Gallstones

[floggersunited]

I had my first ever flare up about 2 months ago when I was about 6wk post partum with my first baby. Had no idea what the pain was and ended up in A&E because I was in so much agony and thought that it was some form of complication from having a baby.
Had an ultrasound which showed gallstones and was offered surgery at an appointment very recently. I refused the surgery, largely because I have very little support at times with my baby and I don't think I'd be able to juggle looking after the baby and recovering, plus I'd read (mainly on here!) that there can be complications and that removal doesn't always help the situation.

Anyway....guess who had another flare up tonight, merely days after refusing surgery

It’s very hard with a young baby your diet is all over the place anyway but try watch what fatty foods you are eating to avoid flareups.
There is indeed a chance of complication with surgery but there is that chance with everything. I am lucky I didn’t have complications so for me getting surgery was the best thing I ever did. I put it off for years because of the complications fear and the pain would be so pain if literally pass out with it.

 

[FoksiOska]

Yes I haven't been eating brilliantly recently, largely due to convenience and lack of time to prepare a nutritious meal. I will be making a conscious effort to eat better though.
I'm now beginning to regret refusing surgery. Over 6hr since the flare up and I'm in a fair amount of discomfort. I've also been reading about complications and further issues that could arise from not being seen during this current flare up I think I'll be calling my GP in the morning

 

[The Devils Arse]

I eat the same breakfast everyday (I know, I know. Just a hard habit to break) and had my worst flare up after eating the same breakfast as I have had for years. Dinner the night before was the same as I had had the previous night and wasn't fatty, so although diet may help to some extent mine wasn't caused by diet alone.

They said to me that if someone has such a bad flare up they end up in a and e, they do the scans and if there is no infection they like to whip it out as soon as they can. As I think if you have an infection, they can't remove it, which means even more pain.

Just something else to think about. I hope it goes well with the Dr. I really feel for you, the pain is horrendous xx

 

[CC1801]

I just wanted to share my experience.
I got gallstones whilst pregnant and had my gallbladder removed when LO was 7 months old. I also really restricted my diet but still have attacks when I had eaten safe foods. I was worried every time I had a meal that it would cause an attack.
I had no issues with the surgery. I had it on the Friday and was back caring for my daughter alone on the Monday. I would say within a week I was having no issues at all.
It is the best thing I could have done. I feel I can enjoy food and drink again now. I've had one issue since surgery where I became sick but my daughter had a big and I think it was related to that.

 

[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.

 

[alittlebitofthebubbly]

Hey what does everyone take or do you releave the pain? Is buscopan any good? I used to get my ex to pat me on the back or rub me on the back like you with a baby and that worked . I used to take Alka seltzer before I know it was gallstones that worked but made me throw up. I think the active ingredient is asprin.

 

[CC1801]

I never took anything, I just rode it out. I wasn't told about anything I could have taken until after it was removed! Haha but yes a good back rub always helped!

 

[floggersunited]

Hey what does everyone take or do you releave the pain? Is buscopan any good? I used to get my ex to pat me on the back or rub me on the back like you with a baby and that worked . I used to take Alka seltzer before I know it was gallstones that worked but made me throw up. I think the active ingredient is asprin.

Yeah I did take buscopan can’t really say if it helped or not cause as another said you just have to ride it out. I think twice I got flare ups during the day but the rest would always be at night as in wake me from sleep, so weird

 

[dot bold dot dot]

I had a night where i had sudden pain and couldn't even stand up or talk, my brother had to drive me to a&e and i was given morphine which didn't even touch the sides. I ended up staying in for a week whilst they decided what to do with me even though the pain had subsided by the next day. They didn't think it would be gallstones as I wasn't a typical candidate but they discovered i had a very large stone.

I was discharged and told someone would be in touch regarding removal. Forward on a year and i followed up but seems all my data had got lost regarding the event ! I did end up going for surgery though due to the size of the stone. It all went relatively well but I found recovery very hard. It was key hole surgery around 10 years ago and since then I have had an emergency c section and I would say the recovery for both, at least for me, was similar in regards to your whole stomach feeling super tender and not being able to laugh. I took it really slow but at the time i didn't have children etc

I did incorporate a lot more healthier foods - my diet was terrible which would have not helped - No fruit or veg, heavy on the chocolate and sweets and lots of processed, greasy fried foods!I went veggie afterwards but not because of that - I don't restrict anything food wise nowadays apart from veggie preferences though but I am a lot healthier. Recovery was the hardest part I found (apart from the initial pain!)

 

[pink_lemonade]

I am so happy to see this thread!!
I had my baby 14 weeks ago and I’d say from when he was 4 weeks till 7 weeks I was having a pain once a week, and it was horrific!! Pain under my ribs and all up my back, I thought it was indigestion or even severely constipated but my friend who is a nurse asked whether I had look into gall stones and I 100% think it is that! The peak of the pain I actually feel like I’m gonna die…
It’s not once a week anymore it seemed to come back when I’m at the very end of my period, so thought maybe it could be hormones triggering it…
So glad to see this thread as I did feel alone and it’s unnerving
Doctors appointment booked next Thursday!

 

[NorthernBramble]

I am so happy to see this thread!!
I had my baby 14 weeks ago and I’d say from when he was 4 weeks till 7 weeks I was having a pain once a week, and it was horrific!! Pain under my ribs and all up my back, I thought it was indigestion or even severely constipated but my friend who is a nurse asked whether I had look into gall stones and I 100% think it is that! The peak of the pain I actually feel like I’m gonna die…
It’s not once a week anymore it seemed to come back when I’m at the very end of my period, so thought maybe it could be hormones triggering it…
So glad to see this thread as I did feel alone and it’s unnerving
Doctors appointment booked next Thursday!

Mine came on after pregnancy, I had it removed when baby was 10 months old. No issues since! Hopefully things move quickly for you.

 

[Helena Sell]

I am so happy to see this thread!!
I had my baby 14 weeks ago and I’d say from when he was 4 weeks till 7 weeks I was having a pain once a week, and it was horrific!! Pain under my ribs and all up my back, I thought it was indigestion or even severely constipated but my friend who is a nurse asked whether I had look into gall stones and I 100% think it is that! The peak of the pain I actually feel like I’m gonna die…
It’s not once a week anymore it seemed to come back when I’m at the very end of my period, so thought maybe it could be hormones triggering it…
So glad to see this thread as I did feel alone and it’s unnerving
Doctors appointment booked next Thursday!

Hope your doctors appointment goes well!
It really is a horrific pain and feels like it is never going to end!
I’ve found mine flares up when I’m due to start my period but this has been over the past few months - before this it was any time until I was diagnosed and changed my diet.
I’ve been referred now for surgery and have a consultant appointment in July so hoping the surgery won’t be long after.

 

[pink_lemonade]

I have my doctors appointment today, I spent the majority of yesterday crying as I’m anxious about it, I just want them to tell me they can solve it. I haven’t had it in nearly 2 weeks now and the thought of it coming back does scare me, I just want it to go away!

 

[FoksiOska]

It feels like having a ticking time bomb inside you doesn't it

 

[pink_lemonade]

So I’ve gotta give them a stool sample, have a blood test, go for an ultrasound and take oramprezal (definitely spelt that wrong!) but I feel better now that I’ve been and spoken to the doctor…

 

[Helena Sell]

So I’ve gotta give them a stool sample, have a blood test, go for an ultrasound and take oramprezal (definitely spelt that wrong!) but I feel better now that I’ve been and spoken to the doctor…

Hey,
I had the same when I went for my first appointment. The stool sample was to check for any bacteria that may be causing the pain. I’m glad they are sending you for the ultrasound and hope you get the date through asap!

 

[NorthernBramble]

So I’ve gotta give them a stool sample, have a blood test, go for an ultrasound and take oramprezal (definitely spelt that wrong!) but I feel better now that I’ve been and spoken to the doctor…

Omeprazole made mine a lot worse! I accidentally missed a few days and pain pretty much went away, if you have constant pain like I did please consider this factor! Bizarrely it was also the case for my sister (we’ve both had our GB removed now).

 

[pink_lemonade]

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

 

[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.

 

[NorthernBramble]

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

Yeah it was pretty much constant aching and back pain for months, especially when I ate. I had to take tramadol to eat and it didn’t really help, I lost a lot of weight in a short space of time as I couldn’t bare the pain eating caused. I stopped the Omeprazole I was prescribed after my first attack and it eased off significantly and then disappeared. I was kicking myself for suffering for so long, but I never would have thought Omeprazole was prolonging the pain as the GP said it would help!