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Inflamed gall bladder diagnosed whilst abroad on holiday!

Posted , 7 users are following.

Annoee
Annoee

Help! I am on holiday abroad several thousand miles away from the UK and have been hospitalised for a few days after suffering excruciating pain in my abdomen, right side and back. I was given an ultrasound amongst blood and urine tests and diagnosed with a gall stone that had caused an infection in the gall bladder. Put on IV antibiotics which were changed 3 times as it appears I was allergic to all of them . Developed urticaria and constant itching. Hopefully coming home tomorrow and appt with my own GP on Tuesday. 

No history of this but my liver function tests are checked every year due to medication Itake and I am always told they aw higher than normal but  the doctor abroad says Ihave a fatty liver. 

I am scared about all this especially being so far away from home and can't wait to get back. I think I am just asking for support from the group and to know if anyone else has experienced liver/gall bladder issues similar? 

Thanks

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • sarah87162
    sarah87162 Annoee

    Posted

    Yes I hasve experienced a similar thing but not while on holiday thousands of miles from home.

    Hope you have good insurance.

    I had my gallbladder removed 6 months ago due to gallstones.

    Although i am better than I was still having to be careful what I eat (nothing too fatty)

    Chilli Con Carne seems to set my symptoms off.

    If you have been diagnosed with a gallstone my advice would be to have your gallbladder removed.

    There are quite a few posts on this site about those who have had problems after this operation.

    But for me as I say I am certainly better than I was when I had gallstones.

    Hope you have a safe and not too painful journey home.

    Keep on a low or even no fat diet.

    Take care and keep in touch

    Sarah

    • Annoee
      Annoee sarah87162

      Posted

      Thank you Sarah. I have been sticking to as low a fat diet as I can since. Not feeling too good this morning and flight home brought forward. 9 hr first flight, 8 hrs at Dubai airport and another 8 hr flight! Definitely not looking forward to it.
  • paula89710
    paula89710 Annoee

    Posted

    Oh my extra scary since you overseas.  I had my gall bladder out five weeks ago.  A month prior to that I had a very bad attack (thought it was a heart attack/tighening of the entire chest area) and went to get some blood work done 36 hours after the attack and my liver blood count was 600 which is extremely alarming.  Doctor said it coould be a "fatty liver" which made me scared.  He had me come back a week later and my liver count was down to 30 which is normal range.  I had ultra sound done then and it showed gall stones.  My liver count was up because it was right after the attack just like yours.  My gall bladder though was not infected nor did I have to go on antibiotics.  

    I was told by the surgeon I saw AND the general doctor that I needed to get gall bladder out because it can get real serious if a stone got stuck in my bile duct.

    I agree with sarah that others are writing in saying they are having problems after surgery but I am sticking to a low fat diet. Spicy food as in chili is fine with me.  This issue was a huge wake up call to me; I am 55 years old and over weight, have lost 20 pounds since the surgery because I am logging in all my food and watchign my calories using My Fitness Pal.

    I wish you luck, do not delay going to doctor.  Before you go, REALLY watch what you eat, no fatty foods, no spicy foods, no chocolate.  Hope you can schedule the surgery soon.  If it is a laproscopic surgery, recovery time for me was three weeks.  IF you wait and there are issues and they have to do a real surgery cutting you open, the recovery time will be MUCH MORE!

    Keep in touch.  Safe travels and DRINK A LOT OF WATER! 

    • Annoee
      Annoee paula89710

      Posted

      Thank you Paula. Yrs, I am very scared because I am not at home.

      I am 56 yrs old and overweight and as you say it is a massivecwakevup call. I am now more determined than ever to losexweighr and stick to a low fat diet.

      Am seeing my GP on Tuesday together with all the test results carried out here, including copies of the ultrasound. I am in Bali and the hospital here seemed very thorough.

  • sally_14743
    sally_14743 Annoee

    Posted

    Hi some of us experienced years of attacks being misdiagnosed with ulcers food poisoning etc ... I was 15 years of annual attacks which consisted of vomiting for 5-7 hours agony like a heart attack ...one time my skin went yellow I thought I'd eaten too many carrots (I was young) once diagnosed I waited 2 months for removal .. So try not to panic , some people on here refuse surgery opting for diet and riding out the pain ...I personally had had enough misery and I am so glad I had it removed 😀

    They wont rush but they will monitor you .. Hope it goes well 

    Sally 

  • MELEKIE
    MELEKIE Annoee

    Posted

    Have had no trouble my liver but had my gallbladder out by keyhole in 1992 prob one of the few first keyhole operation in England. I actually had excruciating pain because my stones were like sand there the worst When you get home try to see if this is your case because you get small passing through your ureather causing backache and sometimes blood. .. Sorry the Graphics but you may need another ultra sound to establish condition your bladder Re Stones If there small your lucky in away easier to remove your Gall bladder keyhole.only when information goes They put mine in a jar and when I touched them they fell in grains of sand! Get well soon.
    • Annoee
      Annoee MELEKIE

      Posted

      Thanks Melekie. Seeing doc on Tuesday
  • james13344
    james13344 Annoee

    Posted

    Sounds like gall bladder to me. I had something similar but not the infection you speak of. Sounds like you need to find an antibiotic you are not allergic to. I gained instant relief by cutting out meats, fats, and any foods packed with oil and grease. Sounds like you need more tests not that I am a doctor. See a specialist.
    • Annoee
      Annoee james13344

      Posted

      Thanks James, I am seeing my GP on Tuesday and will be asking to see a specialist.
  • kenya13914
    kenya13914 Annoee

    Posted

    Hi I'm sorry you are hurting. I hope you get to your doctor soon .I just got my gallbladder removed almost 2 weeks ago. I hope you feel better.
    • Annoee
      Annoee kenya13914

      Posted

      Hi, thank you for your reply. Starting g on first flight home soon. Fingers crossed
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