How to live with gull bladder sludge

[Jccccc]

I’ve been diagnosed with gull bladder sludge, I’m in my 20’s & completely healthy no previous health issues. Currently on morphine, paracetamol and laxatives. I’m looking for other people’s experience living with bilary sludge? I’ve been told to change my diet and take pain killers which is ridiculous because I’m in pain/uncomfortable and young & Healthy. The surgeon said he can’t take my gull bladder out because there’s only a little bit of sludge, however it’s constant discomfort. Speaking to my doctor tomorrow as to wether the pain relief has worked or wether to get more tests.

Any comments welcome, the internet just says the same about bilary sludge no cure change diet. I don’t understand why I have this when I’m young and healthy and if it’s potentially going to lead to gull stones and I’ll have to eat a plain boring diet for the rest of my life

[Wass71]

I know how you feel, it is horrible have gall bladder problems. You said you don't have other health problems, do you have PBC??

Firstly reading your postI think you should be looking closely at your diet. Morphine seems a bit extreme? Is that why you also need laxatives. A good diet and exercise is important for both your bowel health and improve to your gall bladder. Do you have children,? I developed gall bladder problems after my first pregnancy, the hormones can cause some women the get cholestasis in pregnancy, which is basically the bile (made in the liver) not moving into the digestive system and therefore building up, causing inflammation in the liver/bile duct/gall bladder and in my case the pancreas. That causes a great deal of pain. If it's not hormone related, it's common in overweight /obese people. Although, you can be normal weight and still have a bad diet, so changing diet is really important. It doesn't need to be boring, you can eat an enormous variety of foods, just make them low fat (ie less than 3%). Plenty of fibre and lots of fluid too.

I hope they help you, but you can do a lot to help yourself and avoid it getting worse by making those changes, I know how painful it can be, do check with your gp to keep an eye on things especially if the pain gets worse, as infection and inflammation, and as I said pancreatitis can be caused by the sludge blocking the common bile duct

Good luck, stay safe

Wass x.

[JaneIng]

Silymarin/Milk Thistle supplement suppose to thin the bile. Also check out TUDCA supplement.

[Wass71 in reply to JaneIng]

The British Liver Trust strongly advise against any supplement without recommendation from a Dr. Milk thistle has no scientific basis for use or no proven efficacy, there is also questions about its safety. I'm sure the PBC foundation would give the same warnings. Avoid any additional strain on your liver.