Suffering with gallstones need advice :(

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  • 7sorok
    7sorok Posts: 112 Member
    had to run to emergency room - pain was unbearable, and immediate surgery same day.
  • tgcakef
    tgcakef Posts: 111 Member
    I've had my gallbladder removed. I didn't even realise it was causing issues but once I got it out, good god I felt better. Mine was removed because I had pancreatitis, and they found sludge, and figured that was what was causing my pancreatitis. Before the removal I was having horrible, debilitating 'gas'. I'd be in bed crying trying to make it better.

    Getting my gall bladder removed was not something I regret, even with the side effects. And they might be TMI so spoiler.
    Right after, fat wasn't my friend. Right now, about three years in, I'm okay with fat but if I get hungry at all, my bile dumps, and I have severe, instant diarrhea. It makes going out difficult but I take loperamide for it.
  • Ohjeezitskim
    Ohjeezitskim Posts: 129 Member
    I had my gallbladder removed in January, after suffering for a couple years with stones. I let it progress to much to the point where my gallbladder attacks were getting worse to the point of tears and throwing up. A stone got lodged in my duct and upset my liver and pancreas and I had to go to the ER, 3 hours there and I was told I had to stay. That was Tuesday around 6am, didn't get out of the hospital until Thursday 6pm. I lost some weight because I completely cut out fats (no cheese, sour cream, beef, ect.) because it would lead to an attack.

    My mother also had this issue when she was around my age and she got to the point where she could only eat noodle soup with chicken broth and crackers. She lost a lot of weight because of that too.

    I had a trip to the ER years back (for bad chest pains) and my mom told them to check for gallstones, as she had this issue around my age. They set up the appointment for ultrasound but nothing came of it. Two to three years later I finally went and described all my symptoms and said my mom had it and I have a high chance because she did. It confirmed I had gallstones (she said FILLED with stones) and I should set up an appointment. Well she went on vacation and before she returned, I had my attack and went to the ER.

    My mom said it was best for it to happen this way, so it can get taken care of immediately. And well it did. If you have another attack, go to the ER.

    As for diet wise, no cheese, cream, sour cream, fatty meats like sausage, bacon, beef, ect. No mayo on sandwiches, no potato chips. Basically if it had lots of saturated fats (like more than 1g) I said no. I cut milk out completely, only almond milk. I switched to ice cream that is made with almond milk (also now halo top)

    I'm here now because of my gallbladder. I had SO MUCH pain that stopped me from eating that I gained 30lbs afterwards because I lost what it was like to eat normally. So here I am.. trying to lose that 30lbs lol.

  • Ohjeezitskim
    Ohjeezitskim Posts: 129 Member
    batters1964 wrote: »
    I know how you feel. Have been having attacks since January. Have had gallstones diagnosed and have to wait until September to see consultant (NHS). I've had 7 attacks in 14 days.

    It doesn't seem to matter what I eat or drink. The only thing that makes a definite difference is if I skip a meal I am likely to have an attack.

    I've lost over 50 lbs since January but am still morbidly obese so I know my consultant will make me lose more weight before the operation. I feel very low in general about it all.


    I had this issue where I couldn't get around to scheduling a hospital appointment because my normal doctor kept missing my calls and was on vacation. My mom said just go to the ER when you have an attack. 7 in 14 days is a lot. ER could be your best bet at relief. If a stone gets lodged it can damage your liver and pancreas. That's what happened to me, and they kept me in the hospital because of it.
  • RamboKitty87
    RamboKitty87 Posts: 272 Member
    Hey all, thank you all for your input, I had a ultrasound Wednesday 26th and had a phone call Friday morning confirming it is indeed gallstones, it was a receptionist so they was unable to give me any more information than that, I am going to make an appointment with my doctors this Wednesday coming as I have anxiety and need my partner to go to the doctors with me, the biggest attack I have had was just over a week long, I felt weak and my muscles ached like I had the flu the whole time and attacks kept happening that whole week no matter what I ate, I have looked into non dairy milk but the fat content for the ones in my price range was higher than the long life skimmed milk I have, I only use a tiny amount of skimmed milk per day anyway just a little dash in my morning cup of tea and every other day in the week I have 250ml for my supplement shake, I already had cut out unnecessary stuff like butter/spreads and condiments anyway, I use quark and cottage cheese to compliment some of my meals and 1/2 - 1 teaspoon of healthy living salad dressing that has no fat and is low in everything, my only meats these days are tune in spring water, baked or boiled chicken, fish in sauce (thats low in fat also) ryvita (dry) is becoming like my close friend haha! I am trying my hardest to limit my fat content sometimes its just so hard and I end up getting a little carried away at the weekends... as you can see from my diary which is open to the public :) I have decided to give tofu a try as I used to really enjoy having a meaty beef burger with my soup and toast for dinner even though the burger was low in everything the fat content was 17g on its own which is too high for me at the moment, I have actually given my mum my anything thats too high in fat for me that my partner will not touch lol... even my carrot fries, I don't mind having soup and toast in the week but at the weekends I want something different which I think I have found my ideal thing, a slimmers world microwave meal that was a decent size (550g) and pretty much low in everything and the quality was very good, it had huge chunks of chicken and vegetables, with a good helping of egg noodles in it also and it satisfied that take away craving I was having :) I am always looking for low fat / non fat foods that are easy on my wallet as money is tight and its frustrating as I keep searching low fat meal ideas and all I keep finding is that really popular diet, keto or something... that low carb high fat.. but I think I have managed to get enough ideas I hope, I have googled soooo much about it all this past month anyway I have rambled on and on... I am wondering if I should renew my prescription of Orlistat - Xenical I was given it back in March and I was taking it but I ran out and never bothered to get anymore as I was scared of the side effects of too much fat... I will have a word with my doctor about it on Wednesday :) safe paths and thank you again :)
  • jklwq123
    jklwq123 Posts: 5 Member
    I was suffering from gallstones until I had my surgery back in may. But yeah I totally understand that awful pain after everything! Honestly try eating a little bit healthier and substituting the beef for chicken or turkey would help, but honestly it's like anything you can do to have a little less fat in your diet WILL help. Not suggesting this because you love meat, but what helped subside my pain and contributed to a steady weight loss was transitioning to veganism.
  • RamboKitty87
    RamboKitty87 Posts: 272 Member
    @jklwq123 Hey thanks for the tips, I have cut back so much, the only meats I do have now are chicken and tuna in spring water, I also added tofu too which I fry up a little with that 1 cal no fat spray, my diary is open with what little food I do eat these days, I will admit I got a little confident and added snack a jacks and 1 teeeny tiny chocolate due to T.O.M cravings for snackings, my total daily fat intake yesterday was 14g but I had a minor attack 3am this morning so I am having to remove those snacks now... I did look into non-meat substitutes like quorn but its still too much fat then I am comfortable with, I would rather spread what little fat I do out throughout the day than just 1 meal *sigh* at the moment chicken, tuna in spring water and tofu seem like the best options for protein for me without my calories going too low.

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