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Suspected Gallstones, Surgery Anxiety, Feel so Lost

Posted , 13 users are following.

charlotte82605
charlotte82605

Hi!

I have suspected gallstones (symptoms all point to it, but still waiting for an ultrasound). Since mid August, I've had 8 excruciating pain attacks which wake me up at night, last for hours, are always 8/9 out of 10 in terms of pain, and have ended up with me in A&E or at my GP practice on numerous occasions. The pain is always on the right hand side, under my ribs. Very characteristic of gallstones and I have almost all the risk factors for them so it's very likely that's what it is.

My problem is, I have severe anxiety, and all of this is just making me incredibly anxious. I'm scared to sleep because the pain always happens at night. I'm scared to eat anything because I know certain foods can make it worse (3 out of the 8 times its happened was after eating a McDonalds). I won't let my partner of 5 years share a bed with me anymore because when the pain happens I feel so ill and sick that I just want to be on my own (I know it sounds silly).

I'm terrified of the pain. Last time it happened (a few days ago), I was also horrifically sick and had severe stomach pain too, but I don't know if this is because of my gallbladder or because of the amount of codeine I took on an empty stomach.

So now I'm also wary about taking my painkillers in case they make me sick.

I know if it is gallstones then I'll likely be offered an op to have my gallbladder out, but this terrifies me too. I've never had surgery before. I'm terrified of being in hospital, being in pain, being under anaesthetic. I'm overweight so I'm worried there'll be complications or they'll have to do the surgery open rather than keyhole and leave me with horrific scars.

I've also read plenty on this forum and online about bowel problems after gallbladder removal. I already have IBS so the thought of this is scary too. I've also seen that you can still get pain attacks even after the surgery, so I feel like this is overall just a lose-lose situation for me. Don't have the surgery and live in fear of the pain, or have the surgery and still possibly have pain and other issues.

Can anyone give me some advice or words of wisdom? I can't cope with all this. 😦

0 likes, 58 replies

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  • charlotte82605
    charlotte82605

    Posted

    Thanks for all of your replies. I had my ultrasound last week which confirmed gallstones, and I've been referred for the surgery (no date set yet), but I can't decide if I want to go through it.

  • sarah87162
    sarah87162 charlotte82605

    Posted

    You need to go through with this. If you leave it the gallstones can rear their ugly head at any moment.

    Take care and keep in touch

    Sarah

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