Biliary Colic and excercise

Posted , 4 users are following.

I have biliary colic and have been on the waiting list for gallstone removal. I was recently admitted to the hospital with a nasty episode diagnosed as cholecystitis. Deeply unpleasant.

Before that I had been stepping up my exercise regime and have since had to be taking it somewhat easier. I am now following an extremely low fat diet (during the COVID-19 lockdown there is no telling when the operation might be scheduled) to try and control the pain which has subsided to a feeling of general bruising on my right side.

My question is whether I can start back on my running and other dance exercise regime? Is there any risk of dislodging a stone or causing the pain to get worse? Has anyone else had experience with exercise making things worse or the best approach.

Thanks, Natalie

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Edited

    Hi Natalie.

    Have you had a scan and know how many stones you have / what sizes they are?

    I had only 1 stone, which was 30mm and was told it would be very very unlikely I would pass it, hence the operation. If you have smaller stones to my knowledge I think the probability of passing them are the same as if you did or didn't exercise. But I'm no expert and that could be untrue.

    I do think your right tho and that the operation will be on hold until after this covid has gone. I'm awaiting a dental operation and they have said they've cancelled all operations and appointments until normality resolves. Hopefully the waiting list isn't long when things get better.

    Stick to the low fat diet, i would also continue with exercise unless it starts causing you pain.

  • Posted

    Hi Natalie

    I'm in a similar situation to you - extremely low fat diet, apple cider vinegar - and have a pain at the bottom of the right rib cage when i press the area. My US showed a 24mm min stone, and currently waiting for the covid-19 crisis to ease before any action is taken.

    I asked my consultant about excercise (via a call), and he said it is ok in moderation.

    Hope your pain eases some, and you get your op soon.

    Jon

  • Posted

    Hello Natalie

    I was on holiday last year and decided to go on a rigorous water sports ride. Unfortunately it did dislodge a stone into the bile duct and as a result i became severely unwell on my return and being admitted to hospital for a week. An ERCP procedure was done to extract the stone but it failed and i developed pancreatitis which i can truly say is the most painful experience Ive ever gone through. !!!. I had my gallbladder and bile duct stone removed during a 5 hour open operation 2 months later . That said I would naturally err on the side of caution if I were you as I would not wish anyone to experience what I went through. An episode of cholecystitis is bad enough in itself. I wish you well.

  • Edited

    Thank you all, @steph9852, @jon55305 and @Kavala

    Sounds like the sensible advice is to proceed with caution. I have had a scan and I know I have a lot of stones that are small to medium. I do not know how many or what size (head in the sand I'm afraid).

    Your advice is so helpful. I am really scared to start running again because of possibility of that horrible pain coming back. I am going to try moderation, which is not something I tend to do well. And I will keep up the very low fat diet for now.

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