Gallbladder pain - how much is too much?

[cuckoonest]

How much pain is it reasonable to put up with? and what's the tipping point for asking for some serious pain relief? I had a major gallbladder attack 10 days ago which had me up all night and wiped me out most of the weekend, and I haven't really shifted the pain since. Today is awful, I can't do anything. It's all self-diagnosed atm, but I have an urgent referral to see a surgeon - earliest appointment is next Monday. I have Diclofenac, Buscopan, some antacid I can't remember the name of plus paracetamol. None of it's touching it today and I am in bed with the electric blanket on max. But I don't have fever or rigors, which GP said were the reasons to go to hospital. What can I reasonably put up with?

When you say "it's all self-diagnosed" what do you mean? Can/will the GP offer you more pain relief? Unfortunately pain alone may not get you an emergency operation. And it is bloody painful, you do have my sympathy.

I mean I have spoken to GP but not had scans yet. Can't get to see an actual real life GP in my neck of the woods. My mum had gallstones, her dad too, its the only thing which explains the pain/ location. I've never known anything like it, its as if I've been in established labour for 10 days. At least that's finite.

What do you mean by self diagnosed and how have you got an emergency appointment with a surgeon on a self-diagnosis. Was ten days ago the first episode you’ve had? I suffered with attacks for about a year before having surgery so I’d be impressed if they are dealing with it within weeks. Sadly, I don’t have any advice with regards to dealing with the pain, it’s horrendous and I had ambulances called twice at work when the pain was at its worst. I would suggest and emergency doctors appointment and go from there.

Sorry, cross posted.

Thanks, @Pinkchocolate - I was perhaps a bit flippant to say self diagnosed, GP is involved, but haven't had scans yet. GP made me an urgent referral last week to be seen and prescribed a short course of Diclofenac, but work's BUPA cover means that's a referral direct to surgeon. I have an appointment next week. I am sorry you have been waiting so long. I don't think this is the first episode, I can connect back now to some much shorter lived episodes which I came out the other side and didn't give much thought to afterwards. I'll try GP again if they ever open their phone lines for the afternoon.

If you have bupa they have an online gp service called Babylon. It’s usually free and they can make referrals as well

@Lollypop701 it was a private GP who made the urgent referral last week, and my NHS GP who prescribed the meds a couple of days later. I can get another private appointment tomorrow, but in the meantime don't feel well enough to get kids from school. I'm trying to summon DH home from work and be first on the phone when GP line reopens shortly

@Pinkchocolate were the hospital able to help you with the pain when you had ambulances come out for you?

Your GP should be able to prescribe you something stronger like codeine for the pain but maybe he’ll want it diagnosing on ultrasound scan first? Have you cut out all fat from your diet? As that will massively help. Waiting list at our hospital is well over a year for lap chole, it’s terrible.

@Woohooforwine

Your GP should be able to prescribe you something stronger like codeine for the pain but maybe he’ll want it diagnosing on ultrasound scan first? Have you cut out all fat from your diet? As that will massively help. Waiting list at our hospital is well over a year for lap chole, it’s terrible.

Oh no, really? That's a very long time to wait. I have cut out the fat, and it seemed to be helping a bit, but I am back where I started today for no obvious reason.

You’ll start to work out your triggers and see a pattern, although some people have one attack and then never again. Buscopan is usually highly recommended as it’s an antispasmodic and the pain you’re feeling is the gallbladder contracting.

Tramadol was the only thing that dulled the pain slightly for me. My worst attack had me being sick and my hair drenched form sweating. It truly is horrific pain! I would ask for Tramadol but it does knock you out as it is like morphine.

I have Buscopan (I had it already for IBS) and it's helping generally, but not today. Got through to my GP surgery who suggested they could get the pharmacist to call me on Thursday, or I can join the 8am scrum for an appointment tomorrow, which took 40 minutes last time.

apple juice - apple juice - apple juice

Get through at least a carton a day. The cloudy type, not the cheap clear stuff.

There's a reason people suggest drinking a glass of apple juice during an attack. Drink a lot more than that! There's a theory that the pectin softens the stones and makes them easy to pass. I don't know if that's the case, but it helped me a lot.

OK I have had this some years ago but also accompanied a friend when she went to a&e with pain. Their protocol is try paracetamol then co-codamol then diclofenac then more serious so if the Dc isn't touching it I would go down myself. Make sure you know what you have had when as they are not great at keeping track in a&e and if they get you something ask when it should take effect and how long before more or something new and track it yourself and be the squeaky wheel to get more.

Main issue is they don't tend to operate when inflamed ie when you are in pain, they have to wait for it to subside so take the pain killer - the morphine is great!!! But does just send me to sleep.

THey really don't like tramadol for more than 3 days so take note on that one - and thats when you beg

Best thing is to try and not eat things that mean bile needs releasing so super low fat to avoid further attacks

Thanks, @RB68, useful intel. So far begging has got me an offer of a call from a pharmacist in 2 days time, I need to get better at it. Top apple juice tip, @GatoradeMeBitch. I shall send DH on a mission to get some.

You might try apple cider vinegar as well on the same principle I would have thought

I would go back to GP for more painkillers, then if thats not working A&E if you can face it.

Have you checked your temperature rather than just going by if you have chills?

I had a huge amount of pain back in September, didn't know I had gallstones, it was so bad I started being sick so got myself to A&E, they took my temperature and it was high but I didn't feel hot to the touch and had no idea I had a fever.

Then they did blood tests and scans and that's when they discovered the stone had caused an infection. I was in for 3 days on IV antibiotics which did nothing so they whipped me into surgery, took the whole gallbladder out and I went home 2 days later.

Sorry you are going through it, it's a hell of a pain to deal with & id agree with the comments above about eating low fat. I'd also add that I find eating "clean" as in no processed food & take digestive enzymes with food when a bad flare up happens. Looking after your gut health in general with kefir etc or good supplements helps all round. Magnesium in high dose supplements or Epsom salts baths, or both can help your body cope with the pain better

If you've had covid at all, I'd suggest looking into post covid pancreatitis too. I was managing my gallbladder stuff just fine with diet & then suddenly I wasn't. It turned out to be pancreatitis, which definitely wasn't there on my very recent pre covid scan & has now been linked to Covid... I'd had a seemingly mild dose of Covid

How much buscopan are you taking and are you taking it daily.
I had crippling attacks in 2019 which often left me in a and e with a deranged liver and massive infections.
I was on codine for the pain but I was talking 2 buscopan tablets 4 times a day, every day for months.
I was set to have surgery but found out I was pregnant and couldn't have it. Thankfully and much to the confusion of the liver specialist, I got better and haven't had an attack since

DH was in and a and e with terrible pain only a paracetamol drip would ease ,even morphine didn't work! Anyway he can't have his gall bladder out due to risk if he has the op so his cousin recommended supplements wise liver and gall bladder flush on amazon - and it does seem to be working 🤞so far .

@RB68

Best thing is to try and not eat things that mean bile needs releasing so super low fat to avoid further attacks

This. Try to limit your triggers for the moment while you are waiting for actual care to kick in.

My neighbour ( a nurse) called an ambulance for me when I had my first attack. Was taken to A and E and had it out quickly.