Dissolving gallstones?

I've only heard of people doing a cleanse to help rid them of the body, but never heard of them dissolving. They're hard like pebbles, so I would imagine that it would take a long time to dissolve them even if it's possible.

I've heard that they've stopped trying to dissolve as its only a temporary solution as they reform :-)

I read that this is not really possible due to the composition of the stones and the size of the duct.

​The methodogy is also potentially risky

I've not personally seen any compelling evidence that flushes work and I would never try one as drinking oil in quantity would likely send me to A & E! That said, there seem to be many people with anecdotal reports that they worked for them, but without a control and proper trials it may just be they would have improved regardless and the "stones" as you say are not the real thing just soapy grease. I'd say speak to a doctor as you would not actually want stones getting stuck due to this - the bile duct is only 4 mm I think so you'd need to know the size of the stones first.

As to dissolving, orthodox medicine for this has concluded it is not very effective, takes ages, side effects and stones recur. Also you need to only have one or few small stones and the Gb must still be working. It is more often reserved for treating those fo whom surgery would be too risky I think.

I have heard of some countries doing research on "natural" remedies such as herbs and essential oils for dissolving stones but no real conclusive evidence. I have heard of peppermint oil being used in a trial and strangely I have craved this and used it to subdue my nausea and pain. I have multiple stones and scarred gb so I don't know if it helped though as the hospital just offer removal and do not re scan. I would prefer to keep the Gb but it has caused me so much illness and pain, cannot continue in the way it is. Hope you find a solution.

Thanks for replies. I actually just want to explore all avenues before I commit to having the gb removed. I have only had two significant attacks and gp wants it out! It seems a bit dramatic to me when I feel really well. But one thing keeps shouting in my head- DO NOT DO A FLUSH! That's the only thing I know for certain. So apart from that I am sitting on the fence wondering which way to go. I have no thickening, just gravel. GP says that now the attacks have started I will only get more and worse attacks so he wants it out while I am still relatively young and healthy (59) Crikey, I am in a bit of a dilema!

As you say, you have a dilemma.  However, you are correct in your approach of analysing all the options, and I would encourage you to be thorough.  See your research through to the end so that you make an informed decision that you are comfortable with.

I would try and research outside the box but be very aware of quackery.  I don’t think that doctors have all the answers, which is partly due to their training and vested interest.  The same applies to the quacks and supplement pushers.

I undertook what I believed was a fairly thorough piece of investigation, but could have taken it further.  I didn’t believe the general medical opinion that the GB was virtually a vestigial organ that we could manage quite easily without.  I was always a proponent of healthy fats before this became recently fashionable, as I knew they are necessary for brain function and hormone production.  That is why I would never ever take statins.

I wanted to hold onto my GB but two visits to accident and emergency in extreme pain and subsequent jaundice due to a blocked bile duct led me towards removal.  I had an ERCP performed to remove the offending stone as a holding operation prior to surgery.  A sphincterotomy was done at the same time just in case the other stones in my GB decided to pop into the bile duct.  At that stage I felt good and looked up the research on mortality concerning ECRP and sphincterotomy versus GB removal.  Once you are over 65 the stats come down in favour of GB removal.  I therefore opted for GB removal but it wasn’t an easy decision to make.

I had no problems whatsoever post-surgery and following a consultation with a dietician was advised to eat normally as before, which I did.  Aparently this is the latest wisdom.  I had not the slightest problem for about 4 months but recently I have been experiencing what is either acid or bile reflux and general digestive discomfort during the day.

I have now embarked on further research to cope with this in as natural a process as possible.  I am and have always been concerned over the processing of fats to obtain absolutely essential fatty acids and fat soluble vitamins post GB surgery.  I am also now researching into the appropriate supplements etc to compensate for what will be an obvious deficiency.  I want to stay as healthy as possible into old age.

I am not advocating this, but given my experiences, if I was in your position with no thickening and simply gravel, I personally would be trying to hold onto my GB after of course getting all the liver etc function tests.  I would also be exploring how to improve my diet and taking supplements etc to support my liver and GB functions.  I am not a medical person but came to the conclusion that my problem resulted from being too cautious with fats in my diet.  The expression ‘use it or lose it’ comes to mind.  I think my GB was not called upon often enough and the bile thickened and crystallised.  When the surgeon removed it he said it did not look too healthy.  There was no time allocated but I now wish I had asked to see it and the surgeon point out why he thought this.

In conclusion I would say that everyone’s physiology is different.  The post GB surgery issues on this site are evidence of that.  I have always taken responsibility for my own health and tried to do my own research.   I have never put doctors on a pedestal and believed their word is absolute.  I advocate that you do the same so that you are comfortable and confident with your decision as far as you can be.

Good Luck.