Advice Needed: Gallstones/Gallbladder Removal

[journeyfan]

OMG, have you had these things?!? Soooo painful! I was in the E/R for the second time yesterday with horrible upper abdomen and back pain. Did some tests this time, and the E/R doc says I have gallstones. He says I need to see a surgeon as my gallbladder needs to come out. Yikes! I hate to do surgery of any kind but sure don't want to be in pain like that again.

So, my internet research so far this morning has pointed to other options like removing fatty foods from the diet, losing weight, etc. Also, some medications may be effective? Did I say that I REALLY don't want to have surgery?? LOL

Anyone have experience with this, or advice? I'm totally lost, have only been in the hospital before to have babies TIA!

[LeenaBeena]

Boy do I ever know the pain. I had a real bad attack about two years ago. Lets just say that I thought that I was having a heart attack. I spent hours in the hospital. I had numerous BLACK gallstones, that were blocking an opening. Well I had the gallbladder out. It really was nothing. They do it laproscopic. It is to be an outpatient surgery, but I stayed overnight. I was not comfortable going home. The kicker is that they would not let me leave the hospital unless you can pass gas. That was important.

I do notice that I cannot eat some of the foods that I used to eat. But hey I live with it. It really is not life changing for me.

Good luck to you with whatever you decide. I opted for the surgery, because I was told that the stones can come back, because I had them once.

Lisa

[noodle48]

Depending on the number of stones you have I would definitely have it taken out. Why chance it blocking something and you having to have emergency surgery because you had other complications from the blockage.

I had mine removed probably ten years ago and never had any problems with eating any types of food.

As far as the surgery goes, the worse thing will be those first few times you have to get out of bed and move that air around. Keep in mind how wicked the attack was. I had an attack on a Sunday (at my sisters bridal shower), went to the dr's on Monday and had it removed on Friday. So obviously they aren't something some doctors want to chance leaving in you. I was back to work in a week no problem.

Karen

[JessicaRenae]

that the meds and such are usually just temp. and you end up having to have it removed anyways...

Jessi

[Tanja S.]

I had mine out a couple years ago...like you, I'd never had surgery before so I was completely freaked out. I didn't have gallstones; my gallbladder just quit functioning. It took several dr.'s visits and a couple different tests before they figured out what was wrong with me.

I know the thought of having surgery is scary, but if you have your gallbladder out laproscopically, it's an outpatient procedure and it isn't too bad. After a week to ten days you're basically back to normal and you'll never have to worry about another attack. The only thing is, you will probably need to limit the fatty/spicy foods you eat for the rest of your life. Some people's bodies adjust to having no gallbladder better than others; for me, I know immediately if I've had something I shouldn't, because it goes right through me. (Sorry if this is TMI, but nobody told me about this happening beforehand!). But hey, I figure, fatty foods aren't good for me anyway, so that's no big loss.

Anyway, good luck to you...hope everything goes well. I would have the surgery and get it over with. Things like that are never as bad as you think they're going to be, and you'll feel so much better afterwards. (((Hugs)))

[leecytx]

Have the surgery! Like everyone said, remember that pain you had? Its worth getting removed for no more pain like that. I work for family physicians and was asked what pain is worse, gallbladder or appendix (I've had both out).... appendix is worse --pain never subsides!

Since my 1st gallbladder attack in beginning of August after an Arby's milkshake, I've stayed away from fast food places ever since...I think the milkshake scarred my mind to never eat/drink anything like that again because that of that pain (my mind doesn't care that the gallbladder was removed so I won't have the pain). Like someone else mentioned, that food isn't good for you anyways.... I have adjusted to eatting Mexican food again --have to--I live in Texas....

So, have the surgery, scars are nothing these days (3 I can see & 1 in my navel -can't see). Best wishes to you & your fast recovery!!

Alyce

[mll]

Yep, easy to have it out and I think better than playing around. Most people continue to have problems and the biggest problem is that the stones, if they are large, move and cover the neck of the gallbladder. Then the bile backs up and you have problems. If the stone moves, you are pain free again. The gallbladder wall can also get inflamed and that causes more problems. If the stones are small, they can get out of the galld bladder into the bile duct and you can have even bigger problems. That can cause jaundice and live problems. Big stones can block the duct too but less likely than small ones. Even after the surgery a healthy diet is recommended because once the GB is removed, the bile duct acts sort of like the GB and you can form stones in there too.

FYI: I had my GB out laporascopically about 15 years ago and I was back at work in 5 days and running in the hills of Tennessee a week later.

Hope that helps!

[DeanaG73]

The surgery is relativly simple now days, but if you are really against the surgery there is a cleanse for stones.

My friend did this, and the dr. said that there was no way it would work. She took the stones to him and he again said no way those weren't stones, yet he had them analyzed and had to then appologise. Here's a link to the cleanse.

http://www.curezone.com/cleanse/liver/huldas_recipe.asp

Here are some more liver/gall cleanses...they are all about the same.
http://www.curezone.com/gallstones/default.asp

Good luck..hope you feel better soon!

Deana

[treasured moments]

I too had the attacks from my gallbladder, a pain that I will never forget. It felt like labor! I am due for surgery this friday and I must admit I am not looking forward to it either. I think they are going in to unblock a bile duct too. I hate being put out! I am so nervous! Please pray for me and whatever you decide to do, I wish you the best. I hope to come back and let you know that everything went smooth.

I'm so glad to know that I am not the only one that is scared to have surgery.

Treasured Moments

[slh1mom]

I had my done laproscopic about 18 years ago, I think, it has been too long. Anyway, I had surgery on a Friday and was back to work on the following Monday. The only pain I had after surgery was gas pain because they pump gas in you so they can see everything. I had 2 stones and I feel your pain. I think you will do fine. Good luck and let us know what you plan on doing.