gallbladder..anyone had trouble with theirs or had it removed?

brians_daughter

doc thinks all the pain i am in is my gallbladder. I have to go for xrays in next few weeks. Who else has had it done? What can i expect? How long did it take from diagnosis to op (i know this will differ for every health authority)

I dont know how long i can actually wait to get all this sorted. I am pretty sure its my gall bladder as i have all symptoms, for example, i look a slight shade of yellow, feeling awful, being sick every day, stomach and back pain, cant eat, itchy, feeling bloated, having bloated stomach some days and not others etc etc.

Since this kicked off some 8 weeks ago I have lost over 2 stone - great, but i really cannot eat. Since Sunday I have eaten 2 apples and a gala melon.

Has anyone got any tips on how to deal with the pain and discomfort etc while I wait?

Also, does anyone know if it is possible to have an infection in your gallbladder that responds to anti biotics? Reason i ask is when i started with all this the doc prescribed some anti biotics and Omeprazole thinking it may be a stomach ulcer. Anyway, after a few days of taking the anti biotics i started to feel better, and i remained that way for 2 weeks..but now i am ill every day, so i just wondered if it was possible?

Thnaks guys

slummymummyof3

They tend to use ultrasound and not x-rays to diagnose gallstones. If you have another 'episode' where the pain really kicks off then you should consider going to A&E where they will be able to give you stronger medication if necesary so that you are able to cope with the pain, and you will also be sent for your ultrasound exam and depending on the extent they will then decide what to do with you - it may require removal of the gallbladder or perhaps treatment with lithotripsy.

Spicy foods, alcohol etc can exacerbate the symptoms.

Incidentally why are you having to wait several weeks for x-rays?

brians_daughter

hi thanks, i have already had ultrasound on kidneys bith the ultrasound woman and GP said i need xray for gallbladder. I have no idea why i am waiting GP sent off some forms to request xrays and he said will take a few weeks

fay66

Hi Ive had my gall bladders out, in 1994, I had a stone stuck in the bile duct, I had a ultra sound the same as the babys have to look for it or see the problem, I had key hole surgery was discharged after a day and went back to work after a couple of days,
I use to find eating late at night was a big no no. Avoid cheese and crisps fat content foods, because its part of breaking down the fat in your body.

slummymummyof3

A gallbladder will not be detected by x-rays - it will have to be ultrasound or CT - but can't imagine why they would want to give you a CT when an ultrasound is the examination of choice.
There is no 'waiting list' for x-rays as such - gp gives you a request card and you just pitch up and wait your turn, as such, I'm pretty sure they must be referring you back for another ultrasound which does run on an appointment system.

ccygirl

I had gall bladder trouble and had an ultrsound scan to diagnose it. I waited 10 weeks for the scan, and 5 weeks for my gp to refer me to the hospital to have it removed. Once i was in the system i only waited 3 weeks for the op.

It was brilliant once I recovered, I didn't realise how ill it made me feel. I had 60 small pointy stones as a souvenir.

I think antibiotics would work if you had an infection but you will need strong painkillers if you get an attack. I was on Trammadol, they're good but made me feel sick the next day.

Hope you get seen soon as it's very debilitating.

sillyvixen

I've been there - its horrid.

your gallbladder can get infected an may have responded to the antibiotics they gave you.

try to eat a low far diet with plenty of fruit and veg. no alcohol!!

have you had liver function tests - if you are getting itchy and slightly yellow that needs checking out - i was yellow and my liver function results were responsible for me getting an early scan!

all the best and i hope get some help soon.

i had to wait about 7 months for my op - but i would have been sorted sooner had they not have to sort out out serious problems caused by obstructive jaundice first.

glitterball

itchy skin and being a bit yellow sounds like what I had 3 years ago and was diagnosed with obstructive jaundice supposedly a gallstone had got stuck in my bile duct though they couldnt be sure. I had it moved and the doc wanted me to have my gallbladder removed. I did a little research and decided not to go ahead due to the possible side effects. If I stick to a healthy diet I have no problems but junk food, acidic stuff or high fat content does give me terrible acid reflux.

Timescales I went to the docs as I had turned yellow got taken into hospital that day, had stone moved 5 days later, kept in for approx another week. went back for a consultation about 3 months later to discuss getting my gallbladder out, said wasn't sure so they gave me another 3 months to think about it I was told that it was an approx 12week wait but I suppose thats dependent on your health authority.

Phirefly

glitterball wrote: »

I did a little research and decided not to go ahead due to the possible side effects.

What were these? I've done a bit of googling and can't seem to find a consensus on the side effects of gallbladder removal...

minimoneysaver

I've had my gall bladder out. The best thing I ever did. I was at a point of having an upset tummy each time I ate, skin had yellowed, pain and discomfort. After removal and healing of about a week, no pain and bloods nearly back to normal. I was living in the States at the time and my gall stones were picked up by blood test at my GP. Apparently elevated calcium and something else highlighted the problem. Diagnosis was followed up half an hour later with a quick ultrasound. Surgery would have been the next day, but I wanted my mum there and it took her a couple of days to sort flights etc.

slummymummyof3

It is also possible for some gallstones to be treated with lithostripsy rather than removal of gallbladder. This may be a less invasive form of treatment.