gallstone treatment

[cuerocat13]

looking for a link for other treatments for gallstones without having surgery,

[Hidden]

Here is our information on Gallstones that may be helpful to read;

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

It is important to take medical advice from your doctor about how best to manage gallstones.

Regards

Trust1

[cuerocat13 in reply to Hidden]

because i,ve told my doctor i dont want surgery, i,m only on this site to find alternative ways to get rid of my gallstones... thanks

[AyrshireK in reply to cuerocat13]

If your doctor feels that surgery is needed for the location of your gall stones then that may be the only option (gall bladder removal can often be achieved by key hole surgery - without full on 'open' surgery).

If it's that you've got gall stones that have moved and are blocking your bile ducts then there is the slightly less invasive ERCP procedure which is like an extended endoscopy where they put a tool / camera down your throat and all the way to the bile duct opening which they can extend and fish out any lodged stones and hopefully prevent further ones becoming lodged in future. (My hubby had this done last year, because he has cirrhosis of they liver they can't remove his gall bladder - so they did an ERCP instead .............. he had it done under a General Anaesthetic though it's usually just done with a very heavy sedation).

Obviously you need a sit down discussion with your doctor and/or the surgeon to see what the options are. If you are suffering pain or likely to get an infection from lodged stones then you'll need them dealt with via some means.

Katie

[cuerocat13 in reply to AyrshireK]

thanks katie, i,m hoping to get to the stage of neither, my consultant mentioned the endoscopy route, and i,m not happy about that either, but i,ve been searching the internet for shock wave treatment, as i only have 2 stones..i have searched for private hospitals with not much luck, i have to have mri scan, and then another chat with the consultant, who told me :{ we,re doing it this way}, ,good grief they can put men on , the moon, you,d think there was an easy of dealing with gallstones methinks we have to have it done{:their way: }......well so far from moi, its no way...love isabella

[AyrshireK in reply to cuerocat13]

The NHS has a page about going for treatment in general and outlines the questions you might want to ask your team. nhs.uk/conditions/having-su... of the questions are:-

What are the different types of treatment for my condition?

What are the benefits, side effects and risks of each of these treatments?

Why are you recommending I have this operation?

Are non-surgical treatments possible for my condition?

What happens if nothing is done about my condition?

Are you actually having issues with your gall stones - most of the adult (female) population carry them but not everyone needs treatment.

[cuerocat13 in reply to AyrshireK]

hi katie, have already read enough about gallstones theres hardly any space left in my brain, still nothing about shock wave lithotripsy for gallstones, or where about i can find some doctor or clinic to carry out this treatment....and yes at least twice a week i,m ill in pain, and vomiting because of 2 stones, and i have to stay in bed for a day, thanks for link, but i,ve read most of this info...

[AyrshireK in reply to cuerocat13]

Can I ask why you are reluctant to just go ahead and have the surgery in light of the fact the gall stones are making you so poorly?

There seem to be limitations as to when the shock wave treatment can actually be used which is probably why you are hitting a barrier when asking for it.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a nonsurgical alternative to manage gallstones. You can receive this treatment as long as your gallbladder is functioning normally and your stones are small. You do not need anesthesia for ESWL, and the procedure may be performed as an outpatient.

questionstoknow.com/does-li...

[Cat-B in reply to AyrshireK]

Hi unfortunately lithotripsy is not a good option for gallstones, it fragments kidney stones so they can be passed into the bladder these are bigger tubes than the bile ducts. I had key hole and it was brilliant, I have end stage liver disease. Good luck you really need to think about the benefits rather than your fear.

[cuerocat13 in reply to AyrshireK]

in my 69 years i,ve had a couple of bad experiences at my local hospital, and i am reluctant to get any surgical treatment done there, i wouldn,t take my cat there for treatment if i had a choice, and i don,t think she,d like it either !!!

[DavyGravy]

Hi Cue

I think you are talking about having lithotripsy. The hospital where I worked did not have that procedure available, so it might be that only certain hospitals offer that service. It is something worth mentioning to your gp. It may be because that is not available near you or there may be a reason why your stones cannot be removed using this procedure. But your doctor would be able to talk over specifics and may even approve it.

wishing you well

Dave

[cuerocat13 in reply to DavyGravy]

hi davy, thanks for your answer, i have searched private hospitals for lithotripsy for gallstones, and none are coming up saying that it can be done, i,m prepared to pay for treatment if i can find someplace that does this... my consultant just said NO, we don,t do that..., but if i can find some information that i can confront him with ...yaay, that will probably annoy him more than the last time i saw him.......

[Sammyjoe2]

Hi cuerocat13,

Just wanted to say that I had my gallbladder removed by keyhole surgery two weeks ago, prior to this I was having regular biliary colic attacks and could feel my gallstones grumbling away virtually all day.

I was sore after the op for a few days but just to know that I’m no longer in pain and not living in fear of the next attack is worth it’s weight in gold.

Best Wishes,

Sam

[Hidden]

Hi,

Lithotripsy for the treatment of Gallstones, is no longer widely available on the NHS as it can shatter the gallstone into small fragments and sometimes cause complications.

Your surgeon will explain what the safest and clinically best option is, of course, it is up to you if you wish to take that advice. If you are UK based, do feel free to call our nurse led helpline for a chat about this. 0800 652 7330 Mon to Fri.

Best wishes.

[UhOhCKD]

I don't have a link and this isn't medical advice but you can search for "andreas mortiz gall bladder liver cleanse." I've never had gallstones but I have done it for liver health (I had fatty liver) and I do feel better after I've done it. Don't skip any of the steps because you "think that part isn't important."

[Hidden in reply to UhOhCKD]

Please note, at the British Liver Trust we do not advocate or recommend any 'gallbladder or liver cleanses' Please be wary following any online advice about this.

[WayCas]

I have had ERCP 11 times due to inoperable gallbladder and recurring stones. Good results.

[Longtooth6]

I have done the liver flush which Andreas Moritz describes in his book. I have a doctor friend who works in a and e, and we agreed a date in case of problems! 2 weeks later l passed out with pain as the stone moved out. I now have another stuck in the duct, it only affects me every couple of months, but my surgeon wants to do an ERC P, which I don't fancy at all. I use 2 alternative remedies which helps to control attacks, drink apple juice daily, and avoid fat. That said, l recognise that one day l may have to give in, but l have managed it since 1982! Good luck.

[cuerocat13 in reply to Longtooth6]

hi, found your reply to my post, my doctor also wants to do an endoscopy to take out my 2 gallstones, have already had this done for another stomach condition, and i have told my consultant i won,t be having this done again...i am also drinking apple juice, and i also read that cider vinegar along with apple juice also works, ......i,m thinking i might also have to give in and have a laparoscopy, which i dont really want....i was hoping someone on here could let me know if there is anyone in scotland or england can advise if i can have lithotripsy for my gallstones ....kind regards

[Longtooth6 in reply to cuerocat13]

I have asked about lithotripsy, and it seems smaller stones are more likely to get stuck in the duct. The large ones tend to stay put. I have avoided having an ERCP because of the risk of pancreatitis. I have an MRI this week, to be followed by a consultation, when l suspect the surgeon will try to persuade me again, it's all baffling. Being taken in as an emergency is not such a good idea at the moment either. Was your mrcp a really bad experience? Perhaps surgery with an anaesthetic would mean at least you know nothing about it. I hope you find a solution.

[cuerocat13 in reply to Longtooth6]

hi, i am still waiting for a mri scan, and as my nearest hospital has a lot of folk in there at the moment with covid {149} i think thats why its now been 4 weeks since i saw a consultant, example: my friend fell on friday last week, and was taken into hospital with a hairline fracture near her shoulder, 2 x-rays, her knee as well, blue sling round her neck and hand, and put home in 3 hours, with paracetamol...REALLY!!!!, no painkillers, now you,d wonder why i,m not happy to be treated there!!!