Hi Everyone,
I had my third child in October and started getting awful pain shortly afterwards. I worked out it was linked to my diet so started to cut out fat and saw my dr after Christmas. I was sent for a scan where it was confirmed I had a collapsed gall bladder and two stones, one in the duct.
My dr sent a referral to the hospital and I had to call to book an appointment. They called back a week later to say there were no appointments available on the system and they would send one through the post. This was three weeks ago and I've heard nothing yet. How long can I expect to wait?? Once the appointment comes through what will happen next?
It's really affecting my quality of life. I can't eat anything with fat after 12pm or I'll have a gall bladder attack in the night. Painkillers just don't touch the pain and it's making me scared to eat! I've lost 3 stone already and am now the lightest I've ever been. I think another stone and I'll start to look ill!!
How long did you wait? I'm so desperate to have my gall bladder removed I've started to look at private but really can't afford it. How long did you wait?
Thank you!
Oh Jennifer how horrendous for you feeling ill with young family, I just can't imagine how you cope. I too (as I have mentioned on my own post) am suffering depression from this, I can't eat anything at all with fat, so am on cereal with water and veg soup, disgusting. I can only hope that you will be seen soon, keep badgering your gp is all I can say. I know others on here have much more experience has to what happens with tests treatment etc. Good luck, love and thoughts
Hi Jennifer, the system is different from where I am as I didn't have to call but if you haven't heard anything then call again.
Unfortunately with gallbladder pain then low fat or no fat is very common, I'm still doing it after surgery as I'm so use to less fat my body can't take it. Attacks are usually worse at night time and it does completely change your life. Don't be scared to eat but eat food that you know isn't going to cause you problems or not severe problems. It'll be different for everyone but I found fish, jacket potato, turkey are good foods that I found easy to digest.
If the painkillers aren't working then go back to your doctor and see if there's anything else. I found they only took the edge off and didn't take the pain away.
I looked at going privately to have the operation done as I'd already been diagnosed and seen the surgeon but I was getting worse so much so that my husband looked into it but yes as you've seen it is very expensive. I don't know if perhaps you have a private consultation with the consultant as I found most do nhs and private.
I take it your doctor has referred to to gastroenterologist who may do other tests such as a CT scan to confirm the diagnosis before he puts you forward to a surgeon.
Give them a call and see where yo are on the list so at least you know how long you're going to wait.
Let me know how you get on xx
Thank you for your replies. I've rung the appointment line again today, it's the choose and book system. They say they have no appointments so I've been taken off the system and put on the hospital waiting list. I have no idea how long that means I'll be waiting!