Gallstones

[rlouisep9]

I've just seen this on TikTok and wanted to ask if anyone had any experience on what she's saying. Nothing was mentioned to me when I had my gallbladder removed in September last year. My husband says it's rubbish and she's probably flogging the supplements but interested to hear if anyone knows about ox bile supplements and whether it's something I should be taking.


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Hopefully that link works but if not, the page is 'Forty plus is fabulous' @sarahlawuk

I'm not in this age bracket so not sure if that would make any difference but I had my gallbladder removed 5 years ago (when I was aged 27) and I haven't taken any supplements, nor have I had a single issue since I had it removed

 

[Annie65]

Ah ok thank you I’ve got a while to go yet then. Interesting the glue/stitches poking seems to happen in general then, doesn’t seem ideal but I guess it’s the best way to do it.

the bellybutton definitely seems like it will be the worst for me too, I have a bruise round it about the size of my hand still. I’m guessing that’s where they took the GB from.

Omg I tried to go on my side last night and the pulling was horrendous I had to go back to my back. It’a from the far right incision for me though, stupid gravity! I’m normally a stomach sleeper so sleeping on my back is not the one.
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I wasn’t given the option, my GB got sent off to be tested.

Yes , they pull it from there but i think it’s a difficult stitch too to heal as it’s doubled over much and doesn’t get a lot of time to dry out and it stays moist a lot ( sorry hateful word)

I was told to use salt water. I struggled for a bit where I thought it was starting to infect and I did salt water for 3 days and they told me to use a hairdryer on cold setting and dry it out and it’s really done the trick

you will be able to sleep on your side from about 1.5 weeks onwards and your stomach too.
I am the same and didn’t get much sleep at all the first 4-5 days
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Weird question but did anyone keep their stones afterwards?

I was never given that option but tbh I wouldn’t have no

 

[FoksiOska]

Thanks both for sharing your views. I ended up back in A&E this morning due to the pain. After a number of tests, i've now agreed to the surgery.

 

[pink_lemonade]

How are you feeling now?
Glad you got the op!

I feel pretty back to normal now! Todays the first day I actually went out, popped to see family and then did the food shop with husband and baby. It was lovely to go out and I don’t actually feel that tired now. I only had to take codeine twice today, once I woke up and just then before I got in bed instead of every so many hours. And I was happy to looked after the baby on my own for the first time and not having someone pick him up for me for a little bit!
The cuts are quite itchy but I guess that’s them healing! But overall, doing great

How’re you? How you feeling? Any news on your op?

 

[Helena Sell]

Well, I seem to have queue-jumped slightly. Had an awful night Tuesday/Wednesday and ended up calling 111. They sent an ambulance for me, I sat in the Surgical Assessment Unit alone all day, had an ultrasound, begged for painkillers and food which never came. Got admitted to a ward at 7.30pm, put on IV antibiotics at 10pm, threw up twice in the night. Surgeon came up this morning and they're going go take my gallbladder out tomorrow 🫣 Now I'm scared!

Hope you are okay! Glad they are rushing you through to have the surgery done, just think after you’re all healed you won’t be waiting for more pain again!
Hope the surgery goes well and a speedy recovery.

 

[Notothefakes]

Hi everyone, hoping you can help me!
Please could somebody describe the pain they were getting? I’ve been getting attacks since September, started out as feeling like heartburn and then severe pain below my ribs in the centre which now moves under the right of my ribs. Also has now started to radiate into my right shoulder blade. When the pain is at its worse I end up being sick undigested food which (sorry TMI) has happened hours after eating. GP is sending me for an ultrasound but not sure if this is the usual symptoms of gallstones or not!
Thank you in advance x

Yes it sounds similar. Deffo best to get it checked out. Hope you get some answers x
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I had my call in November (one year after my scan) but I’ve decided against it for now. For several reasons. I don’t often get the severe pain. I can
Tolerate fat just not to excess and I’m scared if I’m honest of going under. I have 3 young children. Whilst it’s not severely affecting my life I will keep it and whilst I’m managing it reasonably well I’ll stay as I am.

 

[Helena Sell]

Had mine removed in November and haven’t really had many side effects. Tend to get phantom gallbladder pain if I eat too much white bread or oddly if I eat peanuts.
I have noticed that if I leave it too long in between eating then this can cause diarrhoea but that’s been the only time.
No issues with food that are high fat.

Definitely no regrets with having my gallbladder removed - 18 months of gallbladder attacks and constant anxiety surrounding eating all came to an end after an hour of surgery

 

[Annie65]

Surgery tomorrow and I am SO nervous. Not for the op but for potentially being in pain afterward 🥲

You will be fine. Don’t worry. I had mine done two weeks ago and you’ll be surprised how well you will feel. Make sure to move every hour or so and in between, just rest. Sit still and relax. Don’t do anything strenuous.
I feel amazing now and it’s only been two weeks. In fact, I felt amazing about 4 days after. It’s not as bad as people say. I managed with just paracetamol for 3 days. But don’t stress, they will give you a whole pharmacy load of tablets in case you have a bit more pain. It’s there if you need it.

Food wise I’m still playing it safe but looks like I can tolerate everything like I did before. No issues at all.

Speedy recovery and let us know how you are. X x x

 

[alittlebitofthebubbly]

Thanks for replying @Helena Sell @NorthernBramble

I was a bit overwhelmed when I came out the appointment, I thought I would of just needed an ultra sound so having to do a stool sample and a blood test is a bit daunting as you just never know what they’ll find!

With the omeprazole, I’m not exactly sure why they’d prescribe that, I always thought it was for heart burn

@NorthernBramble - I haven’t had my pain for 2 weeks now, did you use to get it every day? I couldn’t imagine having that constant pain

I was prescribed omezprazole too. I don't think the Dr believed me about the pain and thought I just had indigestion.

 

[FoksiOska]

Thanks CC and Punkrocker. Gallbladder has now been removed and I'm back home recovering. I haven't actually let my little one see me yet which was my choice to avoid any stress for both of us but my partner has been great and done all the night feeds last night, nursery drop off today etc.

Agree with Devils Arse suggestions above, especially around the ice cream! I was given toast not long after coming back round and I could barely swallow it so they gave me a tub of ice cream and a yogurt pot instead, as well as a peppermint tea. I'm now 24hr post op and currently lying in bed resting. Still feel a bit rough but I'm taking my painkillers etc. And I finally managed to have some toast this morning and be able to swallow it

 

[The Devils Arse]

Thank you for your kind reply. I have only started taking it today so not really noticed much difference yet. But I may ask her for some codeine when I speak to her about my blood results.

I have felt much milder pains maybe 3-4 times over the last month or so, but always thought it was indigestion. But after the episode on Sunday I was thinking about possible triggers and I think it’s red meat. I was always eating steak, roast pork, etc maybe an 1-2 hours before the pain started and also if I eat a bigger than normal portion. So I’ll be giving them a miss for now.

How are you doing now? Did everything go back to normal for you once it was removed? x

Good idea, always nice to have the reassurance of pain relief, just in case!

Thats interesting about the red meat, nor heard that one before. Its certainly worth it to cut it out and see. At least you will know for sure.

Absolutely fine, apart from 1 attack a few months back which felt like the same pain. I got in a rage and angrily posted on here. But took some codeine and then felt fine. Touch wood, I have been able to eat anything without having to worry about it. My friend however if she has pastry, will shit herself if she can't find a toilet quick enough. (Personally, I would give up pastry, rather than shitting myself...)!!

 

[Annie65]

I’ll keep an eye on it and try the salt water thing if it starts to look a bit weird. Mine is dry though and I haven’t had issues with that yet thankfully

ok looking forward to the 1.5 side sleeping then! It’s a week tomorrow and despite being fairly miserable for a few days it’s gone quick. I think it helps that I’ve been signed off for 2 weeks so I can just fully rest, my role involves a lot of driving long distances so I definitely wouldn’t be fit to do it yet anyway but I’m grateful to have the time to focus on recovery.
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So odd, it’s like the back of your elbow numb bit. I told my husband and he went a bit green and basically ran away but I shall try that if it stays numb for a while thank you.

I work from home and I’ve been working on my little laptop as opposed to my office upstairs as I’m totally milking it but I’m pretty sure that’s why my recovery has been so great

You take your time, don’t rush anything

 

[unknown22]

I’m not sure yet as just had the initial sonographer visit so I need to see the doctor now. But she said there’s a long waiting list so if he’ll let me go on it I think I will because I don’t know how it’s going to progress… I’ve read most cases end up in surgery at some point. I’m just then concerned about relying on my liver to do the gall bladder job

Yes if they suggest surgery definitely do it! Luckily I ended up being on the urgent list so had mine done in a couple of months but I know some people are waiting for years through the NHS. It’s definitely better to have surgery than try and manage it, as they can cause all sorts of complications that you really don’t want. And once you start making them they’ll always be there, so it’s better to get rid of it as soon as you can imo! I was worried about exactly the same but I can honestly say I’ve had 0 digestive problems since and no worries with alcohol or anything really. Best thing I could have done for myself, I was so miserable

I’m reading this thread and it’s making me question my own diagnosis. Earlier this year I got told I’ve got diverticular disease, but I’m still suffering with a sore stomach, and stitch like symptoms in my upper left side (by my ribs) and this sometimes goes into my middle back, upper back (shoulder blade) and lower back. I tend to bloat a bit and my stomach feels hard sometimes just on the left upper side by my ribs.

I’m currently taking Omeprazole daily (20mg) and I’m super paranoid that it’s not diverticular (even though I’ve had a CT) and could be something else that just wasn’t picked up. I just assumed that when I started on Omeprazole I would at least start to feel normal again but it hasn’t been the magic dust I so desired.

Can I just ask anyone where you get your pain with gallstones? I’m probably just over thinking but I feel like every niggly thing now in my body, ache or pain, and I just think the worst. I’m often thinking it’s my spleen for example (I know I sound ridiculous lol).

Hiya, sorry to hear you’re unwell. With my gallstones my pain would almost always be in my upper back between my shoulder blades. During an attack I’d also usually be sick and my stomach would literally be rock hard. The only time I ever had stomach pain from it was the two times I was in hospital and that’s when my gallbladder was severely inflamed. I always used to get dull pain in my upper back between the extreme pain of attacks. I’m on a Facebook group for people with gallstones and I’ve heard people say they’ve had their pain in all sorts of places around their stomach/back. It’s definitely worth looking into, a lot of the time gallstones are just put down to things like IBS.

 

[JLXRD]

Yes stitches and glue. The glue has only just come off now. It’s been 2 weeks and 1 day. It will start flaking when you are just over a week & half or so.I’ve been carful showering and patting with a towel as opposed to rubbing. One stitch has come out, that’s it so far. It’s taking ages
I had the same with my belly Botton. The end of one stitch was poking me underneath and it was leaving a nasty , small albeit, but painful wound. So I used clippers and took some off where I could trying to not disrupt the stitches itself. The glue on the belly Botton has taken the longest to come off. I would not touch that one at all as you will find that is going to be the nastiest and longest one to heal especially as you will try and sleep on your side, you will notice this one can pull at times.

Ah ok thank you I’ve got a while to go yet then. Interesting the glue/stitches poking seems to happen in general then, doesn’t seem ideal but I guess it’s the best way to do it.

the bellybutton definitely seems like it will be the worst for me too, I have a bruise round it about the size of my hand still. I’m guessing that’s where they took the GB from.

Omg I tried to go on my side last night and the pulling was horrendous I had to go back to my back. It’a from the far right incision for me though, stupid gravity! I’m normally a stomach sleeper so sleeping on my back is not the one.
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Weird question but did anyone keep their stones afterwards?

I wasn’t given the option, my GB got sent off to be tested.

 

[Bobbleowl90]

I've had gallstones since my 20s, apparently 'packed tight' with tiny stones. I'm lucky in that I've never had any pain whatsoever, although some foods make me feel a little odd.
Yesterday I noticed a yellowing around my cheekbones Dr Google suggests this is a gallstones thing? Will this pass? Again not in any pain. Thanks

Could be your liver function levels…probably best to get checked and have your bloods taken.

 

[The Devils Arse]

Thank you! She was really good actually, but she only prescribed me omeprazole. Have been really scared to eat today!

Did that help? You probably do already but i had tablets at home, car, handbag and work so i knew if an attack started I always had some pain relief to hand asap. Also took away the mental worry a bit that was always going round in my head that I was going to have the pain and didn't have anything to hand.


Was it something specific you ate do you think? As when I had one of my attacks (which was the worst and longest of all the pain) it was after my breakfast, which I have the exact same thing 6 days a week, for years. Another one came after eating an egg! But friends who have had it can't eat pastry, mayo etc.

I guess what I'm trying to say in a boring way is that try not to worry about what you eat setting off an attack as it's more stress which isn't good for the body. Just be a bit more mindful X

 

[unidentified]

Mine was removed July 2021 and zero regrets. I go to the toilet far more often than I did and when I need to go I need to go but it’s alright. I also have a scar between my breasts which sometimes gets itchy. I’d take all of that over the attacks I was having.

 

[The Devils Arse]

@unknown22 and @Gattle09 - thank you both.
I may just have to go back to my GP and be bit forceful again. I know at the time I had an ultrasound (as an inpatient) and CT (as an outpatient) and I’m sure gallstones would’ve been picked up but you never know with these things. Really appreciate the responses

I would definitely go back again to double check. My pain was always upper right quadrant and i was always sick. When I went to a and e, they just felt around the upper right hand side (under my ribs) and asked me to breath in. I thinks it called a Murphy sign test, have they done that with you? Have they taken any bloods as this can show any issues with how the liver is functioning? I then had to have an ultrasound and an mri to see where the stones were
I hope you get it sorted x

Eta if it is gallstones and they want to remove your gallbladder, its a very simple operation, one of the most common. I was back working from home the next day. The most "painful" part is when one of my scars gets itchy. X

 

[opintionatedperson]

Had a really bad attack last night, I’m almost 18 months after having my baby but I also had an attack the night I found out I was pregnant.
I didn’t know it was gallstones until I researched it this morning and it’s 1000% what I had
I would say the pain was 10/10 severe at my upper abdomen I was thrashing around in pain I nearly fainted I couldn’t see my ears were ringing and I was sweating this went on for about 2 hours, told the doc all this and he said it was diarrhoea? Anyone had trouble being diagnosed or been palmed off about it?

I was 30 weeks pregnant and I woke up with stabbing chest pain couldn't breathe, called a&e and went in and was told indigestion. I asked my surgeon about that incident and his words was I definitely had this lurking for a while so it could have been.

I had a few bad nights where I was in agony mostly when I was post partum but I thought it was diarrhea which now I know it wasn't..... It wasn't until I had acute pancreatitis I went to the doctor, wish I went sooner as pancreatitis is cruel

 

[didisaythatoutloudoops]

Just to say all went well for my daughter! So thank you all. She's home now. One she forgot to ask is when she can start having baths again (she doesn't have a shower). Any knowledge on this?