Gallstone Attack

[jchantler102675]

Evening all, so I’m currently three hours into a pen awful gallstone attack! I mean, suspected gallstone attack as I’m still awaiting referral for an ultrasound however on the basis that I’m three hours in to the worst attack I’ve had recently and having taken two tramadol that have not touched the pain - is there any sense in calling 111/taking a trip up to A&E or Urgent Care?

[GrandmaDylan]

I had what I thought was a really bad gallstone attack whilst I was waiting for surgery to remove it. It turned out to be pancreatitis caused by the gallbladder infection. If this is twice as bad as a normal attack I'd be tempted to go to a and e. Good luck. Deb

[LAJ123]

Hi,

As you posted 10 hours ago, you might have already sorted your problem. However, the right thing to do in your situation, when you are not sure if its an emergency and you want urgent advice, is to use the NHS 111 service.

nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-se...

They will be able to discuss your symptoms and make a decision based on what you tell them. You could talk to a registered nurse or where relevant a doctor will call you back. They can also advise attending a walk in centre, accident and emergency or if required, despatch a 'blue light' ambulance directly to your address.

Hope it has gone well.

Jim

[chell1704]

Hi. It is 11 hours later but I hope it's passed. I was suffering regular pain but my GP was insisting I had reflux! It was only a trip to A&E mid attack did I get my diagnosis. By the point of op I was close to serious infection. If it happens again go to A&E. I know they are under pressure but pancreatitis is serious!

I had mine removed and never looked back!

Chell

[grace111]

If you have got Gallstones pay close attention to your diet. Dont eat any fatty or creamy foods. NO fry ups, no cheese. Try and eat a plain diet like fish that has not been fried. Rice, noodles and vegetables. If you have gallstones you can get serious pain after eating fatty or greasy or creamy foods. I had my Gallbladder removed just over two years ago. i was in serious pain so i know what you could be going through. I had one stone in My gallbladder it was 3cm and got into my bile duct and started getting stuck to it and they couldnt get it out as i had an ERCP thats where they put wires down through your throat and down into the bile duct to try and knock the stone out i was an hour having that ERCP. They eventually put a stent into my bile duct. I was in and out of the hospital and on drips of anti bioctis for infection. one time i had to phone an ambulance I was freezing cold and couldnt get warm at all and i had a serious infection and pain and was sick. I had 2 operations. the first one was when i went in to have the gallbladder removed and they said it had shrunk to the size of a thimble and they couldnt find the stone. well it was in the bile duct. 1/4 of my liver had atrophied and i was diagnosed with Mirizzis syndrome. i also had an umblical hernia which they fixed in the first operation. The second operation was when i had my bile duct removed and a reconstuced one made from bowel tissue. my bile duct is now connected to my lower intestine. Never be afraid to call 111 when you have gallstones because they know the pain it can cause and how it can move into the bile duct and they take this seriously. I was on tramadol and got morphine when i had those big attacks and went into hospital. its taken me so long to recover as im now 67 and i also have liver problems too. got fatty liver among various virus'es i'v had. I never ever drink alcohol and havent for just over 30 years. I just feel i got left far to long to wait for an operation the first time and i suffered so much pain too. please dont be afraid to call 111 as its natural to have pain with gallstones but when your having serious pain like this then its usuallly an infection and those are what caused my bile duct to get all stuck up in my gallbladder. please keep in touch and let us know how your getting on. This place was a godsend to me when i was going through it all as i live alone and often needed the encouragement to phone the hospital as i was feeling like i was bothering them. look after your diet and you can google things like a diet for gallstones. Are you on omeprazole and buscopan for cramps. Doctors dont know very much about gallstones so its always best to phone 111 if your in serious pain. wishing you well. love grace xoxo

[X19Dave]

YES GET TO A&E URGENTLY my wife had gallstones one moved to the bile duct it is called gallstone lipus and is fatal in 70-80% of cases

GO NOW

dave

[mrsmerlin]

For anyone with a gallstone attack i have one simple but effective piecevof advice tgat git me through till my op (whete i had stones backing up into the ducts .. eww)

Sit on a chair or side of the bed with your feet flat on the floor, knees hip width apart. Lean your elbows on your knees.

Takes the pressure off internally and pain is reduced and attacks were shorter.

My Gastro told me that after I was in so much pain I couldn't even talk. Hubby rang his secretary for advice ... it saved hubby's life lol. Him keep saying it will pass nearly got him strangled!

It won't take all of the pain away but with meds can change it to very uncomfortable rather than pain

Rita xx

[jchantler102675]

Morning all, thank you all for your advice - I called 111 who sent an ambulance out - having already had Tramadol, they tried 10mg of Morphine which didn’t help in the slightest!?

Once the pain had gone from 8/10 to 2/10 via various painkillers and time spent pacing the floor a wonderful doctor came in and said she’d try and get an ultrasound organised. Minutes later she returned having organised an ultrasound and a meeting with a consultant!

The ultrasound confirmed I had gallstones and the consultant has asked his secretary to book my operation date in, so just waiting for this post.

Since leaving hospital I’ve still been in pain to the point where it worsened again last night. Luckily I had some stronger painkillers on hand to knock me out for the night - pains still there but I’ll just have to try and avoid any sort of fatty/fried foods to see whether I can get the pain to bugger off... again, thank you all for your help!

[Darsmum100]

Hi jchantler - I have cholecystitis, which is inflammation of the gallbladder. I probably have gallstones. My GP told me surgeons would not want to operate because the gallbladder is so close to the liver it could cause severe trauma. Presumably you have some kind of liver disease if you're in this forum, but you're awaiting an operation? I'd really like to know what your situation is re gallstones op/liver disease. Many thanks.

Carole (formerly Beauport)