Gallstone

[Griffyndor_Brat]

Back in June I went on a work trip to London , which I will state was one of the most stressful time I have experienced. I was staying in a hotel room and I awoke early hours in the morning with V&D , luckily I manage to drive home safely however nausea was terrible. I then had V&D for 10 days. At this point I had to ring the doctor they wanted me down the surgery however it was so bad I could not leave my house. It then cleared up for a day so then on the second day I tried to eat some cottage pie.

Hour after eating it, the pain was so intense. It started in my upper abdomen just under my ribcage. It was so intense I could not sit still every position I tried to get myself in it was very uncomfortable. It then progressed into my upper back between my shoulder blades which made it even worst as I really did not know what to do with myself. The pain was causing myself to vomit. In the end I passed out from the pain.

I called the doctor in the morning which they examined my abdomen which was very sore and painful to touch. I had a blood test which my ALT levels were over 100. I got referred for ultrasound which happened a month later. During this time I had really bad acid reflux , heart burn and the pain constantly in my upper abdomen but not severe as it was. In the ultrasound they found 1.3cm gallstone. So they explained I had a gallstone attack.

It took another few months of these symptoms and many doctor visits for them to refer me to a specialist. During this time they were saying it was IBS as well and that I should be managing things through diet. However for months I was eating low fat diet. In the end they said to me it's not IBS it is my gallbladder.

They have put me on omeprazle and cycziline as well as Rennes. To manage my symptoms.i had another blood test and my ALT are still dangerously high.

My referral came in for August next year. If my symptoms are still present in 4 weeks then the doctor said she wants me to have endoscopy.

What I have concerns now is that I feel like I can feel my liver bulging out of me. It feels like it's is throbbing and I get stabbing pains and cold pins and needle feelings. It happens in my upper side and upper abdomen.

However because I'm not in the amount of pain I was feeling in my gallbladder attack they said not to go to A&E only if I'm in that level of pain. Just in constant pain all the time. I'm 25 years old. It is affecting my mood because I can't go out with my friends anymore. As on doctor's orders I am not allowed to touch alcohol. I'm very restricted with what foods I can eat. I know this is what everyone who has had this would be feeling. Just feels very lonely. Feel very restricted with everything in life I spend every day at home or at work. Family wants to go on holiday in April however I can't go because what happens if I have an attack. What if they don't have food there that I can eat. Doubt travel insurance would be affordable.

Just feels like I'm in limbo. Hoping this would be the place to get advice on what to do.

[BritishLiverTrust3 Administrator British Liver Trust]

Dear Griffyndor_Brat,

If you would find it useful to talk things over, our nurse-led helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm on 0800 652 7330 (excluding bank holidays)

We also facilitate a range of virtual support groups for people living with a liver condition (and their families and carers).

If you [are in the UK and] would find it helpful to speak to others with shared experience, you can register to join a group here

britishlivertrust.org.uk/vi...

Best wishes

British Liver Trus

[sophiaS1980]

If you are in the USA, they can do an ERCP , this procedure will try to remove the stone without taking out the gallbladder, also ursodiol is used to break down gallstones, ask your doctor for some.

[JulyAugust]

Oh you poor thing…I so sympathise, and you are only 25! I am a lot older with similar problems. Do they know where your gall stones are? If they are in the bile duct it’s considered more serious than the gall bladder. I’m surprised your appointment is such a long way off. I’m waiting to have an ERCP and I’ve been advised to occasionally call the office number listed on your hospital letter and in a very friendly way ask if there is a way you can get an earlier appointment..maybe a cancellation. It worked for me (to get an earlier appointment) on one occasion. The most important thing is when you see your doctor don’t be reticent about making clear about how much pain you are in…if you put a brave face on in order not to make a fuss you will not be considered to be an urgent case. There is an old saying which is squeaky wheels get the most oil.