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....


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 . 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.