gallbladder agony

[unicornwonders]

i’ve been suffering with pain on and off for years, but tuesday i had the pain under my right rib cage, lower stomach and back, absolute agony for 10 hours, went to gp got sickness meds and had bloods and was told i would hear back by end of week. i’ve been tender and sore under my ribs and lower stomach since, once again i’ve woken up in agony it’s been 4 hours and again pain killers won’t touch it, i can’t take this anymore, i’m sick of the pain and sick and now it’s hurting my chest, i’m waiting on a call back from 111 i just don’t know what to do or what to expect

I can totally empathise. I had emergency gallbladder surgery last year after mine became infected due to the stones. The pain experienced the night I went to A&E was worse than childbirth. I battled with the pain across a 24 hour period until I started turning yellow and persistent vomiting. The dr at the hospital believed that I would have eventually developed sepsis had I not turned up there.
what’s your temperature?

stupid i know, but can’t find a thermometer to check, i can’t ease the pain, i hope they remove it i’ve had enough. Did it ease the pain? yes this is far worse than childbirth, it’s so intense, i’m exhausted

You need to stop eating fat. You need a virtually zero fat diet until you decide what to do (have it removed etc)

Boiled fish and brown rice type diet. Eat fat and you'll get more attacks.

I'd also consider seriously as to whether you do have it removed. It's not a magic cure. You will be left with other issues and not having it can affect things long term. Consider significant changes to your diet before just whipping it out.

(Someone who ensured months of attacks pre surgery and had theirs removed 15 years ago. Really wish I knew what I know now before just letting them take it out so readily. )

i have already cut out all fatty foods, lost some weight and do a lot more cardio, i’ve done everything advised and i still get the attacks

Yes the pain went but I was in hospital for three days and off work for 6 weeks. If I eat certain foods now I literally have to run to the bathroom. I’m glad I decided to have it out though overall

i would take toilet issues over this pain any day, i’m all fairness when i have the attacks i have to go toilet a lot anyway

any tips to ease the pain?

Try and sleep sitting upright and put a hot water bottle over gallbladder area. Although I can’t say that helped much

But are you still eating fat?
Not just 'fatty foods'? Anything with any fat in.

I even had to switch from white to brown rice while waiting for the op. It was miserable and I hated it but I hated the attacks even more.

Any fat will cause the gallbladder to essentially squeeze to release bile. With a stone/ stones in it they will block the duct and cause the pain.

Just bear in mind that even though things seemed like a miracle cure for me at first, gradually issues with not having a gallbladder have crept in.

You have my sympathy as it's horrible either way. The attacks are horrible, the consequences of not having a gallbladder are horrible.

i’m currently sitting/slouching with my hot water bottle, slight relief but could still cry in pain. i’ve taken pain killers and deep heat for back pain but not relieved anything. i’m following a fat free diet my doctor gave me so i’m following everything possible

The only thing you can do right now if you want to ease the pain is go to the hospital as they can give you stronger meds (and possibly take it out as an emergency).

Nothing will ease the attack but time. I've done a loooot of research into it and went through countless attacks.

And again- double check yourself every item you are eating for fat content in the interim. I was surprised what had it in/more in that I didn't realise. Small portions (more frequently) too so you are putting the absolute least amount in you at a time that could trigger that gallbladder to squeeze.

this is gonna sound daft but out of hours have given me a 5am appointment, it’s in the hospital but it’s gps, can they give me something stronger for the pain or will they make me go through a&e

P.s got the rice the wrong way round. It has been 15 years.

Brown rice has almost triple the fat content of white.

Before gallbladder issues I didn't realise rice had any fat content.

Gps can prescribe way stronger painkillers than over the counter.

I'd ask about having enough for a future attack too so you can be prepared.

Hope it eases off for you soon.

Op I found an ant spasm drug like buscopan helped more than painkillers.

gallbladder pain is awful. I had mine out 22 years ago and have had no after effects from having it out.

i hope the docs can sort you.

I had this and had mine out I fully sympathise. I didn't know what to do with myself. Awful pain.
I ended up with diclofenac suppositories (brilliant stuff), cocodamol and oramorph. It was only that combination that eased the pain. It isn't without its problems having it removed but to know that awful pain won't come again is a relief in itself. Hope you feel better soon OP, I'd rather give birth 5 times over to a 15lb baby than have another gallbladder attack.

@RenegadeMasterx may i ask if it was doctors or hospital who prescribed all that as my gp on tuesday refused anything and said take ibuprofen which isn’t doing anything

Has it been very sore the whole week or more like you've been punched? I felt normally better a few hours after the acute pain started but a kinda dull pain lingered a bit.

If it's acute pain it could be a blockage. I had that once and it was the acute pain and it just wouldn't go away. It changed the colour of my urine, too. Blockages can be very dangerous and I'd go to a&e.

I feel awful for you, it's honestly the worst!

at my appointment now so hopefully they will get rid of this awful pain and find out what’s wrong

I was suffering from gall bladder pain for a year and a half . Got it taken out 9 years ago . Best thing I ever did . No side effects and life went back to normal. Nothing easies the awful pain of gallbladder attacks . Get it taken out quick .

Don't hesitate about having it removed. You'll be so glad you did. That pain is the worst ever - having babies is nothing in comparison.

IN the meantime, you need to avoid ALL FAT - not just "staying off fatty foods". There is a big difference . Good luck !

I had my gallbladder out years ago, best thing I did. I ended up having attacks even when eating a bland, fat-free diet. No side effects for me.

they think it’s acute cholecystitis, been told to sit in a&e

Oh bless you. Hope it eases up soon.
I've been diagnosed since 2019 and always have the following to hand:

Digestive enzymes- they have literally changed my life. I take one before a meal and can now eat anything in moderation

Buscopan- 2 at the first twinge

Peppermint oil capsules and tea. The tea is better than the capsules.

The strongest painkillers you can get hold of- if possible soluble to get going quicker.

Hot water bottle.

Chewing gum used to help a tiny bit more than pain killers. Don't drink coffee, no diary. Hope they whip it out soon. Worse thing ever