Gall Stones

Bikini_Bound150
Bikini_Bound150 Posts: 461 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I've had some pretty awful gall stones for a few years now. I have been told that they are, in part, because of my weight but I have realized that the healthier I eat, the worse they are!!!!! Why is this? I thought a healthy diet would slow the creation of the stones, not make them worse :cry:

Does anyone else have this problem? Also, what kind of "at home" remedies have you found for this? I'm sick of the constant pain every few months from them trying to pass.

Replies

  • RunHardBeStrong
    RunHardBeStrong Posts: 33,069 Member
    Idk why it gets worse but mine sure did. After I lost 50 lbs it was unbearable!! I had my gallbladder removed and I feel 100% better no longer in pain 24/7 and able to eat again. If you can get them taken care of please do and you don't want them to pass they will get stuck in your bile duct and you'd be in even more pain!
  • AutumnBreeze07
    AutumnBreeze07 Posts: 49 Member
    Between the time I found out I had gall stones and the time I had my gall bladder removed -- it didn't matter what I ate, I still had pain. I would look into having your gall bladder removed before your bile duct gets plugged. It could cause infection and more problems (not to mention more money) in the long run! There isn't anything that will magically make them go away or give you a quick fix (believe me, I looked)! :noway:
  • tuppance
    tuppance Posts: 132 Member
    Eating fatty things will bring on attacks but so will eating acidy things like oranges, spicy foods, and I used to find, so did yeasty things

    i ended up with a nasty bout of pancreatitus (sp) before they took my gallbladder out - bliss, no pain
  • LucyvdPelt
    LucyvdPelt Posts: 34 Member
    i had times where it didnt matter what i eat - the pain was there most of the time

    try to get rid of the gall bladder as soon as possible - my quality of life increased so enormously
  • NOLA_Meg
    NOLA_Meg Posts: 194 Member
    Gall stones are not like kidney stones, they don't "pass," the accumulate in your gallbladder, hence it's need for removal.
  • clairerose11
    clairerose11 Posts: 95 Member
    I had my gall bladder removed in December after a month of sudden onset, horrendous (worse than labour!) pains.

    Whilst waiting for surgery I was advised never to eat anything with more than 5g of fat per 100g and it did work to stop the pains.

    I would be careful if I were you though, at one point one of my stones was stuck in my bile duct and wouldn't budge. I was in hospital for 5 days whilst they waited and dithered about whether to go in and remove it or not. My liver function was all over the place and I was very jaundiced. I had to have a horrible procedure called an ERCP where they put a tube down my throat and tried to remove the stone from my bile duct with a pincer. They tried to cut the bile duct to remove it... the sedation didn't work and I was panicked and in pain so they had to stop...

    If a surgeon at any point recommends you having your gall bladder removed, please have it done.. don't try at at home flush or anything as stones can get stuck.

    Edited: NolaMeg, they can and do sometimes pass, mine did with the failed ERCP, they did an MRI a week later and it was gone, the pain whilst it passed was terrible though unfortunately.
  • missemcm
    missemcm Posts: 21 Member
    I was diagnosed in october. I will be going this week to see a specialist. I watch what i eat and still get attacks and sometimes for days after my body aches and my stomach swells ive noticed since ive been working out and really really staying away from high fat foods im good but the minute i indulge i regret it because the pain is unbearable!!
  • Bikini_Bound150
    Bikini_Bound150 Posts: 461 Member
    I don't have medical insurance right now so I can't get it removed but I am thinking of using next years tax return to pay for the surgery! I can't stand the pain anymore and I'm taking prescription pain medication to dull it when it's TOO much to handle.

    Have those of you who had it removed found that it was easier to lose weight too? I have heard that you have to watch what you eat very closely because it will make you sick if you have too much fat in your diet.
  • skyocom
    skyocom Posts: 41 Member
    I had to have mine removed after 3 years of acute pain that eventually became chronic. I lost 25 lbs prior to surgery because I couldn't eat anything without pain and extreme vomiting. After surgery I lost another 30 lbs due to a healthier diet. Although once my body adjusted I slacked and gained it all back plus some. Try to get it removed as soon as you can as having an emergency gall bladder surgery usually calls for the full abdominal incision vs a laproscopy, 4 tiny holes=faster healing. Lots of luck.
  • jcenters2003
    jcenters2003 Posts: 1
    I had mine removed about 5 yrs ago and have had no problems since then, it is so worth it if you can get your dr to just take care of it once and for all
  • sgmomma
    sgmomma Posts: 299 Member
    I had mine removed this last summer after a stuck stone gave me pancreatitis and i spent 3 days in the hospital unable to eat or have surgery. I had loose stools for a bit, but eat whatever i want and lose just fine.
  • PLUMSGRL
    PLUMSGRL Posts: 1,134 Member
    I used to have gall stones so bad (when they would try to pass) it felt like a really bad heart attack(chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting)...(no it wasn't a heart attack, the vagus nerve goes to the heart and GI system,so it feels that way).
    Tried a product on the market from Planetary Herbals called STONE FREE...I highly recommend it.
    You can find it at most health food stores.
    I took this product for a month and haven't had any problems since (over 3 years ago).
    I had doctors say "your gallbladder needs to come out". My theory is that God did not give us extra parts...yes you can live without it, but it's there for a reason.
  • clairerose11
    clairerose11 Posts: 95 Member
    I haven't found that losing weight is any easier TBH. BUT!! I can eat anything I like, at first I took it slow and steady, but now if I want to have pizza or fish and chips I can do and it won't affect me at all.
  • raechellg
    raechellg Posts: 30 Member
    i had to have mine removed at 18. the biggest thing i have found is make sure you eat something before a greasy meal or fried foods. ex. eat some bread or something that will absorb the grease a lil.. or if you happen to go out to eat.. make sure your whole meal isn't fried. ex. chicken tenders and fries. if you don't the worst case turnout will be a run for the bathroom since the grease will run right through you so to speak. but you will feel TONS better after your gallbladder is out. one of my last attacks felt like my side was going to explode and chest pains like a heart attack. so it sucked bad. i have heard of a few cases where some people had a hard time eating period for awhile after surgery but that isn't real common i don't think. but until you have the surgery just try and stay away from greasy, spicy or high acid foods. hope this helped and good luck to you =)
  • AutumnBreeze07
    AutumnBreeze07 Posts: 49 Member
    I don't have medical insurance right now so I can't get it removed but I am thinking of using next years tax return to pay for the surgery! I can't stand the pain anymore and I'm taking prescription pain medication to dull it when it's TOO much to handle.

    Have those of you who had it removed found that it was easier to lose weight too? I have heard that you have to watch what you eat very closely because it will make you sick if you have too much fat in your diet.

    Don't be afraid to talk to the hospital about working out a payment plan. You could make monthly payments, and then pay the rest off with your tax return. It never hurts to ask -- I'm sure the are many other people in your shoes! Is there a relative that could help with a little of the cost?

    I have a hard time eating bacon or an over cooked pork chop! But otherwise I don't have problems with any other foods.

    :drinker:
  • La_Amazona
    La_Amazona Posts: 4,855 Member
    The only relief came when I had my gall bladder removed.

    It's awful pain, I know!!
  • aj_31
    aj_31 Posts: 994 Member
    I don't know but they are painfull as hell. I would ask your doctor to remove your gall bladder. If this has been going on for years there is really no reason for it not to be removed. I had mine out in 2000 and have been fine ever since.

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