My gallbladder story and undecided on surgery

I’m a full time wheelchair user, cannot weight bare at all and have limited dexterity in my fingers. This will be relevant later.

I used to get this pain in my right side every couple months that would last all evening and be gone by the morning, although leaving me achy. I have had endoscopies and seen doctor’s who all just put it down the indigestion and heartburn which I was taking omeprazole for – probably because my diet wasn’t the greatest. The pain wasn’t consistent with eating fatty foods either, it could come on after eating jacket spud and salad! We thought maybe it was accumulative?

On June 24th, we had the above dinner and later that evening I started getting the dull ache/pain in my right side – thinking it was indigestion. I took omeprazole and paracetamol. Pain was still there all day Sunday, there was no relief, and I even took co-codamol. The Monday I went to the doctors, saw a new doctor who suspected gallstones…first person ever to say this! Told me he’d book me in for an ultrasound but didn’t say much else. Next day it was just as bad, so I contacted gp again, he spoke to the local hospital, and I was told to go in with the possibility of having to stay overnight. Dad took me in as I was in no state to drive! They gave me a canula in preparation for pain meds. Being in a wheelchair made it very hard side transferring with a canula effecting my arm movement!

Saw the on call doctor eventually who said it might be best to have a catheter as I cannot go to the toilet unaided. Felt like I had no choice and was one of the worst undignified experiences ever! Given some painkillers, antibiotics and oramorph (made me feel sick as anything!). The gallbladder was badly infected. Had the ultrasound later that afternoon thank goodness and they could see a fair few stones. Then had a chest x-ray, although no idea why. Had to stay in overnight, worst night sleep ever. Side room so took a while for somebody to respond when I pressed the button. Late afternoon the next day I was discharged but kept on the virtual ward and had to do my observations 3 times a day till they were happy. The on-call doctor said I would need to have my GB out, gave me a small list of things to avoid and what to eat instead. I shouldn’t eat white bread but could eat a meringue. Next 3 days I couldn’t eat, pain, very nauseous, constipated from all the meds. Friday night I had a sharp pain and Sat, back in again for an overnight stay, another catheter and pumped with meds.

For the next 2/3 months (after I recovered), I had a fruit smoothie and rice cakes for breakfast, salad wrap with fruit for lunch and whatever dinner the family had but they would cook better. I eventually added the odd pack of Popchips or a biscuit or a small portion of take away on somebody’s birthday. To this day, I have had afternoon tea out, 3 course meals out, pizza hut (2 or 3 slices and done) but the rest of the time I am so careful. I have not had a SINGLE gallstone attack since. Have lost around 3 stone (I had a lot to lose!) and dropped 3 dress sizes and am feeling really good! Been hard over Christmas as all I want to do is eat a big bowl or pringles/nuts/chocolates…

Point of posting on here is that I am very concerned and worried by reading real life experiences and not just stuff on the NHS site. Diarrhoea being the worst side effect. Now this is something I absolutely cannot deal with! I know I may not have that one but it’s a risk I can’t even take. If I have the sickness bug, I’m lucky if I make it to the toilet, side transfer over and pull my trousers down in time but to have no warning, not knowing what the triggers are. I wouldn’t be able to go out as disabled toilets are few and far between as it is! I would like another ultrasound to see what the stones are looking like, I’m managing it, had no attacks and have still enjoyed the odd thing – which is weird in itself as I thought fattier foods were supposed to trigger it…for me there was no rhyme nor reason!!

If you made it this far, I appreciate it!

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