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Original poster

Anybody with gallstones still have their gallbladder?

59 replies

2026isnear · 10/10/2026 21:19

Just found out I have a gallstone and now I’m freaking out about reading all the horrible pain stories on the internet. I don’t have any pain so I don’t think the consultant wants to do the surgery. Has anybody else got them and still got their gallbladder?

OP posts:
Minuethippo · 12/10/2026 10:49

DoAWheelie · 12/10/2026 08:34

I ended up having over 100 attacks during my 4 year wait. The worst one lasted 32 hours. In the final year with a very strict diet I managed to get it down to one every 3 weeks or so but sometimes they'd happen no matter what I ate (and sometimes when I ate nothing at all).

The only way to stop the pain was to head to A&E for morphine through an IV as I would throw up constantly so couldn't swallow any. Around half of the time they'd keep me on the ward for 3-5 days as they found an infection again.

I ended up with PTSD once it was all over. Started when I was 18 and I finally got the surgery at 22. I ended up having to drop out of uni because I was so ill all the time.

This is AWFUL! Can’t believe they made you wait 4 years!!!

LoopyGremlin · 12/10/2026 13:15

DoAWheelie · 12/10/2026 08:34

I ended up having over 100 attacks during my 4 year wait. The worst one lasted 32 hours. In the final year with a very strict diet I managed to get it down to one every 3 weeks or so but sometimes they'd happen no matter what I ate (and sometimes when I ate nothing at all).

The only way to stop the pain was to head to A&E for morphine through an IV as I would throw up constantly so couldn't swallow any. Around half of the time they'd keep me on the ward for 3-5 days as they found an infection again.

I ended up with PTSD once it was all over. Started when I was 18 and I finally got the surgery at 22. I ended up having to drop out of uni because I was so ill all the time.

That sounds absolutely horrific. I hope you are feeling much better now- both physically and mentally.

Lizzieregina · 12/10/2026 13:28

DoAWheelie · 12/10/2026 08:34

I ended up having over 100 attacks during my 4 year wait. The worst one lasted 32 hours. In the final year with a very strict diet I managed to get it down to one every 3 weeks or so but sometimes they'd happen no matter what I ate (and sometimes when I ate nothing at all).

The only way to stop the pain was to head to A&E for morphine through an IV as I would throw up constantly so couldn't swallow any. Around half of the time they'd keep me on the ward for 3-5 days as they found an infection again.

I ended up with PTSD once it was all over. Started when I was 18 and I finally got the surgery at 22. I ended up having to drop out of uni because I was so ill all the time.

Oh wow! I thought I was bad with 20 attacks and 3 hospitalizations while I was pregnant. I had acute pancreatitis, no pain meds due to the pregnancy and it couldn’t be taken out also due to the pregnancy.

Best day ever when that thing was finally gone! I’d have lost my mind if I had 100 attacks.

DoAWheelie · 12/10/2026 13:29

LoopyGremlin · 12/10/2026 13:15

That sounds absolutely horrific. I hope you are feeling much better now- both physically and mentally.

Show quote history

I am, thanks. Once I recovered from the surgery I was physically fine almost right away. I do have some slight bowel issues when I eat fatty foods, but I take medication that causes constipation and the two sort of balance each other out 99% of the time.

Mentally the recovery was rough for a couple of years afterwards but it's been more than 10 now and I'm back to normal after therapy.

I just wanted to warn people that with waiting lists being so long it's not a great idea to wait until it gets "bad enough" as the clock only starts counting from there and it can get so much worse than people realise.

Original poster
2026isnear · 12/10/2026 13:30

Oh my goodness me these experiences having me stressing. I’m so sorry some of you have gone through such pain! Maybe want to try and persuade the consultant to take mine out now but not sure they will😩

OP posts:
JenniferBooth · 12/10/2026 14:18

DoAWheelie · 12/10/2026 13:29

I am, thanks. Once I recovered from the surgery I was physically fine almost right away. I do have some slight bowel issues when I eat fatty foods, but I take medication that causes constipation and the two sort of balance each other out 99% of the time.

Mentally the recovery was rough for a couple of years afterwards but it's been more than 10 now and I'm back to normal after therapy.

I just wanted to warn people that with waiting lists being so long it's not a great idea to wait until it gets "bad enough" as the clock only starts counting from there and it can get so much worse than people realise.

Show quote history

Its also not a good idea to lose weight at a fast rate unless you a. want to run the risk of gallstones and b, can afford to go private to have gall bladder removed.

A four year wait is disgusting. Friend has been waiting seven years for a knee replacement and is likely to end up in a wheelchair Housing association wont let him have a mobility scooter. Two organizations letting him down.

JenniferBooth · 12/10/2026 14:24

runnerducky · 11/10/2026 17:06

An hour and sorted with buscopan would have been a dream! Mine were frequently 6-7+ hours and I was hospitalised several times. I had morphine at home in the end to help control it until it was removed.

But if you aren’t symptomatic then I would just put it out of my head. If things change in the future then deal with that when (if) it happens. No point in stressing when you may go your entire life without an attack.

After yet another trip to hospital i was given morphine pills which melted under my tongue

Iocanepowder · 13/10/2026 03:23

2026isnear · 11/10/2026 13:50

gosh all of these experiences sound so awful. I really feel for anybody who has suffered.😩😩 I don’t have any symptoms at all at the moment though. Is it quite sudden or do you get warning signs for when it might occur?

My first attack came on very suddenly and I had absolutely no idea what it was. 111 called an ambulance for me and they knew what it was straight away and took me to a&e.

They also gave me morphine on the night. Some people are then prescribed oramorph to take when they have an attack but the GP refused to prescribei it for me as I have young children.

BobTheTeckel · 13/10/2026 03:50

I have gallstones and recently had an appointment with a surgeon following a scan. I told him I didn't want any surgeries unless the condition was immediately life threatening.
I have a life limiting condition and have had several open abdominal surgeries. I've also had four seperate roux-en-y operations, each time resecting my gallbladder further down my jejunum.
the surgeon said in my case it would be a complicated surgery, that he would take my lead. He also said I could go back to him at any time if it became too painful. I won't be going back unless it becomes unbearable.

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