Diet for Gallstone sufferers?

Hi all,

I have been suffering with abdominal pain for a while now with doctors putting the pain down to kidney infections etc. I didn't understand why I was getting so many infections and pain in my upper abdomen. On Sunday I had a really bad episode and by Monday the pain was so severe I had to go down to A&E it was making me vomit and literally taking my breath away.

They ran some tests and gave me some painkillers and acid blockers, they told me I have gallstones but because its so common I had to go home and go to my doctors to be referred for a scan.

I went to my doctors today and told her how terrified I am of being in pain like that again (having not eaten anything since Monday lunch time), she gave me more painkillers and acid blockers and has referred me for a scan.

My question is, how long roughly did other sufferers wait for a scan? I am currently working and in university and also have a 2 year old, I feel like this pain is literally ruining my life! It gets so bad I feel like I would rather go through childbirth again at least that has an end in sight!

Sorry for the long post and thank you in advance for any replies.

Emily

Hi all I am glad that i have found this site.

Just got out of hospital with gall stones they said that i will need surgery , wishing all of you out there pain free days, god bless

Harry

Just wanted to pass on re: diet that I read somewhere that egg whites can trigger problems. Avoid those egg whites in cartons stuff, but whole eggs I have not had problems with.

Hi Emily, I'm in exactly the same place, was diagnosed yesterday at an out of hours gp after incredible pain. I work full time and my career is at a critical stage where I'm just getting the work I need to move me up the ladder...and now it looks like I'm facing months of pain...oh joy!

I'm terrified of eating right now , and I have no appetite but I will get myself some apple juice and make some homemade fat free veggie soup for when I feel better.

I have an appointment with a gp at my surgery tomorrow and I will push for an ultrasound appointment. After waiting 18 months for a knee op recently I know you just have to keep going until they listen!

Hi everybody, I think Ive had gallstones for a few years now, but didn't recognise the symptoms. The doc was treating me for irritable bowel syndrome. I had a severely bloated stomach, cramps, indigestion & dull ache in the upper right back, which I've had for around 3 years. The bloating for around 10/15 years. It was only after I begged my doc for an ultrasound scan that they found multiple mobile gallstones & flat gallbladder . The other strange thing I have is an area on my upper back that has a grey/yellow tinge & sometimes itches like mad. The consultant says I need the gallbladder out, which to be honest I'm not relishing but I know it has to be done as I have a suppressed immune system (no spleen & half small intestine). The other symptoms I've had are severe chest pains . I had my pre op yesterday, so just waiting for a date now. I'm just a big scaredy cat so not looking forward to going into hospital, just hoping they can do it through keyhole & not open surgery. Thanks for listening ........Lotty

Hi I feel that I need to share my experience of gallstone trouble with all those that are suffering as well. It started back in October when my daughter had cooked me a lovely roast dinner, that night I started to get pain that felt like bad indigestion, I took some gaviscon but that did not help, I was in so much pain it felt like I was in labour, crawling on all fours, squirming, just could not get comfortable, the pain was just below my breast bone down to my navel, did not sleep all night, the pain went by morning so I went to work feeling totally exhausted. Did not get another attack until the following Sunday, followed by another roast dinner, same thing happened, pain all night, no sleep. Still thought this was bad indigestion but every thing I took to ease it did not work. Got another attack a few days later which was not due to a roast dinner, same thing, pain all night no sleep. Could not take no more so went to see my GP who actually said it could be gallstones, I got prescribed some Omeprazole, all the time I took those I did not get another attack, the day the tablets had finished I got another attack which I was dreading as once again the pain lasted all night and no sleep. I went straight back to my GP and got more Omeprazole, she also put me forward for an ultra sound. In January I had this done which confirmed I had gallstones, I had to wait another month to see a consultant to see if I could have my gallbladder removed. After seeing the consultant I have suffered pain every day, have been back and forth to my GP to be prescribed Co-codomol, then the dosage was upped on them, been prescribed Tramodol which didn't work either, got so bad I went to A&E ended up spending the night in hospital where I was put on a drip, given morphine twice orally, even that did not take the pain away, only when I was put on a ward and got morphine injected into my buttocks did that eventually work, I have never in my life felt so ill, I feel that I can't take no more. I was back at the hospital on the Sunday only to be given Buscopan and sent straight home, once again that did not work. Went back to my GP on the Monday who then signed me off work for a week and prescribed me Buprenorphine which has helped a little bit.Was told by one of the doctors at the hospital to ring admissions on the Tuesday, did that and was told that my case has been marked as urgent, I'm waiting for that call, just hope I haven't got to wait much longer.

Hey, I am new to this site. I came across it while searching for foods to avoid/eat while having gallstones. I'm a 25 year old female who was taking into a&e 2 weeks ago with pain in my right hand side, they told me from my symptoms it will gallstones. I was given pain killers and sent home. 2 weeks later & after 2 visits to the doctors I am still in pain. I've changed my diet hugely! I am living on chicken, vegetables & some dairy free items etc. I am struggling to find more things to eat. I really just want the pain to go away! I now have a sharp dull pain on the left side. The doctors after some blood tests told me that my liver had some damage to it..which is wonderful as I already have pre-existing damage due to previous years on medication for PCOS & endometriosis. I'm trying lemon & hot water when I had attacks but sadly nothing seems to take away my pain. Does anyone have any advice to give me...feeling a bit lost:-(

Thanks

Natalie x

Hi Natalie

The pain will eventually go when the inflammation has died down. Try PUKKA Aloe Vera juice or a teaspoon of organic apple cider vinegar in warm water. Hope that helps.

Shape pain on your LEFT side? lower left? That could be diverticulitis.

A new Patient UK diet sheet for Gallstone sufferers : patient.info/health/gallstones-diet-sheet

Bon appetit

Hey I am back again, I've had one week of not much pain. Then all of a sudden this last two weeks has gotten much worse. I've not been able to sleep, only getting a few hours a night if that. I've had to start sleeping up right, like sitting up right. I have such awful pain in my chest, around my esophagus, it's like a burning, grumbling pain & the pain in the gallbladder is unbearable. I am taking as much pain killers as possible but nothing is helping. I have the doctors again tomorrow, so gonna tell her I need this scan sooner rather than later!! I've had enough....close to tears right now. :-(

Have you tried gaviscon! maybe that will help...

Designergirl12 yes i have tried gaviscon, rennies & co. nothing works , i even have to get up during the night to get something to eat/drink just to settle to pain. Hopefully the doc can shed some light on whats happen. I just want this gallbladder out! Doesnt help iv managed to damage my ribs on the left hand side too :-(

Hello, I've bee to see my doctor today regarding the pain in my esophagus, apparently I have GERD & have been given Omeprazole, I have taken on of them already & so far so good, the pain has gone! Now I am left with the pain in my gallbladder which I have codamol, but I forgot to ask if it would be safe enough to take them together. I took to omeprazole around 1-2 this afternoon but I am still worried they might not be good together. Has anyone taken them along side each other?

Thanks

Natalie

Hi in just reading your letter on gallstones iam having my out next week the gallbladder i had a attack yesterday from 4.00 till 3 am this morning and cannot think what i had eaten ,,now frightened today to eat anything and no where to turn to know what to eat got dry crackers and scrambled eggs today but do know what you mean you get scared of another attack if anyone can help in what to eat then great ,Thankyou

Gerry