Should I have my gallbladder removed ?

Posted , 8 users are following.

hi everyone advice needed,I have had my gallstone for about 8 years now last time it was scanned  it was 28 mm ,been having attacks for the 8 years, now I have a dull pain all the time in my right side,all my ribs hurt a And by side burns where I can't touch it,I was told 2 and half years ago I needed the gallbladder removed but I refused because some people say it makes you no better and the recovery scares me,what should I do

0 likes, 28 replies

28 Replies

Prev
  • Posted

    Hello Caroline. You are not alone. I scared too. But I will get a surgery if the doctor and the report shows there is no any goods progress. My first diagnose is in oct 2012. 5 yrs now. I got 2 big attacks in mid 2015. And after that only a small attacks that still can handle. I only feel stif in my lowerback and neck. Ihv bloating while i'm bathing in the morning and in the afternoon. Im trying to live with it. But untill when? I am preparing my self to there. So Caroline if you feel you are ready and you feel so ill right now then do it.

  • Posted

    Follow the advice of your GP or consultant.. write down all your concerns and ask the questions good luck x
    • Posted

      I've been in a similar position and dilemma. Things did get worse as people say, it is more a question of when. You could get lucky and stay well for a long time. A stressful time and other illness seemed to trigger mine flaring up. As I am over 60 and have other conditions, it is affecting my eating and life too much, I have had to give in and surgery is on 29th all being well.

      ?I have waited around a year here in UK and several cancelled dates due to hospital issues. I'm concerned like you about, well everything, the surgery, recovery and how things will turn out.

      ?It is true some have problems after and my regret it but no-one knows how they would have fared without the surgery - maybe the same or worse - eg pancreatitis could occur if a loose stone escapes. By the time we have gallstones we have already had problems of the gb being malfunctioning for some time and the liver has been producing abnormal bile. I thought I had a good lifestyle but for females, our hormones and

      having any children, birth control meds, hrt etc can start changes up.

      ?Anyway, good luck with proceeding whatever you decide and be guided by your doctors as they know your history best.

       

  • Posted

    I think you should have it removed. I had mine removed November 7th this year. This was my first surgery and it was not as bad as I expected. I had the key hole surgery, and believe me it took me 3 weeks and I was fine. After 2 days I stopped taking pain meds. The gallstone attacks were way worst than the surgery. I don't know how you do it for 8 years. I didn't have my attacks until August of this year. I had 2 kids naturally and never felt pain like that. Schedule the surgery and move on. Good luck!!!

  • Posted

    I think you should have it removed. I had mine removed November 7th this year. This was my first surgery and it was not as bad as I expected. I had the key hole surgery, and believe me it took me 3 weeks and I was fine. After 2 days I stopped taking pain meds. The gallstone attacks were way worst than the surgery. I don't know how you do it for 8 years. I didn't have my attacks until August of this year. I had 2 kids naturally and never felt pain like that. Schedule the surgery and move on. Good luck!!!

  • Posted

    I saw a lady registrar at our local Hospital  who suppoposedly an

    expert on gall  bladders as she said the only thing to do with my gall bladder that had 5 gall stobnes in it was to have it out.......

    Not so as per the informative articles (some by doctors of the USA) re

    the use in certain gallstones of the tablets -Ursodioxycholic acid.

    In my case it has dissolved the gallstones after apprioximately a year.

    She told me in a shirty manner she had never heard of those tablets and said to cap it all that once they are in there nothing will alter them !

    I wrote that article in 2015 I think so it's somewhere in Patient discussions on that subject.

    I would have thought that because some  doctors and surgeons are

    aware that Ursodioxycholic   acid will dissolve gallstones that are of a certain chemical structure it was a very uphill stuggle for me to obtain them therough my GP and I did have to consult the knowledgeable surgeon who gave me my first script for them and threafter the GP has to reissue the tablets on a regular basis.

    They worked perfectly well for me and I avoided the knife which in my view was worth 'giving them a go''

    I  think  that some who administer care over gall bladder  ill health do not

    realize fully that when a patient is vomiting all night on several occasions

    coupled with the pain etc etc that their patients life is as miserable as can possibly be. Urgent top quality help is required and the patient must be adamant and leave no stone unterned.

    If a stone is passing or is stuck I was told half a fresh lemon and half a cup of olive oil mixed & warmed (vile) helps it to pass but this is rubbished by the doctor who has never heard of URSO !

    • Posted

      Theny dont recommend the chemial as it only works in a small number of cases ( around 30%)  with those with only a few or one small stone and most of those regrow stones within 5 yrs, it can also take upto 2 yrs to work, so its only  a short fix for most. I really hope yours dont regrow smile 

      Also I have read of real people who have family or friends die from gallbladder flushes or end up in emergency, it can cause reall dangerous and urgent issues if they get stuck and block.

      Not sure why your Dr didnt know about the medicine though, its common knowledge and all over the internet.

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.