Diet for Gallstone sufferers?
Posted , 40 users are following.
Hi There
I have increasingly had bad episodes of gallstone attacks.
I know I should be avoiding high fat, high cholesterol foods, but is there anything in particular that I should leave out completely?
More importantly, is there any guide as to what is OK to eat?
I really am completly drained by these attacks. I have had 3 severe attacked in the past 5 weeks, two of which have landed me in A&E.
Each time my symptoms have been a little different but one thing that is constant throughout each has been excruciating and paralysing pain throughout my abdominal area, up to my chest, and down my back.
My last attack was Tuesday and the pain nearly had me in tears. I didn't know what to do with myself. I couldn't sit, stand, lie down ... nothing. All I was experiencing was pain and difficulty breathing. I had no choice but to go the A&E where they gave me some Codeine and did blood tests. Luckily the pain subsided, but only after some 6 hours.
Before that my last attack was 3 weeks ago where I had the same pain, but on top of that had a temperature, jaundice, dark urine, pale stools, back pain, intense itching and nausea. It turns out it was caused by a stone blocking the bile duct. I was in pretty bad shape for a whole week.
Overall my experiences have drained me of energy and I really REALLY do not want to go through anything else like this again. I am booked in to see a specialist and I hope they will book me in for surgery soon.
In the meantime, I want to make sure I do everything I can to avoid another possible attack as I do not know how much I can cope with the pain. Tuesday night was the final straw for me ... I would have rather someone knocked me out than have gone through that. It was sheer agony.
Thanks
1 like, 87 replies
designergirl12
Posted
There are sites online which advocate eating beetroot and cucumber for gallbladder pain. Some people say egg yolks are bad for you so perhaps leave off them.
designergirl12
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designergirl12
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richard3840 Marco01
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I've only just found this site. I had all Marco's symptoms plus I thought I was passing blood in my urine. My doctor sent me to A&E where I eventually underwent a barrage of scan tests which indicated I had a blocked bile duct. The blockage was just one LARGE gallstone. The verdict was 'obstuctive jaundice' and boy, did I turn yellow! For the first few days I couldn't eat or drink without vomiting and the hospital put me on a drip to re-hydrate me. Rather than do an operation they opted for an ERCP(Endoscopic RetrogradeCholangio Pancreatography) procedure. They put a video tube down my gullet and through my stomach to examine the bile duct opening into the duodenum. They could see the gallstone and hooked it out with some wire attachment in the tube. Whole procedure only lasted about 20 minutes and was completely painless if a bit unnerving. They used spray anesthetic on my throat so I wouldn't gag.
I was kept in hospital for 48 hours after the procedure for observation. Pain in the stomach area eased rapidly and urine cleared completely in three days. Also my faeces returned to normal colour as they were rather pale, almost white, for a few days.
Unfortunately, about six weeks later, the pain and coloured urine returned so I took myself straight to hospital. An audio scan did not show any gallstones but much swelling of organs. The verdict was infection and I was put on an antibiotic drip for three days. I was then able to refuse the pain killers and everything seemed to return to normal. Doctors informed me if it happens again they will have to remove my gall bladder. I am being a good boy and following all diet and drink instructions. I really do not fancy an operation.
All of the above was at the Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales. I cannot praise the doctors and staff enough for the care and treatment I received. I am 75 years old.
Richard
kim59492 Marco01
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shellove15 Marco01
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LAYNALAND Marco01
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I went through the very same thing, about 4 nights ago, for the first time ever...I am scheduled for a specialist soon...not sure what to do...but, think it's probably the best to get it out.
As I am hypothyroid, I am lost as to the diet I am supposed to be on.
I have never been good at following diet plans.
I bought cartons of juice & rice milk & crackers, pasta, low fat cream cheese/margarine(have used only butter for years) cottage cheese and low % yogurt.
Eating canned tuna/salmon - flat round steak...the thin stuff...but, don't know what else in the way of meat or other things yet to eat.
I still want my Gingerale & Tostitos...is that a problem?
As a novice to this, I could use some help with my diet info, etc.
Thankyou,
Blessings, Layna - Vancouver Canada.
elizabeth112 LAYNALAND
Posted
I have stopped using milk altogether- low fat still caused problems, and I use dairy free spead, no cheese or yogurt of any kind. The dairy products were causing not just pain, but severe bloating, which I'm told by the Consultant I saw is common in pateients with Gallbladder disease. I also drink a glass of fresh apple joice with 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in it every morning, at breakfast. I eat wholemeal bread, fish, meat, eggs and veggies, including potatoes, and none of these cause problems. Wouldn't like to risk any fizzy drinks like Gingerale, though you may be okay to do so. I drink mint tea, darjeeling and flavoured mineral water. Since starting on this regime, three months ago, I've had no gallbladder pain and only a couple of episodes of mild nausea, easily sorted out by taking the buccal tablets supplied by my G.P. I'm still waiting to see the Consultant again following my MRI scan- the appointments keep getting cancelled, as the NHS system here is in meltdown at the moment- so I'm glad the diet I'm following is keeping a lid on most of my symptoms. Hope this helps.
LAYNALAND elizabeth112
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THANKYOU, LIZ, FOR THE INFORMATION...I COULD NOT LIVE WITHOUT MY NATURAL PLAIN YOGURT OR CHEESE...AND IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BOTHER ME...I SEEM TO BE ABLE TO EAT MY USUAL STUFF...STAYING AWAY FOR THE TIME BEING, FROM BACON & SPICES & GRAVY (TURKEY). I AM DRINKING ALOT MORE JUICES THAN I EVER USED TO NOW. HAVE HAD LITTLE TO NO PAIN SINCE THE ATTACK WHICH LANDED ME IN E.R. OVERNIGHT...THE USUAL MORPHINE NEEDLE FOR SUCH THINGS. SCHEDULED FOR SPECIALIST CONSULTATION ON THE 21ST FEB. ...NOT RELISHING SURGERY, BUT, IF IT WILL MAKE MY LIFE EASIER W/O IT, IT'S BEST IT BE DONE. ...ANYWAYS, THAT'S ALL FOR NOW. WILL HAVE TO ASK MY DOCTOR ABOUT 'BUCCAL TABLETS' - HE NEVER MENTIONED THEM TO ME...THANKS AGAIN, GOD BLESS,
L.
monika90069 Marco01
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LAYNALAND monika90069
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Hello Monica...I've had heartburn, off & on, for many years...it's hard to tell, with the addition of Gall Bladder issues.
I had the surgery to remove the Gall Stones back in May...two weeks after was not fun...alot of discomfort from the gas that they pump you with for the laparoscopy...but, over the months, I have seen gradual improvement...I am eating pretty much what I used to...some things give me discomfort & if you eat too much, it feels like ur stomach is going to explode...laying down on your bed on your side, usually fixes that problem...you just learn to attune yourself to what your body is saying as far as how much to eat & what to eat...I still eat burgers and fries, bread & plenty of cheese, vegetables & desserts...just don't overdue it...try to spread the meals out.
Eating mounds of food at one sitting is probably not a good thing.
I am hypothyroid as well, so, it's hard to determine what is affecting all these food issues - no gall bladder or my thyroid...I take dessicated thyroid medication (natural) - switched from synthetic Synthroid, a couple of years ago...better for you & really there's not much difference in the reactions.
I also had hemorrhoids which were giving me alot of discomfort & bleeding a bit...so, I braved a new, old treatment that has come back, that my Doctor told me about - he got me into the Cleator Clinic...I've had 2 bandings & my last one is on Tuesday, coming up.
He sticks his hand up your rear end with a scope & puts a band on each hemorrhoid separately...then, you have a regimen to follow - you have to get a jar of nitro-glycerine. No, it will not explode in your rectum! There's not enough of it in the vaseline ointment for that to happen...
You have to put a pea-size amount on the tip of a saran-wrapped forefinger or middle finger - whichever is longest - and insert it all the way, wiggling it around & near the back (spine area), and you do that 3 times a day.
If you had an infection down there from the soreness of the hemorrhoids, then, they will tell you to buy some chlorohexidrine or stanhexidine - 4% - and wash the backside/frontside area (do not put directly on genitals), leave on 3 minutes, & then, wash off - also put the disinfectant liquid around your nose and above your lip area only & on your earlobes - then, wash off. You have to do that every morning while you're getting the hemorrhoids removed - one hemorrhoid is removed every visit - two weeks between visits - the 3rd hemorrhoid - one week between visits.
Apparently, we only get three hemorrhoids, for some reason, when we do get them.
I live in Vancouver, Canada, so, I don't know if they have Cleator Clinics down in the States or not.
You will have to check on that.
I can say, I am starting to feel much better down on the backside & no bleeding on my panties anymore.
I think it's worth getting done...just make sure you get the proper banding procedure - b/c if not, you can get septic shock if they don't apply the band correctly.
Well, I seemed to go off on a jag here...but, it may help others who are thinking about other things to get done.
You have to drink alot more fluids than you used to do, for both gall bladder post-op & hemorrhoidal removal...I find water hard to drink, unless it's really hot outside.
So, I buy carbonated spring water now...I love it...and it settles your tummy & doesn't have the sugar that regular carbonated drinks have. I love Ginger Ale, but, Diet drinks are not good for you at all...so, carbonated Spring Water is the answer - there are many different brands & flavors to try.
I hope that is a help to you, Monika, and to others out there.
God Bless,
Layna.
lusethreds Marco01
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Hello! I know this discussion is very much in the past, however, I hope I can help someone with my quick story. After being diagnosed with gallstones after several grinding, binding, agonizing, hard to stand attacks I began a journey filled with mountains of information. Every body is unique, tolerance of pain varies but people with gallstones are truly warriors in the lives of ordinary people. At first, my gallstones attacks came as a surprise...starting slowing under the diaphragm and then crawling around to the back. The pain took my breath away. After several years now, I feel so much better just knowing what helps keep the monster at bay. It may help some of you as well. Now, when I feel a a tiny bit uncomfortable tightness right above my belly button and maybe wanting to throw up and feeling like something I ate is simply not digesting or moving through my bowels like it should I immediately mix 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar with 3/4 cup of cold or warm water and drink, drink, drink. The next step sounds crazy, but for me, it works...I exercise!!! I exercise until I begin to sweat. Thinking about why this works for me....maybe my body needs the movement to "kick in" and help my digestion. With that being said, I also have learned the 'trigger' food for me is ALWAYS chocolate shakes and any form of ice cream...my fav!! On the flip, too much protein and not enough good food is also a trigger. If you lose weight too quickly, that too can be the calling card for gallstone's to roc & roll....The bottom line?...yep...gotta eat healthy! The easiest food for my tum-tum to digest after an attack is spinach. Weird, but it works for me. Try eating healthy, drink water with fresh lemons, stay away from dairy products, exercise and your little gallstones may take a vacation!!...and you may look like you've been on vacation!! Thats my story...not perfect, but I hope it helps.