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Advice, not sure what to do

Posted , 8 users are following.

emmahaynes619
emmahaynes619

Hi

2 years ago I started getting really bad attacks I didn't no what they were, then I was told I had Gall stones, I was quite frightened because I didn't want to have an op, I've never been put to sleep an this really scares me plus my nan had the op and she still can't eat normal and suffers with her tummy. I changed my diet and lost weight and for 2 years I was free of any pain or attacks, I recently lost my grandad and started slipping with my diet and have just stuffers 3 attack in a month (I forgot how painful they are!) I am now frightened to eat or drink incase it happens again I don't think I could take another one right now. I've been pain free now for 4 days, I have a holiday coming up at the end of sept am in Florida for a month am terrified now incase I suffer over there, can anyone give me any more advice on how to live with them until I gain the courage to get it out.

Many thanks

Emma

0 likes, 29 replies

29 Replies

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  • sarah50457
    sarah50457 emmahaynes619

    Posted

    I'd second everyone's advice to keep a food journal. The sooner you figure out your trigger foods, the sooner you can avoid them. Mine were chocolate, breaded chicken and pork, but everyone is different. I'd possibly look at cutting out your diet soda, they are full of so much stuff that could potentially be causing your flare ups. 

    I came back from the U.S. because of this problem, their food just didn't agree with me at all. I'd just suggest being very careful. Take it easy with what you're eating until you know what it'll do to your system. Lean, clean meat and food, as low fat as you can get! Be wary of cooking oils and sauces. 

    Also, talk to your doctor about surgery, and see what he suggests. I had mine out a week ago and have bounced back as strong as ever.

    • emmahaynes619
      emmahaynes619 sarah50457

      Posted

      Hi Sarah

      Can I just ask what the diet Lemo or other fizzys can do to aggravate it? I've looked on labeles and they say zero to all in the drink!

      When keeping a food diary how long after u eat something will it cause a attack? I always thought it was a build up over time?

      Thanks

    • sarah50457
      sarah50457 emmahaynes619

      Posted

      From what I believe, diet soda just replaces the sugars with artificial sweeteners and aspartame. So you still have all the chemicals, caffeine and acidity, just fewer calories because there's no sugars. They aren't really much better for you than full fat soda. Then again, you may find that soda doesn't aggravate you. I drink a lot of full fat Pepsi and it didn't really make much difference, it all just depends on your body.

      As for timings, again it would depend. If I ate pork, it would be pretty immediate, but if it was (for example) a sauce, it could come on anytime really. If I ate chocolate past 5pm, I'd be awake at 3am in agony. I tried not to eat anything past 5pm because I knew that unless it was super safe I'd have an attack. The majority of my attacks happened in the early hours of the morning, a good couple of hours after eating whatever trigger food. I also had a few that began first thing when I woke up in a morning.

      i don't think there's really a rhyme or reason to attacks, everybody is different. I had left and central upper pain, my attacks were sporadic but frequent, a lot of my trigger foods would affect me one day but not the next but it was 110% my gallbladder. 

      I hope this helps!

  • sarah87162
    sarah87162 emmahaynes619

    Posted

    I would try the omeprazole, they work for me.

    Other than that try and keep to a low fat diet.

    Try not to worry too much as stress will not help.

    Pluck up the courage to have your gallbladder out if it is causing you that much trouble with the stones. It is well worth it.

    Remember that once you have plucked up that courage there is still a waiting list. I would atleast get on that list as soon as possible.

    Take care and keep in touch

    Sarah

    • emmahaynes619
      emmahaynes619 sarah87162

      Posted

      Hi Sarah thank you, did u just take one a day of them pills even when you wasn't having attacks?

      Thanks Emma x

    • Acejohnston
      Acejohnston emmahaynes619

      Posted

      Hi Emma I would be careful taking those pills unnecessarily. They are ant acids which are prescribed for gastritis and reflux disease. There has been some studies which suggest the use of these drugs can actually make the gallbladder contract and cause reduced gallbladder function so could make your symptoms worse. Unfortunately they are one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the world and they now reckon we shouldn't be on them for longer than 8 weeks. I was on them prior to my operation and actually found I would get pains in my gallbladder within an hour of taking them but didn't make the connection. Also they are hard to get off once you start taking them as they stop your stomach from producing acid and when you stop them you get what they call a rebound effect which is basically like heartburn and acid but it's just your stomach starting to produce acid again. This effect can last 6-8 weeks after you stop taking them but it goes away. I stopped them after my operation but had the rebound effect and it went away. I had a scope and my tummy was fine. Good luck.
    • emmahaynes619
      emmahaynes619 Acejohnston

      Posted

      Thanks very much for the information and warning this has actually helped thank you
    • sarah87162
      sarah87162 Acejohnston

      Posted

      Thanks for warning Ace.I took Omeprazole before I had my gallbaldder out. Then I came off them.

      When I started having stomach cramps first thing in the morning again, I came back on them

      Might try and see if I can manage without them again.

      Sarah

    • Acejohnston
      Acejohnston sarah87162

      Posted

      Hi Sarah they are very hard to come off as you can Start experiencing the rebound effect which is awful but if you can get through it all the better. You need as much acid in your tummy to break down the food when you don't have a gallbladder. Digestive enzymes are an alternative which may help you get off them. If you don't have gastritis or reflux your better off them. Also be aware coming off them can cause other side effects like diarrhea in some people. Take care xx
    • Acejohnston
      Acejohnston sarah87162

      Posted

      No problem Sarah. You may not get the rebound for a few weeks But it will pass. Usually doesn't last longer than 6-8 weeks. Good luck and let me know how your getting on. Take care xx
  • harrington40
    harrington40 emmahaynes619

    Posted

    Emma, Please don't be scared. Doing nuthing is worst thing than fear to go under.

     Listen, I had mine removed on may 15 15. I was scared to go under so bad I almost cancelled on day of operation.

    good I went to have it removed. Mine was full lot of stones and pretty much not functioning . The worst could have happened if I was going to let it go again for a year.

    Take your time now find a good doctor, maybe while in the US take it out ???

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