Posted , 10 users are following.
Aside from my anxieties surrounding the operation such as fear of death due to complications or having to covert to open procedure. I'm worrying that I might be one of the people who suffer from long term diarrhoea afterwards.
I read how some of you are in pain everyday and have a very limited diet. Whereas though I have multiple gallstones I have 'only' had two severe attacks I.e (was admitted overnight both times and called ambulance for the first as thought it was a heart attack) the attacks lasted for hours and only IV morphine took away the pain. Day to day I eat what I want and though I get grumbles of mild pain in gb area and often lack energy. I'm not in severe pain everyday. However I due fear another attack especially as what I eat doesn't seem to effect it so I don't have control over it.
The surgeon I saw advised removal as he said in his experience once gallstones start causing pain it usually continues and puts you at higher risk of complications. He said complications from surgery including diarrhoea are rare and if I do get diarrhoea it should go after a few weeks/months.
I guess I'm after your thoughts in what you would do in my situation, and your experiences on how your surgery went.
1 like, 40 replies
sarah87162 michelle_34992
Posted
I had my gallbladder removed at end of April due to gallstones.
I eat my main meal lin evening and every day by the time I went to bed I was in pain again. So I was desperate to have my gallbladder removed and eventually went in because someone else had cancelled.
I got really fed up with having to be so careful what to eat.
I had keyhole surgery and was only in for the day,not even overnight.
Dairrhoea is common after this operation but should not last long.
I did not open my bowels at all until the third or fourth day after the op.
I still have a bit of stomach crap (colic) every now and again and have been quite constipated, though that is improving. But i have not got the pain in my right side that I had with the gallstones and have not had to call docotr out to me which I was having to do for a few nights beforehand.
It is taking a bit more time to completely settle down than I had hoped, but I do not regret hasving the op.
I suppose it depends how much pain you are in and what you are prepared to put up with.
To me I would have the operation, you do not know when the next attack will come.
Hope you are able to make the right decision for you.
Good luck
Take care and keep in touch
Praying for you
Love Sarah xxx
michelle_34992 sarah87162
Posted
Although its slow I'm pleased you are improving after your operation.
Don't worry I think ill be posting alot on here prior to my op and after! As indont know anyone in real life who has been through it.
hope4cure michelle_34992
Posted
I was very relieved to have mine removed as the pain is debilitating and once it's removed and over and your thru to final recovery you will too!
Hang in there!
michelle_34992 hope4cure
Posted
I think mg body wants it gone though as since yesterday it's been grumbling on and off. I hate the intense fear that takes hold once the pain comes I worry it will turn into a severe attack and I wont be able to look after the kids or pick them up from school.
hope4cure michelle_34992
Posted
I had two small children at the time and I got thru it just fine. I hope you take care of it soon. It's not a option to suffer with today's medicine it's out in a flash and in a few weeks after recovery your so glad that the darn thing is gone. Don't wait for the next attack. Go to a gastrointerologist who can get you thru this and you will be glad you took your health in your control for a better life for less pain and for the future of your family,
michelle_34992 hope4cure
Posted
elaine68099 michelle_34992
Posted
I went through the same as you're experiencing. Over the past two and half years I have deferred 3 operations and I am now in a position where it's coming out, next week in fact. I think I have to be where I am at the moment for my surgery to take place. My journey has been a pretty painful one, with three trips to A&E, but I'm ready. I cant go on living my life in pain, not knowing when the next attack will be. My attacks are now a lot closer than before, and am worried of complications. After all, it's not going to disappear.
Of course no one can tell you what's best for you, so listen to your body, that's what I did, and now I'm ready...this being my very, very VERY last resort.
Your surgeon is right, the problem does not go away, you can either tolerate it (like I did) or have surgery to remove Gallbladder. I had to give mine time, and my LAST resort is now surgery. When I get my attacks I find Codeine 30mg works, even though it takes forever to work, so now I take Oramorp
Wishing you well, and good luck with your operation if you go ahead with it.
Will be thiking of you, and let me know how you get on
Take care
michelle_34992 elaine68099
Posted
I think I am going to go ahead with it especially as since yesterday it has been playing up! I don't want to live in fear of another attack.
I will let you know how I get on.
elaine68099 michelle_34992
Posted
Good luck with yours x
slyvester88264 michelle_34992
Posted
I’ve read a lot of ‘horror’ stories about gall bladder removal that I thought I would share mine.
I suffered for about 15 years with horrendous pain if I ate the wrong things. Severe intense pain. However over the years I could contain the attacks through diet.
In February however I decided it was time for me and my gall bladder to at last part company.
The operation was keyhole and scheduled for lunchtime and was a complete success. I was out the hospital for 6 in the evening and back home in my own bed. Ok I was tender and sore but it was not too bad and controlled by normal pain relief medication. By the next day I was out my bed and moving around. By day 5 I was out and about and could probably have returned to work (though I didn’t!!!). If you were doing a manual job I think you would need 3 weeks to recover.
Since the operation I have had no side effects what so ever. I can eat/drink anything I like and don’t suffer any pain at all.
In short……it was the best thing I’ve ever done and wish I had got the pesky organ removed years ago.
michelle_34992 slyvester88264
Posted
michelle_34992
Posted
This is good and bad
Bad because its my daughters 1st birthday on the 10th and we wanted to visit family and stay for weekend 3 hour drive away not sire if I'll be up to it now.
Good because the surgeon who is now performing it is very well renowned one of the nest at the hospital so that comforts me! Not that the other surgeon wasn't good.
So just under 3 weeks to wait now hope gallbladder attacks don't get worse while on waiting.
hope4cure michelle_34992
Posted
I did that and was glad I did even though my hip was in bad shape I could get in and out of a fishing boat and do things never capable of for at least 5-6 months after surgery. There there are many movement restrictions after surgery for weeks or even months in most cases.
i would take this time to be grateful and celebrate and make the appt at another time to enjoy what time you have left before winter sets in!
I was so glad I did even though my hip was bone on bone a few more days to enjoy life before heading into recovery after THR. I think it even helped with my attitude and recovery.
jane3315 michelle_34992
Posted
Take care x
jane3315 michelle_34992
Posted
michelle_34992 jane3315
Posted
How are you getting on?
jane3315 michelle_34992
Posted
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