Gallstones - aargh!

[clogger]

So I found out this morning that I have gallstones . Has anyone else had them? The ultrasound technician told me "off the record" that she could see gallstones in my gallbladder. I have my official appointment with a doctor in Internal Medicine on Monday. I don't know what the treatment will entail yet. From what I've read online, once gallstones form, the pain caused by gallstones is caused by ingesting fat. What am I supposed to do? Part of me would rather have the pain than to sacrifice all of the strides I've made with this way of life. Have any of you been in this position? If so, what did you do? Did you make any dietary changes?

Thanks in advance for any information, experience, advice, etc!

[OzLover]

I opted to have my gallbladder removed. I know other people who eventually had it removed after suffering extremely painful gallbladder attacks. Painful enough to send them to the ER for pain meds.

I have had no problems since. Good luck on Monday!

[clogger]

Thanks for responding, Glenda!

[clogger]

The doctor I saw at Urgent Care on Wednesday night called a little bit ago to say she got the Ultrasound results back and she thinks I should have my gallbladder removed. She said to keep my Monday am appointment with Internal Medicine and then she set up a Monday pm appointment with surgery consultaion. Wow, this is all happening really fast. I guess I'll probably be getting my gallbladder out next week. Oh my!

[Eno]

I just read that over 500,000 Americans have gall bladder surgery (cholecystectomy) each year. Wow.

Has your doctor tried medications or ultrasound to dissolve the stones? I don't know your full story, but surgery would be the last option for me.

Good luck.

[clogger]

There are only two nonsurgical options that I seem to be eligible for - Bile salt tablets and Sound wave therapy (extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy).

Here's some info from Mayoclinic.com:

Bile salt tablets. Your doctor may have you take the medication ursodiol (Actigall), which dissolves cholesterol stones over a period of time. The treatment works best on small cholesterol stones, but is only effective about 50 percent of the time. To prevent a recurrence, most people need to take the medication for years or longer.

Sound wave therapy (extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy). This treatment uses high-frequency sound waves to break up gallstones. You then take ursodiol tablets to dissolve the fragments. Sound wave therapy is appropriate for only a small percentage of people with gallstones. If you have more than one stone, your stone is large, or you have acute cholecystitis or cholangitis, you're probably not a good candidate for this treatment. And, as with other nonsurgical therapies, your gallstones are likely to return unless you take ursodiol indefinitely.

I think I would prefer to have may gallbladder removed. I can't imagine having to deal with the pain I'm feeling with only a 50% chance of medicine dissolving the stones over a period of time. Since I have more than one stone (I haven't found out the number yet) it doesn't sound like I'm a good candidate for sound wave therapy.

I have many questions to ask during my appointments tomorrow...

[Lisa]

Golly, Kristine! I sure hope and pray all goes well for you. I'm sure you'll go in armed and ready with lots of questions...and hold that doctor against the wall until he answers every single one of them. I'll think of you when I go for my walk today

[emmie30]

Hi clogger, I had my gall bladder removed about 4 years ago after it became infected. The first time I was admitted I honestly thought i was either in labour or having a heart attack lol. I have never known pain like it (and ive had 2 kids).It took 3 months of being rushed to ER and doped on morphine before they removed it with keyhole surgery. Im only left with a 1/2 inch scar on my abdomen and a tiny one to the side of my tummy button. Hope your appointment went well and your questions were answered. Take care. x

[clogger]

Thanks, emmie!

It turns out I'll be having surgery this Thursday. I'll have the laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery.

Now I just need to plan ahead so I have Atkins-friendly "soft" foods to eat for a few days following the surgery.

[Lisa]

I'll be praying for ya!