Discussion
I've been in pretty severe pain for the past three months, I suspect gallstones. I'm currently awaiting ultrasound results, and really hoping that something shows up so they can treat the pain. Has anyone here had gallstones? What were your symptoms?
I have a sometimes severe pain on my right side under my rib, always after eating or when lying down. I also feel bloated quite often.
I have a sometimes severe pain on my right side under my rib, always after eating or when lying down. I also feel bloated quite often.
Excruciating pain for me, lasted 5-10 min, in waves that occurred a few times a year. 2015 dr said kidney stones (no scans), 2016 went to A&E, had my kidney area scanned, all clear. Later that year went back to Dr’s and requested a private referral, fulls scans, blood work, et voila, huge gallstones. Week later had keyhole surgery to remove my gallbladder, no issues since.
I've now been in pain for three months. I had an ultrasound scan not long ago, and now they've asked me to go back and have the same scan again. I'm starting to really worry there's something wrong. Apart from the severe pain I've got terrible stomach pains and diarrhoea, which has been gradually getting worse 
Ha! I have been busy decorating, remembered to logon just now.
For a good few years I had agonising cramps/attacks. Started off with just getting trapped wind and quickly escalated to constipation/severe pain. I cut various things out to try and eliminate allergy but was fine with milk and dairy but cheese would seem to trigger attacks (always at night). Eventually I ended up being violently sick and yet the drs insisted it was IBS (it wasn't, I've since found many people with gallstones get misdiagnosed).
When an attack happens it can be really sudden and typically last a few hours. Not pretty to hear but I ended up having to resort to enema's, at first this would solve things but as things progressed I would be violently sick - once sick the pain would instantly pass. I learnt what foods would trigger (high fat/pizza/cheese etc) and changes to diet made a huge difference (such as lots of fresh fish/some light pasta but in small portions (tinned tuna was great, no attacks and nutrient dense) - working in Belgium I discovered great local fresh stir fry which I ended up living on - with no attack in over 8 months but then they came on stronger. Admitted to A&E they refused to remove the Gallbladder as I was now on a waiting list for elective surgery so they would let the episode pass. On the last time being admitted I had passed out and was in a very bad way, turned out a junior dr decided to ignore the advise of the consultants and sent me for an ultrasound which found a very infected gallbladder - some strong antibiotics and then the attacks (Which no longer needed a trigger) stopped.
Fast forward, I had the op - ended up being open surgery due to previous scar tissue so spent an uncomfortable week recovering in hospital with a bloody Robinsons tube they refused to remove until the last day - since then life has been brilliant, I go to the toilet typically once a day now, consistency is good (theres another thing to look for) and I can hear by belly making all the right digestive noises.
I had my stones removed and the gallbladder remains in there - due to scar tissue from an accident it was too risky to remove it so I am at risk of getting them again but it took 40 years the first time and my diet is far better now. If you have the gallbladder removed, you can live normal but definitely there are changes - thankfully as I didn't have mine removed the adjustment has been even easier.
TL:DR, constipation, hardly going regularly, bloating, sickness, pain worse than you can imagine, operation, instant relief
For a good few years I had agonising cramps/attacks. Started off with just getting trapped wind and quickly escalated to constipation/severe pain. I cut various things out to try and eliminate allergy but was fine with milk and dairy but cheese would seem to trigger attacks (always at night). Eventually I ended up being violently sick and yet the drs insisted it was IBS (it wasn't, I've since found many people with gallstones get misdiagnosed).
When an attack happens it can be really sudden and typically last a few hours. Not pretty to hear but I ended up having to resort to enema's, at first this would solve things but as things progressed I would be violently sick - once sick the pain would instantly pass. I learnt what foods would trigger (high fat/pizza/cheese etc) and changes to diet made a huge difference (such as lots of fresh fish/some light pasta but in small portions (tinned tuna was great, no attacks and nutrient dense) - working in Belgium I discovered great local fresh stir fry which I ended up living on - with no attack in over 8 months but then they came on stronger. Admitted to A&E they refused to remove the Gallbladder as I was now on a waiting list for elective surgery so they would let the episode pass. On the last time being admitted I had passed out and was in a very bad way, turned out a junior dr decided to ignore the advise of the consultants and sent me for an ultrasound which found a very infected gallbladder - some strong antibiotics and then the attacks (Which no longer needed a trigger) stopped.
Fast forward, I had the op - ended up being open surgery due to previous scar tissue so spent an uncomfortable week recovering in hospital with a bloody Robinsons tube they refused to remove until the last day - since then life has been brilliant, I go to the toilet typically once a day now, consistency is good (theres another thing to look for) and I can hear by belly making all the right digestive noises.
I had my stones removed and the gallbladder remains in there - due to scar tissue from an accident it was too risky to remove it so I am at risk of getting them again but it took 40 years the first time and my diet is far better now. If you have the gallbladder removed, you can live normal but definitely there are changes - thankfully as I didn't have mine removed the adjustment has been even easier.
TL:DR, constipation, hardly going regularly, bloating, sickness, pain worse than you can imagine, operation, instant relief
I posted on another thread but will switch to this as it’s current.
Got told I had a large gallstone a few years ago while having an ultrasound for another issue.
Started ‘ feeling it’ a few months ago, not by any means agony just a uncomfortable feeling around the gallbladder area a while after eating, it felt more like something pushing out with a ‘ooft’ pain if that makes sense!
Seen the consultant a few weeks ago who didn’t think it was my gallbladder was causing the issue he thought a bacterial infection was the issue but I got sent along the corridor for an ultrasound and blood tests to check on it’s current status.
Ultrasound confirmed my gallbladder is actually buggered and it was contracted even though I hadn’t eaten for a few hours.
Finally spoke to the consultant again last night as he has been on holiday basically said it now no longer working so best it comes out he thought my symptoms were unusual but the gallbladder can affect people in weird and different ways because mines is a large stone it would never block a bile duct but my gallbladder is basically wasting away. All my bloods came back normal.
So it just when to get it taken out, I’m self employed and pretty busy for a while so worried about recovery times I’m provisionally booked for late November but he is checking with the hospital if there is a slot mid September which I can also do(Its getting done private).
The last couple of years I’ve had a lot of mid back pain (clear mri)I’ve mentioned to doctors if this gallstone could be anything to do with but this has been dismissed by them I asked the consultant this again he said it’s not a common symptom but could be if it’s interfering with a nerve.
Will update nearer the time never had an operation before I’m 46 sure I will be bricking it nearer the time!
Got told I had a large gallstone a few years ago while having an ultrasound for another issue.
Started ‘ feeling it’ a few months ago, not by any means agony just a uncomfortable feeling around the gallbladder area a while after eating, it felt more like something pushing out with a ‘ooft’ pain if that makes sense!
Seen the consultant a few weeks ago who didn’t think it was my gallbladder was causing the issue he thought a bacterial infection was the issue but I got sent along the corridor for an ultrasound and blood tests to check on it’s current status.
Ultrasound confirmed my gallbladder is actually buggered and it was contracted even though I hadn’t eaten for a few hours.
Finally spoke to the consultant again last night as he has been on holiday basically said it now no longer working so best it comes out he thought my symptoms were unusual but the gallbladder can affect people in weird and different ways because mines is a large stone it would never block a bile duct but my gallbladder is basically wasting away. All my bloods came back normal.
So it just when to get it taken out, I’m self employed and pretty busy for a while so worried about recovery times I’m provisionally booked for late November but he is checking with the hospital if there is a slot mid September which I can also do(Its getting done private).
The last couple of years I’ve had a lot of mid back pain (clear mri)I’ve mentioned to doctors if this gallstone could be anything to do with but this has been dismissed by them I asked the consultant this again he said it’s not a common symptom but could be if it’s interfering with a nerve.
Will update nearer the time never had an operation before I’m 46 sure I will be bricking it nearer the time!
Mercury00 said:
Funnily enough I suffer from back pain too. Once I was in hospital for two weeks with a bile duct infection, and the pain in my back was horrific, morphine didn't touch it!
The only time I don’t have back pain is standing up, again it’s not agony but like my gb being contracted it a similar tight and sore pain between the bottom of my shoulder blades.Sitting is the worst followed by lying down wonder if something is getting pressed when doing so I’ve had physio but cant seem to hit the spot.
Mr Pointy said:
Obviously people vary but I was back at work two days after my operation although that was at a desk. Just make sure it's going to be keyhole surgery as the old style open-you-up method is going to see you off for a few weeks.
Yep keyhole but there is the small risk they have to switch to the slice method if there are issues.I’ve got a fairly physical job so was advised 1-2 weeks to be safe.
gjc10212 said:
Excruciating pain for me, lasted 5-10 min, in waves that occurred a few times a year.
Ive had confirmed gallstones for four years or so, and attacks are usualy 3-6 hours long, so 10 minutes seems very short. Didn't fancy surgery when I first got it confirmed, so controlled it with low fat diet but I still got the occasional attack after eating stuff that waa low in fat. However the last attack I had a month back had me doubled over in agony for just shy of 9 hours and I was on the verge of going to a&e when it started fading away.
That was the trigger to get it sorted, had another set of ultrasound scans that show the stones are definitely there and some scaring to gallbladder. Going to a "gallbladder clinic" tomorrow, but not sure what it's actually for, I presume they will review scans and discuss treatment/surgery.
BTW nothing short of morphine (and derivatives) woukd even touch the pain for me. Used to nick one or two of my wife's tramadols if I was really suffering at night but they made me very ill the next day, Id be throwing up for hours with what felt like a massive hangover. Whatever the side effects of losing the gallbladder, they have to be preferable to the pain.
I’m currently lying next to my missus who is on liquid morphine after her second gallstone op.
Last year she was rushed in with what was described by our eldest as a heart attack. The Mrs is only 34 and it I shot myself. I managed the drive from Blackpool (work) to Lancaster (hospital) in 23 minutes.
Turned out it was gallstones.
She had the gallbladder removed within 48 hours...however, as she later found out it wasn’t removed entirely. She had keyhole surgery but it took nearly four weeks until she was fit enough to return to work. Basically they left some of the duct in that had the stones in, as did the bile duct. So despite the op she was still have the massively painful cramps.
She had a second round of keyhole on Monday as is like a space cadet right now.
Still...every cloud an all that... I get to watch whatever I want on TV
If you’ve any questions I’ll try my best to answer. I could ask the missus but her answers will mainly consist of ‘wibble’ and a desire for cheese. Don’t ask...I’ve learnt to ignore it.
Last year she was rushed in with what was described by our eldest as a heart attack. The Mrs is only 34 and it I shot myself. I managed the drive from Blackpool (work) to Lancaster (hospital) in 23 minutes.
Turned out it was gallstones.
She had the gallbladder removed within 48 hours...however, as she later found out it wasn’t removed entirely. She had keyhole surgery but it took nearly four weeks until she was fit enough to return to work. Basically they left some of the duct in that had the stones in, as did the bile duct. So despite the op she was still have the massively painful cramps.
She had a second round of keyhole on Monday as is like a space cadet right now.
Still...every cloud an all that... I get to watch whatever I want on TV
If you’ve any questions I’ll try my best to answer. I could ask the missus but her answers will mainly consist of ‘wibble’ and a desire for cheese. Don’t ask...I’ve learnt to ignore it.
Had the first symptoms in May 2017 and they rapidly progressed to about 3 times per week.
Always started in the evening with a dull ache on the right side below the ribs and would increase in intensity and radiate through to the right shoulder blade. Each episode lasted about 5 hours then would quickly dissipate.
Got gallstones diagnosed with scans and blood tests. Keyhole surgery was booked for January 2018 but in the intervening period I lost 2 stone because I was scared to eat any fat. All the symptoms disappeared and for the first time in 30 years I was at my optimum bmi weight. Never felt better and I'd recommend gallstones to anyone struggling with weight loss. I was even back on a normal full fat diet.
Anyhow my surgery was booked and spent 15 minutes with the surgeon pre op debating whether surgery was a good idea since my symptoms had cleared and why take the risk of surgery. Surgeon played the typical professionals role "at the end of the day it's your decision blah blah". Went ahead on the basis better to have surgery while I'm younger.
Felt pretty good after 2 days and 100% within the week.
Now put back all the weight so upping the walking and trying to imagine I've got gallstones and eating accordingly.
Always started in the evening with a dull ache on the right side below the ribs and would increase in intensity and radiate through to the right shoulder blade. Each episode lasted about 5 hours then would quickly dissipate.
Got gallstones diagnosed with scans and blood tests. Keyhole surgery was booked for January 2018 but in the intervening period I lost 2 stone because I was scared to eat any fat. All the symptoms disappeared and for the first time in 30 years I was at my optimum bmi weight. Never felt better and I'd recommend gallstones to anyone struggling with weight loss. I was even back on a normal full fat diet.
Anyhow my surgery was booked and spent 15 minutes with the surgeon pre op debating whether surgery was a good idea since my symptoms had cleared and why take the risk of surgery. Surgeon played the typical professionals role "at the end of the day it's your decision blah blah". Went ahead on the basis better to have surgery while I'm younger.
Felt pretty good after 2 days and 100% within the week.
Now put back all the weight so upping the walking and trying to imagine I've got gallstones and eating accordingly.
Mr Pointy said:
Obviously people vary but I was back at work two days after my operation although that was at a desk. Just make sure it's going to be keyhole surgery as the old style open-you-up method is going to see you off for a few weeks.
8 years ago, I went in for keyhole for gall bladder removal, went under at 15:00, and woke up in excruciating pain at 22:20.Yep - old style “open you up”, so I have the little cars from the keyhole and then the 9 inch long 28 staple affair from the old fashioned way. And as stated above a full 4 weeks off work, and I needed it.
For me, the diet afterwards had to be carefully sorted out afterwards as I farted for Britain for about 6 months… but on the down side…
k me! I was just out driving and had an 'attack' come on. I was barely able to drive and nearly went to A&E. What am I supposed to do?? Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff