Gallstone - what next?

[thaneofglamour]

I have on and off been having terrible stomach pains and nausea for years basically. Most GPs have just treated the symptoms rather than look for any cause. More recently, I have had quite a few gynaecological investigations - I guess because I am a middle aged woman. The have never previously looked for an abdominal cause.

However, last time I went to the GP, DH came with me (I was in a lot of pain!) and asked the GP whether my stomach should be looked at. GP referred me for urgent abdominal scan.

Lo! I have a large gallstone.

I am personally not convinced this is the root of all my issues since my stomach pains are often far lower down than the gallbladder. I did also recently have my fist ever blood test to come back with raised cholesterol. I imagine GP will treat me as symptomatic. Rest of scan was fine. Distended gall bladder but no problems in liver, bowel, kidneys.

I wondered if anyone else had any experience of a gallstone being found? I am interested to know about timeframes and timescales from identification to treatment. Or whether anyone was advised to leave the gallstone be. It's 3 cm so unlikely to get out of the gallbladder!

If my stomach pains are gallstones, the last attack was about 10 weeks ago. Haven't had any though since modifying my HRT as I was having terrible cramps, bleeding and ovary pain. I don't have a fatty diet - quite the opposite! I hate fatty foods.

My surgeon told me that once you have a gallstone (and it's causing you pain), the only option is to have your gallbladder removed. I had mine out on private healthcare and it was 4 days from the scan to the operation. I got married about 3 weeks later.

Wow!

I have GP phone follow up call on Wednesday so am suspecting my timeframe might be rather more 'laid back'...

DD waited 6 months from scan to operation even though along the way we had multiple trips to A&E as she was in so much pain.

I went private and had the op within a month of diagnosis.

Operating is the only option, once you have gallstones they aren't going to go away. It might not be the source of all your troubles but makes sense to fix that issue and see how you are afterwards.

Recovery was fine for us both btw so don't worry about the op.

Gall stones can cause pain lower down.Having gallstones in your gallbladder can cause a considerable amount of pain in your abdomen and lower back areas.
( Blue text from internet).
Two years ago l went to A& E with all this pain.. l had been horrifically vomiting all night too.
I had blood tests and the doctor knew straight away was my gallbladder.
I had infected bile ducts and gallstones..
I had endoscopy to remove the stones and sludgy bile the next day.
Then was in IV antibiotic drip for 10 days
I was jaundiced too.
Two weeks later l had my Gallbladder removed . Bile ducts clipped.
Two weeks later.. in horrific pain again.. they found some more stones and sludge in the ducts.. had them removed.. and that caused infected liver and pancreas.. they are all connected.. so yes you can have pain all over.
You need a CT scan.
Don't give up.. keep pestering.. because honestly things can get worse.
Good luck.

This is all most interesting. Thanks everyone.

The ultrasound found one stone, proudly sat in the gallbladder. No signs of problems in ducts etc , thankfully.

Liver function has always been fine in blood tests (had quite a few lately because of anaemia).

I have had vomiting, too. I tend to vomit when very unwell or anxious, mind. It's the twisting and writhing on the bed that is so nasty. All these GPs giving me omeprazole wasn't really helping!

I have 1 large gallstone and am on the list to get it out.. my symptoms have always been nausea and slight pain but not how everyone describes it like.. also causes gastro issues for me too I usually loose weight during a flare as I can’t really eat etc but flares are every few months and aren’t triggered by food

I think mine is complicated by other issues such as terrible pains before period and bouts of insomnia. I now wonder a bit chicken egg as I wonder if the insomnia is causing attacks or imminent attack cause insomnia. The sleeplessness followed by nausea and vomiting is always at weekends so maybe I am eating differently. Who knows!

I can't help wondering why it took GPs so long to actaully investigate my abdomen!