going to see the consultant

I've had digestive issues all of my life - constipation, bloating and occassional billius attacks have always been the norm. A couple of years ago at christmas I had a fabulous day, filled as normal with enjoying food and during the night I suffered spending an hour or so vomitting mostly undigested food, inc breakfast. Nothing for the following years, excepting the constipation, bloating, odd runny bowel movement, and occassional nights when I felt I'd caught a chill in my ribs.

Then at easter this year after a weeks holiday and an enjoyable evening watching my son's brass band concert I had the chill in my ribs again, for a couple of hours I was fidgeting, nothing helping - pain killer or hot water bottle, then followed by 3-4 hours of vomitting. I went to A&E the vomiting had stopped, but I had the feeling of constipation I was eventually admitted and put on a drip - bloods indicated an infection. Nothing was pinpointed but was suspected diverticulitis. I was told to eat plenty of roughage and not to get constipated - easier said.

Over the next few months I had a further 3 or 4 attacks, always thinking that it was because I was 'backed up'. Then on the final attack after I had vomitted my entire stomach contents I started vomitting bile, this continued for a further 2 hours at which point I went to the night doctor who said I had classic symptoms of gallstones, gave me some codiene and told me to go to my GP and stay off any fatty/dairy foods.

Next day, after 2 hours sleep I went to GP, explained history of problems and requested a scan referal. He said he didn't think was gallstones, but did refer. It took a few weeks for the appointment to come through, and in the meantime I'd lost a stone in weight, got married and went on honeymoon before the scan, always being extra careful looking at menus for the lowfat options - not easy for a veggie, especially one that' s avoiding the bloating effects of wheat!

The scan confirmed 2 large gallstones. We went out for a meal in the evening and I had another attack. 2 weeks later went to the GP to discuss the results. He was convinced that my low/no fat diet was the way forward and that as I'd only had one attack since the scan that there was no need to be refered for further treatment. After firmly repeating to the GP that I wasn't happy with his advice about either the gallstones or dietary needs (he gave me the standard NHS leaflet about 5 portions of veg/fruit + meats given to heart patients) he eventually refered me.

I'm off to see the consultant this afternoon while sat here with a chill in my back and a nausious sensation after only having 2 rounds of non-wheat toast this morning - I am aware that somedays I'm fine and others I'm not but don't understand why - I either need to eat a very restricted diet or get the gall bladder removed.... moan over.

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