Gallstones

[aliclg]

Hello

I went to out of hours in September after having pain under my ribs right side that went round to my back, they said to take paracetamol and buscopan, as I said I suffer with IBS. The next day the pain didnt go away and I went to A&E, they took blood and did an ECG it came back clear. They prescribed co-codomol and told me to go back to my GP. I went to the GP, because the pain was still there and they referred me for an ultrasound. I went for the ultrasound and they found one gallstone 18mm and they recommended to see a consultant at a local hospital. I saw the doctor in October and they recommended me for surgery. About a month ago I was given a date for surgery which was Monday this week but I was not sure to go ahead with it or not because I've only had this one attack. Anyway I went through with it I was very worried about the GA, things going wrong and recovery. When I got to the anaesthetic room they couldn't find a vein, I was getting more and more distressed. They tried gas and air and an ultrasound to find the vein. She put a cannula in and when she flushed, I could feel it burning. They tried 4 times to find a vein and they abandoned the operation in the end as I had fragile veins. They were talking about a central line but didn't have the facilities there. I am now getting a second opinion because I dont know whether I need the operation at all. So I have to wait to hear from another hospital which will be months away because Im not urgent as I dont have pain or symptoms at the moment. Are there other symptoms I should be aware of? Has anyone else had just one attack and had surgery?

[Supporter37]

I was in A&E for three attacks in a month. I have two small gallstones and ended up being admitted with an infection. Since the antibiotics cleared the infection I haven’t had another flare up in 6 weeks. They told me they will see me in 4 months to see how often I get them to establish if it’s worth the operation:

I would see how you get on but also I totally understand the fear of getting another attack. I didn’t eat for a week as I was so scared I’d set it off

[aliclg in reply to Supporter37]

Hi. I have a dull ache there tonight, not an attack like September.

[Yellowsydney]

I only had 1 stone but it for stuck in my bile duct, pain was so intense, was hospitalized for 2 weeks having every pain meds available nothing touched it, couldn't keep anything even water down, my liver stopped working and my kidneys were in the point of collapse. My veins were non existing, had to be held down to put canulas in to give me fluid. The stone eventually passed. A year later I went to have my gallbladder out and was handed a bottle full of stones that had grown. If doctors suggest having your gallbladder removed I would go for it things do get worse. My veins are terrible but if you are more relaxed it's better, they will get a cannula in somehow.

Hilary xx

[aliclg in reply to Yellowsydney]

My doctor has referred me to MH services for a course of CBT before I have the op again. I'm being referred to a different hospital.

[Hephzibar]

I had sludge in my gallbladder which was found on ultrasound following atypical right sided abdominal pain - never had the acute agonising pain that many others have, just a grumbling niggle pain on and off all the time. I have a very strong family history of gall bladder issues so decided to accept the offer of a cholecystectomy.

I was very worried about having it, but as a friend pointed out that it was better to have scheduled operation rather than waiting for an emergency to happen!

I do hope everything goes better for you next time. I had a wonderful anaesthetist that took into account if my concerns about my laryngeal spasms and ectopic heartbeats!! He was my hero that day!!

[aliclg in reply to Hephzibar]

Thank you

[NieceByMarriage]

Once you start getting attacks, you typically get more. In my case I started getting attacks about 10 years before gallstones were diagnosed. They were not crazy bad and I put them down to really painful wind. I got an attack maybe once every two years, so it was easy to ignore/forget in between attacks. Then I got an attack maybe once a year. Then I was getting an attack once a month (at which point I started investigations) and within 3 months I was getting weekly attacks and really having to watch my diet to prevent more. I had 3 enormous stones in there, around 25 to 30mm. You really don't want to be having emergency surgery. I don't think they offer surgery lightly so if they think you are a candidate my personal view would be that you should probably take them up on it. Hope it goes better at the next attempt.