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Original poster

Biliary colic - how long do I put up with this pain before doing something?

26 replies

Maidenpink · 26/10/2022 16:10

Hi,

I got up this morning and have pain in upper right quadrant and pain in my shoulder blade, it's been constant all day. I have gallstones diagnosed by scan a couple of years ago and back then I was having fairly frequent bother with pain. It all got better for the most part and by the time I saw a surgeon end of last year I felt I didn't really need the surgery and the surgeon said he would keep me on the list and if I continued to be well I could knock back the op when it was finally offered. A few months back I got the call and had been more or less fine for ages so declined. However, I've had a couple of bad spells since.

Usual pattern for me is pain towards the end of the day and usually if I go to sleep I'm fine in the morning. I did have a sore stomach last night which was easing by bedtime. However, I've never woken up with pain first thing. I'm afraid to eat in case it gets worse, I had a bit of toast about an hour or so ago plus some Buscopan and ACV but no better. The pain is constant and is making me anxious as I'm catatrophising it's going to flip into something really serious. But it isn't what I'd describe as agony, as some MNers have described it on other threads. And obv I'm able to post on MN. But it's there and despite managing to get out and do what I needed to do earlier I'm now on my sofa and can't really do anything or think about anything else. Had a bit of diarrhoea a wee while ago but no relief.

What I'm wondering is ... how long do I let this go on for before calling 111? I don't want to start a cascade of fuss unnecessarily. I know when I had my worst attack about 2.5yrs ago it lasted 7 or 8 hours then subsided. I keep hoping that's about to happen. Meant to be going out for a family meal tonight and no way I can currently do that which I'm gutted about. Any advice greatly appreciated.

OP posts:
Ivedonethisthreetimesalready · 26/10/2022 17:14

Poor you it is horrid. My pain was relieved a bit by heat, so I used to put a hotwater bottle on the sore area. My surgeon said that it did help to open up the bile duct? not sure if that is rubbish or not but it did help me.

Hope it eases so you can get to out tonight.

Original poster
Maidenpink · 26/10/2022 18:40

Thanks @Ivedonethisthreetimesalready . In the end my fil tested + for Covid so tonight got cancelled. I've taken my strong cocodamol so although the pain isn't entirely away I feel better and going to eat something. Will get a heat pad too. Such an ordeal, when the pain goes you almost forget about it then when it's back it's like it's never been away!

OP posts:
Nat6999 · 26/10/2022 18:56

I spent a night in A & E & went to the doctors the next morning to get a referral, I asked for a choose & book referral & saw a consultant the week after.

Original poster
Maidenpink · 26/10/2022 19:04

@Nat6999 did you get your gallbladder removed?

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Nat6999 · 26/10/2022 22:14

Yes I got it done within 6 weeks, good job it was done because my gallbladder was stuck to my liver & was severely inflamed.

TwoRockSalmonAndAHaporthOfChips · 26/10/2022 22:18

Maidenpink · 26/10/2022 18:40

Thanks @Ivedonethisthreetimesalready . In the end my fil tested + for Covid so tonight got cancelled. I've taken my strong cocodamol so although the pain isn't entirely away I feel better and going to eat something. Will get a heat pad too. Such an ordeal, when the pain goes you almost forget about it then when it's back it's like it's never been away!

I’ve been there with almost constant biliary colic while I waited for my gallbladder removal, so I sympathise. One thing I’d day is that opioids can cause the bile duct to spasm, which would make the pain worse (I sometimes get bile duct spasm after taking cocodamol now). Maybe try something else for the pain, you might be prolonging it.

FusilliPasta · 26/10/2022 22:19

Why haven’t you had surgery?

Original poster
Maidenpink · 26/10/2022 22:26

Interesting @TwoRockSalmonAndAHaporthOfChips , the GP I spoke to today advised me to take the cocodamol as it can help relax the spasm! I end up not know what to do for the best. @FusilliPasta hence why I've not had it out - I'll be honest I had a friend at the time of referral who really put me off, made it seem like it's better you keep it if you can because of other implications re weight gain, continued pain even after removal. Took supplements like digestive enzymes and it all seemed to improve on the whole. The surgeon I spoke to was happy for me not to go ahead as long as it wasn't impacting me too badly. So I left it. And here I am. 😩

OP posts:
Mali133 · 26/10/2022 22:34

I had mine removed 2 weeks ago. I couldn't cope with the constant flare ups. The only thing that seemed to help relieve the pain when it would happen was to take 2 cocodamol, 2 buscopan and drink a pint of water. The pain would subside after about 15 minutes after taking these. If I didn't I'd be in agony for hours and hours and be crying on the bathroom floor in agony.

AnnaMagnani · 26/10/2022 22:44

@TwoRockSalmonAndAHaporthOfChips I also get spasm with cocodamol.

I wonder now if it prolonged the attacks.

Anyway the gallbladder needs to go, it will never stop causing problems.

FusilliPasta · 27/10/2022 07:46

Gosh you’re brave. Couldn’t wait tk have mine out, I ended up 7.5 stone, darent eat, anything could cause it to flare up and it was agony. I had a young baby and the pain would keep me up when they were sleeping, absolutely brutal. I was petrified but it was amazing no longer worrying about that pain, although I did have disordered eating for a while afterwards.

FusilliPasta · 27/10/2022 07:46

As in I wouldn’t eat anything fattening still, not that I went on a binge and gained 5 stone.

Original poster
Maidenpink · 27/10/2022 09:30

5 stone @FusilliPasta?? Presumably that was a bit more than what you'd lost whilst being unwell with gallbladder. I guess in spite of that you're still glad it's gone. @Mali133 how are you feeling post op?

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Original poster
Maidenpink · 27/10/2022 09:32

Ps the pain is away this morning but I'm that way where I'm very nervous to eat something in case it kicks off again - can you relate??? Should I call the GP and ask to be re-referred for surgery ... prob silly question.

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Blizy · 27/10/2022 09:43

I sympathise with you, it's the worse pain ever. I also found that cocodamol made things worse! Even now after having my gall burr moved I can't take opioids as it causes a lot of pain!
I would get yourself referred for surgery asap.

Original poster
Maidenpink · 27/10/2022 09:50

Interesting about the cocodamol. I think they help me but maybe just because they make me feel a bit wasted. @Blizy did you get yours out?

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Ivedonethisthreetimesalready · 27/10/2022 10:09

My experience was that after surgery life was much much better. I had a long wait for surgery and there were times it was ok but it always came back. For me once removed it was much better no major issues at all just the ability to enjoy life and food again without having or waiting for the pain to kick in.

Blizy · 27/10/2022 15:14

Yes, in the end I was suffering every time I ate, no matter what I ate. I lost a lot of weight (piled back on now). My gall bladder was wasted, packed full of stones close to rupturing and stuck to my liver. I've felt brand new since I got rid (4 years ago). Only issue I have is I. Any take any opioids or I'm left in a lot of pain. But I can live with that!

FusilliPasta · 27/10/2022 20:58

No I didn’t go on a binge and put on 5 stone!

Original poster
Maidenpink · 27/10/2022 21:55

Thanks everyone, today has been fine ... such an absolute head wrecker cos then I'm lulled into thinking I don't need to get it out after all. But I'll need to get put back on the list as it'll be a couple of years most likely.

OP posts:
clarec86 · 28/10/2022 06:29

Maidenpink · 27/10/2022 09:30

5 stone @FusilliPasta?? Presumably that was a bit more than what you'd lost whilst being unwell with gallbladder. I guess in spite of that you're still glad it's gone. @Mali133 how are you feeling post op?

I felt sore for a few days after the surgery where the incisions were made but the pain killers they gave me helped with that. Its been exactly 2 weeks today and I feel great. Don't believe everything you read on the Internet about how you can't eat certain foods again without a gallbladder. I've gone back to my normal diet and been perfectly fine. I'd recommend getting them removed if you can. The surgery takes less than an hour and your home the same day.

Suzi888 · 28/10/2022 06:35

My aunt has this surgery, she still can’t eat or rather shouldn’t eat certain foods as she suffers quite badly (pain and feeling of sickness). Usually only at Christmas so over indulgence, not that we would tell her that! She’s also 85. She had the surgery decades ago.

I would get yourself back on the list, in the meantime it sounds like you’ll have good days and bad days/- which is very miserable. You may as well get it out, or at least I would.

Lansonmaid · 28/10/2022 06:56

I had gall stones for ages and because they weren't causing a bad attack more than once or twice a year and I was managing the pain with buscopan and cocodamol when I got an attack I resisted surgery. In April a gall stone got lodged in the pancreatic duct and caused acute pancreatitis, which was so painful it made biliary colic seem like a walk in the park. Had emergency surgery to remove the gall bladder and haven't looked back. Lost 1.5 stones, can eat more or less what I want (some things do give me wind though) and wished I had it done sooner.

Els1983 · 25/08/2023 15:17

@Maidenpink I know this post is old but what did you do in the end? Did you get your GB removed? I am in a similar boat as you

Original poster
Maidenpink · 27/08/2023 19:20

Hi @Els1983 I didn't get it removed! I get the odd grumble still but kind of just forget about it when I'm fine. 😬 Are you having a lot of attacks? Are you waiting on surgery? X

OP posts: