Gallstone Help

[Tracy12]

Hi everyone. Was diagnosed with gallstones and a kidney stone a few months ago. had a few severe attacks from March to January. I had my first consultation cancelled for January due to covid. I thought I would be ok to wait until this pandemic is all over if I control my diet. I’ve lost nearly 4 stone and to be honest 3 stone needed to go but now I’m starting to get a bit too thin. Anyway it turns out that diet alone is not stopping the attacks now and I’m now at the end of my tether. I’ve had 2 full blown attacks in the last fortnight and before I’d have an attack and then be fine the next day but now it’s just a continuous aching. Sometimes unbearable. My dr has said he would contact the surgeon and tell him I’m suffering and cannot wait but he says he can’t promise this will help and also they don’t really like removing them as it can cause more problems. I’ve been taking buscopan and paracetamol and I’ve also been given spasmanol. Nothing works. I have a heatpad continuously with me. can anyone advise anything else I can take? Oh and the dr gave me omeprazole although I don’t really suffer heartburn symptoms.

[Hidden]

Hello Tracy12,

I am sorry to hear of your discomfort.

Unfortunately, no one here is medically qualified to advise you what to take, but hopefully our forum members will share their tips and experiences.

I have included a link to out information on gallstones.

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

If your pain is persistent, worsening or if you have a fever or vomiting - please seek urgent medical advice.

Take care,

Trust9

[Tracy12]

Thank you. I spoke to my doctor on Monday. I told him the pain has been persistent recently. He has just told me to look out for jaundice, high temp and vomiting and if that happens to go to A&E. just told me to take paracetamol and the omeprazole. Feel like I’m in some kind of nightmare.

[Hidden in reply to Tracy12]

Hi, I’m in the exact same boat, pain all day every day for months and lost 6 stone. I’m under the QE and was told again last week that they are not doing gallbladder operations at all at the moment and I will be contacted for what Was supposed to be an emergency removal last Oct when they are operating again. Even though my bloods show my liver is being affected... So I sympathise with you... Even if I don’t eat at all I have pain! Thing is with me I’m intolerant to pain killers so nothing can help.

[Hidden in reply to Tracy12]

And juts to day I was throwing up, Sweating and Blood pressure dropped extremely low..couldn’t even stand and still they left me.

[Tracy12]

Oh I really feel for you. Just having a really rubbish day today. It makes you feel so alone doesn’t it. I totally get what’s going on. My father in law died in hospital of covid and my husband went to say goodbye to him in intensive care and he said it is just absolute chaos in there. But how bad have we got to get before we get help. Painkillers do absolutely nothing for this. I really do hope you get some relief from this soon

[Wonderfullife68]

Hi Tracy12I totally understand your pain as I have had gallstones for many years and the pain is awful. I did see a surgeon a few years ago and he was willing to remove my gallbladder but explained the pain could still remain, as I also have P.B.C. so I decided not to have operation but recently the pain has got worse. I haven't seen my gastroenterologist since Feb 2019 but he does telephone me and he is reluctant for me to have operation.

Diet is good but if you are not eating much it can cause gallstones, I was on a shake only diet a few years ago and this may have caused my gallstones.

I take Ursodeoxycholic acid for my P.B.C and I have read that this medication can shrink gallstones so maybe see your G.P and ask if this could be prescribed for you. Hope this helps.

[Dogbot]

Hi Tracy12 The first thing I’d say to you is you have my biggest sympathy I had that problem last year it’s very painful, I ended up being ambulanced in to hospital but they said that they had a surgeon that was willing to try the operation but they wanted me to go to kings college Hospital in London so I waited a week for a ICU bed then they put me to sleep and put a camera with a grab on it and pulled the gallstone out and fitted me with a stent to release some pressure, it worked but a lot of waiting around and to have it. At this time with COVID-19 around I really feel for you I was on oral morphine but you must keep on to you Doctor for him to prescribe the right medication for you good luck .

Stay Safe All

Dogbot 🐶🌈

[1absolutebeginner1]

Hi Tracy12, I assume you have tried lemon juice? Also, there are some 'kidney' teas which could be effective for some people, like the ones containing bearberry and nettle leaves. Have a look on ebay for them. I have a close relative who told me that she avoided operation by drinking such tea.Good luck!

[Tracy12]

Thank you all for your replies. I’ve had such a low day today. The pain is quite manageable today. Just feels like I’ve had a fight with Mike Tyson.

I have lost so much weight due to living on homemade soups only for months. I feel so drained of energy. I spoke to a friend today who suggested fortisip drinks but I think the fat content is quite high and I’m too frightened to risk another attack. I’ve bought some multi vitamins today to see if that helps replace some of the nutrients I need.

Again thank you for your time

[Benone1]

Hi Tracey, I also have gallstones and was told in January 20 I would be put on waiting list to have gallbladder removed. Due to Covid-19 haven’t heard anything and tried to manage myself. Had a telephone consultation yesterday with my consultant who will be doing operation, still have to wait but told me that if I had a really bad attack not to be afraid to go to Casualty as if it’s serious sometimes can get emergency operation through casualty. I know some attacks are worse than others leaving me on my knees on floor . Consultant said if the bile duct get inflamed it’s serious. Maybe you should go to Hospital next bad attack. Good luck. Imelda