Managing gallstones

[Els1983]

Hi

I know there is a lot of threads of gallstones but it would be good to hear from people who have so far managed there's without surgery. I have been told I have stones and sludge but I'm not at the top of the list and there's a wait. Also my Dr wants to see how I get on as I have never had an attack, nothing painful enough to even take paracetamol, but I hace low level grumbling! I got diagnosed in Jan 2021. Symptoms initially were gassy, pain upper right when pressed, upper right back pain, loose stool etc. These then disappeared after a few months. Since then I have been able to eat anything I want without issues (pizza ,ice cream etc) but recently I've had the same symptoms like in 2021, but much milder. My Dr recently ran LFTs, other bloods and prodded my abdomen- all checks fine. Is anyone in the same boat and managed to manage their gallstones for years??

Yep me. I'm on the long-running thread, I'll link in a second.
Digestive Enzymes, peppermint tea and oil help me enormously. I went from no fat and frequent attacks to being able to eat what I want within reason and very few attacks as such.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/4825263-gallbladder-attacks-advice?page=28&reply=128623426

@WhenIWasAFieldMyself thanks for responding! When were you first diagnosed? Do you ever get mild symptoms such as back/rib pain, gas etc? And do you have stones or sludge?

Bump. Anyone else?

Me! Low level grumbling for several years, maybe 2/3 attacks in total. Surgeon refusing to remove with such few attacks, said surgery could cause more issues. I get pain under right rib, gas, loose stools sometimes. I try to watch what I eat. I was wondering if others were in the same position too and for how long...

I had severe attacks so did have to end up having the op, however after I was diagnosed I massively changed my diet and cut out fatty foods as that was my trigger. I wouldn’t eat anything with more than 5% fat and changed from cows milk to oat milk, it was a struggle at first but after a while I found loads of meals I could have and increased my fruit and veg so wasn’t a bad thing I deffinately ate alot healthier and managed to not have an attack whilst waiting for the op. So as your symptoms are mild if you don’t want to have the op I would deffo try to cut fat out of your diet.

Thanks@Twinkle1208 , its not that I don't want the op, more that they don't think I should have the op, or that I don't qualify for now.

Mine started out of the blue with one severe attack. I waited 8 months for the op, and I managed it for all that time without another attack, but it was pretty miserable and difficult and I wouldn't have wanted to do it long term. Basically I couldn't eat more than a maximum of 10g of fat at a time. Any more than that and I got mild symptoms. I never went above 10g on purpose, for fear of having another full-blown attack. Childbirth levels of pain.

I’ve had mine removed as I had severe attacks and cholecystitis with a hospital stay. I had to wait 9 months for the surgery and managed by eating a very low fat diet. My mum also has gallstones, she has had them for years, she has annual scans to monitor them and seems to be able to eat what she likes! I think it very much depends on how severe the symptoms are and if you can manage the symptoms then that’s great!

Rosemary Connelly devised the 'Hip and Thigh" diet back in the 80s for a gall bladder issue. She never needed surgery after that. See if you can get a copy on e-bay

Complete Hip And Thigh Diet amzn.eu/d/68h4P8l

@Biscuitandacuppa how long has your mum had her gallstones and does she ever get mild attacks or pain?

@WhenIWasAFieldMyself I know this post is old but can I ask if you're still managing your gallstones without the op and do you have any symptoms? I was managing mine well for a while but having a low level flare up at the mo