Talk to me about gallstones

[ilkleymoorbartat]

I've actually posted about them before. But I'm going round in circles with the drs.

After going to gps with discomfort under right ribcage , that comes and goes (months in between where it's fine) and discomfort ranges from mildly niggly to really uncomfortable but not exactly agonising. Other symptoms were discomfort in the right shoulder, loud gurgling stomach, very occasional pale yellow poop (tmi sorry). I had a raft of blood tests x2, FIT test, all totally fine.

Diagnosed via ultrasound with a small gallbladder polyp. Referred to gastro surgeon who said he didn't think my symptoms were from the polyp / stone (said most of the time people diagnosed with polyps they're actually stones). Told me to go away and eat loads of high fat foods for a week and see what the result was. The result wasn't anything dramatic, so when I went back he suggested I don't have a problem with my gallbladder (at least not one that warrants an operation). And that if the symptoms were due to the gallstones I'd be screaming in agony, and that it's worse than childbirth.

He said you couldn't have a niggly gallbladder. that would be like being a little bit pregnant.

So now I'm back to square one, and the gp need to refer me to another speciality to find out what the symptoms are from.

My question is, does what the surgeon said ring true in your experience? Obviously he's an expert, but I just wanted to see.

@Vecnussy

Did you not read the words "just for balance" with which I introduced my comment?

I’ve been diagnosed with gallstones,it was on an ultrasound for something else about 5 years ago.
I’ve never had a severe attack but the other week I had some slight pain for a week or so,went to my gp and was given a scan at the hospital.
I go back next month to discuss surgery but not sure I will be bothering as I’ve had them so long without much pain.

I read of people doubled up in pain and taking strong painkillers,I managed with 2 paracetamol.so I think surgery is a lot to go through for a little pain

@KaySam They tend to only treat them if they're problematic. Many people have them as they age and like you only find out incidentally. They may practice 'watchful waiting' in your scenario.

Well I had problems with gallstones for 8years, sometimes it was agony, sometimes it was niggling. It was misdiagnosed as indigestion, which was ludicrous looking back. Attacks were rarely triggered by eating fatty food, it was far more often related to timing and frequency of meals and eating. I was only eventually diagnosed properly when I was rushed to hospital with pancreatitis.
I have also been able to eat whatever I want since having it removed. Best thing I ever did!

I had niggly symptoms for about 10 years. Maybe once or twice a year and I put it down to really painful wind. Certainly not severe enough to have me rushing to A&E. It became more frequent and then every month or so about a year ago. Diagnosed via ultrasound and had the gallbladder out early summer. By that time fatty foods were definitely triggering attacks but the attacks, while hideous and enough to make me cry, would still not have sent me to A&E. OTC painkillers did not touch the pain, though.

I had a few stones but they were really big. Around the size of a Cadbury's mini egg.

Since removal I have had no problem with any food, though I can feel a bit rough if I have more than one fatty meal on the trot. The consultant said my system had probably got used to living with a crap gallbladder for so many years and thought it quite likely I would have no digestive issues after removal, though of course he warned me of all manner of risks.

I have some of these symptoms and was recently tested for liver/gallstone/fbc etc at doctors and it came back normal. I feel sure I have some issues in the gallstone department though, nausea, pain in right chest, all kinds of tummy problems. I have been reading about the gallstone/liver cleanse with olive oil, apple juice and epsom salts, where stones are expelled - sometimes hundreds of them. This is supposed to make you feel so much better. Does anyone know if this is supported by medical people - are there downsides to doing it ? I have some depression at times and I now wonder if it is connected - very keen to see if I can solve the problem. Any advice gratefully recieved.

I had an US last Sunday as I went into maternity with itching. Before they could diagnose OC they had to check my liver/gallbladder. She said I had a 14mm gallstone but gallstone wasn't inflamed so don't think my symptoms were coming from that.

That was my first gallbladder scan and I've had two gallbladder infections in 2020 and 2021 the pain is horrific.

I meant gallbladder wasn't inflamed*

No this is not supported by medical professionals!! You cannot 'expel' gallstones. The only way to remove them is to have the gall bladder removed. The gallbladder is connected to the stomach but stones get stuck in the bile duct, they do not expel anywhere. Please do not try this 'cleanse'. It sounds ludicrously dangerous!

I work in imaging, did you have an ultrasound or CT scan? Has the GP advised you to keep a food/symptom diary?

Hi, thanks for your helpful reply about expelling gallstones - or not !!

I am going for an ultrasound at Kings soon, perhaps that will be revealing.

I have seen some amazing accounts of gallstones being "delivered" from the liver and gallbladder - sometimes with loads of stones being produced. People claim to feel SO much better afterwards, and this would make sense. However, I would only do this if it were recommended by a medical person or some authority on the matter.

It could be covid of the gastric variety, but I think it is "liverish". I have been feeling SO awful with nausea and malaise, I would do anything to relieve it.

Any more comments gratefully recieved. I will try to keep a food/symptom diary.

The liver is a solid organ. You canning 'expel' gallstones (or any stones!) out of a solid organ. It is very very very rare that anyone would pass gallstone due to how excruciatingly painful they are, if they get stuck in the biliary tracts for prolonged periods they can cause extensive damage to the liver, pancreas and this can be fatal. You would also likely have a rupture if the GB before it even got that far. Honestly please these accounts you're reading are completely fictitious!!

You may have to really push for something to be done op.
I had a non-functional gall bladder and stones and was in agony for 3 years being told "are you sure it's not indigestion?" Even though they would write in my notes that they suspected gall bladder issues 😡
Finally got a good nurse who sent me for a scan even though he thought it was back muscle pain. Got sent for 3 separate scans because they didn't believe that I had fasted (because I'm larger)
Then when finally confirmed covid hit and I had to wait 2 more years 🤦‍♀️
Absolute nightmare

Prems : Thanks for the unequivocal dismissal of the idea that you can “shed” gallstones!! What a shame!! I must do some more research in reputable places.

I will have to wait and see if the ultrasound comes up with anything.

Amaretto, thanks - sorry you had a hard time. Luckily I am not in bad pain, just a definite dull ache, but lots of nausea & malaise & tummy issues. Hopefully it will resolve.

I'm another one with mild gallbladder issues, OP Well, I say mild, but it's a literal pain! It's almost all day, every day. A constant twinge like a stitch. On the pain scale, maybe a four, so no writhing in agony, but it's incredibly annoying.

Fat isn't always a trigger. I could eat an entire Indian takeaway and be neither up nor down....a slice of toast with low fat butter however....agony!

I've had an ultrasound, they can't see stones, but from the facebook group mentioned above, i've learned you can have a diseased gallbladder with no stones or just "sludge" causing lots of issues. My GP was a massive penis and has told me there's no GB problem, it's likely celiac disease (despite no symptoms of that!) I've given up trying to be heard. I even tried to go private but had my appointment cancelled and rescheduled 12 times. So, i've told both my GP and Spire to shove it...both are as useless as my Gallbladder! :)

I hope you get some answers soon, OP.

I know this is an old thread but can I ask who your gastro specialist is?

He has sadly retired. After this post I started getting more niggly symptoms and ended up seeing someone else who removed my gallbladder last month. The stone was a healthy 24mm in diameter!