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Still waiting for operation!

Posted , 4 users are following.

elizabeth112
elizabeth112

I've been suffering from gallstone trouble for more than a year now. It was initally diagnosed by my G.P. following a scan. I finally  got to see a Consultant in November, but he hadn't got a copy of the ultrasound  scan, so sent me for an MRI. Following a couple of appontments, cancelled at short notice by the hospital, I saw the same Consultant in March.  I had stones in my gallbladder and my cystic bile duct was severely dilated. In the meantime, I had to go to Casualty with severe pain, and vomiting, and was given antibiotics. However,as the Consultant I saw  is a Breast Surgeon, not G.I, he said he'd refer me to another Consultant for ERCP to remove bile duct stones and to discuss laprascopic  gallbaldder surgery. This was three weeks ago. My symptoms are becoming worse- chronic back pain and nausea with constant migraine headaches- indicating stones lodged in my bile duct.. I phoned the hospital today - turns out the consultant hadn't yet referred me for ERCP etc., but once again, I was told he would do so. I am finding it difficult to sleep, and to cope with the constant pain and discomfort. I eat carefully and sparingly, due to the nausea, and am feeling really terrible. How long will it take before I get my operation? Has anyone else here had similar expereiences, and what did you do? All responses much appreciated.

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Beenthruit
    Beenthruit elizabeth112

    Posted

    You could contact your local PALS and make a complaint as there is a maximum 18 week wait from referral by a Doctor to being treated. They are your advocate and it doesn't affect your treatment.

    I really don't know how you're managing. I started severe pains in July 2016 and had open surgery in February 2017 as I had many large stones lodged in my bile duct. Think you could try nicely pestering the hospital by attending A&E every time you are in pain. They won't realise how bad you are and assume you're coping with the symptoms.

    ERCP (twice) was not successful in my case as some stones were too large, if you've been in pain for so long, you really need surgery - that's no way to live.

    • elizabeth112
      elizabeth112 Beenthruit

      Posted

      Thank you, that is great advice. I have been asking how long I should be waiting for treatment, but haven't got any response, so it is good to know that 18 weeks is the standard time. I will make a complaint to the hospital re. the unacceptable delay.

  • belinda62595
    belinda62595 elizabeth112

    Posted

    Hello Elizabeth, my goodness you poor thing being in so much pain all this time.As someone as already said there is a 18 week waiting list and you seem to have gone passed that. I would go back to your G.P tell him how much pain you are in and ask if he can give them a bit of a push as there seems to have been a bit of dragging their feet in my opinion. You should not have to suffer like this. I have even phoned the consultants secretary as well to find out what was happening with my husbands op date. Don't give up. Try hot  water bottle and keep away from codeine products as they irritate and try oat milk instead of dairy and eat small but often. There is also a product that has helped my husbands stomach which I got the info from a lady on this forum called slippery elm powder that lines the stomach google online health shops.

                     Good Luck

    • elizabeth112
      elizabeth112 belinda62595

      Posted

      Thank you, belinda, for your kind words and very good advice. I am going to speak to my GP today, and will try the other things you suggest, too. Many thanks,

      ​lizabeth.

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