Gallstones?

[MountainLaurel]

Has anyone here had experience with 'em? Did you have your gall bladder removed? Did you just stop eating fats altogether?

After four attacks in a week's time and a visit to the emergency room, I'm considering my options.

[NV Whino]

1. I didn't have stones...

I was just diagnosed with "sludge." I did some research and found gallbladder problems were sometimes a side effect of HRT. I asked my doctors. They all poo-pooed the idea. I sited references. They said, "Well, yeah, but it's 'rare.'" I stopped HRT and have never had another problem.

So, if you are female and on hormone replacement therapy, check it out.

[MountainLaurel]

3. Not on HRT

However, in my reading I've discovered that women on birth control pills more frequently have gallstones because of the effects of the extra estrogen in their system. Same principle I suppose. However, going off the Pill is not an option at this juncture.

[Missy Vixen]

2. I have

I had my gallbladder removed after numerous attacks. It was a great decision, at least for me. The surgeon also told my husband that he "got it just in time," which is always scary to hear.

The only way to slow down attacks is to eliminate all fat (or as much as humanly possible,) from your diet. One of the other things I did that worked well while waiting for the surgery was to not eat anything after 6:00 PM. I also survived on "Healthy Choice" frozen dinners during that time -- I knew they were low in fat.

The laparoscopic version of the surgery is the easiest surgical procedure I have ever had. I was lucky to have an outstanding surgeon and an even better anesthesiologist, but this surgery is fairly straightforward. The actual procedure took about two hours. The hospital I went to will release those who can walk, keep food down, and whose vital signs are stable. I was home in our bed an hour and a half after surgery was over.

The only downside to this surgery is the fact that those of us without gallbladders have to be careful about eating really fatty food. Permanently. If one decides to indulge, one is typically racing for the powder room...

Julie

[fugue]

4. I had one bad attack

I then used a gallstone cleanse I found on the web. Not recommended! It did, per an ultrasound later that week, remove the gallstones. I ruined several pieces of clothing by not making it to the powder room in time the day after the cleanse, however, and one gallstone was large enough that it took a week to go through my common bile duct. I had to fight with my doctor to get sufficient pain relief (I ended up threatening him with legal action). By "sufficient," I mean he actually gave me pills. The pills took an hour to take effect, and stopped working two hours later, but I could only take them once every four hours. Even then he only allocated five doses to a day because I was supposedly sleeping eight hours. Getting that additional dose because I was *not* sleeping more than two hours at a time was part of the legal threat. It was hell.

After that, though, I had no gallstones. My gallbladder was sore from squeezing the beasties out, though, so I couldn't eat fats at all for a couple months. Since then, I cut back the fats, but not to zero, and had no problems until I went on birth control pills to control my cramps. The problems didn't get as bad as an actual attack and have subsided since I stopped using the pills. Maybe they'll give me a hysterectomy now. I was very annoyed that they were so eager to remove my gallbladder, which does serve a useful purpose, but have refused for twenty-five years to remove my uterus, the only function of which has been to inflict me with incapacitating pain.

I hope this helps! I hope you find the right solution.

[ScreamingMeemie]

5. Had the stones in June. Due to a rather precarious medical situation,

I opted/was forced to have my gallbladder removed. Simple surgery, very easy recovery...much better now. ML please don't cause yourself undo suffering.

Feel better.

Laura

[MountainLaurel]

10. Thanks MrsG

I don't plan on suffering unduly -- going to try to make an appointment with a GI specialist this week to look at options. (The ER didn't tell me how big the stones are or how many there are.) If that's not going to work, the ER did give me info to consult with the hospital's surgical center.

However, I am feeling sort of conflicted. I come from one of those families where women don't pay attention to their pain, or poo-poo it. My mom has had all sorts of GI problems (the "hacking up acid every night" sort) and has never seen a doctor. Sometimes I think she's got a bit of a martyr complex -- she was the standard "good girl" oldest daughter in an Italian-American family, and probably only got much attention when she was ill. So, I almost feel like I'm betraying her by having this seen to. But then again I've already broken the mold by seeking professional help for depression.

:shrug:

[cal04]

6. from someone who had it out at 21, do yourself a favor

and have it removed if they will do it.
it's MUCH easier than when I had them out and it was worth it

[seito]

7. My sister had her GB removed a few months ago

She is much better now. She was in and out of the hospital the same day.

[gollygee]

8. I had my gall bladder removed

and I am OH SO GLAD I did.

But as with any surgery there are risks. I'm afraid to say a woman I know died during the surgery.

I was at the point you're at when I had mine out. A couple of trips to the ER, night after night of attacks. Just make sure you get a good doctor. If you know any nurses, ask them whom they'd have do the surgery if they had it.

[Lisabtrucking]

9. Get rid of the gall bladder, That is very painful. the operation ain't as

bad as it use to be.

[Moderator]

11. Locking

DU is not an appropriate forum to obtain or dispense medical advice or information.

Please see a doctor.

Thank you
DU Moderator