Diet for Gallstone sufferers?

Hi Vixen Barrett's is where the cells in the gullet (which are normally skin like) have changed or have always been like the cells of the stomach. I have a 4cm segment of inflamation. The diet recommended is similar to that of anyone suffering acid reflux. I have to be on Omeprazole for life and have regular check ups (it can be pre malignant) I have already had a hernia op across my navel and now they have discovered a hiatus hernia. I have been unwell for some time and it was thought to be a digestive possible hernia problem hence the gastroscopy. Luckily for me the Consultant said he wanted me to have an ultrascan to check for gallstones - which they found complete with thickened gallbladder. I think I have had these conditions for years but came to a head when I started getting the severe chest pain. I was referred to another Consultant who is great. He assures me all my problems have been from the gallbladder and that it must come out.

My family can't wait to see me eating properly again but of course I will still be restricted by the other conditions. I just want the attacks to stop.

This site has been so helpful, reassuring and supportive. When I first found it I read out some of the experiences to my husband and it was like reading the diary I had been keeping. What a pity our GP's are not always alerted by our symptons.

Here's hoping we all get the relief we need. Thanks to everyone.

Hi guys - you're right, I shouldn't stop eating, it's just that since Tuesday I have been a bit apprehensive about eating, mostly down to the nausea and strange churning sensations I am getting. Oh, and not wanting to have another attack.

It is possible acutally that most of what I am feeling right now is actually caused by hunger. I had some fruit this morning and am going to microwave one of those quickcook ricebags - it's fairly boring but still tastes better than plain rice!

I will have to work things up slowly until I feel a bit more confident, but to be honest, right now I really just feel pretty awful I am seeing my GP on Thurs and will ask about seeing a nutritionist. In the meantime, I will keep a food diary.

I am hoping that it is just the gallstones. I am only 28 so I hope that there are not any other conditions that are contributing to this. That being said, the attack that landed me in hospital showed up as me having an infected gallbladder which spread to the liver. My Kidneys took quite a beating then too, but luckily it was addressed fairly quickly.

This is no fun, and everyone is going out for Pizza tonight :?

Steamed vegetables are really good for you, carrots, swede, broccoli, baby sweetcorn, green beans, cauliflower, cabbage, sprouts and of course new potatoes with the skins on, none of them should cause any / much discomfort (well except flatulence :oops: ). So yes theres no need to starve yourself, get some food down ya (small portions at first)

gemini thanks for explaining - you poor thing having gallstones on top of the other stuff - i am lucky my gallbladder problems are the only real medical problem i have that i can remember - as a child i had to have my tonsils removed but remember only positves (i was pre school) like getting new pjs and a toilet bag with a soap holder - i felt very proud and grown up not havingto share with my parents!! i have been on a restricted diet most of my life, lacking an enzyme to digest meat - but again this has become a way of life since before i was two.

Marco - i had liver problems due to gallstone obstruction, and it was horrible, i kind of got into a habit of eating every few days when i felt like it. i was eventually getting round to eating, i was hungry for the first time in 2 days and cooking my dinner when i got a call from a consaultants secretaryrang me and told me my dr had had my blood results back and i was being admitted as an emergency there and then. i didnt get my food and attended hospital - only to be labled nil by mouth and remaind so for 5 days.. after this i found it hard to get back into eating- my mum tried to tempt me with all sorts- i was too scared to eat. once i was back home i tried to get the optimum nutrician from the least amount of food. i needed to help my own recovery as much as i could. i eventually found what suited me and stuck too it... once i started eating again i realised that the nausea was related to not eating and would come back if i was late for a meal or skipped it. it took time to get back into a regular eating pattern but i got used to it - i kept snacks (fruit etc) in easy reach at work - so if my lunch was delayed i could at least snack on somthing healthy to stave off the nausea of being hungry.... also if dinner was taking longer i would have somthing small, while cooking so as i could eventually eat what i had cooked ... going out was a nightmare - i did go to a friends hen party and had a plate of veggies before as we would be eating late (they were great, it was italian and they cooked me a special fat free sauce once i had spent 30 mins explaining every thing on the phone to them).

the worst was starving for my op - i felt sick - but not nerves, but is was worth it!!

all the best with finding what suits you in the eating department. hope you get thins sorted soon.

vix

Happy Easter all. I am surrounded by chocolate and cake and am not even tempted. My family are shocked and astounded! My aunt just checked to see if I have a temperature :lol:

Anyhow, Easter lunch will be roast lamb with vegetables (Roast Potatoes, Steamed Carrots, and Spinach). I will try and eat something but might give the potatos a miss. I will take it easy on the Lamb too and see how I go.

I managed to eat more yesterday afternoon but I still have this odd tense sensation in my stomach. I have a constant feeling as though food is just sitting there undigested. I will just have to put up with it for now until I am seen again. Hopefully it is mostly down to nerves.

Vixen - eating at work will definitely have to change. Luckily we have a microwave in the office so I will make sure I have soups with me, but also bring along lots of veg (carrots, celery, peppers) to snack on as well as fruit. Also, I think I need to address my eating regime as in having a more consistent eating habit i.e. not skipping breakfast, eating meals at the same time each day etc. I'm sure all of this will help somewhat.

So have you actually had your Gallbladder out? How long ago was this and have you noticed a difference in your digestive wellbeing? I am somewhat apprehensive as I have read a lot of downsides to removal and so am interested in other people's experiences.

Thanks.

marco - galbladder went 3 years ago, and i am not missing it. after an inital hicup a week after discharge (resolved in48 hours) i can pretty much eat anything now and have not had digestive issues - the only time i have problems is skipping meals, if i dont eat for too long i get nauseous due to too much bile sitting there doing nothing - if i ignore the nausea i have been sick occasionally but now i have worked it out i can control it. if i am eating late eg going out for a meal, i will have a small snack at my normal time.

my gb was in very bad shape - i am better off without it!!

all the best

vix

Hi Vixen I am trying to take onboard your advice. I have known for a while that I have not been getting the nutrients I need. It's hard when nothing tastes the same and there is always that fear of an attack. As it is only 2 weeks to my op I am trying to eat some fruit etc. as well as my wholemeal toast. I always try to ensure I have some protein too. Not feeling too good today but think it may be more a hayfever issue. I have now lost 3st 6lbs and the greyness of my skin is making me look older than my 61 years (in my view). My hubbie says he always knows when I am not well just by looking at my face. I have been trying to lose weight for most of my 40 years marriage to no avail and then it just drops off.

Here's to better days.

Losing stones in weight due to GI problems is about average as is the grayness It does get better after the op / s though Yes try and keep the weight off afterwards if thats what you prefer :D

Thanks Dr Spock. Now may our ask our 2 experts Vixen and Dr Spock a question? I have all the daigrams, info etc on the gallbladder but wonder if you can tell me if something I am experiencing is a gallbladder thing too (knowing that pain etc can be away from the gallbladder area). When I went for my ultrascan the doctor put the scanner on what I call my tummy and it made me groan as it felt so tender. I have for a short time been aware of a tenderness that I have not been aware of since that scan. I will now try to explain where. Going from the navel across to the right about 4\"- 6\" across. It's not a pain as such just a fluttery tenderness.

I had a large hernia repair on my navel in 1997 so its a sensitive area anyway.

My main pain has been in the centre of my chest which is now under control with careful eating and the pain is usually in a band around my chest round to my back and all over my back when I am having a vomit or feeling ill attack.

What do you think? Thanks.

An inflamed Gallbladder can effect all the bits and pieces surrounding it so its hard to say exactly what your pain is :? Maybe you can get your GP to give it a poke next time you are there

gemini, maybe as you have had previous surgery in that area and as you say it is tender that was the cause of the discomfort. i had an utrasound 8 weeks post op and it was quite uncomfortable as the person performing the scan could not easily veiw the stump because of scar tissue and had to press quite hard in places!!

just a thought - mention it to your dr if you are concerned.

vix

Hi all

I know that my tummy is tender all the while, I have put that down to my gallbladder being inflamed because of all the stones in there. I cannot bend for any length of time say like gardening that really hurts. When I went to see the Consultant he was gaving a poke around pressed my gallbladder and I about shot off the bed :shock:

Benji

Hi all. Feeling unwell today. Fed up not being able to each much so decided to have a mushroom omelette last night. No fat involved in the cooking. Oh boy do I feel sick today and pain in my chest and upper right hand side of my back. Do not feel too bad at moment but I have eaten very little to try to eliminate pains. etc. Go for my pre admission check up tomorrow. Will be glad when all of this is over.

Hi

I cannot eat eggs in any shape or form they really aggragrave my gallbladder - cannot even eat anything with eggs in them

Benji

Oh dear, yeah you should have removed a few yokes