely eat and have lost 32lb in 6 months, I needed to lose weight anyway but I can’t see it being good for me long term. I’m basically scared of eating, I don’t know what the solution is but I just wanted to say I understand your worries and am in the same boat.

GreenLunchBox · 09/10/2021 10:29

This is shocking. Sorry to you both Flowers

NaturalBlondeYeahRight · 09/10/2021 10:33

That’s awful - I had mine out January 19 (so just missed covid) after a terrible bout of pancreatitis caused by a stuck gallstone - was in hospital for a week. Pay for it if you can, such a simple op and the relief afterwards was huge. Any other way of paying like an interest free credit card?

kimlo · 09/10/2021 10:38

I was refered recently. The appointment to see the surgeon has just come through for december.

How long I have to wait after that I have no clue yet, but I don't think it'll be anytime soon.

Original poster
pomegranatepie · 09/10/2021 10:42

Mine were misdiagnosed for years too, as reflux! I was convinced that it was gallstones so ended up having a private scan to confirm. Symptoms are getting worse, gallbladder is constantly inflamed and tender and I haven't had a pain free day for 3 weeks now. I have just booked a private consultation for £150, for 6 weeks time, which will hopefully confirm whether I need surgery and whether the stabby pain is related. And then I guess figure out whether I can wait it out or somehow raise the money. Solidarity to anyone in the same position, this is such misery!

OP posts:
GreenLunchBox · 09/10/2021 18:01

@pomegranatepie

Mine were misdiagnosed for years too, as reflux! I was convinced that it was gallstones so ended up having a private scan to confirm. Symptoms are getting worse, gallbladder is constantly inflamed and tender and I haven't had a pain free day for 3 weeks now. I have just booked a private consultation for £150, for 6 weeks time, which will hopefully confirm whether I need surgery and whether the stabby pain is related. And then I guess figure out whether I can wait it out or somehow raise the money. Solidarity to anyone in the same position, this is such misery!
Yikes 6 week even for private Sad
HalfShrunkMoreToGo · 09/10/2021 18:15

I went to A&E mid attack as nothing was working to relieve the pain and I was vomiting non stop.

It was inflamed, infected, I had a fever that wouldn't abate and was at risk of rupture.

They had me on IV antibiotics for a couple of days which did nothing so on the 4th day of being admitted they took it out. The relief was immediate, even the pain from the wounds and the drain that was stitched into my side was nothing compared to the pain from the gallbladder.

If you can go private do, if not then I would suggest going into A&E when you have your next attack. At the very least you'll get morphine and that's a hell of a lot better than anything over the counter or that you'll be prescribed for home use.

Katyy · 09/10/2021 20:40

Where do you live . Here in Yorkshire it’s only a four month wait from seeing the consultant.Hope you get seen a lot sooner .

ballsdeep · 09/10/2021 20:44

I had mine out recently. I had to take myself to a and e so many times because normal pain killers wouldn't touch it. I couldn't stand and they were getting worse and worse. I went to hospital in the middle of an infection and they fast tracked me through. The pain is unbearable and nothing is worse. I was going to go private but I phoned up on thenkff chance and someone has cancelled!!

Dotoallasyouwouldbedoneby · 09/10/2021 20:52

Your quality of life is important. So time to go private if at all possible and join the band of people who have realised the NHS could be a lot better than it actually is. Do not feel guilty. Waiting lists have always been a feature but right now post-covid they are unacceptably long. You may have to wait a while for private care too as most staff are moonlighting from the NHS. London is the only area with relatively quick access to private care.

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