Gallbladder

[Aoibheann]

Has anyone any advice for the relief of gallbladder pain. I was in hospital about 2 years ago for this, but they didn’t operate. With Covid I don’t want to go in again, as here in the north of Ireland the hospitals are in dire straits. Thanks

[Hidden]

Hi, I believe your doctor can prescribe ursodiol to help dissolve the stones, and help with pain, sorry I can’t help more.I hope you get some relief.

[Muldoon1963 in reply to Hidden]

My doctor also told me to take paracetamol and co codamol. X

[Hidden in reply to Muldoon1963]

I hope it helps with the pain Muldoon1963 x

[Muldoon1963 in reply to Hidden]

Its worth a try love, does yours make you sick? X

[Hidden in reply to Muldoon1963]

I don’t actually have this problem, but a friend does, and yes she can be sick if she doesn’t adhere to a non fatty diet, sorry to hear it affects you like that .I also remember my mum having it, hers was agonising ended up with an operation to remove gallbladder. But that was some years ago, now they can do other things. X

[Sun1963 in reply to Muldoon1963]

Hope not both together as they both have paracetamol in and you can over dose

[Greenpeace in reply to Muldoon1963]

I hope not together, as that could damage your Liver.

[CheetieCat in reply to Hidden]

Sorry for barging in but I saw the surgeon just before we went into the first lockdown, he said 10 weeks!😳

I've never heard of ursodiol & just wondering why that's not given as an option rather than straight to a surgical procedure?🤔

Side effects do look a bit horrible but you would think especially now with such a backlog that it would definitely be the better option?

Or am I being too simplistic and missing something ....... ?

[Muldoon1963 in reply to CheetieCat]

Ive to get my bmi down to 35 before they will even look at me for an op, im currently at 42 so still along way to go. X

[CheetieCat in reply to Muldoon1963]

So difficult trying to drop weight isn't it? Wish it was as easy as putting it on but from your post it looks like you've got a good healthy diet going on so you'll get there 😊

[Hidden in reply to CheetieCat]

From what I am told, it depends on the severity of the symptoms, and it doesn’t work for everyone.

[CheetieCat in reply to Hidden]

Yeah that makes perfect sense. Saw a tiny glimmer of light & thought maybe could avoid surgery, whenever that will be 😕 Thanks for reply

[Hidden in reply to CheetieCat]

Ahh, sorry, fingers crossed 🤞 for you, for an alternative to surgery.

[Christine_new in reply to CheetieCat]

The gall bladder stones may be too large for dissolving..they have decided removal the best option? I had mine removed 10 years ago..it took me almost 2 years to recover..they prescribed codeine after the op..a very bad decision as I reacted to it badly as in having to take morphine to stop the pain my body went into

[CheetieCat in reply to Christine_new]

Possibly that's the reason no alternative was offered. Two years? You really had a nightmare!😕

[Christine_new in reply to CheetieCat]

Yes I was very tender and sore after the op..being prescribed codeine left me in terrible pain..I was put through unnessary invasive procedures after the op as they tried to find out what was causing my pain..I'm still angry about this..because after some of my own research its well known to medical staff that many people can no longer tolerate codeine after gall bladder removal...I was also forced back to work too soon in fear of losing my job..my daughter had the same op..but she bounced back to health in no time

[CheetieCat in reply to Christine_new]

Oh no, sounds really awful 🥺 Wouldn't it be great if more employers were actually supportive? Mine have brought in a 3 warning then out sickness policy. I'll get a warning for getting surgery anyway so I certainly won't be rushing back 🤷

[Christine_new in reply to CheetieCat]

It's awful isn't it the pressure to stay in work when you are ill...looking back I should have tried for incapacity benefits...perhaps .as I was in a lot of pain on my return..but I was pressurised by my landlord to keep paying my rent aswell...he was a bully type and didn't want benefits...life can be tough enough with out bad health on top

[Aoibheann in reply to Christine_new]

My son is in the same position as you, his landlord refuses Housing Benefit even though my son is entitled to claim it as he lost his job. He’s just continuing to pay rent out of his bit of savings. So unfair, it makes me sad. Take care. 👍

[Christine_new in reply to Aoibheann]

No one knows when illness might strick..in my experience these type of landlords don't want to declare tax..or simply want the government looking into they're finances..if you're son expects to recover soon..then yes maybe pay the rent..if not can he get on a housing list? Or maybe go private renting? In the end I lost my job and rented accommodation as I just couldn't keep up..sorry to hear about your son..I wish you both the very best for the future. Things will work out in the end x

[Aoibheann in reply to Christine_new]

Hi Christine, he is private renting from this selfish landlord who most definitely doesn’t want the government looking into his finances. He is taking advantage of my son who has Asperger syndrome and is deaf. It doesn’t look like he will get back into employment. My son absolutely loves the area he lives in, which is something.

What goes around comes around eh.

You take care and I wish you all the very best for the future. ☘️ 💚 😊 🌹

[Christine_new in reply to Aoibheann]

I am now myself living in housing association accommodation..with the help of doctors report and housing executive..I get peace to live..and not expensive..it took a while sorting out benefits..some help recieved though citizens advice..as I hadn't a clue where to start..it might be worth looking into it in your area if available? I wish you both every happiness and hope the situation is resolved soon..take care x

[Muldoon1963]

Hiya, I suffer badly with this awful illness, Ive had change my eating habbits completely, I do for myself a low calorie, low fat diet, ive cut out all cheese, red meats and just stick with turkey & chicken, if I do have pork all fat is cut off before cooking. Ive write a diary as to what ive eaten that day with the calories as I give myself 1500 Kcals per day. Hth x

[Aoibheann in reply to Muldoon1963]

That’s very useful advice. Thanks

[No1wthayla]

Hi, Aoibheann. The thing that often worked for me was how I was sitting. Just a strange occurrence that worked when times were bad.

I would sit in a chair or recliner, leaning my upper body to the left arm side, then lift my right arm up and above my head. (Sort of like a ballerina move, below, but not fully upright and only right arm over head.) Somehow this got the pressure off my gallbladder and bile duct so the stone could pass through. That or the relief was all in my head.

I got my surgery in 1994, about 6 months after my daughter was born. I was really suffering during the last trimester with her. I only wish the laparoscopic method had been better then. Doctor got frustrated and cut a 12 inch incision. In 2005, my friend had on laparoscopic and had two tiny incisions.

Ballerina in ballet pose, arms over head.

[fallingtopieces]

A totally fat free diet and small amounts of food at a time, is the only thing to stop the pain. If it is gall bladder, the pain will be when a stone becomes stuck in the bile duct, which is the small tube from the gall bladder to your stomach.Every time we eat fatty food, our body squirts bile into the stomach (it acts like washing up liquid, breaking down fat and grease) down the bile duct. The less this happens(so the less fat or large amounts of food in the stomach) the less the chance for a stone to get stuck.

I suffered like this 20 years ago, it was awful. Then I had my gall bladder out. No more pain.

After I was diagnosed waiting for the op. I was told to eat fat free and small portions. I had no more attacks whilst waiting for the op.

Have that operation.

I hope you can take something from the above.

Good luck.

[Aoibheann in reply to fallingtopieces]

I will. 👍

[moo196]

The only thing that I did was a zero fat diet... Not even milk in my tea 😬. Luckily I didn't have to wait long at the time and survived on dry toast with honey and rice/tomatoes /onions and some nuts.Occasionally I had to use pethidine.

[army1]

I used a gentle battery hand massage tool and it cut it down by a least 50%. Just make sure your do it gently.

[Louise-ash]

I had mine removed about 8 years ago. I had to cut full fat milk and I went on 1% milk (very rarely), spicy food and tomato based pizza! I’ve never been a cheese person so I wouldn’t comment on that but I know it can be crippling pain!I was taking codeine but after being seen by a doctor on a Friday, I had surgery on the Monday!

[Flowerinbloom]

Unfortunately getting your gallbladder removed will be your only option to get rid of the pain.My husband had his removed over 2 years ago and it was life changing!! He to didn’t want the operation but afterwards the consultant told him it was full of stone and poison and he didn’t know how he had lasted that long.

No one wants to go into hospital right now but don’t hold back because of Covid life has to go on.

[Christine_new in reply to Flowerinbloom]

I agree..the covid thing is unfortunately here to stay..Best go get the operation..

[LisaSnow FMA UK Volunteer]

My husband also had his gallbladder removed via microscoptic surgery and he recovered to full functional state within 4 days. He has had no pain since.

[Peaprincess]

Buscopan for cramps helped me

[MissMinto]

My GP prescribed Voltarol suppositories and they were the only thing that touched the pain. I then had my gallbladder removed via keyhole surgery - I was in and out on the same day - and have never looked back.

[Aoibheann in reply to MissMinto]

Why suppositories, I don’t understand?

[MissMinto in reply to Aoibheann]

Because the drug is absorbed really quickly that way, rather than tablets having to go through the digestive process. The relief is almost instant. Bit of a faff to insert but totally worth it!

[Aoibheann in reply to MissMinto]

Interesting. I never knew that. Thank you MissMinto. X. 😊

[MissMinto in reply to Aoibheann]

👌

[Elizahl]

Hi o don't have any advice other than go to gp who will most likely send you to be checked. If bad gp by ambulance and you get treated quicker in my experience. I feel your pain right now I have kidney stones and hospitals down south are worse. I had laser surgery 2 weeks ago was cancelled 3 times before it was done. They fitted a stent to come out 2 weeks later but had no availability so stuck with it until the 17th. Its just as painful as the stones I spent another night in a&e over it gp thought it was blocked they said no it's an infection so on antibiotics now and more painkillers. They also said after stent isbremjved I most likely need another procedure where they shock the kidneys to desolve more stones as both kidneys are full of them and that could be causing pain. I know its not gallbladder but just sharing to say I can empathise with you and although I hated attending hospital sometimes it's the only way sadly. Take care and remember if you don't mind yourself no one else while xx

[Roselil]

I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO, AND WAS IN EXCRUCIATING PAIN. BUT I SAW A CONSULTANT WHO TOLD ME I HAD 5 STONES AND ALSO ONE STONE STUCK IN THE BILE DUCT, BUT WITH MY ILLNESS AND AGE, THEY AGREED NOT TO OPERATE. SO I TOOK MILK THISTLE DROPS AND BY THE GRACE OF GOD, HAVE BEEN FINE ALL THIS TIME. MILK THISTLE IS A TONIC FOR THE LIVER.

[Aoibheann in reply to Roselil]

Roselil, I never heard of that. I’ll try the Milk Thistle. Yesterday and last night I drank peppermint tea and I did get relief. I was so sick, vomiting and so on. Thanks again. 👍

[Camero]

Sorry to hear you are in so much discomfort with this, I have never heard of this drug.I had my Gallbladder out 4 years ago, and I've never looked back it was the best option ever. The pain I suffered with it was terrible some nights it was so severe I thought I was having a heart attack!

it's a very painful thing, hope u get it sorted soon 🙏 xx

[Psulli]

I also suffer with gallbladder pain and have just had an ultrasound which has shown a polyps, I’m due to see a surgeon with a view to removing it. Have you had a n ultrasound?

[gingerbreadgirl]

I went for day surgery on gallstones 6 years ago and am so glad I did as they found cancer and as it was caught so early didn't need chemo. I know its different now with Covid but would still recommend surgery.