Anyone have gall bladder problems

[carole]

I am really looking for some advice here, I am at present most unwell, due to what I think is gall bladder colic, or a gall bladder attack.

I suspect this is the problem, I have not been to a Doctor, but about 15 yrs ago when I was having problems I had a scan and baruim meal procedure, they could not find anything but thought maybe I had an inflamed gall bladder.

My father has the same problems and was supposed to have his out over 10 yrs ago, he hasn't and seems to be ok .

I have been unable to eat for two days, not that it will hurt me, and have been drinking chi a nz medicinal herb drink, that always helps me with tummy problems.

I am feeling hungry now and the pain has eased, my question is what kind of food should I eat, I know what NOT to eat, its hard to know as I donot want the pain to return. My tummy is grumbling from hunger, and I am feeling sick from not eating I think, different to the nausea I felt before.

I mostly eat a LOW fat Diet, but I am known to binge now and then on the bad stuff, which is what I did, boy have I paid the price, I am not hugely overweight, but could loose some, I have lost 4 pounds in two days, the only blessing here, but this is the worst attack I have experienced, I have had them before, but maybe only once ,twice a year, and its scared me, I am not keen on getting surgery, ususally if I stick to my healthy eating I have little problems.

Hope I have not bored you all, but I know there is bound to be some fellow-sufferers out there who could advise me on the correct food to eat during and straight after an attack.

Thanks for listening.

[moosmom]

Carole,

I had gallbladder problems about 12 years ago. Everytime I ate something greasy, I had terrible pain in my uppper quadrant (just under my ribcage on the right side). One day it was so bad, I went to the clinic to see what the problem was. They did exrays and found out it was a problem with my gallbladder. I went to the emergency room and they did a CT scan. They found a cluster of gallstones. I ended up having my gallbladder taken out and haven't had problems since.

That's what it sounds like to me. I'd definitely get to a doctor to confirm it. Gallbladder surgery is NOTHING like what it was years ago. Now they make 3 small incisions and remove it with through a tube. You're out of the hospital in 3 days and back to work in less than a week.

I hope you feel better. Please keep us posted.

(((hugs)))
Donna

[jenluckenbach]

No advice, just well wishes.

[carole]

Thanks for your input Donna, I know keyhole surgery is a piece of cake compared to the old methods, but I am still reluctant to go that road, unless absolutely necessary, there can still be complictations with Gall Bladder surgery, I guess I should not have gone to this website that had all the ins and outs of surgery, its kinda scarey when you read what some people have been through.

Even though I am more or less self-diagnosing myself , I am fairly certain thats my problem, I am going to leave it this time, unless it does not get better, and stick to my low fat diet, and try not to have any binges, and see how I go, its been ages since I have had an attack, my dad has gone years without many problems and he was supposed to have his out, see I am just a big chicken really, besides I am needed to much here at home, lexie would be so lost without her mama, seriously believe it or not thats my biggest worry my baby puss, I know my daughter would be ok etc, but lexie is so her mamas kitty.:)

[carole]

Thank you Jen for your get well wishes, I am hopefully on the mend, feeling much better today, just scared to eat, as I know its not all better yet, probably still some inflammation., I appreciate your kind words.

P.S I am starving now, so I know thats a good sign, I did not want to eat before,;)

[4 Dog Mother]

I had gall bladder problems some 26 years ago and had my gall bladder out the old way - which with a 2 year old and 3 month odl was no fun. Greasy, fried foods, fatty foods are all no-nos. I also found that if I let my stomach get totally empty I had trouble. So I ate a lot of soda crackers esp. if I knew I wouldn't be able to eat a meal in a short time. Mayonnaise or food with it in, really set it off. Caffeine bothered it. Those are the things I remember to this day - those gall bladder attacks were nothing to sneeze at.

[lovemyshiba]

Sorry, I have no advice, I just hope you are feeling better today.

[RICHARD]

start with soup or something that will not fill you up.....

Chicken with noodles and a few crackers or a bullion and a piece of toast......

Then, if you feel daring.....cottage cheese or a
cup of yogurt...

The surgery is called a laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

They make small incisions then inflate your abdomen with co2 gas, the surgeon looks thru a long tube like microscope and then they will remove your gallbladder thru one of the incisions.

And don't listen to Moo's mom. ;) ....back to work in a week! get your doc to write you off for two....:D


She is right...it's alot more simple than it used to be!

[ticosmyham]

Well, my mom had gall bladder trouble a while ago, and something that she did to help was drinking brocoli juice. Sounds wonderful doesnt it? lol You can put some broc. and apples and even a couple carrots into a juicer, and that always seemed to help out....:) Hope it helps a little!

[carole]

Thanks again everyone, Richard thanks for the medical knowledge, but I tell ya mate, I am not having surgery unless its absolutely necessary, I think if I continue my low fat diet, and stop having binges(that is the problem) I will be ok, this attack happened through my own indulgences, I think because I eat low fat most of the time, its like hey when I do have a binge or overeat on the fatty, yummy stuff, then there is hell to pay,hence my attack.

I am the type of person who will avoid surgery if at all possible, but I won't if it means further trouble down the line, and it is necessary, I have seen many operations performed, when I Left school I spent some time Nurse Aiding, and they were kind enough to let me into theatre, even though things have changed alot it still scares me, just watched a program on people who are awake during their operation, ewwh, that is real scarey OUCH!!!!!.SO I am in no frame of mind to consider it just yet, but thanks all the same.

I am much better today, and have found Watermelon something I can eat without the problems, also had a banana too, and little cereal and fruit, so I am getting back to normal slowly.,yes 4dogs mother, it is not a very nice experience, and I don't want to repeat it.:)

[Soledad]

Carole,

I was struck with gallbladder issues whilst in NZ. I'd had the pains for a long time, but after years of it, they finally got so painful I would be rolling on the floor moaning for six or seven hours straight.

I went to an after hours surgery. By then, I'd had a stone stuck in my duct. This required two surgeries instead of just the one to remove my gallbladder.

Therefor, I would suggest going to a doctor NOW before you get a stone stuck and require two surgeries because your liver is malfunctioning and you have jaundice.

The surgery to remove the stuck stone was worse than the gallbladder removal.

[carole]

Soledad thanks appreciate your advice, I am aware of this, I have done a lot of research, I don't think my problem is as severe as that, I knew if I got a fever or starting looking jaundiced etc to get to a doctor immediately, I will consider it, but I reckon they will just take it out regardless, they are too ready to dispose of our organs these days, I promise you if I Have another bad attack, I will go, I really can't afford it just now, I have private insurance , but it is only pays out if I go ahead with the surgery, so I still have to pay all the specialist fees before hand, my daughter is starting her new school, so have bit to fork out there, but I won't risk my health.

I remember you saying you had surgery in NZ, obviously in Public Hospital, and it was not a nice experience from what you wrote, having the two procedures done, and yes I don't want that,so I am not ignoring what you say, you have been there done that , so to speak, and you know what you are talking about, advice taken, put in brain and stored .:) :D see how much better I am feeling today,2 days ago I felt like I wanted to die!!!

[catnapper]

I had a bad gallbladder when I was in college - young, I know! I had so much going on at the time, that I wisely decided to have it removed because I couldn't risk an attack at finals or something equally pressing.

That said, I was 19 and my family thought I was nuts. They all bragged about taking pills or monitoring their diet and didn't need the operaton.... all of them ended up having it. Mom said she didn't know why she didn't have it sooner! Honestly, it was an easy operatuion and I was up and running within a week.... my mom too. My dad was up within two days (disgusting.. the man heals too fast)

I hope you feel better soon as there is no pain quite like that. Please consider the operation - you'll be glad you did.

[Ally Cat's Mommy]

I hope you are feeling better - I had Gall Bladder attacks when I was on Atkins diet (TOO much fat), so I know how painful it can be.

I found that low fat, and very "bland" food was usually best for a few days afterwards (during the attacks I couldn't eat anything).

Sending wishes that you are soon back to full health!

[Soledad]

Carole, I had my operations in a private hospital. They both went fantastically! However, Sam had some operations in the public hospital and THAT was a nightmare.

I, too, was very young (21) for gallbladder attacks, but they run in my family. My stones were upset once over a bowl of weetbix and skim milk. :rolleyes: :confused:

[AmberLee]

Last May I had trouble with an inflamed gall bladder and my doctor took me off of ALL fats. I could eat fruit, soda crackers, veggies, grilled chicken that had no skin or visible fat, ... a couple other things. It took a couple weeks but the pain went away. I gradually added items back in, but can get flare ups with some fatty items.* (Good side, my weight's down.) She also had me add exercise as health permitted. At that time I was a poor canditate for surgery due to my general health levels.

Lynne Stankard could also give you advice on this if you'd care to PM one or the other of us. (Limited computer access this weekend for me though.)

GB pain is pretty ghastly. Hope you are feeling better.

*Remarkable how much easier it is to stay on a diet when the alternative is gut wrenching pain, isn't it?

[carole]

It has been good to read all your comments and advice, I really appreciate it very much.

I am in two minds as what I will do, part of me says if this is indeed the problem, and I am fairly certain of that, I should just have it whipped out, part of me thinks if I really watch my diet, I will be ok again.

The problem with me is 95 percent of the time I am a good girl, and eat healthy, low fat diet, but its the other 5 percent that causes my flare ups, because I feel like I crave fat etc, because I eat good most of the time, and then go overboard, and will do so for a week or so, and then it builds up and hey presto I am having a flare up.

I have been much better today, slowly eating a little more, but I have to admit, I feel some discomfort this evening, its not major, but one does not feel great, one minute I feel like my stomach is going to burst on the smallest morsel of food, the next its grumbling and so empty and having real hunger pains,I just want it to go away like it always does, and sooner the better., this is no fun at all.

I have had what I call tummy problems for many years now, that is why I resolved myself to the fact I just cannot eat fat, so hence the change to low fat, but I just cannot be good all the time,its so hard, damn it all.:

Some consulation I think DR Roman who performed my mothers hysterectomy does laparoscopy surgery( other than gyn. surgery,) and he is so brilliant, I have 100 per cent faith in him, so if I do take this option, hopefully he can perform it:( Well goodnite all, I am going to try and get some sleep, as I really don't feel well.:(

[lynnestankard]

Carole sorry to be late posting - just catching up with stuff!!

Yep, I had my gall bladder removed last May, after suffering since October - and I was never so glad to have an operation in my life. The pain was just so bad all I could do was whimper - and believe me I have a high tolerance to pain!! Oh yes and the throwing up was dire! I'd rather go through child birth!
I'd been on a low fat diet for 3 weeks and had seriously bad attacks of pain twice through eating (A) a small piece of apply pie and (B) a handful of Maltesers!!
I had the op., which was supposed to be the laproscopy but unfortunately due to another operation 22 years ago, they couldn't feed the tubes through so ended up doing it the good old fashioned way - slash and grab!!! (The surgeons words not mine!!) :eek:
So I woke with a scar, a drainage tube and two smaller incisions - and you know what? I was just so damned relieved not to be in pain I nearly cried. It was BLISS!
I had the op., on Friday 9th May and came home on the Tuesday -and I've never looked back - I'm so lucky I can eat anything I want I know some people can't digest some foods - not me the human dustbin!!
I'm still having check-ups, but they are so pleased looks like I'll be signed off this year.

Honestly if I was you - I'd go and discuss this with my doctor. I'm sad you're feeling so poorly Carole - it's horrible isn't it? I know you can eat bland for some time - then AAGHHHH - all you need is something with fat in!!

My consultant said they do prefer to operate when you haven't had pain for about 6 weeks - because the stomach can get very inflammed. Maybe a visit now - would help you decide one way or the other.

Good Luck and I hope by the time you read this your feeling much more comfortable.

If you need any more info., please PM or Email me.

Lynne

[Soledad]

I agree, Lynne. I was just so happy after the surgery, it was such a major relief to know I could go out and not have to worry about coming home early because I was having an attack.

You just can't live your whole life NEVER eating something with fat. And my attacks started to come on for really no reason at all (wheetbix and skim milk??).

I even asked the doctor if I could keep my gallbladder afterwards so I could torture it back!:)

[carole]

Thank you lynne for your advice, was feeling yuck again last night and this morning, I ate so little yesterday , but I Think it was still too much, this morning was not good again, but the rest of the day has been going ok so far, I donot have extreme pain, just constant awful pain, followed by feeling like my stomach will burst to being so empty and grumbling with hunger I feel sick, so I am not in the stages yet that you were thank goodness, as this is bad enough.

I have managed to have small servings of watermelon, stewed apple and now pumpkin soup for tea, homemade with nothing but onion and salt in it, so far so good, keeping my fingers crossed the pain does not come back in the evening like last night.

If I don't get over this attack like I have done before I will be going to the doctor, and if i ever experience another one as bad, I will strongly consider the surgery, your advice is not falling on deaf ears believe me, I thank you all for your time and patience and caring words, it always helps me feel better, my hubby has been taking good care of me, luckily he had two days leave from work and we have a public holiday on Monday, so that has been great,I was feeling so awful this morning, and down in the dumps, I had a good cry and hubby was there to cuddle me, so that helped heaps, felt better after that, you know it was that WHY ME, ITS NOT FAIR, I get everything, WHOA IS ME, feeling sorry for myself.:D

[gini]

Carole, I just came upon your thread. I do not have any experience with gallbladder problems, but I can offer a goodly amount of sympathy for what you're going through.

I really hope that a surgery is not in your future - but if the pains do not ease and you aren't back to normal soon, I wouldn't fool around, but go to the doctor.

Let me send you a big hug in the meantime and tell you how sorry I am that you are in pain.

[carole]

Thanks so much Gini for your kind words, its been a rough 6 days, but I am on the mend I think, its one of those things that just takes time, and you never know if it will flare up or not, had a pretty good day yesterday, woke with some minimal pain, but it has eased now, just gradually increasing my food intake, back to healthy eating, fruit is going down well, stewed apple and the watermelon still is ok, I was not hungry before , but now I am, that must be a good sign, just hard knowing what to eat, and scared to eat too much,I think I did yesterday, thats why the pain was there a little today.

I have never been in excrutiating pain like others, so obviously its not in those stages yet, and hopefully won't get like that, just constant awful type pain.

Just want to thank everyone for their support and words of comfort, it does much for the spirit and keeps one going, anyhow you know guys when I can't come on PT to post, then its really bad, he he.:) :) :) :) ;)

[RICHARD]

Originally posted by carole


I have never been in excrutiating pain like others, so obviously its not in those stages yet, and hopefully won't get like that, just constant awful type pain.



Please do not wait until it gets to the point where you are in pain all the time...as someone posted before, once you get to the point where YOU NEED SURGERY the doctor's will have to wait until the inflammation goes down...

At that point you WILL HAVE TO STAY in the hospital....and everyone knows....Hospital food stinks.;)

[carole]

Thanks Richard, I Hear ya, really I do, I will take your advice, if it happens again, no mucking around, I know if I go now, I will be sent off for expensive tests, which i just cannot afford at the moment, no problems for the surgery if I need it,my insurance covers that but not the consultations up to that, unless I have the surgery, bit of a bind really, I really think i am on the brighter side of things now, and am almost better, thank goodness.

But yes Richard I am listening to you and everyone.:)

[Albea]

Carole, I never had gallbladder problems until, two years ago, I had the most horrible pain in my tummy. Went to the doctor, had an ultrasound and two days later had a laparoscopy to remove it. The surgery was performed in the morning and I was home in the afternoon, with very little post-op pain.
The problem with waiting too long is that it might become worse and then the laparoscopy would not be possible, requiring instead major surgery.
Mind you, at the time I had the surgery, I was scheduled for full knee replacement a month later. If it hadn't been for the laparoscopy, the knee surgery would have been postponed for a long time.
I'm glad to hear you're feeling a bit better but, as scary as the thought of surgery is, is better to do it when you have a chance of an easier procedure and a fast recovery.
My best wishes to you.

[carole]

Thanks Albea for your comments and good wishes, the positive power of PT works yet again, I am almost better now, and eating almost normal, yes that thought has crossed my mind Albea, i would much rather have it the keyhole surgery way, than the other,I will be giving it some serious thought.

Once again thank you everyone, especially Lynnstankard, you are all great friends to have, and have really lifted my spirits,cheers, love ya all.!!!!!!:)

[Sevens]

Glad to hear you are doing better carole!:)

[carole]

THANKS sevens, much appreciated.:)

[trayi52]

I am not really sure what gallbladder trouble is, my mother-in-law had it. I was just wondering what kind of pain do you have with that kind of problem. Do you have a lot of adominal pain when it is acting up, like sharp pains? I guess I am just wondering how it affects you.

I hope you get to feeling better and stay better carole. Take care of yourself, and do keep us posted on how you are feeling.

Willie

[carole]

Thanks Tray, I am feeling good now, back to normal it seems, hopefully, you know to describe the pain is very hard, I cannot even explain it well to a doctor, its constant and really awful, you feel like crap, and it just does not go away, but I believe if there is a stone stuck in the duct, its excruciating, it's not like that,otherwise I would not beable to post on here for sure.,sorry not much help.
P.S no sharp abdominal pains, its high up ,just under the breast bone, in the middle.and its not the same as indigestion, thats minor in comparison.