I'm new to HealthUnlocked & there doesn't seem to be a community for gallbladder issues. I've had some bad gallstone attacks over the last few years, though only one since August 2018 (which was a really bad one). I've been advised to have my gallbladder removed & that's the only treatment being offered. The attacks are unbelievably painful but with painkillers I can live with them. I'm more worried about long-term damage, infection, pancreatitis etc becoming an issue. However, apart from the obvious concerns relating to having a major operation, I'm uncomfortable about the idea of going through the rest of my life without a gallbladder. I realise it's not vital but it does have a purpose. I'd be interested in anybody's thoughts & experiences in this area.
Gallbladder removal: I'm new to... - British Liver Trust
Gallbladder removal
Hi there.what is the purpose of the gall bladder ? as I’ve had mine took out when I had a liver transplant and not suffering from having it removed as of yet 🙄 anyway.cheers and all the best.paul
It stores bile from the liver which helps break down fatty foods, that's why they tell you too avoid eating it post 😊
Hi there jojo so were does the bile go then if it’s removed and is that the reason I wonder if my stool is oily from time to time.my intestines are sensitive enough at the minute as our immune system isn’t performing with the medication we are put on.I’m learning that I’ve got to cook the hell out of everything I eat as I’m on my second infection of campilobactre.i know I haven’t quite spelt it right lol basically eating food that’s not cooked enough.never had it before the immunosuppressants anyway.paul
It passes through your stomach and into your bowels 😊
Are you eating a lot of red meat? That may explain the oil...
And I have ibs and pre transplant I had an attack every now and again but post damn I am lucky if I go a month without an attack and it lasts longer I was also throwing up with it and I had never done that before...
It certainly changes your bowels this transplant larky lol
From the NHS site on Gall Bladder Removal.
Living without a gallbladder
You can lead a perfectly normal life without a gallbladder.
Your liver will still make enough bile to digest your food, but instead of being stored in the gallbladder, it drips continuously into your digestive system.
You may have been advised to eat a special diet before surgery, but this doesn't need to be continued afterwards.
Instead, you should aim to have a generally healthy, balanced diet.
Some people experience problems such as bloating or diarrhoea after surgery, although this usually improves within a few weeks.
If you notice certain foods or drinks trigger these symptoms, you may wish to avoid them in the future.
Find out more about diet after gallbladder surgery - nhs.uk/common-health-questi...
Katie
I’ve caught infections from not cooking my food properly.which never caused me problems before the immunosuppressants they put you on.i mean medium Cooked steaks and the like so for the last month I’ve had constant diarrhoea which is causing problems for my kidneys at the minute.paul
My mum and other family members have had there's removed and myself with transplant and them or myself haven't suffered any effects of not having it 😊
It's a simple operation as well and will be done by keyhole so won't leave any major scarring or recovery time it's better than wondering when your next attack will be
Hi JohnStones When I asked some months ago at liver clinic if I still had a gall bladder, I was that I didn't. I was told that a gallbladder wasn't needed and often caused problems and had to be removed when it did this. It stores and transports bile. Without it the bile just goes into the digestive system and out of the bowel through the natural process. Regards Alf
Hi Alf so your saying if the bile goes straight out that your food isn’t getting processed properly and your body isn’t taking in enough nutrients from our food.paul
No not saying that. The bile goes into the gut and through the bowel and processes the food through the natural way. The gall bladder stores bile and then transports it to the gut. So not having a gall bladder is cutting out the middle man so to speak.
Hi
I had my gall bladder out in October 85 when I was 20!! I've managed quite well without it. Take care Lynne
Now then Lynne- “quite well” hides a multitude of sins! Is it good or ok but not good?
Mischievous Miles
Ha ha. It's fine!!!
I had keyhole surgery to have mine removed. Haven't missed it but so good to be rid of the pain.
What are the typical symptoms of gallbaldder pain? Are there natural ways to save the GB
In my case it's intense pain very localised at the gallbladder - just below the ribcage, fairly central, maybe a bit to the right - though last time there was also a nasty ache in the right side of my back. Usually goes on for hours. I think this fairly typical. I've looked at alternative therapies but they all seem to be unproven & untrustworthy. There are 2 things I've come across that the medical profession seem to approve of to some extent: dissolving the stones chemically & blasting them with ultrasound. They don't seem to be sufficiently proven for the NHS be prepared to try them.
Yes my pain is the same. I am now taking dandelion plus chanca piedra, both herbs that help liver and GB function and watching my diet. I do not want to lose my GB!
Hi JohnStones, I'm in America, it is my understanding that's what they're trying here to reduce surgeries, but I have known several people who swear they feel much better after having theirs removed. Thanks for describing the symptoms you are having, that explains why they made it a point to tell me they saw no sludge or stones on my last scans! I have the same symptoms, only occasionally.
Hi,
Welcome to the forum, you may be interested in our general information on Gallstones, here is the link;
britishlivertrust.org.uk/li...
Best wishes
Trust1
If you keep having attacks, you will be praying to get it out. I do not regret it at all. When I had my last flare up, I thought I was gonna go meet Jesus😇You will get rid of it whether you like it or not if it goes nuts on you like mine did. It’s really not a big deal. The Surgery is a cakewalk. I’m terrified of Surgeries and flew right through it. Good Luck😀
Thanks. I know what you mean. I've had about a dozen attacks over the last 3 years but I've always felt they were manageable with painkillers & would come to an end. I feel fine between attacks. I believe the attacks do damage & have recently started to worry there may come a point one just doesn't stop & I have to be taken in for emergency surgery - which would be more problematic than having what they call "elective" surgery.
What do you take for the pain? Many of us here on BLT can't take painkillers on the reg, due to liver disease.
I was on Co-codemol (30mg/500mg) & I convinced myself that they were working because the pain would usually stop very soon after I took them. However, I now believe that it may just be that stones blocking the bile duct moved, thus relieving the pressure. Last August I had a really bad episode & the Co-codemol had no effect whatsoever. The pain relief was beefed up to Tramadol to be taken with Paracetamol & that did seem to take the edge off it (& again when I had an attack in March). I think what was happening on these 2 occasions is that the stones were lodging more securely in the entrance to the duct than had been the case before.
Hi John there is a site for Gallbladder problems I have been chatting other people prior to my own op and since last year. It’s patient, I will check this out in my emails make sure that is totally correct.
Sounds bit nuts, but got so used to logging into that site I’ve not looked at the full title in a while. I have found myself helping and chatting to all different people and experiences of suffering with Gallbladder issues, stones, pain management the works. Just through my own journey over nearly heading for two years now.
I am going to start my own website to support others like myself and share experiences, tips etc that we all learn and expand from the good and the bad experiences. To hopefully put aside many fears and ways to get through what can be a great ordeal. Guess ask anyone on here going through numerous problems with their health all at varying degrees.
The more your aware of your options and health concerns and how others story journey has been it’s a great comfort and learning platform.
Know one is claiming to be a medical expert but just knowledge of procedures as on this site all helping each other and someone to simply listen and be really understood and valued makes a big difference. Kind regards Joanne
Where is the site? Do you remember?
Thanks
May be this one?
patient.info/digestive-heal...
Just found this online decision aid which I found useful:
L had my gallbladder taken on June 10th. I a very painful but I'm getting over it now (the morphine works wonders) and within a few week I should be pain free, dancing on the table (though i'v promised my wife that I'll be wearing clean nicks.
All the best Bob
I had mines removed a few days ago and have noticed not much difference Except that I’m not nauseated or in pain like I was when I had it . My gallbladder was just making me feel sick all the time and I don’t regret getting it taken out from these few days . If it’s causing you a lot of
Discomfort do yourself a favor and get it taken out !
Hi Johnstones. good name. I am waiting to have my Gall bladder removed as its knakered. I have Liver Cirrhosis too, I have been assured by my Dr and other medical staff that having it removed makes no difference to your life. If it is in a poor condition it could make you very ill .. Good luck mate.
Thanks Nic. Glad someone noticed the name :-). Good luck to you too. I know I've got problems with my gallbladder but I've only had one attack in the last year so it's not easy to "elect" to have the surgery. I do get more concerned each time I speak to the surgeon though.
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