I was diagnosed with gallstones at the end of March this year. I found out I need to have my gallbladder removed and was told I have a 3 month wait. Then I got a call Tuesday saying it will be next Thursday eeek. I have already lost 8kg from alot of vomitting and also eating healthy.
I was wondering what changes in your body that you have all noticed.
Have you had other things clear up that you didnt know was linked to gallstones?
I haven't been well enough to have mine taken out yet but am hoping when I do, in July, it will make my life a whole lot better. I've had them for 15 years now and should have got my gallbladder removed when they wanted to all those years ago. I have other autoimmune diseases which aren't helping at all and have just spent 7 days in hospital with some kind of abdominal sepsis - probably gallstone related although they couldn't see any sign of movement or trouble on my ultrasound scan a week ago. The surgeon says I have to be clear of infection and inflammation before he will operate.
oh wow, I dont know how long I have had mine for but I can trace it back around 5 years when I think about it. I dont know how you have survived all this time.
That's what the surgeon exclaimed too but I found that going gluten free and avoiding saturated fats, refined sugars and eating a lot of fruit, salad and veg really kept gallstone attacks away. And didn't like the idea of surgery just so I could eat and drink unhealthy stuff when I had young kids and no family who could help out if the surgery had turned more complex. I knew two people at the time who ended up having full abdominal surgery and was scared of this possibility as husband couldn't get much time off work. So I bottled out of the surgery twice!
This decision has backfired on me now it seems - but better late than never - as long as I can remain infection free for the next 2 months - which sounds easy but I'm on a new immunesuppressant drug and have already had flu and a chest infection this year before I even started taking it! Hopefully the IV antibiotic and others I've just completed will get me through the next few months without further mishap!
I had my op two weeks ago and so far things ive noticed is a lot fewer lower back aches, no gas after eating, stools stay a more consistent density, less headaches, losing weight easier (went from 1lb per week to 3 both weeks so far), seem to be healing quicker, not tired as often, not getting eye "flashes" in the evening, less food cravings. Hope that helps. I still eat mostly clean but i've been able to indulge in a few of my bad favourites that i wasnt able to for 6 months.
Had my surgery yesterday and it went really well. Only issues have been itchy all over and the wounds bleeding a little. I am eating soft/liquids atm and then will slowly ease in salads etc which was suggested by the doc.
I couldnt move this morning took over 5 hours for me to be able to get up. I can barely eat a proper meal. I am a bit nervous to cos of the pain I have already I dont want to deal with that and then going to the bathroom.
You need to try and eat some protein and stay hydrated. It will take longer to heal otherwise. I also found it much more comfortable to be standing then laying down so you might want to give that a go
The first few days are jolly painful ...the gas they inflated me with. Gave me a lot of abdominal pain and then body aches..I didn't want to move and laid flat but when I did start shuffling about the gas started to escape more and boy did I feel better....about 5 days then I felt better ...then I swept the floor and felt like I'd been kicked in the stomach so resist the temptation to lift or do anything using abdominal muscles for a few weeks . You'll be fine it's quite normal. You are bruised battered cut inside and still inflated ...
HI Tazz just read your post. glad you are ok after the surgery; i am not sure the reason you had your gallbladder removed but it cna't be easy to have gallbladder issues and surgery etc. so i wish you the best. I watned to post to ask if people ha checked their stomach acid/ bile acid levels; if they are experiencing gallbladder pain along wtih anti-inflammatory foods (like garlic) an all vitamins; it may save a few from goig under the knife. You cn do this by taking ONE teaspoonful of bicarb of soda as a test (not with MILK) and then perhpas the following day if needs be. if the gallbladder pain desists - then go to your GP for some PPI's longer term (protein inhibitors) and eat more veg and take all your vitamins.. MILK thistel can repair liver cells (which make bile from cholesterol) and eating anti-inflammatory foods /vegs AND eating fiber with veg (helps put weight on).. is good for you. test your PH acid first - before having your gallbladder removed.. (dependent on WHY the gallbladder is being removed)
Hi Taz. I can see why it might be worth avoiding surgery and going for healthy eating because this will help with overall health and surgery always carries a slight risk. But I don't think taking PPIs and other gastritis/ IBS drugs is necessarily a better or less risky option in the long term than surgery would be.
Gallbladder removal by laparoscopy is classed as a minor operation I believe and I was told by a surgeon recently that, once stones have formed, the gallbladder becomes defunct and can only ever present problems with A&E admissions, bile duct blockages (jaundice), pancreatitis and Cholecystitis - all potential serious complications of leaving the defunct gallbladder in.
Having had had to take PPIs for other reasons and had side effects to them over the years I have read up and there are health implications of taking these drugs regularly long term. They can cause significant malabsorption issues of essential vitamins and nutrients. So taking Omaprazole daily isn't necessarily a better option for long term health than going under the knife!
I read only one other place anywhere that eyeflashing can be caused by gallbladder. I have stones and had attacks with pain in back and stomach 6 times in last six months. I have had some weird symptoms also that I had no idea could be releated, can you elaborate about eye flashing. I have had eyeflashes for about a year now in right eye and dry mouth for about the same time, then about six months later started with pain in pit of stomach that goes through to the back. Have been able to sometimes get relief from apple cider vinegar. Have surgery for removal in three weeks. But nervious that I am making the wrong decision b/c I don't have any other gallbladder symtoms, like throwing up or anything like that, just pain for hours, especially in mid to upper back. How did you know that your eye flashes are related? TIA
It would come on a couple hours after a fatty meal. It was usually what seemed to be a flash of light in the corner of my eye and was usually a good indicator that I was going to have an attack that night. Didnt start until a few months into gallbladder attacks and havent had one since it was out. I read that if the issue was the gallbladder releasing too little bile than you can get a build of fat in the bloodstream which can momentarily clog various small veins which the eyes have plenty of and this can trigger the "flashing" sensation.