I was recently turned away from emerg and referred externally to a surgeon but was told to go back if the pain increased — with thanksgiving tomorrow I’m wondering if that will do me in…
But it got me wondering what triggered the biggest attack for people / what was the last straw that precipitated having it removed?
No doctors have told me I need to change my diet or be careful with what I eat. I’m 8DPO and I’m eating normally and everything is fine.
But I keep seeing random comments online saying that people have to watch their oil intake now they don’t have a gallbladder and such like. Has that been your experience?
Just coming on here to comically post about my cheat food and how I’m suffering now. My coworker bought us lunch today and offered either McDonald’s or Sonic… I chose Sonic… Cheese Burger Mozzarella Sticks and a Coke… Now i’m doubled over in the work bathroom for the third time today and in my misery I ask you all, what is your guilty resturant cheat meal that you know you shouldn’t eat but are willing to tear up your stomach anyways for?
I know no one here can diagnose me and if this kind of post is not allowed I apologise. I'm just asking because I'm lost and want to know if this sounds familiar.
The firts time it happened it started in the evening as moderate stomach pain. I tried to ignore it and go to sleep, but I couldn't fall asleep as the pain was getting worse. It was located on the right and under the ribs, kind of radiated to my back. It got so bad I couldn't go get a painkiller. Couldn't do anything. Breathing felt hard and every position was uncomfortable. I started making weird suffering noises and luckily I was staying at my mom's so she heard me. At times I was yelling from the pain. It was worse than any pain I've experienced and I get migraines that make me throw up and unable to speak. My mom took me to the ER where they gave me a gram of ibuprofen and paracetamol. They took bloodwork and made me pee in a cup. Everything was okay. After suffering for some hours the pain went away and they just said ok we don't know what's wrong with you, but since you're fine now it's probably nothing. And I was just happy the pain stopped.
But then it happened again. And again. And again. And two of those times I've been seen by a doctor because I happened to be in a psych ward. But every time they say it's probably just my "body getting used to food again" because I have an eating disorder. And I know that's a fucking lie. I FEEL the pain in an organ I think. I KNOW it's not just some air in my stomach like they say.
Finally a doctor kind of listened to me last week, but he said he'll refer me to get an ultrasound in January or something. These have all happened within the last two months. I don't understand why no one cares that I'm in terrible pain.
Could this be gallbladder related? I'm only 22 and underweight so I may not "fit the profile". I'm more scared of fatty foods if anything. But I also read that weight gain AND loss can cause gallbladder issues. And obviously some people just get unlucky so even an otherwise healthy person could in theory have gallstones.
Since being diagnosed and getting buscopan I've been managing to catch the attacks early and mostly stop anything too aggressive. But today... It came on so quick that even with taking the buscopan it did nothing. I was in agony for over an hour. Just when I thought it had calmed down it flared right back up again. At one point I felt myself nearly pass out, all while fighting the feeling of throwing up. I was honestly at a 9.5 on the pain but the NHS says it doesn't count as an emergency and I shouldn't go to a&e until either jaundice sets in or it's been 8hours of agony. Ngl I'm so done with this, it's really messing with my mental health which is already a huge issue. Today I nearly did something bad because I wanted done with it all. Im just so sick of not knowing what will trigger it, it seems so random, one day I can have something the next I can't. And then according to the NHS ap it's like 42 weeks wait time and I just don't know if I can do that.
This is gonna be my first surgery ever and I am 20 years old, my consultation should be coming up so hopefully within the next month I can get this thing out.
But I’m scared, I know surgery is a very normal fear but I am actively catching slight anxiety over it, scared of complications or of passing away during it despite the risk being literally 0 for my age group and with my medical history.
Is there any reassurance I can get about surgery? I just want to have good facts or stories so i can go in with a clear head. Thank y’all!
Gallstones suck - I know you all know this - but medical professionals actually leave you with a ticking time-bomb in your body and you have no idea when it might go off!
Last Saturday, out of no where I had severe pain in my abdomen, I honestly thought it was indigestion and it would just got. Saturday night when I couldn’t bear it any longer I went to A&E where I was diagnosed with gallstones.
They booked me an ultrasound for Monday morning and also booked me into the surgical reviving unit to be assessed to see if I needed urgent surgery. This is the NHS.
My ultrasound showed gallstones but no inflammation so I was sent home and told to follow a low fat diet and they would book me a clinic appointment to discuss the surgery. My clinic appointment is in 5 weeks time. I was told to phone them if I get symptoms of a blockage but that was it.
I’ve been fine all week and then today after lunch the pain started again, my lunch was like 6g of fat and was made up of foods I’ve eaten fine all week - what the hell? I took some paracetamol which dulled the pain (I have codine but I’m reluctant to use it as the pain wasn’t as bad as last week). Peppermint tea seems to have helped.
I’m now petrified to eat and also really scared of having such regular attacks because I have no idea how long I’m going to be waiting for surgery.
Any advice on managing attacks would be gratefully received ❤️
Finally have a date for surgery - 30th October 🥳
My hospital called me on the 22nd September offering me a cancellation for the 24th September. I had to say no as they have given me the liver shrinkage diet which I hadn’t started yet. They said if I started the diet now, I could take a cancellation in 2 weeks which would’ve been from the 7th October.
I’ve been calling nearly everyday asking if there are any cancellations and there are none.
I don’t want to give up on cancellations and would have to start my 2 week diet soon anyway for surgery on the 30th but I am seriously struggling.
Currently I have:
Breakfast - protein drink and an apple
Lunch - chicken salad
Dinner - 2 poached eggs on 3 ham slices
Snack - jelly pot
This is my food every day and I am STRUGGLING. I am already such a fussy eater but how dry everything is, is killing me. I am knackered, I have no energy and have no motivation anymore.
I’m in the UK, but everyone seems to have been given different restrictions on their liver shrinkage diets. Please please tell me, what did you eat before surgery and it still be successful 🙏🏼
I had my gallbladder removed back in 2012, and since then every time I eat something no matter what it is, I get horrible cramping and diarrhea. Like id eat food and then 30 minutes later have the sudden urge to go to the bathroom. I’ve tried colestipol, fiber supplements, and immodium with little success. Is it worth going back to the doctor, maybe my gallbladder operation was botched?
So I have an urgent referral to a general surgeon for my hyperkinetic gallbladder. they said it's technically working correctly, but it's causing me extreme pain and overall just probably should be removed. even though it's an urgent referral, how long did your consultation/surgery date take? I've been dealing with this extreme pain for about 7weeks daily. (5/10 full pain baseline, 8-9/10 during spasms. my HIDA was 84% and they found sludge in my gallbladder if that helps.)
Successful removal of gallbladder Thursday, No pain No gas , Great scars , But a horrendous sore throat,
Just wanted to know when I remove cover from where drain was situated, Drain was removed Friday before being discharged there’s no leaking
Thank you
Long story short, last summer(2025) I started having awful pain attacks in my stomach, I was checked for heart attacks, and told it was just acid reflux and to up my ppi, I did this and it changed nothing, I had more attacks. Took 8 months for them to scan me and diagnose Gallstones. I was referred to a private hospital in May and when I saw my surgeon in August he said I’d have my surgery within 6-8 weeks, I hadn’t heard anything in September to I called and was told I’d be getting a call soon as I’d been waiting a while. I still hadn’t heard anything 2 days ago so called them and was told that they won’t be able to fit me in until after Christmas. My attacks are coming so much now. I’ve had 5 this week! I have no energy, I’m not eating properly, I’m sad all the time. My mum passed away in July and I’m at a point now where I think everything is just too much. I’m constantly in pain with attacks or just cos my body is sore from the attacks, I feel so weak and useless, I worry that soon my mental health is going to plummet. I have a great boyfriend who looks after me and loves me so much, I have 2 great kids at home who are helpful and considerate to everything that’s going on and part of me feels so ungrateful cos I have them and I love them so much but I’m just not in a good place right now. Sorry for the rant.
Feeling disheartened. I had my gallbladder removal 6 months ago now and have been absolutely fine, a bit of constipation for the first few months but ultimately nothing horrific. I was feeling really good about it. Not sure what the change is, or if it’s more just my body finally adjusting, but over the last two weeks I’ve lost control of my bowels twice. No identifiable trigger, foods I’ve eaten many times before and after surgery and been fine but all of a sudden both times I crapped my pants after. And now I keep getting the same thing, these stomach pains after I eat, nothing like gallstone pain thankfully but more so in my bowel area and I’m afraid it’s gonna lead to me crapping my pants again. It happened at work the other day. So embarrassing and inconvenient, and not even like I’d eaten anything to expect it, I’d had plain bread and butter. I don’t get it. Really hoping this isn’t the new norm. I’m also finding it’s literally impossible to lose weight now too since removal, my old methods don’t work at all and even exercising hasn’t helped. Just feeling disheartened, I don’t regret my surgery because the pain was awful and I had no choice, but I wish I’d known about gallstones etc and looked after myself in my earlier years. Maybe I never would’ve got here.
I'm actually doing 15 days because I started a day early 🤦♀️ I've lived off of just 4 slimfast shakes a day, not a single morsel of food. Days 1-5 were the hardest, after that I didnt feel hungry at all (still wanted to eat food for the taste/pleasure) but just one day left of the shakes and then surgery day. I cannot wait to eat food again, literally. Food is such a pleasure and life has been pretty miserable without it but ive been feeling surprisingly well, I work 12.5 hour shifts and work days have been far easier than at home days. I've cooked a couple of meals for my boyfriend and resisted temptation. Feeling proud of myself. Fingers crossed my surgery goes well!
Im 12 days post op. Last night we engaged in some non penetrative activity but I had an orgasm. Since then my abdomen is sooo heavy and sore almost like day 2 or 3. Walking around very slowly and just uncomfortable. Im so scared and regret it! Im also getting my pd so im not sure if some of it has to do with that though because its my lower back as well. Any suggestions on what to do?
What helps to stop the burning feeling and strong nausea ? My stomach my chest and throat all burn it puts an awful taste in my mouth. I don’t really know how to stop it or soothe it. At this point I’m eating saltines with peanut butter and drinking ice cold water and still it persists.
I’ve tried some old zofran I’ve had and even that Dramamine from Walgreens nothing is working.
Has anyone experienced severe right shoulder blade pain that gets worse after eating, along with digestive symptoms? We are desperate for answers.
My wife is 57, extremely fit, healthy, and athletic. About two weeks ago, she developed pain in her right shoulder blade seemingly out of nowhere. We initially assumed it was a pickleball injury, but then digestive symptoms started appearing.
Our first trip to the ER happened when she developed chest tightness. They suspected a muscular issue and sent her home with medication. Since then, she has tried muscle relaxers, Prilosec, gas medications, and Tylenol. Absolutely nothing has touched the pain.
Last Monday night, the pain became so severe she could barely stand, so we returned to the ER. They performed a gallbladder workup and suggested she might be developing an ulcer.
Nothing improved.
Wednesday, we saw another doctor who thought it was indigestion. Thursday, we submitted stool samples. Friday, we saw yet another doctor who was concerned enough to send us straight back to the ER.
They performed a CT scan with contrast, additional blood work, and more testing. Everything came back normal.
Meanwhile, she is still in excruciating pain.
Here is what makes this so confusing:
Today, she finally took a Norco because she simply couldn't tolerate the pain anymore.
She is now afraid to eat because eating makes the shoulder pain so much worse.
We have been to multiple doctors and emergency rooms, and we still have no answers.
Has anyone experienced anything like this, especially severe right shoulder blade pain triggered by eating?
We are wondering about gallbladder dysfunction that doesn't show up on standard imaging, digestive issues causing referred pain, or something else entirely.
If you've experienced something similar, what was your eventual diagnosis? What testing finally gave you answers?
We are exhausted, worried, and just want her to get some relief.
After about 1 year of intermittent nausea, and arguing with my doctor to get a GI referral, I was finally diagnosed with hyperkenesia (99% on my HIDA). He recommendation removal and I am being referred to a surgeon. I am pumped to finally get this annoying thing out of me. My issue is that I have a lot of travel coming up and may not be able to get the surgery for a couple of months.
I am wondering if anyone has any good temporary relief tricks? It's rare I have actual pain but nausea is pretty typical most days. I can avoid bad trigger foods, like caffeine and dark chocolate for me, but some days it doesn't seem to make a difference what, if anything, I eat.
So if anyone has had a good way to subdue gallbladder nausea, weird or not, I'd love to hear what worked for you.
Question: I have surgery on the 29th. Last night a friend who had hers removed told me that "What you think is gas, is no longer gas"...is this true? Thinking you're passing gas but it's more than that? That will suck. Is it temporary? Anyone else had this temporarily or permanently? Thanks!
So I can’t lift 20 pounds or more for 6 weeks after surgery.
I currently have a 16 year old dog that is 21 pounds and can’t get up stairs due to hip dysplasia and fused spine and I live on the second floor of an apartment complex. I don’t have anyone who can help me because I live alone and my family is too far.
My dog could probably stay with my parents for most two weeks but he would have to come back. How could I get him up the steps without hurting myself?