I got diagnosed with gall stones awhile back.. then I cleaned up my diet and ate super healthy. I also ate a lot of apples and steamed white fish and vegies..
I got a bit better and then got lax with diet.. and now I am having real problems again.. I will clean up my diet and stick with it this time around.
I really do want to avoid surgery at this stage.. I have no private medical cover, and the doctors at our local hospital have a bad reputation when it comes to surgery.
There is nothing anybody can do.. but I felt like letting off a bit of steam about this issue.
Location: Im in Spain but Im English, have lived in Spain for 15 years
Posts: 98
Height: 5"11
Hi Jenny
I really feel for you as I had gallstones years ago and its darn painful. What worked for me was keeping off the dairy foods as they triggered off the pains. When I got the pains I drank boiling hot water and it eased them BIG time. I know it sounds weird but it works.
I to experienced gall stones and it was awful. I know diet and losing weight can help, but i had the surgery which really wasn't that invasive, they can do it laproscopic. The surgeon and my doctor both told me that the only way to truly get rid of them is to have your gall bladder taken out. And they were right. I haven't had a pains since my surgery.
I had gallstones, too, and had to have my gallbladder removed after my son was born. Childbirth was less painful for me than the gallstones! The surgery was nothing, and I'm so much better off without my gallbladder. If you can't get it taken out, reduce or eliminate your high fat/rich foods, and I think a no-alcohol plan is good (at least, never drink until you feel nauseous). Throwing up causes your gallbladder to spasm and cramp down on the stones.
I had gallstones, too, and had to have my gallbladder removed after my son was born. Childbirth was less painful for me than the gallstones! The surgery was nothing, and I'm so much better off without my gallbladder. If you can't get it taken out, reduce or eliminate your high fat/rich foods, and I think a no-alcohol plan is good (at least, never drink until you feel nauseous). Throwing up causes your gallbladder to spasm and cramp down on the stones.
I totally agree! when i was having the gallstone pain, when someone would ask me how painful it was , i would say having my 2 c-sections and recovery was less painful than the gallstone pain! i'm so glad they took it out!
I had gallstones, too, and had to have my gallbladder removed after my son was born. Childbirth was less painful for me than the gallstones! The surgery was nothing, and I'm so much better off without my gallbladder.
What she said. The surgery (they do laparoscopy now - 4 tiny incisions instead of a single huge one like my mother got) was nothing compared to the pain beforehand.
Thank you ALL for taking the time to reply to this thread. You have given me some courage to face surgery in the future.. if I decide to go that way.
Kate, I will try drinking some water.. whatever helps.. meanwhile I have cut out all fat out of my diet. I have also cut out dairy products for now, and this worries me, because as an older person I must protect my bones from thinning.
I read on the net that soluble fiber helps.. I am getting tired of juicing up apples and eating pears (for fibre). Meanwhile I have joined up to private health cover..
I have had gall bladder colic but not an attack when the stone gets caught in the bile duct (knock on wood that doesn't happen).
Again thanks for your advice and encouragement, it is much appreciated, cheers, Jenny