Hi!
I have suspected gallstones (symptoms all point to it, but still waiting for an ultrasound). Since mid August, I’ve had 8 excruciating pain attacks which wake me up at night, last for hours, are always 8/9 out of 10 in terms of pain, and have ended up with me in A&E or at my GP practice on numerous occasions. The pain is always on the right hand side, under my ribs. Very characteristic of gallstones and I have almost all the risk factors for them so it’s very likely that’s what it is.
My problem is, I have severe anxiety, and all of this is just making me incredibly anxious. I’m scared to sleep because the pain always happens at night. I’m scared to eat anything because I know certain foods can make it worse (3 out of the 8 times its happened was after eating a McDonalds). I won’t let my partner of 5 years share a bed with me anymore because when the pain happens I feel so ill and sick that I just want to be on my own (I know it sounds silly).
I’m terrified of the pain. Last time it happened (a few days ago), I was also horrifically sick and had severe stomach pain too, but I don’t know if this is because of my gallbladder or because of the amount of codeine I took on an empty stomach.
So now I’m also wary about taking my painkillers in case they make me sick.
I know if it is gallstones then I’ll likely be offered an op to have my gallbladder out, but this terrifies me too. I’ve never had surgery before. I’m terrified of being in hospital, being in pain, being under anaesthetic. I’m overweight so I’m worried there’ll be complications or they’ll have to do the surgery open rather than keyhole and leave me with horrific scars.
I’ve also read plenty on this forum and online about bowel problems after gallbladder removal. I already have IBS so the thought of this is scary too. I’ve also seen that you can still get pain attacks even after the surgery, so I feel like this is overall just a lose-lose situation for me. Don’t have the surgery and live in fear of the pain, or have the surgery and still possibly have pain and other issues.
Can anyone give me some advice or words of wisdom? I can’t cope with all this. 
I feel your pain and know your anxiety full well. I myself have severe ibs and had keyhole gb surgery. I have been in agony ever since (1 year). Have to undergo endoscopy to see what is causing all my bloating, pain. From what I see and hear, the opem surgery usually doesn't cause all the complications that keyhole does.
My mother had the open surgery years ago and she was a 250 lb. woman and did fine. Many in my family had the open surgery and all did well.
I can't eat mostly everything any more. My health is shot. Good luck and I will pray you make the decision that is right for you.
your gallbladder is this way from your diet. your waiting your time with ultrasound, it's not going to cure you or take pain away. Remove it and go on strick diet. if not you will in pain forever.
i have to be blunt my lovey, stop eating mcDonalds!!!!!! that c...... is so bad for you on every level, no wonder u feel ill.
start making your own soups and smoothies with fresh veg , fruit etc.
if u have gastric issues you must help yourself and eat healthily and then you will feel much better also look into relaxation tequniques for your anxiety such as yoga.
I know I sound harsh but otherwise u will spend a lifetime taking drugs.
all the very best
You say you know certain foods, like McDonald's, trigger the attacks. It's quite simple, don't eat them!
I had my scan very quick, at A&E after my second attack that left me hospitalised for 4 days. This can say if you have stones, but not in great detail. You will then need an MRI scan. Whilst waiting for this, I was told to stick to a low fat diet. It didn't stop the attacks completely, but did make them manageable.
I had my gallbladder out 3 weeks ago, keyhole surgery. Please don't get held up on the horror stories on here, it is quite painful recovery, but so glad I've had it done.
Oh no! Sorry that you're still suffering. I wonder why the keyhole surgery causes so many complications?
I know the ultrasound won't cure anything but it's to confirm the diagnosis. :)
Thank you. It's so hard to find food to eat because of my IBS - lots of food (including some fruit & vegetables ) irritates it. Really narrows down what I can eat if I now have to avoid anything remotely fatty too :(
I have to wait 6 weeks for an ultrasound even as an 'emergency' - not sure why I couldn't just get one in A&E.
I have been avoiding McDonalds and takeaways etc. since the last attack but I'm still really wary about what I eat because I can't pinpoint exactly what triggers them each time. It's not always McDonalds but I can't remember what I ate the first few times this happened.
I hope you're recovering well after your op.
but you can eat McDonalds🤔 the power to change your life is in your hands, not through fast food.
love and peace
You will feel a lot better when you have had your gallbladder removed. That is my personal experience. It is just something you have to go through.
Are you being careful what you eat at the moment? Nothing too fatty. Cheese of any description is an absolute no no. I love cheese so this was difficult for me.
Take care and keep in touch
Sarah
Hi Charlotte, I fully understand your worry and trust me Gall Bladder problems will make your anxiety worse, its part of the illness. You know like IBS bends you double yet Gall Bladder is pain in your side and chest. Your worry about IBS after GB Extraction is a valid point because the Bile drips from the Liver into the Common Bile duct which goes to the small intestine and its something I have not heard mentioned at all either on this site or on the internet? However the problem is the small intestine gets upset with the constant bile being delivered to it and Drs say that this should clear but many on this site complain months or years after and the only way to treat this is by eating small regular meals which then soaks up the bile and Anti Acid medication which lines the gut. However people may suffer with constipation and diarrhea swings because of this. We are all so very different and some people can eat normally and not have any trouble with toilet habits after extraction!
So with you I would wait until the Ultrasound before worrying at all and if it is proven you got a Gall Bladder issue, ask your Dr about your concerns?
Many people on here complain about ongoing issues after surgery, but I think it's important to understand that people with not so good stories are more likely to come on sites like this than people with success stories.
I was an urgent case and waited only 2 months from diagnosis to surgery. Yes, recovery was and still is uncomfortable, but nothing like the attacks.
I also suffer with IBS and only had diarrhoea for a few days after surgery.
I had the op 3 weeks ago and although I still feel bruised, I've eaten whatever I want over Christmas, which has been great!
Thank you for sharing that and yes I agree with you entirely. and yes at least you do not suffer the attacks, but there is little information about people who suffer with IBS as well?So your a good person to answer Charlottes fears. Maybe as you go along in time you can keep an update for us. it would be interesting to know if this bile problem does indeed upset the IBS issue??? Happy New Year
It's not nice to live in fear of the pain attacks, but if it does turn out to be gallstones and a removal is recommended, it is better to have it, than run the risk of a blockage. My cousin ignored her attacks and developed blockages causing pancreatitis and liver problems. These are really serious and potentially very dangerous. She had her gall bladder removed as an urgent case 2 months after the pancreatitis. She said yes, it was painful, and she still feels only 60% even now after 4 weeks. But the pain is now gone, although she still has some toiletting issues. But it is early days still.
As for the IBS, I deal with Diverticular Disease which is equally as painful, with similar effects. Do you keep a strict food diary, to enable you to identify your trigger foods? It might help identify the foods aggravating your gall bladder as well. I personally can't take gluten and fat, so stick to gluten free and 0% or low fat foods. I have lots of home made blended soups, porridge, and grilled fish and poultry with steamed veggies. My cousin is now avoiding cheese, which she loves, chocolate and alcohol, and having 4 small meals at 9am, 12pm, 3pm and 6pm. For example, 1 weetabix, 250ml soup, fat free yogurt, poached salmon with veggies.
I stick to paracetemol, as I find other painkillers upset my tummy or affect my DD. I also look to relax, by having massages. But something like yoga or meditation can help with anxiety. Good luck.
of course it does affect and cause IBS.
once you have bile problems, you will have IBS all IBS means is your stomach is very sensitive. which causes diharehha and other ailments.
all normal dont worry. takes about 2 years for body to go back to normal.
Just had my endoscopy today and the Doctor agreed with me that the gb surgery can and does create potentially serious issues with ibs for a fact.
I am down to eating white rice, a couple carrots and white meat chicken or turkey. For beverage I sip water as sometimes even that makes me sick. The last few foods that were tolerated with my ibs no longer are tolerated due to the bile from the gb surgery. I am sick all the time except when I go to sleep.
Just had my endoscopy today and the Doctor agreed with me that the gb surgery can and does create potentially serious issues with ibs for a fact.
I am down to eating white rice, a couple carrots and white meat chicken or turkey. For beverage I sip water as sometimes even that makes me sick. The last few foods that were tolerated with my ibs no longer are tolerated due to the bile from the gb surgery. I am sick all the time except when I go to sleep.
raise your bed by 6 inches from the head board side. that will take pressure off.