Gallstones

[JESS1211]

Hello
I was hoping to hear from people in a similar situation. I've had symptoms for some years but more prominent for a year now which have generally caused low level grumbling issues and discomfort. A few days ago, I got some mild squeezing pain under right ribs after eating a fatty lunch, which was something I hadn't felt before. Long story short, i recently had a scan which revealed gallstones. As my bloods, lfts were all fine, surgeon advised to watch and wait. He also said the waiting list due to covid could be 24 months for surgery! He said many people with mild symptoms like mine usually live with the gallstones until they become worse.
My question is, is anyone in this boat where they have mild symptoms but will live with them for now? Or has anyone been living with gallstones symptoms for a while already? And no, I can't afford private health care..

I had gallstones very young (early 20s) NHS missed them for ages because I didn’t fit the typical criteria (I was young and not overweight) My symptoms were different to yours though, I would be fine for months then have bouts of excruciating pain, but that had been going on since I was about 15!! . It was only when I went private that it was picked up (literally within 5 minutes of the conversation the consultant knew) It can be managed with a very low fat diet, but because I wasn’t overweight they didn’t think that was viable for me, so I had my gall bladder out. Could you maybe ask to be put on the waiting list and manage it with diet in the meantime?

I had gallstones that were discovered incidentally on scan. Was told no need to do anything about them if they weren’t causing issues. Which they didn’t for about a year. Then I had major issues and ended up having an emergency cholecystectomy.

My wait was 18 months and that was pre covid. Mine was crippling and quite serious and yet the wait was so long. I think if you can live with it then you’ll have to. Low fat diet will help manage but if it gets worse you must push them. They err suitably crap with me. I cried with joy when I got my op date.

Honestly. If you can't afford private treatment get yourself on the waiting list now.

I had my first attack 2 years ago. Attempted to manage it with diet for a year a so with maybe 4 or 5 big attacks in that time. Then in June last year all hell broke loose and I had a really bad time. Many many many a&e visits, two admissions lasting a week each. A couple of ERCPs. Jaundice. Pancreatitus. I used to sleep with a bottle of oramorph on my bedside table.

If you've got gallstones and you're getting attacks they won't go away. Get on the list for removal asap and fingers crossed it doesn't get bad before then.

As an aside I found medium fat worked better for me than low fat. It's trial and error to see what sets you off (in the last 6 months of mine it was anything! Just depending how it was feeling that day )

Oh. I had mine out 3 weeks ago, but went private.

@stackhead thank you for your story. Why didn't the nhs remove it, especially as it was so bad at the end? Surely they would have prioritised you when it was getting so bad?

OP would you mind describing your mild symptoms? I’m pregnant and overweight and have been having dull sort of aches a few times a day right where gallbladder would be. Midwife said it’s probably not gallstones as I would be vomiting with the pain. But it’s like a dull ache in one specific spot after I eat. Basically I think it’s either gallstones or pancreatic cancer so am quite worried (yes I have anxiety).

@WakeUpLockie I have never vomited but my symptoms are dull ache under right rib, tender to the touch on sternum but on right side, sometimes upper right shoulder pain while eating, lots of wind. Just recently, squeezing pain under right breast/rib hours after eating fatty meal... hope that helps

Thank you. Really hope you get sorted before your pain worsens

I concur get it out asap. I had mine young as I had been having occasional painful attacks then after one attack I became very unwell and ended up with a stone stuck in my bile duct which made me very unwell indeed, then in between that being sorted and the op to remove the gallbladder I ended up in hospital again with an infection in my gallbladder. Nasty business.

I have been in hospital a few times over last few years and have been on the waiting list for over 4 years now so even before The excuse of COVID could be given for long wait lists. If you can't go private like myself I would say only thing helps is diet and exercise . Keep note of foods that trigger you. I haven't had a flare up now in a few months since I have introduced exercise and stayed away from certain foods. I also realised if I ate late at evening and went lay down in space of two hours of eat I would wake with awful flares . I hope this helps in someways.

@cantdocando, thank you so much, that really helps. I don't do much exercise but I am motivated to start now. I can't believe you have been waiting so long!

@cantdocando do you mind me asking if you are a normal weight? I am quite slim so I don't want to overdo the dieting and exercise

With 20/20 hindsight I'm pretty sure mine started when I was pregnant with DD in 2016. pregnancy is a common trigger apparently.

Looking back I've had various attacks of pain and vomiting over the last few years that fit the pattern but that I'd assumed were an anxiety symptom.

I think I probably 'lived with it' for about five years.

This year the attacks have got more frequent and more severe, In August this year I had a particularly awful one, and another at the start of September, which resulted in a trip to A&E, a scan, and a diagnosis.

The original plan was 'wait and see' but it just didn't stop, no matter what I did or didn't eat, it was every night. I am taking tramadol and paracetamol daily, and limiting my food intake to periods when I am dosed up, because it I take them to cover all normal meals there are unwanted side effects. I cried on the phone to the GP when ordering my second prescription of tramadol so she re-referred me to surgical.

My case was assessed (13 week wait for that) as urgent and I got a telephone appointment with the surgeon in early December. By that point I was signed off work as I can't function as the tramadol affects my sleep and I was awful at my job (teacher), he said he'd add me to the list for the New Year.

My operation is on the 17th of January: the case notes put a heavy weight on the fact I'm signed off work.

My advice would be don't be afraid to make a fuss, and don't try to 'solider on' in pain. By all means reduce the amount of fat in your diet and stay healthy, but get the painkillers you need, get a fit note if you need to, and push for re-referral if you need it.

@jess1211 I had a few things going on health wise and I was about three stone overweight at the time. I did lose the three stone very quickly when I start to take sick and in turn I believe this is what caused the gallstones ( as fast weight lose is also considered trigger) my pains where totally unrelated and gallstones where only found due to try to find out what was going on the doctor couldn't believe I wasn't in pain with them but at time pain was all in my legs and was unable to walk any distance. After 8 days in hospital I was told I'd have op in 6 months. I was called a year later to discuss op and told again I'm on wait list, another year later after two hospital trips was brought see consultants who basically just told me again I'm on list and he recommends I get op. I asked about time frame and was basically told who knows this was just as COVID was hit and I haven't heard thing since then.

[quote JESS1211]@stackhead thank you for your story. Why didn't the nhs remove it, especially as it was so bad at the end? Surely they would have prioritised you when it was getting so bad?[/quote]
Because I recovered each time. My private op was already booked when I got pancreatitus otherwise I think I would have been moved up the list but what can they do, there are so many people on the list and only a limited number of spaces.

I had gallstones after being pregnant and had one gallbladder attack then nothing for a year until I was getting attacks every few months then every few days, if was horrific. I also had a gallstone stuck in my bile duct which caused immense pain and further complications. I was on the waiting list for 2 years before I got my gallbladder removed November last year and was pretty desperate towards the end, unfortunately I too couldn't afford to go private.

At the risk of your symptoms worsening into full blown attacks I would suggest you get on the waiting list ASAP. Surgery is very minor.

I'm managing mine with diet at the moment. And digestive enzymes, buscopan and peppermint oil capsules and tea!
I was diagnosed this time last year. I know I need to have it out (they don't get better) and am thinking maybe towards the end of this year. I'm not in the UK and where I am I can just have it done pretty quickly. I'm just a wuss.

@Geamhradh, have you had proper full blown attacks? Or just mild ones and the rumblings?

About 6 full blown attacks, band around chest, pain right up into right jaw etc. (I'd have seriously thought heart attack if it had been on the left) Almost always at night, and always out of the blue. I had the first couple before thinking it could remotely be Gallbladder issues.

I was diagnosed with multiple gallstones many years ago. I can feel a bit of pain in the region now and again, and have been having a few stomach issues lately which I think might be related, but nothing that warrants any further action.

@SquirrelG, can you please tell me all your symptoms as yours sounds like mine. Where is your pain and what stomach issues have you had lately if you don't mind me asking? Thanks