Gallstone Relief

[Eve]

Just seeing what people who have had them found helped them.

I'm still waiting for an op date though had my pre-op last week so hopefully not too much longer.

It hasn't got much better since I got acute cholecystitis in mid November and it's been driving me mad. I've got codeine phosphate and paracetamol to help with the main pain and some buscopan for cramps and been on as low fat a diet as possible (lost just under a stone!).

The air and burping is horrible though and it just seems to go round and round and unless I can get a really deep burp out (sorry, gross I know!) I can end up throwing up.

Really suffering with pain round my right shoulderblade which goes across the back and round the other one - been told it's nerve pain. Get a horrible stabbing pain in my chest though thankfully not as often. The painkillers don't seem to help the back and chest pain much and even my brastrap and having my back against something irritates it more.

The last week at work I've had a hot water bottle between my shoulderblades and the back of the chair - the heat distracts from the pain a bit and it's more comfortable than a hard back.

Any other tips to help that in the meantime welcome, don't want to bother my GP if there isn't anything that can help and it's just waiting for the op - really really hope it's soon!

[crisgal]

i had a giant can of hairspray stuffed down one of my husband's rugby socks! I used to sit there, gently swinging it onto my back. mental, i know but it did help!

[Eve]

I'm so tempted Sqad, I hate to be seen as trying to queue jump and know there are far more urgent cases waiting but might ask if I don't get a date soon. I'm hoping having had the pre-op is a good sign.

I spoke to my doctor earlier on the phone and she prescribed me some more omeprazole I've picked up so hoping that will help. It's been horribly twingy today and I'm really worried it's going to go again though I guess if it's bad enough to land me back in hospital they might take it out faster. The thought of having to go through that again with the pain and sickness and having to try and get friends to look after the cats etc... though is just horrible. I live on my own and none of my family are local, my friends were fantastic when I was in hospital last time but don't like to put them out.

She also said it should hopefully be ok to take low dose diclofenac especially with the omeprazole, I asked if it would be ok at least in the meantime as a short term measure with voltarol tablets I can buy myself which only have a low dose in. Even if just to help me through the day at work and when it's really bad etc...

I might try that crisgal, willing to try all sorts at the moment!

[Nini74]

i couldn't eat fruit or salad when i had them - worst attack ever was after eating grapes, so watch out for that. I also couldn't have milk in coffee - i loived on toast with jam, jacket potatoes with salad cream (low fat), and could manage the occasional packet of french fries and some haribo sweets as a real treat (no fat!). Peppermint tea helps the stomach pain, as does rubbing tiger balm all over your belly - you may stink, but there's nothing worse than having an attack when in work. My GP gave me diclofenac suppositories (voltarol) - not very pleasant, but effective pain relief. To help release the gas I actually used to find that a pint of ice cold lager did the trick nicely - drink it as quick as you can so the gas goes into your belly - and then wil elease itself and the relief is amazing. I used to go straight to the pub on the way home from work if i was realy bad - honestly, 2 pints and i'd be feeling so much better it was unbelievable. x

[Eve]

Thanks Nini :)

The omeprazole has been helping a bit with the burping and chest pain but the gallbladder itself is still very niggly and keep getting pains in other places round my tummy now.

Had a call from the hospital this morning about my operation on Wednesday...hadn't heard anything about a date so was part surprised and part relieved until they said they had to cancel it as they'd just been told I need to be referred to immunology first for tests to make sure I'm ok with the anaesthetic etc... They said pre-op only let them know today, a week after I saw them!

Gutted to have a date so soon then lose it but at least things are moving, just hoping I can get this immunology stuff sorted soon, not a great time with Christmas and New Year pending though, so I can get another date.

Got a call back for some more bloods at GPs too as my liver blood tests showed up something - wondering if that's the gallstones though causing it somehow or the immunosuppressants.

Roll on New Year and no more gallbldder! At least things are moving :)