Jamie’s Weblog

389 Comments

• John Browne
  March 18th, 2009 at 11:33 pm

  Don’t forget steamed limes for dessert…..

• Michael Barry
  March 18th, 2009 at 11:37 pm

  Sounds a lot like a low cholesterol diet, or any low fat diet really.

  Of course, unlike the rest of us, you get immediate feedback when you are bad, which probably helps you stick to the diet…

• Jamie Lawrence
  March 19th, 2009 at 1:07 am

  It has perhaps taken longer than it should have to arrive at this diet but my excuse was that I was testing my boundaries. But it’s now very easy to avoid chocolate or ice cream when you consider the resulting hours of pain ahead!

• Jamie Lawrence
  March 19th, 2009 at 1:09 am

  Also, while I’m trying to avoid fat this isn’t a particularly healthy diet because I’m quite happy replace that fat with sugar.

• Jamie Lawrence
  March 19th, 2009 at 12:34 pm

  Please point out that only McVities Jaffa cakes are ok – they are less than 1g of fat per biscuit. Other Jaffa cakes have more fat in them.
  Also, Costa coffee shops do the best skinny muffin a lemon and orange one, and again less than 5% fat!!
  And some yoghurts can be quite fatty so read the labels. Vitalinea are good cos they have 0% fat and 0% sugar!!!

• Vanessa
  May 20th, 2009 at 8:48 pm

  I am having the same experience as you. Is this diet affecting your digestion at all, I’m getting alot of stomach aches and nausea. I have really cut down on my fat intake (I had 3 really bad attacks in a week) but I have the same problem as you, my diet isn’t exactly super healthy, because I figure if I can’t have fat, then I’m going to have sugar. I also tested my boundaries at the beginning, but now I am afraid to eat most of the time. Can’t wait for surgery, are you getting yours out?

• Jamie Lawrence
  May 20th, 2009 at 9:36 pm

  I’ve been had a lot of acid indigestion but I’m on medication for that. Initially, the doctor thought it might be an ulcer in addition to the gallstones, but now thinks it’s just another symptom. Hopefully I should be having them out but I’m still waiting for a consultants appointment — I’ve been pain free on this diet for the past 2 months though!

  I should add that I’ve also discovered that Walkers Baked crisps (if you’re in the UK/Ireland) are only 8% fat and cause me no problems. Also most fruit breads are fine too.

• Vanessa
  May 21st, 2009 at 2:03 am

  I’m in Canada, but I have also discovered baked chips or crisps as they are called there. I’m on medication for acid indigestion as well, which they think is another symptom as well. I have been able to avoid an attack for over a month which is awesome, but I get an upset stomach almost everytime I eat, and something thats fine to eat one day could upset my stomach the next day. It’s a very frustrating thing. I’m on the waiting list for surgery, they said it would be 2-3 months, but it has been 3 months now and no call. At first I didn’t want it out because I was scared, but now its more like “GET THIS FREAKING THING OUT OF ME!!” haha. Hope your experience goes a bit better than mine has been. Take Care

• Natalie
  May 27th, 2009 at 12:37 am

  i went for months, being told that i had a bad acid reflex. I eventually was diagnoised with gallstones. I was seventeen when i was told. i hadn’t had anything like the pain my mum suffered with and didn’t think it was such a big deal. Two days after my 18th birthday i had an attack. I have never been in so much pain. i was hospitalised. I’m now home and afraid to eat anything. Hopefully this diet will give me a good start while i wait for the surgery. I was aprehensive about the surgery, now i can’t wait for it!

• Jenni
  July 18th, 2009 at 9:08 pm

  I had my gall bladder removed about 10 months ago, but I still have attacks of pain, usually directly after I’ve eaten, or else the day after a fatty day. I’m altering my diet to see if that will reduce the pain, because it’s pretty much certain that it’s fat-related. Your plan has been excellent to help me to realise what foods to avoid to control my condition! Thanks And I hope you’ve still got yours under control

• Lisa
  July 24th, 2009 at 11:05 pm

  I have a large gallstone and am trying oral medication first before surgical removal. You mentioned to avoid oil? I had read on several different websites that olive oil (and sunflower oil) are good for a diet involving gallstones. Did you read something different? I had even read to take 1 tbsp olive oil twice a day and have just started that. I am finally eating fruit regularly now but this is the first website that I read about not eating avocados. I am sad. I was just eating a bunch of avocados recently.

• Jamie Lawrence
  July 25th, 2009 at 9:40 am

  I’m only avoiding avocado on the basis that they are a fatty fruit. Perhaps it would be fine, perhaps not. I’ve also read about taking olive oil but it was with something acidic like grapefruit juice for a few days. From what I could tell, there’s a myth that this makes you pass the stones but in fact it’s just the solidified olive oil that you’ve taken. AFAIK, the only way to get the stones out is surgery but take advice from your doctor. 4 months sticking to this diet and no attacks, so I’m not going to try anything new.

• carmella
  July 30th, 2009 at 1:51 am

  This diet gives me a great idea just found out I have marble sized stones, have my consultation in the morning and I am scared to pretty much eat anything so hope this works

• Susan
  August 11th, 2009 at 8:26 pm

  Thanks for all the imput, I had my first attack last week, and hopefully my last. I am pretty scared about surgery and was considering the various flushes that are on the web. Now I don’t see that as viable. I’ve been eating low fat and will definitly print this diet out as an excellent guideline. I don’t get taking the olive oil, my MD print out said only 3 teaspoons of fat daily, in the form of butter, mayonnaise or oil. Thats not much.

• Cayce
  August 17th, 2009 at 3:45 am

  I just had my first attacks last night. It came about after a pasta dinner made with olive oil. I should be having a consultation soon. I’ll be trying to stick to your guidelines so I don’t have another attack, that was the worst pain I’ve ever been in!

• Rick
  August 24th, 2009 at 6:28 pm

  This is pretty much the same set of foods that I have been following since by diagnosis in may. The upside is that I have shed about 20 lbs that I didn’t need and despite the restrictions it has been pretty easy up until now. It’s amazing how little you crave certain foods when the thought of the agonizing hours spent during an attack are still fresh in your mind. To this day I have yet to come across any item of food that I could look at think it was worth the risk.

• Jamie Lawrence
  August 25th, 2009 at 11:49 am

  I had my gallbladder removed on Friday and I’m just recovering at home. Frankly, it’s not too bad at all. I can now eat anything I like but I’m looking at some things I used to eat and thinking “Meh!”. The only advantage is now I can eat out which I couldn’t do at all previously (yay! just in time for our wedding anniversary)

• yana
  August 25th, 2009 at 1:16 pm

  Congrats Jamie on getting it out! And thank you for the diet guidelines. I had my first attack on Aug 21st, the pain was so bad that I actually started to faint. Was hospitalized in a foreign country with people speaking very little english, spent 4 days in the hospital on IVs and now resting. Pain seem to have subsided, mainly thanks to the diet. I am glying back to NY in 10 days and my doctor already scheduled surgery for the day after I land. Pretty quick process if u have insurance paying for this stuff, wouldn’t be able to wait for months, I am scared to do anything because the attack was so painful. Dreading being on the plane for 9 hours, but at least for now have family looking after me and friends. Good luck, everyone!

• Ginny
  August 27th, 2009 at 12:59 am

  Thnx gus for sharing fantastic tips, the thing abt hving such conditions is u eventually bcome ur own doctors! I had a 1st attack on 23 aug 30mins b4 my night shift…thot had a heart attack, swine flue or something, so terrified! Went to A&E and spent 4hrs on hosp bed on morphine…yes thats what took the pain away….in the last hr the surgeon came and said “From wot we can see u got gall stone” I had little knowledge of the freaking things even tho am a nurse ha ha…”What” Then found u guys…still trying low fat diet, love my stews, dairy but @ more am more anorexic than anything…scared of all foods, will try lemon and olive oil as therapy to flush em…
  Gd luck guys……

• Beck
  August 30th, 2009 at 1:21 pm

  Jamie, thank you for the information you have provided! Every food item you have mentioned causes me absolute grief when I eat it, and I will now avoid them!
  I have been to my doctor twice this year and have been told there is nothing wrong with me. Mind you, he hasn’t even sent me for scans! Or listened to me say that my mother and grandfather had to have their gall bladders removed!
  Anyhow, I will take your advice as to which foods to avoid! You have given me hope that it’s not all in my head! As well as get a second opinion! Thanks!
  PS: Great blog!

• jean
  September 1st, 2009 at 6:00 pm

  I had pancreatitis last september and the doctor blamed gallstones even though they haven’t found any after lots of scans. I’m on the waiting list for it’s removal. Can anyone answer this, can gallbladder problems cause ulcers? I can’t seem to get rid of mime and my ma say’s it’s due to my gallbladder problems. Great advise I will now follow a lower fat diet ready for my op. Pity the doctors didn’t tell me this

• Jamie Lawrence
  September 1st, 2009 at 9:59 pm

  It was confirmed before my operation that I didn’t have an ulcer. Since the gallbladder removal I haven’t had any of these symptoms so I think that completes the case for gallstones causing those ulcer-like symptoms.

• Pauline
  September 2nd, 2009 at 8:46 am

  Just wondered how long you all have been on the waiting list, I know it’ll be differnt in different parts of the country, but I finally going to see the consultant next week, I’ve had to wait 3 months to get this far, even eating low fat I’m still getting attacks, my GP tells me although it helps, sometimes they may just move themselves and cause you pain! Thankfully I’ve been doing slimming world so have plenty of fat free recipes, but just fed up of it controling my life, I’m too scared to eat out and have had loads of time of work due to th pain, I just want it out!

• Sarah
  September 5th, 2009 at 3:41 pm

  Hi guys visited my gp yesterday after several nasty attacks and have been prescribed strong tablets to combat the indegestion symptoms. Im keeping my fingers crossed that my appointment with the consultant wont take too long but have started a low fat diet in the mean time. My sister has had her gallbladder out last year and advised me to avoid the same list so im hoping the really bad attacks stay away even though i have almost constant stomache ache. Thanks for all the advise its well heeded!

• Jan
  September 8th, 2009 at 7:53 am

  Hi there all, it’s great to hear that I’m not on my own in the world of gall stones, found out in 2002 that I had them. Then nothing, no advice on diet. If this advice had been given then I would have changed my diet then may have avoided the pain that I went though this last week. Ended up in A&E on a drip and pain killers, after 5 hours came home, then 2 days later woke up and looked like Homer Simpsons wife, YELLOW. Talk about shock.
  Rushed to the doc’s then hospital. Yes Gallstone trapped, all needs to come out. Then “Change your diet”. Great.

• Joy
  September 9th, 2009 at 6:12 pm

  Thanks for publishing this information. I was hospitalized this summer for an inflamed gall bladder and gallstones and am having my surgery later this week. My doctor told me to try to eat 5-10 g of fat per day. I figure I am really closer to 7-15 g fat per day but I was surprised (after the first shock) how d0-able it was and how good I feel without attacks and without any other indigestion either. For those in the US, Subway Fresh Fit subs are one of the FEW things I can get when I eat out.

• marisa
  September 17th, 2009 at 6:45 pm

  can u eat pork or beef i have had pain for five years i have just had a second scan and they found call stones im in a lot of pain my doctor think im putting it on thanks

• Jamie Lawrence
  September 17th, 2009 at 8:24 pm

  Marisa,
  I was able to eat lean minced beef (5% fat) as part of a bolognese (for example) and the only pork I had was occasionally some bacon (without the fat/rind) wrapped around a chicken breast and baked. Honestly, I think it varies from person to person but I certainly avoided any large piece of beef or pork, such as a roast dinner. Best of luck!

• Trisha
  September 22nd, 2009 at 5:06 pm

  Hi all. I was diagnosed with gallstones after an accute attack of cholecystitis in August which meant me being admitted to hospital on morphine and drip. Kept in for 4 days while had scans etc. Was told to follow low fat diet which I did faithfully. Then within two weeks, yes you guessed it back in A & E on the morphine again. I was hoping to try controlling things with diet first and not really thinking about surgery so soon, but that showed me that did not work. Realised while laying there first in agony and the then the after effects of the morphine and sickness could I really go on waiting for the next attack to happen with seamingly no control on it? Now after consultation with consultant have now been given date in December to have gall bladder removed. It is scarey but feel I have not option. Last major attack was three weeks ago, and it has taken me ages to get over it. Still not feeling fully great. Following as low fat diet as I can and like us all in this boat scared to eat anything much. Everytime I try something new I am terrified I will have another attack. It was great reading all the posts knowing that my experiences are pretty much echoed here. Thanks

• Christine Donaldson
  September 24th, 2009 at 8:28 pm

  Hi Jamie and everyone,

  I have just go back after being in th A&E
  with another bad attack . I am due to see the surgeon in October. I suffer from severe Fibromyalgia and Body Movement Disorder and have been mainly bed bound for 3 yrs and now to add the icing on the cake , I have been diagnosed with having my gall bladder full of moderate sized gall stones. I am underweight and eat very little, so I never know what causes the severe pain attacks.
  Has anyone ever done the treatments that are supposed dissolve the gall stones? and if so how long did it take?

  Thank Jamie for this Blog it is very educational and informative.
  How are you feeling after the operation? was it done by keyhole surgery?

  Thanks

• Lou
  September 29th, 2009 at 5:53 pm

  What a relief to read that what I am going through is “normal” for a gallstone suffer! I started getting attacks on the 13th August, the day after I got back from holiday and thought I must have caught something terrible whilst abroad. Even after the scan I couldn’t quite believe that such terrible pain and constant nausia was caused by “just” gallstones. I have to wait until 18th Nov to see the consultant and who knows how long until the op’ so I will definitely be trying to control the pain with my diet. wish me luck!

• Jane
  October 10th, 2009 at 9:10 pm

  Hi Jamie,

  I just wanted to say thanks for publishing such a thorough and helpful list. I’m 22 and found out during the summer I have gallstones. I found a few other lists on the internet but for the most part they had very conflicting information and were at odds from the things I found helped me.

  I’m hoping to have the op in the new year to have my gallbladder out, I put it off because of work, and I found your diet worked really well for me. I slipped up yesterday and had a bowl of creamy pasta and a glass of wine, and my word was I paying for it after. No more testing my limitations.

  Thanks again, hope your recovery is going well.

• maureen
  October 11th, 2009 at 3:57 pm

  I’m also waiting to have my gall bladder removed but have been free of pain since the end of July. Same experience as everyone else but am fanatical about eating almost no fat – I don’t know how long I’m going to have to do this and worry about long term effects.
  Just to add to Jamie’s list of ‘good’ foods – Ostrich is extremely low fat and really tasty. A red meat, the steaks are just like beef – they need to be cooked rare or they become v. tough.
  At least they provide a bit of variety to an otherwise tedious diet and the whole family enjoy them.

• Jamie Lawrence
  October 11th, 2009 at 7:17 pm

  @Maureen

  Wow, Ostrich would be a real change! I might have to try and source some even though I’m now gallbladder free!

• sarah
  October 12th, 2009 at 3:46 pm

  hi all just reading all your comments, my doctor said i could have gall stones but in not sure. All this weekend ive been in pain it lasts for hours then comes back when i eat, but the pain is in my ribs and upper back and it is tender to press in the middle just below the ribs and the back pain is worse on the right hand side, what do you all think.

• Jamie Lawrence
  October 12th, 2009 at 6:27 pm

  @sarah
  Sounds like gallstones but I’m not a medical professional and only an ultrasound can confirm for sure. If it is gallstones, it’s really not a big deal – the operation is simple and the recovery quick. No fear! Just another of life’s little challenges/jokes

• Laurie
  October 14th, 2009 at 5:02 pm

  Hi Jamie,

  Thanks for taking the time to create this website and list. I have been having very minor issues for about a week and a half now and finally went to the doc on Monday. He sent me out for blood work and and ultrasound and we are waiting on the results. My “attacks”, if that’s what they are, have been very minor. More discomfort and bloating than pain; however, I learned that steak, shrimp scampi, and red wine for dinner is a big no-no. I was very bloated and uncomfortable that night and the next day.

  I do have a question too. I have been eating natural peanut butter and that has not affected me at all (it has no hydrogenated oils). Is there any reason other than if it causes pain why I should be avoiding this food?

  Thanks again,

  Laurie

• Karen
  October 20th, 2009 at 1:56 am

  Wow! I never knew so many people suffered from this. I had my first and god I hope my last attack on Saturday. I had no idea what was happening and after the 5th hour of intense pain and I don’t know how many trips to empty my stomach I finally woke my husband up to take me to the hospital. They first gave me 2 bags of painkiller that had absolutely no effect on the pain and then 2 bags of morphine til I could finally get out of the fetal position. The only thing they did at the hospital was an x-ray which was not conclusive and advised me to see my family doctor to schedule an ultrasound. So now I have to wait almost a week just to see my doctor and god knows when I can get the ultrasound (sucks to live in a small town). Like many of you who posted on here I’m afraid to eat anything as I don’t want to trigger another attack and am still sore after 2 days from the first one. I am hoping that your “good foods” will help avoid another attack til I am diagnosed and hopefully cured. Going through the many websites I have found lists of who is at risk and to tell you the truth I honestly don’t fall into any of the catergories, so it leads me to believe it can happen to anyone regardless of age, race, sex, weight and diet. I think I will go find a cracker and hope for the best. Thanks for some great information Jamie.

• Pat
  October 20th, 2009 at 6:02 pm

  I have been reading a lot in the last couple of weeks re gall stones, diet, well … all I could, having recently been diagnosed following an attack (another one last friday .. still sore). I was tempted, especially the first time, to go to the hospital … mainly because it felt (what I imagined) a heart attack would feel like but I found advice on the web saying go if you have a temperature of 38 or are jaundiced. In my innocence I figure the pain and vomiting just normal for the condition and spent three hours walking around the house squeaking. The gastroenterologist tells me I have small stones, just loads of them and surgery is likely to have to occur in the next few months depending on the frequency and severity of attacks. This means to me that there are going to be a few and I do not feel sanguine about it. Diet wise I have been on one for weeks anyway but need to adjust again for less fat. I take Alli, a fat blocker, which I need to investigate more. I honestly, at this stage, do not know what severe means. I suffer from cluster headache episodes, which are about a 10 on the scale anyway and this is close so pain is not my issue … the potential for serious illness, and worse, is. Also, the effects post surgery are not trivial, so I do not know the balance of gall stone attacks vs post surgery risks. I guess I just feel concerned.

• Pat
  October 22nd, 2009 at 6:04 am

  Meant to say, this is a good thing to drink in the morning…

  One tablespoon cider vinegar, one teaspoon honey in half a cup of hot water.

  tis a cleanser and inervator, especially as gall stone troubles go hand in hand with fatty liver

• Michelle
  October 26th, 2009 at 10:25 pm

  Thanks everyone its been a great help reading this – I’m the same as everyone else but I have this really bad pain in my back as well, inbetween my shoulder blades and under my rib cage. The pain feels like bruising days after an attack is that the same for everyone? I have been refered to the surgeon but the doctor sad he wont take my gallbladder out while I’m still having attacks. I have followed a low fat diet since February so I wonder why I should suddenly get more attacks! I have lost nearly 4 stone in weight on the slimming world diet so feel rather cheated that I should end up with gallstones. I do think it runs in the family though as my mother and grandmother both had their gallbladders out.

• Trisha
  October 27th, 2009 at 8:00 pm

  Hi Michelle yes gallstones does run in families. I am the third person in our family to be diagnosed with them this year. One of my family has had her gallbladder removed and I am due to have mine out in December. Regarding the back pain, I sometimes get this and it is uncomfortable. Apparently this is more common if you have a large gallstone rather than lots of small ones ( so I read somewhere). From what they tell me I have one very large gallstone. I have lost three stones in weight so far and expect will lose a further one by the time I have it out in December. I did need to lose weight though. Apparently dieting can bring on the onset of attacks. I was on a diet when this all started up in August. It says on the internet that if you lose more than 1-2 pounds of weight a week it can bring on the attacks. Well thats all for now.

  By the way Jamie can you tell us all how you are getting on now after your op.

• Jamie Lawrence
  October 27th, 2009 at 9:15 pm

  Well, it’s about 2 month after the operation and I there’s absolutely nothing to report. Just like good ol’ pre-gallstone days. I’m able to eat anything and have no pains or discomfort. It’s nice having the freedom to eat what I like although I’m trying to maintain some good habits.

  Frankly, a week afterwards and I was feeling great.

• Michelle
  October 28th, 2009 at 6:39 pm

  Thanks Trisha its always good to hear from someone who’s going through the same thing. I am waiting to see the surgeon but where I am it takes a while but fingers crossed it wont be long, will keep you all updated. Thanks again x

• Nicole
  October 29th, 2009 at 3:08 am

  Hi everyone,
  I just had my second attack in 2 weeks and this morning I had to have my husband take me to the
  A&E and was told I had gallstones and need to have my gallbladder removed. I’m relatively healthy, I don’t get sick so I’m really concerned about having surgery. But I don’t want to have another attack. I’m definetly changing my diet starting now!! Does anyone know if you can eat fish (what kind) and drink wine? Thanks for all the info this has been great!!!

• Melanie
  October 29th, 2009 at 2:55 pm

  Michelle

  I’ve just lost 4 st on SW too and am in exactly the same position. i have been having attacks for the last 2 weeks but last Thursday they wer so severe I was hospitalised and gallstones confirmed. I am now awaiting surgery. I’m a little concerned now as my diet is as healthy as it can be soo I don’t really know what to do!!!

• Neli
  November 1st, 2009 at 11:14 pm

  I have recently been diagnosed with in my doctor’s words “a massive gallstone.” The pain started in my back and went to my chest and then back again. There is a dull ache in my back that has not really gone away, along with that my right kidney is acting up. I haven’t eaten hardly anything in four days but I am drinking a great deal. The one thing that seems to help before I eat is to drink a tea made of flaxseed. 2.5 cups of water 1 tablespoon of flax seed boil for 5 minutes, let stand for 10 minutes strain and sip slowly, don’t know why you have to drink it slowly but that is what it said. This is supposed to help with moving the bile through the gallbladder. There is no real taste, and quite frankly if truth be told I don’t care how it taste as long as it works. I have read that wheat can be a bit dicey does anyone have any personal knowledge? To be honest I am in contradiction overload at the moment. I guess what it boils down to is that we are all individuals and some things may work for some and not for others but I gotta tell ya, that the trying different things and it not working is a killer. Does anyone know if maple syrup or brown sugar is a no no? Yams don’t seem to bother me so I am making them in every way I can. I am basically living on carrots, zucchini and celery soup with a bit of rice pasta in very small portions and for a real treat some apple. Apples don’t seem to bother me either. The surgeon hasn’t even gotten back to my doctor with an appointment yet so who knows how long I am going to have to put up with this. Thank you so very much for this web site it certainly helps to know you are not alone.

• Pat
  November 4th, 2009 at 9:40 am

  I feel for you Neli and am at the same stage of experimentation. One thing I do find that I researched and definitely works for me is applejuice – not something I particularly cotton to but a tablespoon in a glass of applejuice (room temperature) if you feel that `tightness’ coming on and it seems to alleviate it. Also I drink cider vinegar and honey in warm water each morning. Coffee is definitely out for me though some sites promote it (without milk). I read that simple sugars, ie brown or processed, are not good, but honey, and carbohydrates such as potato (boiled) are good. This works for me. Boullion is good and I boil up some vegetables in that stock for a nice soup, with ricebiscuits on the side. Okay durum wheat is supposed to be okay and I do eat pasta made from durum wheat and feel no pain. Anything dairy is out really, and eggs, and marbled meat but chicken breast is fine and I do use a teaspoon of olive oil in cooking. Garlic, apparently is well in, but not onions. My gastroenterlogist is not frantic to remove my gallbladder until I lose some more weight and I think he reckons this low fat diet is all good anyway. Every night I sleep soundly without an attack feels like I have dodged a bullet and I do put more zest into my exercises now and, since diagnosis, have extended my treadmill and cardio exercises. Exercising is good for this even though I did approach it gingerly to start. Good luck, look forward to hearing how you do.

• Pat
  November 4th, 2009 at 9:42 am

  Doh – the second sentence is missing the words cider vinegar, and should read …

  One thing I do find that I researched and defintely works for me is applejuice ….. a tablespoon of CIDER VINEGAR in a glass of applejuice…. etc

  ps: you do get to like the taste of cider vinegar =)

• Annie
  November 4th, 2009 at 8:42 pm

  I was just told the other day that I have gallstones that are the size of sand. However the doctor told me that if I change my diet that the sand like stones will dissolve and I shouldn’t have them anymore, so I was wonder if anyone else has heard this from their doctor too or if I need a new one???

• Patricia
  November 5th, 2009 at 9:30 am

  Have suffered for months, thought it was just bad indigestion. Diagnosed yesterday as gallstones! My diet, up ’til now has been based on butter and cheese, with fruit & veg + meat 2 or 3 times a week. the diet does not appeal, but I will try anything to allow me to eat again. Thank you for the hints.

• Pat
  November 5th, 2009 at 11:43 pm

  Annie, I read that fine stones can pass easily, almost without you noticing but I figure if you had a diagnosis there is a basis for it and have attacks, which means you ARE noticing! I never heard of them dissolving but am no expert. Perhaps talking to your doctor again for clarification is possible? If you do not feel satisfied, remember this is your health and you are entitled to know and understand fully what is going on. If he, or she, is not able to put you clearly in the picture then perhaps another doctor is the answer?

• Lorrayne Hill
  November 9th, 2009 at 12:17 pm

  Hi Jamie,

  Thank you for the dietary advice. I had an attack last week and my GP said he thought it could be gallstones and would refer me to the hospital for a scan. I was offered no advice or painkillers and was out of the door in seconds. On Saturday afternoon I had pain like I have never felt before and thought I was dying. I had to get rushed to A & E in an ambulance and spent 4 hours on a drip. I was very violently sick as well. I was told by the Doctor in A & E to stick to a low-fat diet but wasn’t handed any leaflets to explain either the condition or food allowed. Like everyone on here, I am so afraid of everything I am eating and drinking in case it triggers off another attack. It has only been two days but I am already bored with tuna!!!! Thank God for the internet and for this blog. It has been very helpful.

• pat
  November 10th, 2009 at 9:13 am

  Experiment that worked =)

  Potato Balls with creamed corn and herbs:

  Mashed potato, (firm, using fresh potatoes, no milk or oil/butter added), add fine-chopped herbs, shape into medium sized balls and leave to cool

  small can corn kernels, blended.

  Place potato balls on a bed of blended corn and microwave.

  Serve with:

  stir fried chicken and vegetables – no oil needed.

  Chop up chicken breast
  Mix up fine-chopped garlic, a dash of tumeric, peas, sliced red pepper, sliced water chestnut, sliced courgettes.

  Put a couple tablespoons of water in a wok or frypan add the chicken and veges and simmer until soft and the fluid is almost gone.

  No oil, under 5 grams fat, voila! Real tasty.

  Use fresh where possible but actually a packet of frozen veges will work just ensure that there is no butter ball snuck into it by the manufacturers!

  Oh turmeric has curcumin so is okay. Or you can use the mixed Asia spices, which are also fine.

• pat
  November 10th, 2009 at 9:27 am

  And another:

  Chicken balls with sticky rice:

  minced chicken
  fine diced herbs
  crushed garlic
  fine sliced red pepper
  can of chopped tomatoes

  Minced chicken with fine-chopped herbs and crushed garlic shaped into small balls and dry fried. (a really good pan with a non-stick surface will do this, but actually spray on oil used lightly will not harm)

  Set aside chicken balls in a microwave dish and soften sliced red pepper in the same pan then add the can of tomatoes, cook for a couple of minutes then add to chicken balls.

  Sticky rice:

  Frozen mixed vegetables work absolutely fine with this – or chop your own if you feel purist =)

  Basmati rice (I use a soup ladle to measure this ie one ladle per person) and using a ratio of one ladle rice to 2.25 ladles cold water.

  Shove rice, water and vegetables in a pot and simmer till sticky, remove from heat and put in microwave container.

  Microwave both dishes when needed.

  I tend to cook earlier in the day and heat later, this works for busy mums and this can be prepared the evening before too.

  No oil … under 5 grams fat. Sometimes you can get nice bottled or carton tomato sauce mixes that work well, just check the fat content.

  You can use a little curry powder in the chicken balls if you like, just be a little careful with spices if you have fatty liver alongside your gallstones!

  My dishes are experiments and I try them before I recommend them. If this is useful I will add more as I go along =) I honestly believe that you don’t have to go totally bland just because you have gallstones, and that low fat does not mean totally without taste or that cooking need be harder. Just means learning to cook a little differently.

• Louise
  November 11th, 2009 at 12:21 am

  I had my first attack 2 weeks ago at 1am I couldn’t get off the floor I was in agony I just had a baby 3weeks prior to the attack and I was terrified I thought I was dieing. The morphine didn’t take the pain away I went through 5 hours of the worse pain I had ever felt and like I said I had a baby with24hours of labor and a c section I would have picked that over gall pain any day. I’m scheduled for surgery in 2weeks I am so scared but I have no choice this is no way for anyone to live. I’m just looking forward to life after surgery and I am glad I found this diet I needed some guidlines. I was just told to stay away from fat that vauge advice landed me in the ER the next night thank you for all the tips.

• Sharron Shulver
  November 14th, 2009 at 8:47 am

  Hello, my husband was diagnosed with gall stones on Tuesday after an excruciating attack on Sunday (blue light to hospital and 2 lots of morphine not touching the pain). He has been told that he will have his gall bladder removed in the New Year. He is now tentatively building himself backup, it sounds like he was given the same advice as most – ‘eat a low fat diet’ and that’s it really. He is very wary now about what he eats and drinks as we really can’t be doing with him having another attack in the next few weeks (our 2nd child is due next week!). I found this site and think it is the most useful Gall Bladder sufferer site going, but we have some questions that we can’t seem to find answers on them – can anyone here help please.
  1 – after a major GS attack how long does it normally take for the person to get back to full energy and fitness.
  2 – Some sites say avoid carbonated water – others tap water – but water is an essential for flushing the system and hydration – has anyone found either form of water affecting them?
  3 – Coca Cola (diet or full fat) – has anyone found this to be a trigger?
  We seem to be getting by ok with food – slowly building up a list of things that have gone down ok – just a bit unfortunate that ‘wetting the babies head’ and Christmas are going to be pretty bland for him!
  Thank you all – a tired stressed and worried wife – Schazz

• Jamie Lawrence
  November 14th, 2009 at 12:54 pm

  Sharron,
  i’ve never heard, nor encountered, any problems with water or coke… And I drink a fair amount of both.

  I also had my gallbladder out just before my 2nd child was born. I think I was pretty good after a few days but certainly after a week I was fine.

  Best of luck, and don’t stress yourself out. It is surgery but it’s about as minor as it comes and I’d certainly recommend getting it done before the 2nd child.

• pat
  November 14th, 2009 at 12:55 pm

  It is very individual regarding the recovery time after a gallstone attack but, for me, I am sore for a couple of days, as in mild to serious discomfort. I suspect it depends on the inflammation of the gallbladder if any, or if stones are stuck in the bile ducts. I was very nervous and scared after an attack but now fastidious regarding diet and exercise and must admit it has been more than a week since my last attack. Stress does not help and, while it does not seem like it now, the sufferer does come to terms with diet and the condition.

  I avoid carbonated water, I do drink Britta filtered water copiously though! Same with fizzy drinks. I have not tested them for attack but honestly just happy to not indulge just in case. I recommend apple juice … the pure sort in the cartons, not fizzy. Apple juice, and the cider vinegar and honey drink I recommended above seem to help.

  If your husband is having discomfort, as opposed to an attack (I get a lot of mild discomfort) then a glass of applejuice does help.

  Food wise, please try my recipes. The fact is I am enjoying my food, and it does not have to be bland or uninteresting. I will miss my Christmas pudding though, I love that! But there is nowt wrong with a compote of hot fruits with yoghurt for taste! Stirfries are simply wonderful and I find I can use asian spices, and chinese spices without problems, though it is probably wise to go a bit easy on too much salt so moderation with soy sauces and oyster sauces may be recommended.

  I do eat plenty of nuts, as in almonds, cashew and peanuts … just avoid the very fatty Brazil nuts… even walnuts are okay. I put them in the stirfries and also dry or honey roast them for putting in the salads, or veges.

  I know how wearing this can all be on the family, and spouses. My partner is supportive and wonderful and eats exactly what I do and loves it, even though she can sneak in the odd chocolate and butter on her toast. Many people write, and I suspect this will be true of me, that even after removal of the gallbladder and time to readjust the diet, they return to this low fat diet, finding their old diet too rich. Please be good to yourself too, the supporters of sufferers need good hugs and a bit of spoiling also (so have a sneaky mince pie this Christmas and do not feel at all guilty!!)

• Sharron Shulver
  November 14th, 2009 at 1:10 pm

  Thank you both, he’s certainly pleased to hear about the nuts as it adds a bit of variety and also about the coke not affecting you Jamie as an ice cold can of coke of an evening is one of his treats. I promise not to feel guilty about what I’m eating, it’s been a bit ‘seperate meals’ this week as I try to use up the naughty stuff drom the freezer but I did make homemade mushroom soup for lunch which has seemed to go down well and we’re pleased to discover Gnocci is very low in fat. It certainly won’t do us any harm to lose some weight as we are both people who live to eat but it’s just unfortunate timing to deal with it so close to my due date. At least his GB removal will be while I’m on maternity leave so I’ll be around to look after him and I know that after a week he should be getting back on his feet.
  Thank you again – Schazz

• vikki groves
  November 16th, 2009 at 1:17 pm

  i have been suffering from pains for a few months now,my first attack scared the living daylights out of me,i had an ultrasound which confirmed that i have a few small gallstones,i have been on the weight watchers diet since april and have shed 4 stones in weight,i only started getting the pains since losing the weight,the attacks are becoming more frequent and severely painful,infact last weeks attack was so bad i had to phone a doctor,last nights attack was even worse,i found the painkillers the doctor prescribed me did nothing but i was violently sick so thats probably why!lol….i have an appointment at the end of the month to see the specialist and it can’t come soon enough,its the worst pain ive ever encountered and i have given birth!!im getting to the point now like you guys where i’m scared to eat,i will follow this diet until my operation…thankyou for the advice..x

• Joy St. M.
  November 16th, 2009 at 3:36 pm

  Thanks to everyone for sharing your stories and thanks for the food list Jamie. Glad to know I’m not alone. I had my first attack 2 weeks ago and the first doctor said there was nothing wrong with me and sent me home while I was still in severe pain. The next day, the doctor sent me for an ultrasound, which confirmed I have a gallstone. I’ve been using trial and error to see what I’m able to eat, and I wish I saw your food list before I ate 2 pieces of chocolate just before I found this blog. I’m now experiencing pain and now I know, NO Chocolate!!! It has given me great comfort to hear everyone’s stories. Hopefully I will be able to get surgery soon…this is no fun! Thanks soooo much!!!

• Andy
  November 18th, 2009 at 5:08 pm

  Hi just found your blog/site and found it really helpful and interesting. i like many of the readers are suffering and the tips are good. can you eat tuna and is it possible to drink the odd glass of red wine?

• Debbie Smart
  November 18th, 2009 at 6:15 pm

  hi all, thanks for the fantastic advice !! i have just been discharged from hospital and i am so scared to eat anything, as i dont want to trigger another attack, i have been told my gall bladder has collpased and i await surgery before Christmas. Is fruit ok to eat and what about Ribena?? Probably stupid questions, i know !!!

• pat
  November 19th, 2009 at 7:07 am

  Andy, yes to both, if canned – tuna in brine is better though, or really press out the oil – otherwise fresh tuna steaks. I cook them under the grill, using the barest amount of virgin olive oil, and serve them with lemon and lots of salad.

  Debbie, lots of sympathy and empathy. Fruit is good, especially apples and citrus. People seem to endorse sipping warm Ribena with this condition but there is no hard evidence to support that this helps or not. More importantly, though, there is no indication it harms! I do endorse drinking a dessertspoon of cider vinegar with a teaspoon of honey in warm water, which acts like the bile function in breaking down fats and thus assists the gallbladder, which does not have to work as hard to output bile. Less squeeze, more ease!

• pat
  November 19th, 2009 at 7:11 am

  I meant to say, remember that some vitamins, especially vitamin C if I recall rightly absorb through fat and, this being a low fat diet, then with gallbladder problems there is a risk of not having enough C.

  And one other thing … magnesium. I keep magnesium pills handy and if an attack starts I take one before the onset of vomiting. This and drinking apple juice alleviates the attack. I think we all know when an attack is going to hit hard … so if I feel a bad one coming on I am totally not shy about taking Ibuprofen either (something I try to avoid but I will do all I can!)

• Carolyn
  November 21st, 2009 at 5:46 pm

  I recently found out I have gallstones and am going for a surgical consult on Monday, so I was happy to find this. I actually had described my symptoms to a friend, and she said it sounded like my gall bladder. My doctor didn’t think it did, but he did a blood test to check my liver enzymes and then sent me to get an ultrasound once they came back high — so if you think you have a gall bladder problems, push your doctor to at least do that much.

  I haven’t read through all of these comments, but I plan to go back and read more. But I did want to point out that having your gall bladder removed is NOT going to get rid of all your problems — it will get rid of the stones that are there, but if you don’t alter your diet, the pain will come back. You still need to avoid the greasy foods!

  Also, a friend told me that taking a shot of apple cider vinegar during an attack (as early as possible) will help — it did NOT help me and was very gross, but it may help those of you who haven’t found relief elsewhere. I’m glad to see that apple juice is supposed to help, so I’ll just keep that on hand instead.

• Carolyn
  November 21st, 2009 at 5:51 pm

  Pat, I know you are likely taking the ibuprofen to help deal with the pain, but it is an NSAID, which is actually a bad thing for any liver problems. So even though the gall bladder is not actually the liver, it is problems with the liver causing gall bladder problems. Just a heads up that you may want to limit your use or switch to aspirin — probably a coated aspirin that won’t cause other problems. Or ask your doctor what he suggests.

• Debbie Smart
  November 22nd, 2009 at 9:17 pm

  i have looked in Asda for cider vinegar but i have had no luck, n e ideas where i can buy this from please ???

• Trishy
  November 23rd, 2009 at 1:08 pm

  Hi I have been diagnoised with gallstones after having 6 attacks 1st one on holiday this year(thought it was something I had eaten) Tho I also have had pancreatitis attacks not sure of the diff in the pain as most seems to be to the upper right of my belly that at times goes to the centre of my upper stomach. Have been in hospital for the past 3 weeks on morphine and IV fluids. I had an ERCP to clear the bile ducts whilst in hospital where they performed a sphytar something (opening of the ducts) My gallbladder removal is booked for the 10th of dec so am basically scared to eat anything at all but trying. I have been told that the pancreatitis was caused by the gallstones so hope that this is the case. I have a constant pain still between my shoulder blades and my gallbladder seems ‘hard’ only taking paracetamol but feel so depressed.
  Thank you Jamie for this site I will try and follow it tho still frightening to try new stuff xxx

• Clair
  November 27th, 2009 at 12:59 am

  Hi I have experienced pain in my upper right abdomen and under my shoulder blades also nausea and shivers but the pain is worse in the morning rather than at night has anyone experienced this? The pain is not that severe more of a nagging ache.have been to the doctor who put me on antibiotics for a kidney infection and said to go back if the pain doesn’t go. Any comments would be appreciated

• Jamie Lawrence
  November 27th, 2009 at 10:41 am

  Clair,
  I have a feeling that gallstone attacks are more likely in the evening since they’re triggered by food. Definitely go back to the doctor if the symptoms haven’t cleared as gallstones can easily be diagnosed with an ultrasound… but it’s best to rule out other things first.

• Neli
  November 28th, 2009 at 8:00 pm

  As I said prior I was diagnosed with a massive gallstone. The pain for me went from my chest into my back (back pain apparently is where the pain mainly is when the stone is large). I have recently had an attack in the morning prior to eating, it was a pain like a knife in the middle of my chest and then went immediately into my back. Thankfully it only lasted about five minutes. Prior to my diagnoses of a gallstone I went through different test for my heart since the pain was in my chest but all came back okay. I also was stretching to relax a bit after being on the computer for a while and had a major jab of pain in my back were I usually have pain when I get an attack. This seemed really odd to me and a wee bit scary, so off to my GP I go and he says the stone is massive and your gallbladder is inflamed. I am scheduled for surgery on the 18 of January my GP thinks it should be sooner so he’s going to contact the surgeon to see if they can move it up.

  For the pain this is what I do and I find it helps, I don’t know if this will help anyone else but what the heck it’s worth a try. When you get a gallbladder attack the gallbladder is trying to release the bile, if there is an obstruction it can’t so it tightens up. Apparently morphine is more to relax the gallbladder then for the pain. What I do firstly is concentrate on my breathing. I take deep breaths through my nose and release it through my nose. The second step is to force your self to relax, I concentrate on my shoulders and arms and just keep on breathing. I know what you’re thinking, are you nuts I’m in agony here, all I can say is that it helps relieve some of the pain and allows the morphine or what ever else you are taking to work more effectively, at least it does for me. Another thing to do the second you are diagnosed is to get a strong prescription for pain from your doctor and I don’t mean Tylenol 3.

  Right now my main symptoms are bloating and a feeling that I have a tight band around me all the time though I must say that the last day or so has been better.

  I think we are all individuals and so there for what may work for some may not for others, a prime example is tuna in water no oil. I had about a two tablespoons and let me tell you did I pay for it. I was told no carbonated drinks and it’s helpful if what you drink is not cold. Any kind of fruit and apparently apples and apple juice is great. I drink a lot of herbal teas ginger teas will help if you are feeling a little nauseous. Get gravel suppositories extra strength, you don’t want to get caught in pain and not be able to swallow a pill because you’re vomiting or feel like you’re going to.

  Flaxseed tea is also very helpful if you are feeling some discomfort, it apparently helps move the bile.

  I eat a lot of stir-fries, I use either non stick spray or different types of broth I put a little bit of broth and stir the key is not to put to much so that what you are using for the stir-fry doesn’t boil. I use string beans, carrots, zucchini, fennel, bok-choy, absolutely no onions, legumes or nuts for me ouch if you get my meaning. I use chicken thighs with the fat completely trimmed I personally prefer it because the meat isn’t as dry. I also eat a lot of salads, cucumber is especially good for gallbladder problems, lucky me I love cucumber. I use organic baby spinach with a tomato some cucumber and top it with a raspberry vinaigrette I have this almost every night before I have some chicken with vegetables I had a bit of rice the other night and it was okay.

  Breakfast consist of a bit of cheerios a bit of bran buds half of a banana some blue berries and or raspberries with skim milk. My husband is awesome if I can eat it with no problems he fills the house with it. I found I could eat apples, he came home with every apple that there is out there for me to try and see which one I liked best. Just incase you’re interested my favorite are Fuji apples lol. I have found that I can eat any type of fruit. A little filler for me is applesauce with melba toast, I know it doesn’t sound like much but it’s better then nothing.
  I love soups, my awesome husband likes to cook on Sundays so he makes up a huge pot. I freeze some in individual containers, which makes a quick and easy lunch. They say you can’t have eggs but I found as long as they are soft it’s okay or you can have the white only. I make myself a soft poached egg on toast no butter unfortunately but it’s still not bad, hey what can I say it’s a break on Sunday from cheerios.

  Thank you so very much Jamie for this site the feed back from everyone has been extraordinarily helpful.

• Lorraine
  November 28th, 2009 at 9:20 pm

  Tagging on to what Vikki has said, I too have lost weight in the last 18 months. 41/2 stones in fact using Atkins. Big mistake! I have read that diets high in fats and drastic weight loss are classic causes along with being on the pill (oral/injection) and woman have a higher chance of suffering. This week I have had an ultrasound which has shown up a contracted gall bladder and stones. I am seeing my doctor on Monday about options. I have been very lucky in that I have only suffered with nausea albeit all day long for weeks. But my sister had her gall bladder removed this year and has regretted it due to having to go to the toilet within 30 minutes of eating and failing that its to the loo to throw up! I am worried about having it removed, but the thought of the severe pain and pain relief not working terrifies me (very low pain threshold haha). My mum has also been diagnosed this year and is trying to maintain a low fat diet. She has experienced the pain so I know its bad. I have been told conflicting info. The woman who did my ultrasound said its not to do with your weight but is hereditary. She has seen a 15 year old, skinny as anything and they had a bag full. My mum is slim and a friend of mine who had hers removed is a tiny size 8 and so it cannot all be down to eating a diet high in fat, can it? As we are so near Christmas I take it we can all eat as much Turkey as we like, as this is low in fat? Just a shame about the mince pies and Quality Street (

• vikki groves
  November 30th, 2009 at 7:56 pm

  hey guys,just a quick update,i have been so lucky that i went to see the specialist today about my gallstones and i am booked in for the op in 9 days(9/12/09).I have mixed feelings at the moment though i was expecting to have the op in the new year sometime and it wasn’t really worrying me but now i know it’s so near i’m panicking quite a bit but a choice between an hours operation and the pain???well,my bag is already packed…lol….i must say it’s all a bit daunting especially when they told me the risks although they are very low its still in the back of my mind.Anyway guys i will let you know how i am after my op and hopefully it will all be good….thanks for reading!xxx

• Neli
  December 1st, 2009 at 2:37 pm

  Vikki,
  It’s terrific you have gotten in so soon. I think the way you’re feeling is normal, but once it’s all over you will be looking back and thinking what was all the fuss about. Just think about being pain free and nothing else and it will be over before you know it.
  I had my worse attack ever last night, all it took was a small piece of panatoni. I guess the holidays are going to be free from my favorite Italian sweet bread. I’m booked for the 18th of Jan, I’m on the cancellation list and hopefully I’ll get in sooner. Oh well it is what it is. You know what they say what doesn’t kill you makes you stonger …. can you hear me ROAR!! lol

  Once again Vikki don’t fret our thoughts and prayers will be with you. Keep us posted.

• Andrew
  December 2nd, 2009 at 1:27 am

  Jamie,

  I seem to be having symptons of gallstones and will be getting an ultrasound in a few weeks to check. But I’ve read that having the gallbadder removed can cause increased incidents of diarrhea, due to continual bile drip into the small intestines.
  (i.e. http://tinyurl.com/http-bodyandhealthCanada-123)

  Has this been your experience, or anyone elses you know of?

  Thanks

• Jamie Lawrence
  December 2nd, 2009 at 10:15 am

  Andrew,
  I guess there are always potential side-effects of any operation but I haven’t experienced anything like that (and neither has my wife). Listen to your doctor for guidance but, as I understand it, the risks from troublesome gallstones far outweigh the side-effects (if any) of the operation.

• Jackie
  December 2nd, 2009 at 8:26 pm

  I has my first “attack” as your all calling them on Thanksgiving. I have this horrible pain that I’ve never had before. In my upper belly/back. Of course I was just thinking it was from dinner but after a few hours of it getting to the point that I could not move I decided to go in. I haven’t had an ultrasound to confrim gallstones yet, but that is what they are thinking. I’m kind of hesitant to have that done. I consider my self really healthy, usually eat really well, exersice virgiously 6 days a week. However, my belly has always giving me problems. Lots of bloating and gasy feeling. I have been exeperincing this more since that attacked along with a little cramping and dull back pain.

  I was hoping if I just ate the lowfat diet I’d be okay??Any advice suggestions?

• joe
  December 4th, 2009 at 6:28 pm

  after thanksgiving i found my self in the hosp with chest pain and short of breath treated my pain for a heart problems giving o2 and nigtro for pain that work for a few hours doctors told me that if is not heart they treat gi problems the same because it is also smooth musle discharged me a day in a half later to get a stress test and ultrasound of the up right under the rib cage next day back in hosp for chest pain did a cardo cath found no heart damage ultrasound found gail stones sent me home with taking two nexums two times a day and diet of cardo of low fat and wait to see the gi doctor

• Trisha
  December 5th, 2009 at 12:57 pm

  Hi Well I am home now after my op on Wednesday. It went well, consultant said it was text book, which was pleasing. I am concentrating now on convalesing. Every day feel a bit better. There is pain involved, but I have pain killers and it is no where near the pain involved with a gall bladder attack. Looking forward to my Christmas dinner now. It has been a very hard time over the last few months so glad it is out. I have lost 3 stones in weight as I was so scared to eat anything. 2010 here I come. Good luck to everyone. I will let you know how I get on.

• Lucy
  December 5th, 2009 at 1:11 pm

  Hi all,
  Wow, reading all the different symptoms everyone has had, it seems like I have had my gall stones for years. Have suffered with symptoms such as someone punching you in the chest and going right thru to your back and speading around your chest like to have a very tight bra on for years on and off. Was told it was because of a hiatis hernia I have had since I can remember as a child.
  Was diagnosed with a mild fatty liver about 6 years ago after having a full body scan to see why I had gotten deep vein thrombosis but they never told me what I should do about it.
  I have had pain on my right side under my rib cage on and off for the last 12 months or so on top of the pain in the middle of my chest.
  The second last time I went to the doctor about the pain on my right side, he told me I had a muscle strain.
  The pain eased and has been on and off but last week it came on with a vengence. If my hubby wasnt here I would have taken an overdose to be done with it all.
  I refused my kind hubbies offer of a trip to hospital as I thought, I am not going to sit there for hours waiting for someone to see me only for the pain to subside and feel like a twit.
  I went to work the next day feeling rather blaa.
  I made an appointment to see the doctor the next day after starting for feel all hot and cold all the time during work.
  By the time I got to the doctor the next day, I had, had enough, I burst out howling in his office. Its incredible what a bit of waterworks will do to a doctor, they actually want to try and find out what is wrong.
  He had me lay down and he pushed on my right side, lucky for him I didnt have the strength to belt him, as it hurt like hell.
  He then went on to say, hmmm seems like you have gall stones so organised for me to have an ultrasound that day and prescribed me antibiotics and very strong pain medication and even stronger
  antacid tablets that I was previously being precribed.
  Turns out yes I have gall stomes and my gall bladder is extremely infected… Hmmm wonder why that is, maybe if something had of been done when I went the first time about the pain, I wouldnt be feeling like I am now and even three days later I still have a temperature and feel like blaa.
  Yes I will need and operation but they cant do anything till the infection and inflammation goes.
  The thing he neglected to tell me was what food to eat or not to eat.
  I finally had the energy to get on the laptop tonight to see what I could find and I found this blog.
  Thanks Jamie for starting this.
  I have learnt alot. Not only from here but other sites as well.
  One thing I have not had a problem with is chocolate. I have eaten it, even today with no problems.
  I find I have to have something surgery otherwise my sugar level drops and I start to shake.
  I look forward to my husband trying some of the recipes for me and will let you know what I can and cant tolerate.
  Just remember guys, you do need a certain amount of fat in your diet for your gall bladder to work or you will end up with gall stones just as the people who have been dieting have found out.
  Seems like we all will need to change our diets for life too, even after our ops.
  Mine is not hereditary, no one else in my family has ever had problems with gall stones, mine all comes down to too much fatty food but I am not fat must be because the liver collected it all and stored it there instead of on my hips…lol
  Well hope everyone enjoys their Christmas even if we cant have all the good stuff. I’m only interested in the presents anyway so doesnt worry me about the food. Happy with a ham sandwich.
  Speaking of sandwich can anyone tell me if bread is ok, like multi grain?
  Thanks

• ikky
  December 5th, 2009 at 8:18 pm

  I’ve had three attacks weeks apart before i went to my doctor. I’ve been scared to eat anything and almost everything will give me pain. My uncle recommended Aloe Vera Whole Leaf Gel made by Lily of the Desert and it helps tremendously! I haven’t tried aloe juice drinks yet but it has lessened the paing lots and can eat better now.

• Mark
  December 7th, 2009 at 5:06 pm

  Had (3) attacks 6am Friday past. Not great when you had just enjoyed a couple bottles of Sauvignon Blanc the night before (you tend to want to sleep in a little on Sat. morn). Each attack lasted 5 mins or so but returned every 15 mins. Got dressed before the 4th one could hit me and made it to the hospital. Never got another one since. Doc described my pain exquisitely (tightening of a belt around the mid-torso). Told him my dad had this at my age. They took a blood test to check for ‘enzymes’. Results came back OK. Later for dinner, I had a filet mignon with fried mushrooms + veggies. (Hey, they were bought the day before. They had to be eaten.) But I feel like the ribs in my upper back are sensitive and that’s probably from the original (3) attacks. Between this and my upper right arm healing from the H1N1 shot, it is a beautiful life! Now if I could only get the build-up of fluid from behind my eardrum out, all will be good! Seeing my GP (stones) and ENT (ear) this Friday – more to come.

• vikki
  December 10th, 2009 at 11:40 pm

  hey just a quick update,i had my op yesterday,i was so lucky to get it done so quick,everything went according to plan,i got there for 8am,took me to theatre at 10.50am i woke up at 12.20pm and i was on my way home at 3pm…all i did yesterday was sleep but to be honest after the worry over nothing i needed it..lol…today a little more pain but ive still not had the full dose of painkillers so it cant be all that bad can it?i just want to say that if anyone is scared about having this operation done then please dont be,it is nothing compared to the pain of a gallstone attack..Anyway good luck to everyone and i hope you are all well very soon.xxx

• Trisha
  December 17th, 2009 at 10:17 am

  Well it is 2 weeks now since my op. I am getting along great. Only a little bit of discomfort if I forget and bend down too quickly or jump out of the car. Otherwise feel back to normal. Been having some previously ‘forbidden foods’ and it has been wonderful to have some different foods again and no worries about the dreaded ‘attack’. Looking forward to Christmas now. As Vikki says do not worry about the operation it is over in a day and the benefits speak for themselves. As she says the pain involved is really nothing in comparison to the pain during an attack. Good luck!

• Haley
  December 18th, 2009 at 8:46 am

  Hi I am worried, I am suppose to leave the country for a holiday in Norfolk Island in 7 days time. But today my doctor told me I might have gallstones and I now have a scan in 2 days time. I have been experiencing increasing attacks. I seem only able to handle liquids; smoothies and custard. A lot of milk which I read was not good. The attacks have also got worse when I attempt to eat plain fat free food; I threw up a plain baked potatoe last night. When will this pass? Will I be fine soon, it’s been three weeks! The doctor said if my gallstone was about to burst I would not be able to travel but I don’t even know for sure it is gallstones.
  Symptoms; started with nausea, fatigue and cramps, moved onto three hours after eating plain food – discomfort and pain under my rib cage, sweaty, burbing, cramps moving to lower adomonial area an a need to go to the toilet; might go 3 times during an attack and 5 or 6 times a day.
  Do you think I have gallstones? Do you think they will want to operate before I travel in 7 days time, am concerned I won’t be able to go.

• Ian
  December 18th, 2009 at 11:21 am

  Hi, I’ve had two attacks one week apart and at mt age the hospital thought at first it was cardic so had all the tests for that all clear I’m glad, the second time they suspected gallstones and this was confirmed by ultrasound, all the symptoms everyone had were the same for me and the pain was unbearable. The diet list is very good and like everyone else I too am scared to eat when I go out its beans on dry toast as I dont trust any other food with how its been cooked. Fortunatly I have private medical cover through my work so hope to have the op very soon. Anyone who has to wait for the op has my greatest sympathy, the smaller the stones the more troublesome as they move easier and so block the bile duct causing the almighty pain which can last for upto 12hours. I had morphine the first time which stopped the pain but the second time the morphine did’nt work so they knocked me out, I do not want to go through that pain again, roll on the op and thanks for the diet list as its nearly xmas I might be a little more adventurous with eating out.

• catherine
  December 27th, 2009 at 9:30 am

  i am six months pregnant and for the last three months have been suffering with what i thought was severe heartburn, some of these attacks have been so severe i am now thinking i have gallstones. my pain starts usually in the evening by tightening of chest feeling really uncomfortable like all my clothes are to tight round my chest. it then starts radiating into my back and i feel like i cant breathe. i cant stand, sit, walk, nothing is comfortable at all and then im violently sick a few times which seems to ease it a bit. is it pregnancy related or have i got gall stones? I had an attack last night where it reduces me to tears and lasted for several hours, worst pain ive ever experienced.
  please help!

• Jamie Lawrence
  December 27th, 2009 at 12:59 pm

  I believe gallstones are more likely during pregnancy… you have my sympathies as I watched my wife suffer with them too. I think it may be compound by the reduced space in the abdomen as she never suffered another attack after the baby was born. Talk to your doctor and I’m sure they can organise an ultrasound scan to confirm

• Michelle
  December 29th, 2009 at 4:14 am

  Hi everyone, I am thankful to have the chance to read so many stories about gallstones. My elderly father (78 year-old) has just gone through his third surgery to remove gallstones on 25th Dec.
  He had his gallblader removed about 9 years ago because of gallstones.
  Stones came back to his gallbladder tube in 2004. He went through second surgery to remove them.
  This time his gallbladder tube was filled with stones that can only be removed through a surgery.
  Thank God he is recovering well so far. Can I get help for a few questions that i have? many thanks in advance.
  1. I know chocolate is a big no no to gallstone patients. does it include white chocolate? can any chocolate be an exception?
  2. I was told apricot is alright, but nuts are not. how about apricot nuts?
  3. Gallstone patients should drink skimmed milk only. How about goat milk? goat milk doesn’t seem to come with skimmed type.

• Jamie Lawrence
  December 29th, 2009 at 10:48 am

  From what I remember, white chocolate is very high in fat because they don’t use the cocoa solids just the butter. I was able to drink full-fat milk as, frankly, there isn’t much fat in it. I avoided all nuts because of the fat content. But there are no hard and fast rules and everyone’s circumstances are different. The only way is to try things and see. Personally, I stuck strictly to foods with <10% fat, mostly <5%.

• hannah
  January 2nd, 2010 at 4:16 pm

  this is the first article that’s actually been of any use to me since i started looking into gallstones. i’d been getting attacks for months, all the way back to june/july but thought them to be panic attacks with more physical pain than anything else (i’ve been having panic attacks/anxiety attacks lately) but in mid october went to the ER with how much pain i was in. they gave me percocet and some disgusting tasting liquid and the pain eventually faded and didn’t come back, but the following day i was aching all day long. the doctor there recommended i get an ultrasound of my abdomen which i did, and i saw my nurse practitioner after that and she confirmed that i had gallstones in early november. late november i had a consult with the surgeon and she gave me a full prescription for percocet along with dates for pre-op things like an EKG, lab tests and a physical and my surgery which is set for jan-21. this past tuesday, though, i had a horrible attack (in the morning, strangely enough) that lasted pretty much two days straight no matter what i did. i haven’t eaten much since then and i’ve lost all appetite, and i’ve got that bruise-like ache that i had after going to the ER though i’m no longer in severe pain.

  the painkillers, however, have both stopped providing pain relief and have begun to cause severe nausea which i haven’t been getting with the attacks. my attacks have been primarily pain in the abdomen, chest and upper/lower back and go on for hours and now i either have to choose to suffer through that or take enough percocet to cause vomiting (and i’ve got a fairly strong phobia of throwing up which makes it worse). i’m still in the phase where i’m terrified of eating ANYTHING, but i appreciate this article so much and plan to try and stick to fruits and saltines for the time being.

• Samantha
  January 3rd, 2010 at 5:22 am

  Hannah–

  If you’re not already there, please have someone drive you to the hospital NOW!! Pain that does not respond to analgesics, combined with severe nausea and (I’m assuming here) sweating are all danger signs that a gallstone has slipped down and is either blocking the cystic duct or the common bile duct. IT NEEDS TO COME OUT NOW!!

• Dawn Nicholls
  January 6th, 2010 at 1:16 am

  Many thanks to everyone on here I have learnt so much, I never had so much pain before in my life with such a severe attack and was rushed to hospital in the middle of the night, I was kept on a drip with no food and only sips of water for 6 days. I am down to have my Gallbladder removed but I don’t know when? On Christmas Day I was again in so much pain that I collapsed on the bathroom floor. I have had several minor attacks since then…should I consult my doctor or wait for an appointment at the hospital? I am not sure if seeing my doctor would help push me forward for the operation or not, I don’t want to cause a great fuss as others are in need more than me.
  All your comments have really opened my eyes as to what I can and cannot eat, you do get so scared to eat as no one wants the pain….Thank You!!

• Lauren
  January 8th, 2010 at 10:28 am

  Hey guys – I must say it was bloody fantastic to read this!
  I’ve recently been told I have gallstones after months of agony and months of Doctors brushing me off and giving me shitty pain killers!

  I’ve been admitted to hospital because of the pain and have fainted a few times too, its absolute agony and really weird to read that everyone describes the exact same pain – someone mentioned that it was like having a belt tightened around your middle – that is exxaacctly how I described the pain to my mum. It starts in my ribs and goes all the way around my back and into my stomach, its literally paralyising and I can’t breathe.

  I’ve found, for anyone dealing with an attack, that as much as you just want to lie down a writhe around in misery – walking around helps a great deal. I just walk and walk until it stops because every time I try to sit down it gets more intense.

  God its crap! Thankyou so much for this blog, its good to not to feel alone and the diet tips and everything have been immensley helpful for me.

  I wish you all the very best!
  Ren

• Alex
  January 8th, 2010 at 11:01 am

  This site has been very helpful I am waiting to hear when I am going to get my gallbladder out. so like most of you I am on a low fat diet ……….I have found a few things I can eat………I dont know if anyone has tried veggi ……….as long as there is no cheese and the other thing I have been eating is knorr low fat chichen tonight it has only got 3 g fat per serving have a look honey and mustard is nice ……… and uncle bens lemon chicken with ginger put a lot of fresh ginger in it is very good for you …………..hope i have helped a wee bit …….. and i have been pain free for 4 weeks now.

  ps I cant get keyhole to many scars ……..has anyone had the open gallbladder operation?

  Thanks again .

• Pauline
  January 10th, 2010 at 12:06 am

  I feel at this stage that I could write a book on Gallstones. I was diagnosed November 2007, and was told I had three large Gallstones, was told that my Gallbladder needed to come out. I thought this is too much, surely there can be something done. Since then I have tried just about everything, from restricting my diet to taking Chanca Pedra Tea, Olive/Flax Oil, lemon juice and warm water each am, vitamins, milk thistle never got to go the flush. My last really bad attack was July 2009, I was in severe pain, my doctor said it was biliary colic, I have always been in consultation with him about my decisions. He has supported me through this. I was given medication, and felt bruised and battered for days after. The week after I had a scan, and it showed only one Gallstone, and it also showed that it was smaller that the original scan a year previous. I have been taken Rowachol for the past 14 months. On Wednesday, I ate a salad, which had oil on it, do not know what kind, but I have had mild symptons since, and again feel brusised and battered. No jaundice, or other symtoms thought. I am mindful of what I eat, and am taking the Chanca Pedra Tea again, take flax oil every morning and leitchen on my breakfast and salads etc, I also take ground seeds, flax, sesame, goji etc. Drink Green Tea, although I have only been doing that for the fast few weeks as my doctor diagnosed me with ultracaria, and took me off all viatmins, supplements and herbal tea. My gallstones only bother me slightly pre menstrual, so I know there is a big connection there. I just do not want surgery, and have tried lots of prayers, homeopathy, faith healer and want to do what I can to avoid it, but am I fighting a loosing battle after reading all the other posts? I have a big problem with sleeping too, wake up each night, does anyone else have this problem?

• Jamie Lawrence
  January 10th, 2010 at 11:48 am

  Pauline,
  Fair play to you for your efforts at avoiding surgery. I couldn’t advise anything except following your doctor’s advice. For me personally, I needed to get on with my life and was happy to have the surgery (possibly helped by a major car accident 2 years ago so I’m reasonably comfortable with hospitals, surgery and recovery)

• Joy St. M.
  January 11th, 2010 at 12:44 pm

  Hi Everybody,

  I just wanted to follow up with a quick note since I had my surgery a few weeks ago. I feel wonderful and have no more pain at all. I’m so glad that I was able to have my surgery fairly quickly. I think what was worse than the pain was my fear that the stone might move and get lodged where it shouldn’t be, and then I would be in an emergency situation. Thank goodness, that didn’t happen and my surgery went very smoothly. I’m so relieved that it’s over and I won’t need to worry about that issue ever again. Best of luck to all of you. It really helped me to read what everyone had to say. Especially when everyone was sharing the exact same symptoms as me. That really validated what I was feeling. Thanks very much and good luck to everyone!

• pat
  January 13th, 2010 at 2:36 pm

  It is lovely to read the success stories and painful to read the suffering. I am so glad for everyone telling their stories because I have been wavering this way and that. For now I have decided not to accept the surgery. The only thing I fear is what Joy St M says regarding a stone on the move lodging badly, as in the pancreatic duct. Apart from that I find I can handle the pain of an attack reasonably well and I have my diet fairly well sorted so the attacks are now rare! I am lucky I think, I push the boat every now and then and find I can eat nuts, and seeds – and fries! (not oily) and the only thing I really miss are hard cheeses. I can even eat a schnitzel though I do pat them down thoroughly with a paper serviette to remove any fats.

  Mostly I get discomfort and a little nausea in extreme times and lot of this is attributable to fatty liver which I know a lot of us will suffer from alongside the gallstones.

  And thank heavens for philadephia cheeses! Those wee pots with herbs that have only 1.8g fat and spread over two slices of toast, or make a stir fry creamy … or thicken a soup up nicely. Think I must write to them and let them know I adore them!

  Hmm, I lied, I miss spicy food too! I do love a good Khorma, even Chili Con Carne. Ah well, I have to say I feel better for the diet anyway. Silver lining!

• jacquie
  January 14th, 2010 at 2:37 pm

  In reply to Alex, I had my gallbladder removed through open surgery about 2yrs. ago. It was obviously more traumatic than key-hole but saved my life, it took about six to eight weeks to recover.I had recurring episodes of pancreatitis since I was in my early 20′s, I was diagnosed as having a joint common end which meant that the bile also entered the pancreatic duct,the attacks were probably caused by the small pieces of gravel emerging. Ultimately I had become accustomed to the attacks, and would walk continually in circuits through the house all night until the pain dispersed. Unfortunately I waited too long to get treatment and by the time I was blue-lighted to hospital my liver and kidneys etc. were all failing, and i had to have surgery. My gall-bladder had “died” at some point previously and was perforating so key-hole surgery wasn’t an option. The surgery was major rather than minor, I have an 8″ scar + two drain scars, I would just like to say to the people who decide to wait, or think that they can cope with the pain to give it some serious thought,I just didn’t know how ill I was getting and didn’t want to be a nuisance. I am now diabetic through the damage caused to my pancreas, I have suffered some liver damage/ kidney damage…no alcohol ever for my pancreas, plus I have become gluten intolerant!!!so if you are able to have the surgery -open or key-hole grab it quick! The gravel that was in my gall-bladder didn’t show up on ultasounds because the walls of the gall-bladder had thickened and the gravel didn’t have a definite image.Best of luck to you all.

• Alex
  January 18th, 2010 at 6:39 pm

  Hi Jacquie

  Thats sound very bad ………I am still waiting and I am keeping to the low fat diet and that seems to do the trick ………. but beware out there skinny cow give me a bad attack and when I checked the fat in a 100gm it was 14 ish and 10 of that was sat .

• Mary
  January 19th, 2010 at 6:42 pm

  Wow. I’d like to add my thanks to everyone who has shared here. It’s nice to know I’m not alone.
  I have been having pain in my back behind my shoulder blade for about 5 years and have been through more tests than I can count. Apparently I have a fused spine (from birth) and they figured it must be that. I’d mentioned to my doc about 4 years ago that the pain is worse when I eat chocolate and was told that it would have no connection. I’ve had other symptoms that seemed to be related to my menstrual cycle – more tests. I have had several doctors basically say “Well, the tests were negative so just get on with your life.”

  Finally last week I had an attack that drove me nuts and I went straight to the emergency room. (My biggest complication seemed to be that by the time I got in to see my doctor the pain had subsided.) The Triage Nurse told me it was likely gall bladder after about a 1 minute conversation. Sure enough, blood tests and ultrasound confirmed gall stones. I was also given the mini-speech about low fat diet and sent on my way not knowing what that meant. I’ve been referred to a surgeon but have no idea how long it will take to see him or have anything done. This site has given my lots of options and confirmations.
  I’ve had a lot of prayer about this and I’m sure it led me here for some reassurance.
  Thank-you all again!

• andrea
  January 20th, 2010 at 12:02 am

  Hi everyone!
  I’m soooo pleased to have found this site. Now it’s all beginning to make sense. I had my first attack approx 5 years ago (a few months after having my daughter) I suffered severe abdominal pain almost like contractions, which came across me like waves of pain. The out of ours GP gave me painkillers and suggested it might be gallstones. I next had what I think was an attack several months later, though the symptoms were totally different. I had terrible indigestion like pain in my gullet coming over me again in waves of pain which were unbearable.I’d had a high fat meal and wine. The out of hours GP said he thought it was a stomach ulcer. I was then treated wit a course of Ranitadine for a month in the hopes that would be the end of it. My GP said if it happened again I would need to be sent for a camera down to check for ulcers. I really didn’t fancy that! So for the last few years every time I’ve felt an attack starting I’ve taken some Ranitadine and Gaviscon and thats done the trick. Then a fortnight ago I felt I was starting with a water infection which then developed into increasing pain in my lower back, just to the right of my spine. I was diagnosed as having a water infection and given a 3 day course of antibiotics. They did nothing to help, 2 days later I begged the GP for some strong painkiller, she then thought because of the pain the infection had spread to my kidneys so gave me a stronger antibiotic for a further 7 days. I thought I was sorted. Then 4 days after finishing the antibiotics I got up on Saturday with a slight nigle at the base of my back. Took painkillers but went to work at 8.30am, by 9.30am I was on the phone pleading my husband come and get me because I couldn’t stand the pain in my chest. took my usual remedys and the chest pain improved but back pain continued to worsen. Went to the out of hours GP clinic, told my water sample was clear and the pain was muscular/skeletal back pain just keep taking painkillers(couldn’t have anti-inflamatories because of suspected stomach ulcer) By Sunday the pain had got so bad I could barely walk to the toilet as any movement was agony, I was vomiting, even unable to keep water down, never mind painkillers. My husband called the out of hours GP who gave me an antisickness injection and injection of painkillers, but wasn’t sure what the problem was. She said if i didn’t improve in the next few hours i must call them back out, which we did. The next GP said I was starting to dehydrate and my urine was testing positive for infection. So, I was admitted by ambulance to hospital. I was put on a drip and injected with morphine but it didn’t help so they gave me intravenous paracetamol which did help and a different antisickness injection. The registrar I saw was convinced it was kidney infection and arranged an ultrasound scan. This showed my kidney to be normal but I was told I have several gall stones. I was released from hospital that evening with no advise or further explanation, only being told by a nurse I would be sent for in 4 weeks. I went today to see my GP confused, how could it have been gall stones causing the pain when it was in the wrong place? was it an ulcer and gall stones? what about the kidney and water infection? the Dr I saw seemed very clued up. He expained that I don’t have a “classic” case. He’s fairly sure it’s all the gallstones, and I suffer from refered pain, which is where you feel the pain elsewhere in the body to where the trouble is. The pain travels along nerves to another area. He said its quite common to get pain in your right shoulder or to think you have an idigestion type pain. The difference being indigestion feels like a constant type of pain and gall stones feel like the waves of pain I get. He thinks the water infection is because my gallbladder is close to my bladder and is forcing white blood cells (infection) out that way. At least I feel a lttle happier about what it is now. I’ve to finish the antibiotics again, and keep going with the painkillers, cut out fat etc. He said the reason i have to wait 4 weeks for the consultation is because you have to have been attck free for 6-8 before they operate, as an inflammed gallbladder is much more likely to rupture. If I have any more attacks in the mean time I’ve to get more antibiotics and painkiller. I’ve barely eaten for 2 days as I’m too scared, so what I relief to find your list of foods to give me some guidance and get me started. As someone else said every cloud has a silver lining, it’ll help me lose the pounds I put on over christmas!

• Alex
  January 20th, 2010 at 8:55 am

  Hi
  Has anyone had a try at these flushes that are all over the net ?

• Alex
  January 21st, 2010 at 8:09 am

  oops…meant to say skinny cow hot chocolate…over 14 per hundred fat…10 saturated

• linda
  January 22nd, 2010 at 2:29 pm

  Just arrived home the hospital,,, was an emergency admission due to gallstones,,
  i have been sent home with strong pain killers and im waiting for my op in2 to 4 weeks,, i need diet advice has the hospital just tell me fat free any advice please

• Grainne C
  January 23rd, 2010 at 3:13 am

  Hey guys! Wow i know its been said before but its so good to read from other guys who are going through exact same thing as me! Helps me get over the whole ‘nobody knowsss what i’m going through, nobody understandddss’ aspect especially in middle of attack when I feel like the whole world is against me lol

  Anyways I’m 23 years old I’ve been gettin attacks since end of July/August last year I was really stupid and took me months to see a doctor about it because I put it down to anxiety attacks/bad indigestion somethin along those lines… Anyway of course the attacks didnt go away and got worse and worse so finally visited my GP in November who suggested it may be gallstones which came as no surprise as so many of my family members have had the same joy, infact so many of us have had them they have now been dubbed the ‘family jewels’ quite frankly I would have preferred a diamond

  anywho diet wise mine has been EXTREMELY limited, infact i could probably experiment a bit more but have had about 4 SEVERE attacks and the very thought of them terrifies me I just cannot go through that again! I find i can eat as much dry toast with beans as i like, toast with jam and rice with peas and sweetcorn, i also have mash potato (without butter) the odd time with beans ohhh and i havent seen anyone else mention it but FRYS TURKISH DELIGHT have been my absoloute life saver! My dad was advised they were fine to eat when he had his gallstones and never experienced any bother so i tried them myself and they literally have saved my mental health because im a chocolate ADDICT haha

  Anyways the whole eating rice wit peas and sweetcorn almost every day for my dinner for 2 months straight kinda got to me and I decided to go a bit mad on christmas day…. all i had was mash potato with veg and vegetarian gravy oh and a glass of sleour (however u spell) not sure whether it was the brussell sprout or the sleour but i paid for it christmas night! now that night it wasnt an EXTREME attack it was managable was more tightness than antyhing else (not the severe theres an alien inside me tryin to burst out pain)

  so i thought i was ok but got the same pain again boxing night it lasted 4 hours which by my standards wasnt a bad attack because ive had previous ones that lasted 6,12, even 36 hours!! Once the pain was gone i thought id b ok to go out the night after boxing night prob aided with a bit of peer preassure i ended up makin the ridiculously stupid decision to have a few drinks! All i had was vodka with cranberry juice but basically the experience that followed i dont think ill even b able to look at vodka or cranberry juice ever again lol

  I had 2 SEVERE attacks on the monday even though all i ate was a cup of soup, one in morning one in evening, the same again on tuesday after trying to eat some bread with jam…. another 2 attacks on the wednesday (i cant remember what i tried to eat that day) then on the thursday NEW YEARS EVE i was in agonising pain again after attempting some food…. so i thought right this is stupid ill just eat NOTHING on the friday try let my gallbladder settle down….that was the worst day of all I had SEVERE vommiting like somethin I never experienced before I was throwing up every 15 mins and the worst was I had nothing in stomach so was just horrendous

  My ones noticed I looked very yellow so decided to take me to a&e imagine me sittin there new years day with all the drunkerds me throwin up al over place in waitin room i was that bad they rushed me on into triage then straight into emergancy

  anywho cut a long story short they took my bloods said there was somethin they didnt like so admitted me…. was given anti sickness tablet but i was still throwin up so they gave me somethin through a drip that worked miracles then they put me on some other drip cuz i was really dehydrated due to not eatin/drinkin much all week

  so anyway turned out one of my stones managed to find its way into my bile duct or pancreatic duct im not sure which and got stuck and ended up gettin acute pancreatitis

  thats the craic there oh and I was in hospital for my BIRTHDAY and everything poor me lol ill not forget that one in hurry!

  TOUCH WOOD from being let out of hospital from that attack i havent had as much as a twinge and ive FINALLY got my date my operation is end of February it cant come a moment too soon i cant wait to start my gall bladder free life hehe

  btw upside of this whole senario ive lost 3 stone woop woop best diet ive ever been on haha

• Diane
  January 24th, 2010 at 10:39 am

  Hi guys,

  This website is absolutely brilliant! My husband, who is 72 next week, had his 1st attack when we were in London just before Christmas. We were staying in a hotel overnight waiting to go to the theatre the next day but found ourselves in A&E instead. Really scary as he was in terrible pain – the same as everyone else has described, after eating a really nice but (presumably) very high fat curry in a restaurant the night before. He was kept in overnight and they diagnosed bilary colic. By the following lunchtime the pain had completely gone. He saw about 4 doctors, 3 of whom said he had classic gallstones symptoms, so when we got home to Norfolk he saw his GP who referred him for an ultrasound scan. We weren’t told how long that would take, but before he could have it, last Sunday the pain came back again (it had been “niggling” all week) and he was rushed to A&E again, diagnosed with pancreatitis, put on a drip, given 2 lots of morphine and kept in for 5 days. They said they thought a gallstone had got stuck somewhere so did x-rays, ultrasound, and a CT scan, but said they couldn’t actually see any stones on the ultrasound scan, and although they have now said he will have to have his gallbladder removed, they haven’t actually said that they saw any stones on the CT scan either, though they seem to be convinced they are there. My main question is, has anyone else had both an ultrasound and a CT scan without them actually finding the gallstones? Maybe there are too small. Like lots of you, we were told he must eat a low fat diet, but not given a diet sheet, so we looked on the net and found a very detailed diet sheet for gallstone sufferers on our local hospital (Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital) website. If anyone would like it, look on http://www.nnuh.nhs.uk and follow links to “patient information”, then leaflets for gallstones dietary advice. I did the Weight Watchers diet a few years ago and the gallstones diet is very similar.

  Good luck to everyone who is waiting for an op, and in the meantime if you get another attack, call that ambulance, because I’ve now read that every time you get pancreatitis, it can damage your pancreas a bit more, so don’t put up with the pain. There are lots of people who go to A&E with minor things but this is different, so don’t think you are being a nuisance. We hesitated before dialling 999 the second time, but now I’ve read more about gallstones and pancreatitis I would call them instantly.

• Debbie
  January 24th, 2010 at 12:35 pm

  I was so glad to find this website – it is amazing. Since Christmas I had what I thought was indigestion which just wouldn’t go away, so I just put up with it for 3 weeks. Like I’ve read some others say it was like I had a really tight bra on all the time! Then one day it turned from being just merely uncomfortable to being the worst pain I have ever felt (even worse than childbirth). I went to my A&E and was admitted. They thought I had gallstones and put me on drips and pain killers which worked fairly well. So the next day I started eating – was that a big mistake!!. The pain was back along with frequent bouts of sickness. that settled down when I stopped eating. Which I did for 4 days. When I started turning yellow I had a ERCP which showed that I had a big gallstone which was lodged in the bile duct and the duct was narrow in two places, so they put something in to open the duct and that did improve things. I have to have another ERCP in 2 weeks time and then have the gallbladder out after that but apparently not until all the inflamation has gone. I was in hospital for a week but am now home, although I am VERY wary about what I eat. It’s nice to know how others cope with this and that things can get better. Although I will miss a nice juicy steak, cream, cheese, chocolate etc etc. I know some people say they can tolerate eating fat but I am scared to try at the moment. Still I have been wanting to lose weight for a while now so every cloud…

• Alison Arnold
  January 24th, 2010 at 2:50 pm

  I was admitted to my local hospital a week ago following three acute episodes of pain which I attributed firstly to severe indigestion and then to a perforating peptic ulcer. The first pain struck when I was in a shopping centre with my 20 year old son and felt like I had an alien writhing in my stomach which was reaching up to grip me by the throat. It came in waves and I managed to get home on the tube by breathing through it as in labour. It seemed to subside after gaviscon. The next night I woke up in agony feeling like I had a red hot coal in my stomach which wasn’t relieved by gaviscon but which subsided again after a couple of hours. I decided I would visit my GP on the Monday to discuss my indigestion problem. When I woke up the following night with the same pain I was really afraid that something in my stomach was going to rupture so got my husband to take me to A & E. Imagine my surprise when I was told I had pancreatitis due to a gall stone and that one of my liver enzymes which should have been 35 was over 1000 ! Fortunately scans have shown that I have passed the stone and none have been detected. I have been sent home with no more than the “have a low fat diet” advice. I was surprised that my cholesterol level wasn’t tested, as I know that that it can constitute 80% of some stones, and I’ve never had it done. I consider myself (and so do those who know me) to eat a pretty healthy diet and I was only about half a stone overweight (although I lost 5lbs in hospital). I wonder if I may have had a gall stone 18 years ago when I had severe right sided pain, nausea and loose yellow poo after eating a Magnum, which the GP attributed to IBS without doing any blood tests ! I didn’t have any nausea or the back pain that many have described and genuinely thought that my indigestion might be due to the fact that I have just sat an exam and handed in 3 assignments in one week for an intensive degree course which I am studying for aged 49! It was quite a challenge to select anything palatable and low fat from the hospital menu so I survived initially on jelly and then salads from the M & S shop in the hospital foyer. I’m now going to have a bowl of jelly, it’s the only thing that doesn’t give me indigestion !

• pat
  January 24th, 2010 at 4:59 pm

  Grainne, you are fun =) Glad it turned out well in the end and grats on the weight loss …which I am still working on!

• Cher
  January 26th, 2010 at 8:58 pm

  I’ve had about 5 “attacks” in this past year. The first one was last March after a big family dinner which I figured was severe gas due to the bean salad I ate, it was intensely painful but passed after 20 minutes or so then I was fine. The next time it happened was months later and I again thought it was severe gas due to some chili I had the night before, it passed in a short amount of time again and I was fine. Then it happened at the end of Sep just days before my Europe trip but was more intense and lasted almost an hour! I went to the clinic and he said it was due to the stress about the trip, no blood tests or anything just gave me some ulcer medication and that was that. Thank god I was fine over in Europe.

  Then it happened again in November so I was thinking for sure I had an ulcer, so I started to avoid all acidic foods and drinks and continued with the prescription. I kept feeling minor pains, but I thought I was thinking about it too much thus creating more stress and affecting the ulcer. It happened again in December and I left work to go to the clinic. I said this keeps happening and I can’t live like this. He set me up for an ultrasound for Jan 13th, which was a few weeks later. Well guess what, Jan 12th I awoke with the most severe pain I’ve ever felt. I was literally in pure agony and thought my apendix was about to burst!!!! I was vomitting from the pain. I took myself to the hospital where they hooked me up to the iv and fed me gravol and whatever else to calm me down. The doc there said it didn’t sound like an ulcer or appendix, and suggested it might be gallstones. The next day luckily was my ultrasound and now I just got the results back and they said I have gallstones.

  I have an appointment with a specialist on Feb 5th, but I am away on business to San Fran this sunday til Feb 1oth, so I will have to reschedule that. I am going to demand that it be removed!!! Forget about all this diet control, or oral treatments, just get the stupid thing out if it’s not even a neccessary organ. I’ve had 2 friends have theirs removed after MONTHS of a boring controlled diet, all to just get it removed in the end anyway. Now they are totally fine, no more pains, can eat whatever they want anytime they want.

  I miss ice cream, and chocolate, and creamcheese. I always watch what I eat, and am not overweight at all and I want to be able to live a life where I eat well most of the time but get to enjoy a slice of cheesecake or an icecream when I wish without looking at it like it’s going to murder me ;p

  What really stinks now, is the whole time I’m in San Fran they feed you breakfast and lunch everyday and they make the most delicious foods but I won’t be able to enjoy them. I wish that stupid doc back in Sep cared enough to send me for tests then I would have had it removed by now and enjoy my trip to san Fran. Instead I will be stressed out and worried the whole time about having another attack!!!

  Good luck to everyone…especially those of you choosing not to get the surgery!

• Julia
  January 27th, 2010 at 8:18 pm

  Hey All,
  I, too, have gallstones. Had the first very seriously painful attack in Nov of 2008. Ultrasound confirmed stones. Was recommended to a surgeon who wanted to remove it. I decided to do some research and have found a great eating plan that works for me. I am still in possession of my gallbladder and, except for 3 minor attacks, two weeks ago, after going off my plan from Nov. thru Jan., have not had further problems. Check out this site http://www.gallbladderattack.com
  I am eating the beet salad every other day, throughout the week. I also take 8 – 9 Stone Free tablets per day. My diet consists of fruits, veggies, cold water fish, whole wheat pasta with home made sauce, the occassional egg, olive oil, flax oil, high fiber Wasa crackers, whole wheat and multigrain bread, oatmeal. Avoid like the plague, any hydrogenated oils. I found these oils, which are generally used in fast food, to be the kiss of death for me. After following this regimen, and taking the equivalent of 6 bottles of Stone Free, you will probably be gallstone free and be able to control future stones by eating the beetroot salad. Good luck all.

• Mike
  January 29th, 2010 at 7:01 am

  After getting signs of liver damage (fatty liver, enzymes up, enlarged spleen) I changed my diet (no alcohol, low fat, more fruit and veg) and got my liver ‘fixed’, only to be rewarded with a gallstone (1/2″ x 1/3″). Lucky for me, it just sits there and does not cause any symptoms. Nevertheless, I thought the thing should come out (stone, not bladder) and I tried the olive oil and lime juice cleanse. Didn’t work at all, just made me feel like you would expect after drinking a quart of oil and lime juice.
  Since then, I’ve been taking artichoke capsules which seem to have reduced the size of my stone, although it is not gone yet…

• Alex
  January 29th, 2010 at 7:40 am

  Hi Julia

  Can you tell what the stone tablets does to the gallstone ?and can you buy them in the uk . I am going to manila to see my granchildren in 7 weeks and dont have a date for my op yet… and I wont be geting keyhole so I will wait till Iget back .I am going to boracay philppines for 4 day on holiday with my chridchildren and I am bit worried that a stone get stuck when I am there they dont have a hospital just a clinic Its only 4 day there ,,,and back to manila for 10 days Im not worried about geting any attacks my diet is doing well ………just a stone geting stuck in the wrong place can anyone out there can give me some advice plesase thanks

• hannah
  January 29th, 2010 at 3:49 pm

  Samantha– Thank you for the advice, I was about ready to go to the ER when the pain finally stopped after a week! When I saw my surgeon about it she said that’s what it probably was — and wasn’t surprised when it hurt for her to press on my upper right abdomen, citing it as something similar to bruising post-injury — but I was able to last until January 21st for my surgery!

  All went well; they kept me overnight because my oxygenation levels went down during surgery but I proceeded to keep my vitals up the entire night and was able to keep down all the liquids they gave me. I was also able to eat solid food later in the day. My incisions have been healing extremely well with little to no bleeding, and I have a concert tomorrow (Saturday). My only concern is the back pain I’ve been having! I made sure it wasn’t a symptom of blood clotting but I have yet to find anything online about back pain after having this surgery. Has anyone else experienced it? And if so, does it dissipate? It’s been painful enough that I’ve been taking the Percocet I was prescribed solely to alleviate it, and I really don’t like the effect opiates have on me but I have a tolerance to other painkillers

  My post-op appointment is in the first week of February, at least, but I’d like to know if this pain will go away on its own before I try to make an earlier appointment with my surgeon.

  Thank you!

• Johnny
  February 6th, 2010 at 2:40 pm

  Hi All

  Great advice here . I was at my GP yesterday after having what he thinks was an attack on wednesday morning . I had been suffering what I thought was indegestion since Christmas . I also have been feeling constant pressure on my chest like someone was sitting on it . I also seem to burp a lot too . He is now having me scheduled for an ultrasound and to have the scope down into my stomach . He thinks it is Gallstones . After leaving the doctors I felt as if I was imagining the symptoms and that I couldn’t have gallstones . I am afraid of my life to eat since wednesday . Has anyone any advice .

  Thanks ever so much

• sherie
  February 8th, 2010 at 10:56 am

  Hi To all just found out after 6 months of test that my husband has gallstones been looking on heaps of webs sites for recipes, one thing i did find was if you take a teaspoon of flaxseed oil a day will help fight any fat you have in your body, and also you cannot eat wheat, milk, vegies , such as broc, cali, cabbage, brussels, only brown rice, no coffee, so i went to super market, and brought, corn flakes, no wheat, then for luch i will him a salad s/wich, tom, fresh chicken breast, that i have steamed prior,also you can buy pasta that has no wheat in it, i made pasta last night with shallots, zucinni, and fresh tom, and fresh garlic, fresh garlic is really good . Will look for more recipes with in the week. my husband has had pain now since july 09, have only found out now that he has gallstones, now on a waiting list.

• Sindu
  February 8th, 2010 at 10:45 pm

  Hello Friends!!!

  Let me share my experience with you all….

  From past one plus year I had been suffering from pain near the breast bone and the scapular region. My appetite had gone down but my weight was going on increasing. I was 52 it went up to 60 kg. my face looked bloated. September 2009 had severe unbearable pain at office while doing my night shift. Next day when I called my family doctor he said nothing its just acidity, but as I work in medical field I was not convinced I did my research and found out that it was gallstone and went for an immediate ultrasound and found a 14 mm nonmobile stone in the neck of the duct. My doctor said no other treatment then surgery. As I don’t like going for surgery I opted for Naturotherapy. I met Dr. Vijaya Venkat (The Health Awarness Center, in Mumbai, India). I had read a lot about her. She put me on strict diet and I followed it religiously and lost 5 kg in one month. I used to eat a lot of fatty food like sandwich, burger, pastry, sweets and zero activity, no exercise no physical activity. I completely stopped eating rice, chapati (made of wheat), bread, butter, milk, cheese (all dairy products), meat and sweets. Morning I had two banana or a big apple or a bowl of papaya and then go to sleep (as I do a night shift) then at lunch time when I wake up would have one big glass of bottle gourd juice (bottle gourd + ginger + curry leaves grind in mixer or juice, then add lemon juice at least two lemons and mix to the above juice and have it fresh) after one hour a bowl of raw salads (with cucumber, carrot) or sprout salad or a bowl of fruits, then after one hour can have a glass of apple juice mixed with lemon juice, then after an hour if u feel hungry much of some dry fruits or dry nuts, for dinner again have salads and lemon juice or a bowl full of fruit salad. If u feel like to eat sweet then much of dry nuts or dry fruits (almond, raisins, walnut). Walnut is very good for gallstone. If u get the gas pain then take two or three lemons, squeeze and take out the juice, and grind ginger in the grinder and take out the juice mix both and sip it little by little. This also helps. I have lost 6 kg in two months’ time now I m 54 kg, don’t know the size of the stone, would be doing a sonography after two weeks. Also remember if u are eating fatty foot then don’t forget to have lot of salads with it, eg meat or burger then eat lot of green salads. Add lime to the salad, drink lot of lime juice, and have grilled fish or grilled meat but don’t forget to include salads with it. If having boiled egg have plenty of salads. This is very healthy, u lose weight, u feel rejuvenated. Along with this do slight exercises like yoga or brisk walking or swimming. In between the meals one can have any fruit juice or vegetable juice… instead of having plain water during traveling or while at work carry a bottle of warm water mixed with lemon and keep on sipping it. For energy eat lot of dates can keep on eating in between the meals. Its sweet and rick in iron. I add olive oil to my sprout salad along with lime juice it tastes good.

• Grainne C
  February 10th, 2010 at 12:43 am

  Heyy guys me again

  Just thought i’d update you all! Had another big attack last sunday (lovely juvly) was so flippin annoyed cuz ate nothin out of ordinary my stones just decided to remind me they were there lol

  anyway good news is i got my surgery moved up im now officially gallbladder free woohooo

  i was so super nervous bout having my first operation but the nurses were so good at calmin me and it was all over before i knew it

  i was kept in over night as my surgery wasnt until late in afternoon also had very low blood pressure apparently

  had keyhole and all no problems and was up movin bout (like a wee old lady but movin al the same) around the ward the next day the nurses joked bout how you would never believe i just had surgery the day before (ohh to be young they sed)

  its nice to b able to eat a wee bit more now i hafta admit the fear is still there i havnet tested the waters too much since op im feelin great my wounds are still a bit tender it didnt help that morning after surgery i was watchin john and edward on tv tryin not to laugh (they do hav that effect on me) cuz laughin, coughin, sneezin etc hurts lol

  but oh my goodness i had over 50 gallstones i cant believe they give them to me in wee jar lets just say ill never eat rice krispies again cuz thats just wat they look like theres bloody loads of them no wonder i was in so much pain doctor sed cuz there was so many he cudnt guarentee they hadnt escaped down tubes durin surgery wish he hadnt told me that i was so scared to eat but iv had no problems so i assume that wasnt the case!!

  i actually cried with happiness after my surgery cuz the last 6 months have been without a doubt the worst ive had in my life im so glad to get it over with and everyone whos still sufferin hang in there ull get out the other side

  still to discover what my life is like without a gallbladder i’ve read alot of horror stories on internet people still gettin the pains and stuff im hopin thats not me

  so thats the craic there, gallbladders who needs em eh NOT ME Lol xox

• pat
  February 11th, 2010 at 4:50 pm

  Congrats Grainne, glad it went well and wish you all the best from here on!

• Frank
  February 12th, 2010 at 5:17 pm

  Hi All, Last Sunday super sun I had my normal sunday breakfest bagels with butter(i love butter) 3 over easy, home fries, bacon and susage. Yeah, I know. About 3 hrs later I felt like an upset stomach was comming on. As I thought about how I was going to deep fry the wings and all the other super bowl foods we had, the pain became worse. Here’s my question I have a high tollerance for pain but this pain felt more like over doing sit-ups not as escruciating as some of the horror stories I’ve read here. Anyway my oldest son insisted I go to the hospital so after fighting him and my wife for 2 hrs we went. They took all sorts of tests ekg: blood: and a sonagram Finally 4 hrs later the emergency room doctor came over with the results. Gallstones he said. And as read here unless I get attacks, or turn yellow just follow a low fat diet. My question to Jamie or any of the other participants I still feel a slight discomfort in my stomach. Very, Very Mild. especially when I move a certain way Any Thoughts. I hate hospitals.

• laura-jane
  February 12th, 2010 at 5:56 pm

  Hi,ive been getting reaily bad pains just under my breast bone they start of dull and gets really bad and im sick. Ive been to the a&e loads of times and now my doctor has put me on tablets for stomach acid and i’m waiting for appointment for a cam to go down my throat to have a look…Ive been reading up on gallstones and it sounds like i may have them i used to get the attacks every couple of weeks but now its every day i’ve lost weight and scared to eat….I’m gonna try ur diet and see how i go i’ve had 3 days in a row of these attacks i can’t live like this no more my children are suffering cos im alway being sick and in pain..

• Linda
  February 14th, 2010 at 7:46 pm

  Jamie – first of all, well done for creating this website. It’s excellent. Laura-Jane, I’d recommend following Jamie’s advice, it’s full of common sense, without the hype. I suffered with gall-stones 7 years ago, and like many, was admitted to hospital, and had morphine. I was lucky – I have private health insurance, so didn’t have to wait long. Had my op, recovered quickly, and thankfully, have had no problems since. Good luck to everyone still suffering.

• Grainne C
  February 14th, 2010 at 9:32 pm

  omg guys i spoke way too soon

  im one of the unlucky ones typical of me

  5 days after my operation didnt i bloody take the pains again!!! the first attack was VERY intense extremely sore stabbin pain in usual place (under breastbone) but it only lasted bout 20 mins (with gallbladder it lasted minimum 4 hours) then i vommitted and pain settled (kinda)

  i spent the whole nite cryin my eyes out cuz i thought i was through all that pain i didnt expect to get it again i was just completely distraught my ones couldn’t settle me at all and i REFUSED to go to hospital lol

  anyway didnt get much sleep that night was worried sick then next day i had a dull dull pain the wholeeeeeee day that wouldn’t lift at al so i didnt dare eat anythin but then i felt like the pain was gettin worse cuz i didnt eat anythin so i tried a tinyyyyyyyy bit of rice of course threw it up straight away (sorry for visual) and pains started again but then they subsided i thut rite ok ill get through this (i hav this awful case of denial when i get pain btw i pretend like its not happening i went 3 months with gallstone symtpoms b4 i even seen a doctor for crippies sake!)

  so anyway later on it just all came to a head i took a sip of water and was in complete agony just as bad as the time i took the pancretitus and i was boakin every 15 mins so away bak to a&e i went

  they prob seen the craic from my history and seen wat a bad state i was in so i was took straight through

  took the doctors/nurses HOURS to settle me and i mean HOURS i was still rockin bak and forward on the bed and throwin up every inch of stomach i had left at 6 in the mornin (after tryin every painkiller under sun) so they FINALLY give me morphine and that was me settled i dunno why they were so reluctant to just give me it in first place any ideas is it because im onli 23?! there were other ladies with same problem on ward as me and they had all been given morphine straight away but they were in 40s

  anywho im jus outta hospital there today i was kept in 4 days which isnt bad compared to others who had been there a week and counting i seem to recover from these things pretty quick but yeh i had pancretitus AGAIN and they reckon durin surgery one or some of my gallstones musta fell out into my bile duct the joys of keyhole eh

  so anyway im just bein treated as outpatient now i hafta wait for (another) MRCP scan and they r gonna take things from there I hav no idea why they dont just do the ERCP now and get it over with cuz thats obviously wat its leading to!

  so here i am all gallbladder free and still experiencin problems

  by the way they carried out ultrasound today no sign of stones so EITHER they r too small for scan to see (which i doubt cuz my stones were quite big) or its sludge? orrr they mite hav passed on through durin my attack which is probably likliest senario and i hope its true

  so here i am sittin here after comin home from hospital and im just wrecked with nerves i keep cryin for no reason and ive got really nervous feeling in tummy its just pure fear of gettin attack again, dont the doctors realise its causin me to have so much anxiety like i dont kno why they didnt just give me ERCP just for pure peace of mind

  anywho i hope to god i dont scare anyone with my horror story cuz most ppl i know hav never looked back since their surgery im a tough cookie ill b ok hehe

  p.s i cant get over the amount of people suffering from gallstones, not only gallstones but gettin them stuck in bileduct, pancretitus the works i live in wee town in northern ireland and on my ward the doctor was dealing with SIX other women with exact same problem aka not just gallstones but stuck in bileduct etc etc and when i was in for gallbladder removal the woman across from me had got hers removed aswel ive also heard of alot from around the town who hav recently had them or experiencin symptoms i really think theres somethin in the water haha

  p.p.s anyone else who has experienced pancretitus….. ive been confirmed with pancretitus one other time so this is at least my 2nd time (i think ive had it one the times b4 that i didnt go to hospital cuz symptoms were exact same) but do you guys get ALOT of fluid in ur stomach for days after the attack im pretty much painfree now but have alot of fluid i almost look 6 months pregnant and like i havent lost the 3 stone that i have lol, its quite uncomfortable too any ideas how to get rid of the fluid?! i act think i got rid of it quicker the last time my poor wee pancreus is gettin quir batterin here lol

• Candy
  February 16th, 2010 at 12:43 am

  Hooray!
  People just like me! Jamie thank you so much for making this website- what great info I am getting about what to eat and not is SO helpful.

  I had a painful attack on Sunday and had to go to the ER with a morphine drip, turns out, gallstones!

  I am interested in trying the gallbladder/liver cleanse’s and will hopefully try one this Sat.
  And we’ll see how it goes.

  It is so nice to hear that others know what i’m talking about however i’m so sorry that any of us went threw this pain. It did feel like a full on heart attack. BAD back pain, stomach pain that felt like it was right in my chest, I couldnt hold still, just tossed and turned and moved to the floor and layed on the floor and sat on the bed etc etc etc. My poor hubby didnt know what to do for me.

  So far all i’ve been eating is boiled vegetables, chicken with lemon pepper (no butter, I used pan spray), and apple sauce.
  I’m not surprised to hear apple juice helps a lot of people on here- My cleanse I am going to do says to drink lots of apple juice 4 days before the cleanse as it loosens you up a bit…ha ha.

  I also agree that to every cloud there is a silver lining! My husband and I have wanted to eat better for a while, and do for a bit but then there are nights with incredible horribly fattening chili (until now) and now I dont have chili as an option at all and am afraid of it! Ha! Bring it on.

  Good luck in your eatings everyone!

  Candy

• Amy
  February 17th, 2010 at 2:45 am

  jamie, thanks for the website. To everyone still in pain I would recommend gallbladder removal. Its been 3 weeks since I had mine removed & aside from some pain & discomfort the first few days it has been great to be able to eat anything I want again- even to eat bland food without any pain is a huge relief. Two of my sisters have had GB removal also, one a month before me, and both are completely fine.
  I know there is a genetic component to gallbladder problems- wonder if there is an ethnic one too? I am american but of full irish descent & it seems like most of the people who’ve been commenting here are irish.

  Good luck to everyone, wishing you all problem-free surgeries & pain-free eating!

  p.s. Jamie, I liked your photos too- Cork is one of my favorite places–

• Jenny
  February 22nd, 2010 at 10:39 pm

  This is very good info. I am not yet diagnosed with gallstones, but am pretty sure I have them and have had two attacks. I don’t get huge pain but feel dreadfully ill (like I’m going to die!! scary) and pass out a few times. First time was in December while on holiday in Sorrento, Italy and thought I had picked up a virus that was going around there. But, the same thing happened a week ago in the early hours of the morning and started with feeling really uncomfortable when my partner wrapped his arm over me and put pressure on the right side. Then the need to get to the toilet, knowing if I didn’t get on the floor I’d fall off with fainting, managing to get back up again then came to in a heap on the floor, back up again, then slumped against the wall. I felt so ill.
  Eventually staggered back to bed and woke him up saying how sick I felt.

  I have had this ‘back ache’ on the right side under my right shoulder blade for a long time and put it down to a new bed, working on a computer all day (OOS), gardening, etc. Also a continual minor pain under the ribs, annoying but not excruciating as some of you have had. Feel pressure around my chest too as well as feeling generally lousy, headaches, tired etc.

  Anyway, the doc is checking to see if I picked up something like giardia in Italy and has suggested an ultrasound scan some time, I think sooner rather than later.

  After reading this a couple of days ago, I have cut out my yoghurt, glass of red wine at night and will forego the fatty food, although I rarely have it. I must say I didn’t have the backache nearly as bad this morning when I got up.

  I have been using an eostrogen patch for nearly 6 years and have read that it can be one of the causes of gallstones. However, my mother and sister have both had it and the op to remove the gallbladder.

  Best wishes to all from New Zealand.

• Grainne C
  February 24th, 2010 at 9:14 pm

  wow amy thats really interesting

  im from northern ireland and ive been admitted to hospital 3 times with gallstones/pancretititus and for my operation

  and every time i was in there was a high number of women on same ward with gallstones and gallstone related problems the nurses said it seems to b the current ‘trend’ id rather stick to big hair and shoulder pads thank u v much

  anyhow came on here to update everyone im feeling much much better now I got out of hospital (after my ‘post gallbladder removal pancretitus attack’)

  im feeling fabulous able to eat alot more and have alot of energy and feel best i have in months!

  so just from the way i feel i reckon the stones left over in bile duct must have all passed through still waiting for the all clear and my MRCP appointment but im feeling good bout the situation now lol

  its soooooo good to finally be able to eat just trying my best not to eat TOO much dont wanna gain back all my lost weight might aswel gain somethin positive from the whole experience

  OH this is so random but has anybody else after they get their gallbladder out produce REALLY embarrasing loudddd comedy style burps well not burps belches i swear i cant hold them in at all i dont think itll go down too well on a hot date haha i wonder if its lack of gallbladder related?!

• Jenny
  February 24th, 2010 at 9:39 pm

  Hi Grainne. My mother had her gallbladder out quite a few years back and she does extremely loud belches. She was just saying to me the other night when I was telling her about my possible gallstones, that she remembers my son laughing at her loud burps and saying they were the best he has heard! Something for me to look forward to perchance?

  I have noticed that I am burping far more than I ever have already anyway!

  My doc is sending me a referral for an ultrasound, so will know soon if I have some dastardly stones in there.

• Debbie
  February 25th, 2010 at 3:48 pm

  Can I join the club? 46, UK and just out of hospital after an attack that lasted 12 hours straight. Now waiting for surgery and looking for diet tips and tricks! As others have said – whole ward in hospital was full of women with gallstone problems and all much the same age, given or take 10 years.

• Julie
  February 25th, 2010 at 5:05 pm

  I have to reply to something, although I’m not sure it hasn’t been said in the massive amounts of comments.

  Removing your gallbladder in no way cures this issue. The real problem when you have gallbladder issues is your weight, or your diet. If you continue being overweight and have a crappy diet, your liver will still have problems processing! The real problem is with your liver! And if you remove the helper of the liver, I can only imagine it will have further problems. I get really sick of people thinking if they just “remove” an organ their lives will get better. Why do you think it was having problems to begin with!? Maybe that is the culprit and the thing that needs fixing. (Of course I understand that in some situations you really have no choice because it’s just gotten that bad, or it’s happened in pregnancy. These are not the circumstances of which I speak).

  The american diet is full of unhealthy assumptions. Dairy is not good for you. Neither is large amounts of pasta! And if you would look at how many foods rely on using gluten, it’s ridiculous! And… everything has chemicals in it which makes your liver have to work that much more. The way to go is eliminate most dairy, stick to good fats, and try to use organic as much as possible.

  I had gallstones and lived with gallstone attacks like every other month. They were horrible, because I had no idea what was going on. But now that I’ve changed my way of thinking and changed how I eat, (more conscious of my diet). I haven’t had one in months. And I hope to never have one again!

• Mary
  February 27th, 2010 at 12:32 am

  Good advice to improve your diet, it’s certainly something I’m sure we are all working on, but I’m looking forward to some day being able to eat a chocolate mint pattie at Christmas again. (One wafer thin mint!)
  I finally got an appointment to see a surgeon but it isn’t until April. Who knows how long I might have to wait for surgery. I realize it’s extreme to remove a part of your body but when I can’t eat a piece of my daughter birthday cake because I don’t want to ruin her party it makes me a little sad.

  Thanks everyone here for all the great advice and commiseration and personal stories. This is a very friendly place to come.

• Debbie
  February 27th, 2010 at 5:05 pm

  Hmm. I actually eat relatively healthily. Could probably eat more fresh fruit and veg, but I very rarely eat ready-meals or take-away and have used low-fat milk and spread for many years. Never eaten salad dressings or pizza or any of those high-fat foods. My weakness is chocolate and indian food, so I guess I’m going to have to learn indian cooking from scratch!

• Sharon
  February 28th, 2010 at 9:52 pm

  Hello Jamie and fellow sufferers. I have had gallstones for over 2 years and only just been diagnosed! Had the pains come and go of varying degree and frequency and now they’re at the nasty stage. Had 3 A&E trips last week and one involving an ambulance. I had a scan and it showed I had about a dozen 1cm stones.
  I am 29 years old and both my mum and nan had them so I guess I was bound to have them.

  My main question is about the life after gallbladder removal really. Can you go back to the diet you enjoyed once before? I am a foody though in moderation and not overly unhealthy, but I do like a pizza here and a chinese there and a glass of wine too… I guess everyone’s different but I would love to know you have a better life after the hell of Gallstones! As many replies as possible would be very much appreciated. Thanks.

• Jenny
  February 28th, 2010 at 9:52 pm

  I agree it is extreme to remove the organ and that it does perform a function, but for people with extreme attacks maybe it is necessary.

  I am having an ultrasound scan tomorrow morning to see if stones are present – I’ll be surprised if they’re not and will then worry about what else could be causing this. The doc tested me for giardia etc to see if that could be contributing to this, but got the results this morning and all clear. Also checked again for coeliacs, for which I carry the gene, but once again clear.

  I’ve had a week of really strict food consumption: no red meat, no yoghurt on my morning fruit and cereal (just trim milk), no icecream, the only fats on the 2 of the 4 pieces of bread I had over the weekend was avocado, didn’t have my regular bacon on Sunday but did have half a low-fat venison sausage. Have felt much better during the week and the pain in my right shoulder-blade that I get worse during the night had diminished until this morning (but not quite as bad). I also had a little bit of cake and a small mince pie, and that along with the bread I think brought back the back pain and more niggles in the gallbladder that I have today.

  This is a fear enforced diet, because I truly do not want to wake up in the night, go to the bathroom and end up passing out 2 or 3 times again, or have to pull over off the road while driving home from work because I feel as if I am having a heart attack and someone has their hand around my throat. It’s scary!

  I am 57 and have been on the oestrogen patch for 6 years and think that has a lot to do with this (if it is confirmed).

  This site is great!

• Grainne C
  February 28th, 2010 at 11:15 pm

  Julie its all well and good having a healthy diet to try and stop attacks

  but when you have 50+ stones like i had and reoccuring bouts of pancretitus surgery is the only option!!

  You suggest that the sole factor in developing gallstones is peoples diets, obviously not the case when I am only 23 years old and have already had my gallbladder removed as have 2 of my cousins (who were younger than me when they had the surgery), 3 of my aunts, 2 great aunts, my dad, my gran have also been ‘blessed’ with the ‘family jewels’ so putting it down to diet alone is merely a myth.

  Besides when i had my stones I ate zero fat and very little much else as my attacks were easily triggered (prob didnt help my 50+ gallstones made my gallbladder 3 times the normal size) and still ended up with pancretitus so diet isnt everything!!

  And for the person whos asked I’ve tried little bits of the food I used to love (not much cuz dont wanna put on the weight ive lost from my experience might aswel leave with one positive keepsake lol) and i’ve been fine, I was admitted into hospital 5 days after surgery but that was only because a stone got dropped into bile duct after surgery which made me develop pancretitus AGAIN but since ive recovered from that ive felt a million quid I definetely can feel somethin not quite right tho when i eat too much fat an upset stomach at most nothing like before so i can live with this mini side effect

• Karen
  March 1st, 2010 at 12:37 am

  Hi Karen 39 uk

  I have had 4 attacked last week 2 ended up with ambulance to hospital. I have an ultrasound booked for Tuesday. After the 1st ambulance trip i found this website and took the less than 5g of fat on board immediatley. After lots of tablets antibiotics and anti acid I am starting to feel better today. Not sure if it’s gall stones or pancretitus but as long as the pain keeps away that’s all I hope for.

  I have a holiday to the carribean booked to go in just under 3 weeks and very worried about if I can go or if I get an attack while I am there.

  Thanks for all your comments, never wrote on a website like this before but it is has been so helpful and supportive in what has been a very very scary couple of weeks.

• Jenny
  March 1st, 2010 at 1:02 am

  Good grief Grainne, you sure do have a ‘family thing’ going there!!! You have been through a lot. Awful

  So glad that you’re feeling so much better now and, you’re right, the only ‘bonus’ is managing to lose some weight. Are you able to eat red meat occasionally now?

• Jenny
  March 2nd, 2010 at 12:37 am

  Have had my ultrasound and, guess what, no gallstones! Not one! I was amazed as I fully expected them to be there. The only thing she found was a 2.5 x 2.0cm cyst on my liver – can that cause the same reactions as gallstones.

  Anyone else had similar?

• Karen
  March 2nd, 2010 at 9:35 pm

  Had my ultrasound today and confirm I have alot of gallstones but all very small. I presume my gallblader will be removed, but not had anything confirmed. Does anyone know if that will be an automatic result now the gallstones have been confirmed?

• Debbie
  March 5th, 2010 at 1:56 pm

  @Karen. I’ve known I had gallstones for years but my GP said that lots of people live quite happily with them (many never know they have them). They only remove the gallbladder when the pain starts interfering with your life. After being hospitalised last month, my op is scheduled for April/May this year as I don’t want to go through that again.

  I’d be interested to know about diet *after* removal though. Websites say you can eat as normal but my brother says he can’t eat cheese or bacon and only the occasional curry.

• Jamie Lawrence
  March 5th, 2010 at 2:03 pm

  Debbie,
  The only side effects I can think of were after particularly “bold” evenings with friends when we had 2(!) very rich desserts and I felt sick afterwards. I can’t even say this was down to my lack of gallbladder as any normal person wouldn’t have tolerated it either. Everyday eating? Not a problem for me — but everyone’s different.

• Susan
  March 5th, 2010 at 5:41 pm

  Thank you for the information.
  I was diagnosed today – and as a dirt poor college kid eating healthy is hard to do in the first place. Much less when you can’t eat certain things. I was absolutely oblivious to the fact that Gallstones aren’t an “old people” thing.

• Debbie
  March 13th, 2010 at 10:49 pm

  From my somewhat obsessive reading of ingredients on everything in my supermarket, I can conclude that other than the obvious high-fat foods (butter, chocolate, cheese, sausages etc), things to avoid include:
  1) anything Indian (even the packet mixes are high fat), although weight watchers do a low-fat tikka masala sauce
  2) granary bread – surprisingly high-fat due to all the seeds and nuts
  3) seeds & nuts!
  4) most thai foods, though chinese sauces seem to be ok

• Debbie
  March 13th, 2010 at 10:51 pm

  Oh and my wonderful friend has found recipes for fat-free chocolate cake which is delicious, and also biscotti. Does anyone want links if I can find them?

• Debbie Smart
  March 14th, 2010 at 7:40 pm

  hi all,

  just to let you know i have finally had my gallbladder removed yesterday after waiting for 5 months and living on the most boring selection
  of food ever !!

  i had keyhole surgery at 9.30 yesterday and i was on the table for approx 90 mins, and was sent home at 11am today so only 26 hours in hospital.

  i have experienced no pain whatsoever, the only thing i will say is that my stomach is so swollen i look 6 months pregnant !

  im looking forward to introducing my favourite foods back into my diet, all be it slowly !

  id just like to say a huge thank you to everyones imput into Jamies site and also to anyone who has got to have the surgery, its a breeze, go for it !!!!

• Rose
  March 15th, 2010 at 2:42 pm

  I too have gallstones. I did the olive oil and epsom salt cleanse – absolutely gross drinking olive oil …. still feel that dull pain, so assume that the stone is still there. My herbalist tells me that sugar creates the stone, so cut it out. She also suggested lots of chamomile tea. I confess that I smuggle in nougat when I get desperate for something sweet. Otherwise, am going to sit it out and see if her herbal medicine helps before resorting to surgery.

• Laura
  March 17th, 2010 at 3:04 pm

  My doctor told me to stay away from the cabbage family. Which includes brocoli and cauliflower.

• Rox
  March 18th, 2010 at 7:09 pm

  Hiya Guys

  I have been in pain and having attacks since Sept last year, just thought it was Indigestion.
  Until 2 weeks ago, after feeling kinda poorly all day, i started with those massive pains in my belly, through to my back, doubled over in pain, put myself over the stairs trying to straighten up.
  But no chance. After taking tablets, i lasted until Wednesday (although hunched over) my partner took me to A & E , They sent me home saying it was food poisoning, so then i went back at 9am this time needing morphine and to be carried into a & e.
  4 days in hospital, diagnosed with multiple gallstones and now put on a waiting list for the op ive been sent home with pain killers.
  I have changed my diet dramatically, after research by my family, and after a week from being out of hospital and finishing my antibiotics i am just living with the dull pain.
  The worse thing for me, is the lack of energy, i feel sick all the time, and light headed, am even testing my blood sugar, but my dr says its just one of the side effects.

  I am hoping the appointment date comes through sooner rather than later i feel useless.
  Any feedback would be so appreciated, i just want to make sure am not mad ( i feel like it, as i am never ill usually)
  Rox

• Stephanie
  March 18th, 2010 at 11:03 pm

  Hello All!

  Very refreshing to read all of the comments on here, I knew nothing about gallstones until recently!

  I started with bad abdominal pains last year, a one off it seemed, lasting only about 30 mins. I put it down to trapped wind!

  A few months later the pain returned more severely resulting in terrible sickness.
  Thankfully, this went on only about an hour.

  A couple of weeks later I had the pain again (which has always started late at night after a fatty meal! Pizza this time!) and this time it was worse than ever! Lots of sickness and shivers this time.

  After putting off doctors (silly I know!) 3 days later I had the same ordeal as the previous time after having a spicy curry and thought enough is enough!

  I visited my doctor who was wonderful! He examined my abdoman and, after giving me the 3rd degree, suggested I had gallstones. I have been booked in for a blood test and an ultrasound and in the meantime am on omeprazole for excess acid and have been told to cut out saturated fats.

  I have no family history of gallstones (that I or my family are aware of!) but although I am 23, a slim size 10 and am pretty healthy (no previous health problems) I do eat pretty badly, lots of fast food, frozen meals, crisps, chocolate, etc.)

  BUT…Fingers crossed and touch wood! I have not had any pain over the past few days since cutting out all the junk, I may be speaking too soon but I am hoping I will be able to curb the attacks if I am careful with what I eat.

  JULIE…like yourself, my mums friends who was dagnosed with gallstones years ago opted against surgery and cut dairy and bad fats from her diet instead…so far she has been fine! I am hoping I will also be able to follow this route as I feel that, for me, surgery is way too drastic at this stage. However, ask me that during an attack and I might tell you differently.

  My boyfriend has been great but having not suffered with this himself, I think struggles to understand how horrible it actually is! Thanks to all the info on this site I feel I am no longer suffering in silence, it has truly been a godsend.

  Good luck and best wishes to all of you. x

• brissiemum2
  March 23rd, 2010 at 1:19 am

  Your diet advice is very interesting. I suffered a huge attack on the weekend and a minor one prior to this. After scans yesterday, I apparently need the whole bladder out due to a large, lodged stone. Ouch! I was in tremendous pain and am still sore now. While walking the floor in the middle of the night, I kept saying to my husband that the last time I had anything similar was during labor!

  I am also very confused though as my doctor has told me absolutely no yoghurt (not happy about that), cheese, avocado etc. I was even told to steer clear of bananas because they have some fat. I was also told that I have to stick with it as my gall bladder needs to settle before operation. So now, I am searching for anything that is ok to eat.

  It’s all very frustrating and confusing….not to mention painful. I refuse to give up my one cup of tea each day though (hey, I use skim milk!) as it feels like a luxury!

  Also, I would be interested to hear any food suggestions from Australia as we don’t have a lot of the brands here that you mentioned above.

• Jane
  March 23rd, 2010 at 9:17 pm

  Hi everyone

  Unfortunately not all gallstones attacks can be controlled by diet alone as suggested by Julie. Obviously she hasn’t experienced the same level of pain as some of us. I think I would happily have removed my own gall bladder during some of my attacks! I am also fairly slim and don’t have a fatty diet.

  I had been feeling sick, bloated and having niggles for over a year then one night had the most excruciating pains and awful sensation in the upper abdomen in the centre below my ribs. couldn’t move or even touch my skin it was so uncomfortable. Also a tight band around my chest and exteme pain in both sides of my back. Also awful nausea and vomitting. Could hardly breathe let alone move. This went on for 5 hours! Would say just as bad as being in labour ( without the gaps in between contractions!). Would have gone to a & e if hadn’t been middle of night and 2 kids to look after.

  Saw GP next day and he put me down for routine scan and gave me painkillers!

  After over a week of having 2 attacks a day lasting 3 to 5 hours each and having lost lots of weight I finally got a GP to admit me to hospital. ( I was eating very small amounts of fat free food during this time ).

  A scan confirmed gallstones some of which were stuck in the bile duct. I developed a urine infection and jaundice and couldn’t eat or drink much. Despite still having attacks every 6 hours and being sick and very underweight it was another week before I had an ERCP where they widened the duct and removed the stones.

  Except for an attack straight after the ERCP, the attacks have stopped. I am still on a very low fat diet and am waiting for an appointment to remove my gall bladder in a few weeks.

  I think having the gall bladder removed is nothing to what could happen again if I didn’t. It’s worth being seen at hospital as soon as you get symptoms rather than getting to the stage I did.

  Looking forward to getting my life back and eating the Easter eggs I’ll be saving until then!!

• Jane
  March 25th, 2010 at 9:43 pm

  Hi Brissiemum2

  Don’t know whether you have them in Australia but I’ve been eating Muller light yoghurts which are actually fat free and have been OK eating low fat yoghurts which they are plenty off in shops. Also have been eating extra light Philadelphia cream cheese. I know it’s not the same as proper cheese but better than nothing! Managed to find a milk inbetween skimmed and semi skimmed ( 1% fat ) which I’ve been fine with.

  Hope this helps.

• nantic
  March 28th, 2010 at 6:22 pm

  …I have been taking choline and isotol tablets for my gallstone problems and, touch wood, all is well…and the choline is good for the memory, as well!…bonus…

  …IBS has similar symptoms to gall stones, so test for that as well…

• Amanda
  March 28th, 2010 at 9:19 pm

  Stephanie, I had pains last year and thought it was indigestion and it went away. One was in the middle of the night after a Kentucky Fried chicken and one was one Christmas Day in the middle of the night.
  A couple of weeks ago I had terrible back ache on the right side and stomach pain. I phone NHS direct and they sent an ambulance, who diagnosed me with a muscular problem and told me to take codeine and ibuprofen.
  A few days later I had the same and went away, but came back the next day and then the next day. My aunt visited and said that sounds the same as my gallstones.
  I went to my GP the next day and he said it sounded like acid reflux or gallstones. I have to have blood tests and an ultrasound on 20th April.
  He also gave me omperazole, but the side effects on many sights are horrific, with many people suffering bad anxiety attacks and very high blood pressure.
  Im lost now and am wondering if the omeprazole is meant to help my gallstones or only if I have acid relux ???
  I am a very big person and have lost 11 pounds in 12 days as I am so scared what to eat. I live on a couple of crumpets with sparse jam and a couple of rich tea biscuits and apple juice and water. I am so tired too.
  I have been told milk thistle helps and also Cider vinegar (am trying it but god its gross !!!!)
  I had another small attack today which was only about 10 minutes. I was given Nystatin for oral thrush as I am really run down and it containcs ethanol, so am wondering if it was that.
  I think this site is amazing and have been reading it often – thank you
  I also worry as I am larger will they operate.
  Hopeless case eh !!!!

• kevin
  March 30th, 2010 at 6:14 am

  how can i tell if im suffering from gallstone attacks or trapped wind attacks.
  i had a curry for my tea and later on i had severe pain under my righ rib cage, i then spewed up and had severe pain under my right rib cage. i have had an ultra sound on my gllabladder and they found 7 gallstones. we all have gallstones. so how do i find out if i am having a gallstone attack or a trapped wind attack ? please let me know. i dont want to have my gallbladder out if its trapped wind ?

• Gemma
  March 31st, 2010 at 7:51 pm

  hi if you are getting the symptoms of gallstones it is very likely that it is them causing the pain but believe me if you feel it could just be trapped wind it isnt a gallstone attack! you are right it does start under your right rib cage but everybody experiences different symptoms. i get a ‘winded’ feeling in my sternam then a pain under my right rib, it then goes right round into my back and i feel like i cant breathe. the pain gets that intense im on the floor and cant move. you maybe experiencing small attacks but you will know if you get a bad one cos you feel like something is seriously wrong. im having mine out in a few months im really nervous but it has to be done. i have a 2 yr old to look after which isnt easy when u feel like youre having a heart attack lol

• Debbie
  March 31st, 2010 at 10:14 pm

  Muller light yoghurts are a godsend! As is my recipe for fat-free biscotti, weightwatchers curry sauce and crumpets. As a postive, I’ve lost seven pounds in six weeks, so it’s not all bad news.

  @Kevin – sounds like gallstones to me, especially after a curry and thelocation of the pain. Were you wandering the house half the night, unable to get comfortable? I was told gallstone pain is second only to childbirth.

• Debbie
  March 31st, 2010 at 10:19 pm

  @Amanda – you need to eat something or you really will be ill and not strong enough for surgery. And the rest of your body needs *small* amounts of fat. Try pasta and low fat sauces, or chicken and rice or baked potatoes. I cut out all sweets, cakes, biscuits and chocolate and read the fat content of everything I buy – I try to keep below 3% fat and I’ve not had more than faint twinge since I came out of hospital last time.

• Christine
  April 4th, 2010 at 12:02 pm

  This site is fantastic – I had my first attack on Good Friday. I spent 4hours in hospital where they gave me plenty of pain relief before sending me home (my decision).
  I’m due to have a scan this week but I haven’t eaten anything since Friday as I’m too scared of another attack occuring. With help from this diet though I am hoping to finally eat something and stop feeling so faint and tired.
  Thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences… I don’t feel so alone, scared and freakish now!!!

• Stephanie
  April 4th, 2010 at 12:33 pm

  a few weeks on and am still awaiting my ultrasound (obviously not a severe enough case! well, have a dose of the pain mr dr.) however, i have had my bloodtest and all clear with that. its been about 3 weeks of healthy eating and I am pleased to say i have only had one attack which lasted just 15 mins, which was nothing compared to the previous 5 hours pain paralysis and sickness! So fingers crossed this can be diet controlled with some people!

  i have found i am now addicted to apples and pears and snack a jacks! lighter crisps such as quavers and wotsits (sorry if you’re not from the UK!) are ok in moderation too.

  at least people say im looking a lot better, if one good thing has come out of this, i feel much healthier and look it too!

  has anyone else managed to diet control their pains and not needed surgery??

  Stephanie.

• Stephanie
  April 4th, 2010 at 12:35 pm

  oooh and also, been taking the omeprazole for 3 weeks now, (it reduces the amount of acid produced in the stomach to avoid acid reflux) and no side effects from it, so maybe see your doc if you are suffering with it, that isnt right!! x

  Stephanie.

• ikky
  April 6th, 2010 at 1:44 am

  Hi, so I got my gallbladder removed about 4 weeks ago but was hospitalized a week later because a stone had dropped out.That caused even worse and way more intense attacks that had me collapsing on the floor. I’m doing fine now but I feel like my whole digestive system is off and have no tolerance for anything spicy but since I don’t like anything spicy, it’s not that big of a deal. I would like to say what ever treatment you decide, please talk to your doctor. The flushes that are advertized on the net are not healthy. It may flush all of your stones out but can cause severe damage to your gallbladder and liver and stones tend to reform. no need to get hospitalized over a stupid flush. anyways i’m feeling way better thank god that i’m fortunate enough to live in a country that not only has the capabilities of surgery, but also have universal health care (btw I’m from canada). Wish you all the best and hope things go well.

• Liz Swinden
  April 6th, 2010 at 12:08 pm

  Thanks Jamie for your diet tips. Since being diagnosed last week I’ve made lots of changes to my diet (lost my appetite as well but that’s another story) but was really at a loss to know what I could have for snacks so your list has been invaluable.

• Amanda
  April 8th, 2010 at 8:05 am

  I had another attack last night, the only thing I had different was white rice, not sure if it is this ???
  Attack lasted 30 minutes and I am sore now.
  The Dr prescribed omeprazole and I took it for a week and felt very faint. I read all the reviews and it isnt favourable. It mentions panic attacks and also high blood pressure. I had huge panic attacks before and dont really want to go back to them. Does anyone know if omeprazole can help gallstones or if it is just acid reflux it helps.
  I flipping hate this gallstone thing ….
  I am also scared they wont operate as I am really overweight – have lost a stone now in 3 weeks, but could do with losing many more !!! And also scared if they do operate I will die on the table …..
  Im hopeless case….

• Callie
  April 13th, 2010 at 2:13 pm

  I’m glad I found this page! I was in the ER for 6 hours last night and was diagnosed with gallstones-lots of them. My pain started while I was pregnant, but my OBGYN thought it was gas build up. I’m 6 weeks postpartum and I’m experiencing the pain. I’ve been looking for a manageable low-no fat diet, a realistic one, not one that has me running around juicing fruits and vegetables all the time (I have diapers to change and bottles to make!). Although I live in the States and don’t have some of that same brand foods, I can at least find some substitutes!

  Thank you so much! I hadn’t eaten for 2 days because I was afraid the pain would come back, not very good when you have a baby to take care of. Now I can breathe a little easier knowing there is a realistic, manageable diet

• Dianne
  April 14th, 2010 at 3:31 pm

  I had my gallbladder removed 10 years ago with a bout with pancreatitis. Only had sludge in it, but continued with stomach pain for years now. I get horrible flareups, especially when I am stressed alot. And I haven’t been eating right, too much fat in my diet.

  I went to a gastroenterologist yesterday and he thinks I am possibly having a “Gallstone Attack”. I never knew that after having it removed you could still have this happen. He feels maybe a stone went into hiding and is surfacing now. Not a good year!

  Had a kidney stone last fall, 2 root canals at the beginning of the year (still ongoing dental there), and now these stomach issues. I can’t get any test done until June which I hope, doesn’t ruin vacation plans, but it is what it is.

  I hope to be able to continue with the LOW FAT diet. Lost 7 pounds in 2 weeks, afraid to eat because of the flareups. I think we all know that feeling and am starving.

  I am suppose to go on a dairy free diet and can’t take prevacid or prilosec, puts me in worse shape! So hoping all of your tips will help me get back to normal too.

  Good luck! Anyone else had these issues after their GallBladder was removed?

  Have a good day!

• liz
  April 14th, 2010 at 5:06 pm

  would just like to say thanks to everyone out there and this site, i have been having really bad attacts since jan and finally had a scan today to discover yes i have lots of gallstones it’s good to finally find out what has been given me such pain.

  now after looking at the low fat diets and understanding things alittle more hopefully i can get these painfull attacts under control , as just like alot of others out there i have been very scared to eat as i had no idea what was causing the pains and everytime i had an attact felt like i just wanted to curl up and die.

  it’s been very interesting reading the comments made by everyone and hopfully i want have to wait to long for the surgery but will watch what i’m eating in the mean time.

• Debbie
  April 14th, 2010 at 10:19 pm

  I was on omeprazole for years – doc wasn’t sure if it was acid reflux or gallstones initially. Even after a scan he said the pain could be caused by either. Stopped taking the omeprazole after I came out of hospital in Feb.

  According to hospital it is still possible to get gallstones even after removal of gallbladder – they just form in the tubes instead which is even more painful. Nothing like positive thinking, is there?

• Callie
  April 15th, 2010 at 2:02 am

  I’m actually writing this from the hospital. I came back to the ER yesterday with abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting and was admitted. Since then (a few more blood tests, a MRCP, no food/drinks and an IV drip later) they’ve found that I have crazy-elevated enzymes in my liver and pancreatitis along with the gall stones, but at least that my duct is clear. The GI is coming in the AM to go over the findings more and, I guess, go over the next plan of action.

  I’m glad to be here and have things being figured out, but wow I would love to eat something. Or even drink something! LOL At least the pain is gone…for now.

• Carla
  April 15th, 2010 at 2:45 pm

  I would like to thank Debbie Smart I am waiting to go into hospital to have key hole gallbladder removal, you have made me feel better about having it done.At the moment I am ready to burst into tears every other day.I haven’t have a severe attack for about two weeks but I still get mild pain and it is still uncomfortable all the time.Fed up with not being able to eat what I want and always worried I will have a full blown attack at any time.I go back to work next week and just have to wait wish me luck!!

• Amanda
  April 20th, 2010 at 2:42 pm

  I have just come back from my scan and I have between 10 and 15 gallstones. Is that a lot ???
  Guess now I wait for report to go to my GP, and then a hospital appointment.
  I asked this scanner if you could pass gallsotnes and he said no. I always thought you could.
  Does anyone else know ?
  Hope you are all well and attack free.
  Amanda x

• Debbie
  April 21st, 2010 at 8:28 pm

  @Amanda. Chase it up. The hospital should have given you a copy of the letter sent to your GP. Ring the consultant’s secretary and get yourself on the list. If I’d waited for my GP to be in touch, I’d still be waiting.

• Amanda
  April 25th, 2010 at 10:10 am

  Did any of you have a very bloated tummy witth your gallstones. It seems like I have. I have for a couple of days, not sure if its cos I had baked beans or am due on or just because of my gallstone friends !

• Amanda
  April 27th, 2010 at 1:07 pm

  I have bit the bullet and gone private – I am paying half and my parents the other half, so nearly £5000 !!!!!!!!
  The pain is so bloody horrendous. It is booked for the 18/19th May and I am now terrified.
  I am very overweight and my gp said this morning dont worry about keyhole at your weight – I would worry more about the anaesthetic, which has scared me half to death.
  I am very overweight and a big blubbering mess at the moment. The GP said it would be 18 weeks until the NHS can do it and I am in so much pain I cant do it.
  Any larger ladies or gents have this and lived to tell the tale ….. obviously if you didnt live you probably wont answer !!!! LOL
  Look forward to your comments x

• joyce
  April 28th, 2010 at 2:22 pm

  i’ve found out today that i,ve got gall stones but i didn’t know that there’s a diet that can help you lessen the pain so thx so much am gonna watch what i eat.

• Chris
  April 30th, 2010 at 3:12 pm

  Hi Jamie and all

  Many thanks for this website. Best diet info and advice I’ve found so far. I experienced 2 “attcks” within the last week the last one being on Sunday night. Symptoms and pains identical to numerous replies on here. After attending A & E and hospitalised for 15 hours during which time I had an Ultrasound scan and they found two large gailstones.

  I am down for the op’ on 24th May the day after I get back from a holiday in Greece. I did want it doing before, but couldn’t fit us in. I feel because I’m now really watching what I eat, like many on here am quite scared when having any meal, I am not going to enjoy this holiday as much as I normally would.

  Self catering during the day so can be careful but petrified that eating out is gonna be an issue as I have no control over ingredients or how food is cooked.

  Also very scared that I may be taken ill in a foreign climate and have to seek medical help.

  Guess I will just have to grin and bear it as the wife really needs the holiday more than me.

• Mark
  May 2nd, 2010 at 6:35 am

  Hi all – this diet info is so important – I have just returned from the hospital with my fiance in tow as she has just had 3 days of treatment for Gallstones / Pancreatic attacks.

  Now she is on the list for an op in about 2 weeks.

  We are in Rockingham in Western Australia and I could tell at 3am the other night what it was coz I have been down this road too.

  The info in your diet info is the first thing we all google for when we come back from the doc or hospital.

  What can we eat while we wait for the op ?? Its so good to have a simple list of dos and do nots.

  Thanks Mark and Mandy

• winn
  May 4th, 2010 at 12:35 am

  Hi, I have just been told I have gallstones, I’ve got an appointment to see the surgeon on 18th of May, I had not been feeling to good for 3 weeks, loss of appetite, running to the toilet (and i mean NO warning, just get there now) pain on the LEFT side and a tender tummy, and chronic indigestion, was told I had a tummy infection and was given antibiotics and zoton, 4 days after starting the antibiotics I was feeling good so I had one of my fav foods, fried egg on toast (with butter), 2hrs later I was sitting in the after hrs docs surgery, in tears and thought I was going to pass out with the pain…had blood tests and scans, took the results to my own doc, who organized a referral for the surgeon…
  Now here’s the thing, I have been told although the pain may go when you get the gallbladder out you still have to watch your diet very carefully and one bad side effect is the running to the toilet (after every meal)… not nice at all.
  After following a very very low fat diet I have not had any more attacks, indigestion has calmed down.
  I’m now a bit confused wether to wait and see how I go or go ahead and have the op… oh and did I say we (my husband) have a UK holiday booked for 1st June, so the op probably wont happen until after the holiday anyway…
  Anybody else heard any cons about having it done, so sorry to be going on but I don’t know what to do.
  Winn

• christine griffiths
  May 6th, 2010 at 1:57 pm

  I figure i have had gaul stones for nearly two years,i went to my doctor who said take maxalon tablets for the nausia,then when i stressed that i was sick of vomitting and feeling sick my dr decided to send me for an ultrasound.Finally i had a reason for what was happening.Made an appointment to see the surgeon have to wait two months frrr,but i should have my operation with in two weeks of seeing him.I too tried pushing the bounadies and have suffered.I watch what i eat and the attacks are almost daily now.not sure what to do so scared to eat at times.

• Rose
  May 8th, 2010 at 10:52 am

  Hi Chris

  Take a bottle of apple cider vinegar with you on holiday. A tablespoon in some water after a meal out and you should be fine. I find that if I get a niggling pain, the a.c. vinegar takes it away within minutes.

• Callie
  May 11th, 2010 at 3:51 am

  Hey everyone, hope you all are doing well (and attack free!) I’ve had my gallbladder out today. I’m still bloated and a little sore from the surgery, but the doctor said he got everything including the many little gall stones. I have to take it easy food wise for the next few days, but I should be able to go back to my old diet in the not too distant future. Although, I think I may stick with some of the diet after the fact. I ended up losing more of the baby weight because of it and it was pretty healthy.

  Good luck to you all!

• Callie
  May 11th, 2010 at 3:55 am

  P.S. We went with the 5% restriction you came up with Jamie, and it was far easier to follow and less dull and maddening than the diet I got from the surgeon’s office. It made it easier for my hubby, too, as he insisted on eating everything I ate in support of me.

• NINA
  May 12th, 2010 at 2:09 pm

  Oh Dear,I have not been confirmed as having g/stones but sure do have all the symtoms,seen 2 dr each said I had a kindney infection,no, no, no. I persisted it was g/bladder,I’ve had 3 ATTACKS IN THE PAST MONTH, and each time they have lasted all day,I think I’m going to die as the pain is TERRIBLE cant take much more….

• Amanda
  May 12th, 2010 at 8:19 pm

  I am having my operation on Tuesday. I am terrified and crying so much, but cant wait for Wednesday when they say I can go home, all being well.
  Never had an operation before and will be a wreck, but I am so looking forward to having no pain. It is affecting my whole life and I am afraid to go out top far with my children in case I get an attack.
  I dont think many people die from this surgery, so they ??
  I am 41 and should pull myself together !
  Will let you know how it goes – upside is I have lost 35 pounds in 8 weeks, so now not hugely fat, just very lol !

• andrea
  May 14th, 2010 at 11:04 pm

  Had my gall bladder out 2 days ago! I can’t believe how well I feel already. The most pain I’ve had has been around my collarbone. I’m told this is quite common and caused by trapped gas, which they pump up your abdomin with in surgery. A lot of people seem to be looking for pre-op dietry advice, well what got me through was jamies 5% rule. Also light philadelphia cream cheese. I used it as a pasta sauce and also to replace butter in sandwiches. Quorn is also fantastic, its a low fat vegetarian meat alternative, it comes in loads of different forms sausages, sliced(like meat for putting in sandwiches) ready meals-cottage pie is great.
  By the way, don’t think anyone else has mentioned it, but I had a look on youtube to see how they do the op before I went in. My surgeon was really pleased I’d done this, as he said most people don’t have a clue what the op involves.

• Jaly
  May 15th, 2010 at 12:13 am

  I just finished a low fat/low calorie diet, and now I have pain in my stomach and back that the doctor thinks is related to the gallbladder. How common is this as a result of a diet? Also, now that I have this issue (if it IS the gallbladder – I am an ultrasound scheduled in 7 days), is it likely to recur? Since this is probably a result of the diet, is there a good chance this is temporary and will heal on its on? Thanks for any help anyone can give.

• Charles
  May 15th, 2010 at 9:43 pm

  My wife found this web site and it is so very supportive – Thanks all! I am just so glad that I haven’t had to put up with years of this as many of you seem to have.

  I have just been diagnosed with Gallstones after a horrendous week – the symptoms and pain described by all here are completely accurate. The first attach was last Sunday – spent 8 hours wandering around our apartment not knowing where to put myself. Monday was without any pain and just feeling a little “tender” then on Tuesday evening the pain returned with a vengeance! Easing slightly overnight, Wednesday was uncomfortable at work on Wednesday evening I did not know what to do with myself – I saw my GP first thing on Thursday Morning who gave me Zantac and Nexium, this caused the pain to subside over about 2 hours, and now on Saturday it is gone (apart from a little tenderness under the rib cage)

  I was booked in for a ultrasound on Friday (yesterday morning) and there are “multiple large calculi” in the gallbladder. My GP has said that it is best to remove the gallbladder while it is un-inflamed and not in an attack and has suggested that it could be done straight away! However as I am considerably overweight has suggested that I should loose weight (40lbs) as the post-op will be more comfortable. On the Diet!!!!! and as so many have said it’s not hard to do with the sword of Damocles hanging over your head!

  Thanks for the advice and support and dietary advice, to be fair my GP did go through a list of foods that were to be avoided and foods that were “safe”! My attack seems to have been triggered by having scrambled eggs for a light evening meal last Sunday!

  Amanda – Hope the surgery goes well – please let us know how things are going? Best of luck

  Charles

• sandra
  May 16th, 2010 at 1:45 pm

  hi all i am finally due to have my gallbladder removed on thursday and the same as Amanda i am so nervous and i know its a routine op but the things that are going through my mind is silly!!!….this site has been a godsend and without any of you even knowing you have all been a great deal of support well i think i am going to have a nose at you tube now to scare myself even more lol…wishing you all the best of luck with what ever stage you are going through right now and i will come back next week and fill you in with how it all went…….. take care

  sandra

• Amanda
  May 16th, 2010 at 6:43 pm

  Sandra – so glad I am not the only person terrified. I have this thing now I will get a blood clot and I am really dreading the oxygen mask, also going down to be put down !!
  They are keeping me in overnight, but if I get a chance will try and tell you how it is before you go in.
  Charles, I am large and have lost 35 pounds in 7 ish weeks, but still very large. I worry about that too. My BMI is high, but my surgeon says I am ok to have it done and every surgery carries a risk.
  I found a site which did a survey on lap chole on the obese and its made me feel better.
  If you are on facebook, let me know would love to chat with either of you more x

• Callie
  May 16th, 2010 at 9:14 pm

  Amanda- When I went for surgery this past Monday they put sleeves over my legs that inflated off and on for extra precaution against clots. They also gave me a Xanax like medication just before I was taken to the OR to help with any pre-surgery jitters. When I got to the OR they moved me to the operating table and explained exactly what they were doing and why. As they put the mask over my face the nurses asked me about my favorite vacation (2 weeks in Hawaii!!) and told to have sweet dreams. The next thing I remembered was waking up in the recovery room. They moved me to the triage rooms and my hubby was there to greet me. I would think they would do the same for you. And if it makes you feel any better I am a size 18 (US size, if you’re not from the States) and I did fine.

  I was admitted, operated on and home in 7 hours. You will probably be uncomfortable from the air they pump in your abdomen, but my was gone by the next morning. I drank some hot tea, which seemed to make it feel better. The “holes”, as I’ve been calling them, haven’t really bothered me. It just felt sore and stiff, but it wasn’t anything Tylenol couldn’t help. I’m 6 days post-op and I feel just about 100%. I went to the mall with my hubby and son today.

  My surgeon said that yes, it’s a major surgery because it’s an organ removal, but it’s really not that big of a deal, especially as it’s usually done laproscopically.

  Amanda, I wish you the best of luck! Take a deep breath and relax. For once the ends justify the means in a good way. I’ll take minor discomfort for a few days over 2 hours of excruciating pain any day!

• Amanda
  May 17th, 2010 at 7:01 am

  Callie
  Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my worries. It means a lot to me.
  It is now the day before and anxiety still there, but I think it probably is in most people.
  Can I ask how you felt when you came round in recovery and how long before you felt like you werent in a daze from the anaesthesia. I havent had a general before and am curious.
  Thanks x

• sandra
  May 18th, 2010 at 8:58 am

  hi…….callie you put my mind at ease too thank you ……..good luck amanda thinking of you. i am on facebook under the name (sandra thomas smith)…….would be good to see how you are after all this is over!

  take care all
  sandra

• Mel
  May 18th, 2010 at 5:14 pm

  Dear All,

  Thanks for this site/blog – it is the best one I have found so far and I have looked at a lot! I have recently been diagnosed with gallstones and am in the middle of an attack which has been going on for 6 days – not excruciating pain but a constant gnawing under the ribs and feeling nauseous etc. The GP said it wasn’t an infection and would pass but it hasn’t so not sure what to do. She told me to go on a low fat diet and prescribed diclofenac (commercial name Volterol or sth like that) for the pain; they use it for post-ops and arthritis etc, it is an NSAID anti-inflammatory. Has anyone else been given this? It seems to be making my stomach worse, and although it removed the pain on the 1st two days, now it is even relieving that – any other suggestions for pain relief? and how long might this go on for before I go back to the GP?

  Thanks for reading this,

  Mel

• Alex
  May 19th, 2010 at 11:39 am

  HI
  I will be getting my op on the 25th may its the open one .Has anyone had the open ?Thanks

• TorontoMom
  May 19th, 2010 at 7:06 pm

  Has anyone else made the connection between the birth control pill (Yasmin, Yaz, Ocella – in particular) and gallstones? My daughter’s endoscopy surgeon was the first one to remark on this new wave of young women suffering from an older woman’s issue…. There are class action lawsuits in the US/Canada but Health departments don’t seem to catch on…

• Debbie
  May 19th, 2010 at 7:51 pm

  Hey Amanda – hope it went OK for you. I’m next week on 27th. Went for a pre-op assessment and they gave me 50-odd pages of literature on everything that can go wrong. I’m amazed anyone signs consent forms at all! Suspect they are all just covering themselves aginst litigation. I was doing OK until last weekend when I had another attack – not so bad but reminded me why I was having this done!

• JenP
  May 19th, 2010 at 9:09 pm

  Agreed—this is the best site I’ve seen for gallbladder support. However, not sure that is my problem. Wondering if any other women have run into this:

  6 weeks ago, woke up one morning feeling fine, started for work, and suddenly doubled over in pain. Worst pain ever, couldn’t sit still. Eventually went to the ER where I had a CT scan. It showed just the TIP of my appendix was inflamed, so they sent me home and told me if it really is appendicitis, I’d be back later that night. Nothing ever happened. I sloooowly felt better, but was out of work for days. The ER Dr recommended I get a colonoscopy, which I did last Tuesday. All clear!

  Jump to this past Saturday and there I was again, DOUBLED-OVER in pain after a fatty, delicious meal. It was worse this time and with vomiting. So my husband found a checklist of gallbladder symptoms online and sure enough, I had every symptom. That attack lasted a good 36 hrs. I avoided the ER this time and took Pepcid & Pepto, which were almost useless. Had ultrasound Monday and nothing was abnormal, no stones, nothing inflamed. HUNH? There was a teeny polyp (>.5mm) on gallbladder, but Dr said it was nothing. Bloodwork shows inflammation (possibly in intestines?), but organs all doing their job. I’m having an upper endoscopy Friday to look for anything else.

  What did show up on ultrasound were fairly large cysts on my ovaries (this is why I thought there was a better chance women would have this experience!) I already know about these cysts from fertility issues, they are endometriosis. I’m wondering if anyone has had a cyst bleed into itself, mimicking the symptoms of a gallbladder attack?

  OR has anyone—men included!—had the frustration of being told your gallbladder is clear, only to find later that it isn’t? Does a gallbladder only appear inflamed on an ultrasound in the middle of an attack? Did I get the ultrasound too late?

• amanda
  May 26th, 2010 at 12:27 pm

  Out hospital yesterday with a bile drainage bag. Operation was 3 hours long, as they found stone in bile duct. They had to cut, remove and stitch.
  Weekend pain in right side, which they are telling me is bad constipation. Havent passed much so probably is, dr reckoned he could feel it.
  Liver blood tests were raised, had ultrasound and he said bile around liver still to drain and a touch in pelvis which will absorb. If there was a problems this would hopfelly have picked it up.
  Feel like I cant see the end at the moment. Very down and sorry for myself

• Debbie
  May 26th, 2010 at 9:55 pm

  @Amanda. You poor thing! Big hugs. Hope you’re feeling better soon. I’m due in tomorrow morning – fingers crossed.

• Debbie
  May 26th, 2010 at 9:58 pm

  @Amanda – I’m on facebook if you want to chat when I’m back: http://en-gb.facebook.com/people/Debbie-Bennett/100000290242178

• ALEX
  May 27th, 2010 at 10:32 pm

  HI all
  To Amanda and Debbie hope you are both well .
  I had my op on the 25th may at 4 30 and was in for three hours……… but the good news I got key hole which they said I could not have as I had so many other scars they thought it could not be done I got out in less that 24 hours and they said no follow up so I think thats good …………just to let you know I am in just a small amount of pain hope things went well for you Debbie

• Stephanie
  May 28th, 2010 at 12:27 pm

  I have just been for my ultrasound! I am stuffed with gallstones booo. GP recommends gallbladder is whipped out and has refered me to a surgeon to talk about my options. Since changing my diet though, the pains havent returned as severely as they were so I’m in two minds as to what to do!? I thought gallbladder removal was for people who couldnt cope anymore!!

  Just wondered though if other people who know they have gallstones, do you have constant niggling discomfort in the abdomen area? I have had for the past couple of weeks and its driving me mad.

  Good luck to everyone going for/who have had the op recently. x

• Jamie Lawrence
  May 28th, 2010 at 12:42 pm

  Yeah, even on a low fat diet a niggling pain/ache seems to be quite common. Kinda like you’ve pulled a muscle or something. In fact, I know someone who never had an attack but had gallstones which were causing this aching pain. She had her gallbladder out and is fine now.

• celia field
  May 28th, 2010 at 1:04 pm

  hi jamie well done for publishing the diet ive been suffering for about 2 years and kept on going back and forth to GP all for her to say oh its ??? take this and give it a go………….. nothing ever worked im waiting on an ultrasound to see whats happening so fingers crossed the other thing it gets blamed on is my weight so im following an ultra low fat diet so they cant blame that no more!!! I am sooo fed up with the pain so hopefully i will get scanned soon and try to get to the bottom of whats going on!!!! I feel for everyone of you all that suffer from this as it is a bain in my life , I HATE IT take care all xxxxx

• Debbie
  May 29th, 2010 at 3:38 pm

  Back at home. All went OK with keyhole surgery – took about 90 mins. Kept in hospital overnight. Very sore and bruised with lots of little bits of stitching but nothing that paracetamol and codeine can’t cope with. Definitely worth the op.

  And just to make you all smile – I’m 46 and I *still* asked if somebody would hold my hand while they were giving me the anaesthetic, coz I was scared!

• sandra
  May 29th, 2010 at 6:36 pm

  aww amanda i hope u r feeling better soon i know how terrified u were feeling …and debbie i am so glad there are people like me around i think i would like my hand held too!!!….i ws meant to have my op on 20th may i got to hospital at 7.3oam and i was waiting to go down and at 3pm i was cancelled i was so fed up….but heyho my next date is 19th june so here goes all the worryin and workin myself up again…….hope u all feel better soon

• amanda
  May 30th, 2010 at 2:09 pm

  I ended up having another operation on Friday. I had it under general, as I was so nervous. Had an ERCP and Sphincterotomy !
  The gallstone they had to cut out of the bile duct was in an awkward place, and it hasnt healed, so bile was still leaking in to my drainage bad very badly.
  They put a stent in to help the bile go elsewhere until it heals. This will be in for about 3 months and then removed.
  The drainage has almost stopped and I feel almost human – drainage bag out Thursday.
  All the constipation pain obviously wasnt that at all ! I am still huge but have lost 48 pounds since this started a few weeks ago – hell of a diet !!!
  Looking forward to feeling like me again and being a Mum to my daughters – my Mum has had my 4 year old since 18th May, although I do see her everyday. A hangy down bag stictched in to my tummy and a bouncy 4 year old dont mix !
  Dont let my experience put any of you off the op – I was an isolated case. There is no pain like the pain of gallstones and no one should suffer that as part of their lives.

• sandra
  May 31st, 2010 at 9:52 am

  amanda i am so sorry to hear this how awful for you….i really do hope ur back on ur feet asap….. get well real soon take care hon x

• Bob White
  May 31st, 2010 at 9:59 pm

  Great advice about gallstone diet. What you eat and don’t eat are a great start to begin passing your gallstones naturally. After all, unhealthy diet is usually one of the main factors in forming gallstones in the first place.

  I’ve started following some of your suggestions. Especially helpful has been to cut back cheese and oily nuts, such as peanuts.

  I’ve also had great success with the advice on this website:

  http://www.gallstoneadvice.com

  The suggestions they give there have helped me to erase my gallbladder pain and I’ve even passed a few gallstones so far.

  Best wishes on treating your gallbladder pain.

• nicole smiley
  June 1st, 2010 at 12:55 am

  i have had galstones for over a year because i was told i had a bad case of acid reflux.not to mention that i had a infection that caused heartburn so i had that pain in the upper abdoman then the galstone pain in the upper abdoman so i was really having alot of attacks but now we have cured the infection annd i go to surgery next week to remove the galstones(or should i say the whole galbledder) im just trying to go the next week without having any attacks. so thanks for the diet tips im going to try it! thanks alot!!!!!!!!!

• Linda
  June 1st, 2010 at 9:33 pm

  Have had symptons on and off for years. Dr thinks its very bad IBS but sent me for gallbladder scan just incase. Had scan today but couldn’t see any stones although nurse said gallbladder was contracted even though I hadn’t eaten for 6 hours beforehand as I’d been told to. IBS and gallbladder symptoms seem very similar – anyone had the two conditions confused by Drs before? Got to return to Dr in 2 weeks for full results.

• ALEX
  June 1st, 2010 at 11:42 pm

  Hi amanda
  Sorry to hear you had another op…………hope you fell better soon .

• ALEX
  June 1st, 2010 at 11:45 pm

  Hi Amanda

  Sorry to hear you had another op ……….hope you feel better soon .

• ALEX
  June 2nd, 2010 at 7:17 am

  HI All

  Can anyone help I had my key hole last week and have felt good not much pain ……… but .my back has been very sore for the last few nights I have had trouble with number2 so I thought it might be that ……………through the night last night I had what seemed like a attack back and under both ribs it lasted for a half a hour until the pills worked …….I only had soup not fatty stuff ……..has anyone else had this after there op? ………

• Debbie
  June 3rd, 2010 at 4:00 pm

  @Alex. 7 days since my op and I’ve not had any problems other than soreness and bruising. Still been eating low-fat although i did have chips today for the first time in over 3 months! I did have backache for a few days but I put that down to tense muscles caused by walking and sitting awkwardly with stitches in tummy!

• ALEX
  June 4th, 2010 at 8:23 am

  Hi Debbie
  I have been fine since but I was a wee bit worried that there was a stone in there if i get it again i will go back to the doc .

• sandra
  June 8th, 2010 at 11:59 am

  hi all you past and present sufferers of gall stones iv been suffering really bad for the last five months thelast four weeks as been hurrendus to say the least i only found this website two days ago wish i,d have found it sooner im sure it would have helped me a great deal im due for my gall bladder removel this evening the only way i can desribe the pain its like being in labour nearly every nite but theres light at the end of the tunnel for me now just on countdown for five o,clock this evening will let you no how it go,s well done jamie for a fab website and to everyone for their experiances

• Adine
  June 11th, 2010 at 3:26 pm

  Great site, is it not an option to have gallstones lasered (removed) rather than having the gallbladder removed, I’m hoping I shall get that as a first option. Also is <5grams fat for the day per 100 grams or what?!! AND, can I have the banana muffin recipe, AND thanks Diane for the Norfolk and Norwich hospital leaflet re foods one can eat, very useful, I was confused re use of olive oil, but it is clearly a no-no according to them, anyone have any differing info as I should love to be able to use it. Thanks Jamie for creating this site, it is a godsend.

• amanda
  June 12th, 2010 at 4:41 pm

  I am still having backache, but have no pain now in tummy at all, so think stent has done the job with that !
  I have read on other sites that back pain is common after – I am now 31/2 weeks on from Lap Chole and 2 from ERCP. My Mum keeps telling me I have had 2 general anaesthetics and to let my body get back to normal as things have been moved in there !
  I think I stress because I thought it was going to be plain sailing and it clearly wasnt. My liver enzymes are still elevated, but surgeon said she isnt concerned as they are coming down with each blood test I have …… so keep thinking if she was concerned she would have done something.
  My drain hole has now started to heal which is fantastic – having it out was not the best . It had started to scab over and so they had to take the scabs off with tweezers … the actual pipe coming out was painless. Feels so lovely not to have that anymore.
  Did anyone else have some back pain ?
  I am driving now again and thats wonderful too.
  Good Luck to all of you, this is a great site.
  Anyone wants to get in touch, I am on facebook – Amanda Hall

• sandra
  June 13th, 2010 at 2:54 pm

  well i had my gallbladder removed last tues evening at 5.30 i was back in my room before 7 apart from feeling sick and a little pain and discomfort all was well i was back home the following day and now four days later i feel good eating things i,ve not in a long time and now pain free(yay) wishing all go,s well for you gall stones sufferers and once again thanks to jamie for a brill website

• sandra
  June 15th, 2010 at 7:52 am

  hi amanda glad to hear ur on the road to recovery!!!…..i have my gallbladder op on saturday i am so nervous …….sandra its good to hear ur storey too cant wait till its all over my life feels its been on hold the last 6 months!!! o well good luck to all and wishin everyone a speedy recovery hopefully next time i come on here it will be to tell u all of my experience

• sandra
  June 16th, 2010 at 12:11 pm

  hi sandra hope all go,s as well for you has it did for me like you my life as been on hold but every thing will soon be back to normal for you im going on holiday next week so really looking forward tothat let us know how you go on all the best im on face book if you would like to contact me good luck amanda so sorry it was,nt has straight forward for you but you,ll be back on track soon best wishes to you and all you sufferers i think unless you have experianced these attacks no one know how bad it is and can appreciate the feelings of other suffers good luck to you all sandra spick

• Claire
  June 18th, 2010 at 12:39 pm

  Hi I have just been diagnosed as possibly having gallstones won’t really know until my scan next week. But after reading some of your messages I’m not sure my symptons are the same, I don’t have any stomach problems at all. I have pain sort of under my right shoulder (not unbearable) but suffer a lot from high temperature and nausea. Is is possible to catch the symptons early before the pain gets too bad, or do you think I have something else. I’m a bit confused – has anyone any advice

• Jamie Lawrence
  June 18th, 2010 at 1:27 pm

  Everyone is different but pain/aching/tightness under the right shoulder/ribs area is classic gallstones. The scan and a doctor will confirm it though.

• nina
  June 20th, 2010 at 3:49 pm

  Hi Everyone, This is my second time on this site,first time was in May,have been suffering with GALLSTONES symtoms since then,my dr and 2 others persisted I had a kidney infection.I have been in constant agony for over a month now with pain,I have’nt ate really, living on weeabix and fruit.I dont wont to eat,i feel so sick all the time and very constapated.At last my dr is sending me to have a scan of gallbladder,liver and kidneys,after I said I was’nt moving from the practise till he did so,he say’s it should be in the next 3 weeks.I cannot stand the pain,and crying all the time coz no one beleives the pain I’m in,I know myself it’s the GALLBALADDER after reading all the posts on here I have all the symtoms,I’m at my wits end,even sitting here as I type I could scream the place down,what am I to do??????Can someone please give me some advice????

• sandra
  June 20th, 2010 at 7:30 pm

  hi nina sorry can,t give you any advice only to hang on in there . feel so sorry for you and all the people thats suffering i had my gall bladder removed nearly two weeks ago after five months of painful sleepless nights alls well now pain free !!!!!!!!!!!! hopefully once you had your gall stone confirmed things will get moving pretty quickly for you. keep us informed as to how things are going for you.

• NINA
  June 20th, 2010 at 9:36 pm

  Hi Sandra,Thanx for your kind thoughts,in the past few hours the pain has eased just a little,hate going of to bed dreading what 2morro will be like,,,please GOD let the pain ease more.I’m going to try the diet that has been posted will try anything really,dr has given me morphine tablets but they seem to set me cuckoo…If the pain and the sicky feeling goes for a few days it should make me feel better,then maybe I shall start eating again,please,please GOD let me have a few days pain free.Now that I have found a place to let my feelings go I will never be away from the p.c.Again thankyou Sandra for your thoughts,Talk to you again soon….

• NINA
  June 20th, 2010 at 9:43 pm

  Linda, I also have I.B.S. have had it for 20years and yeap it can be very painful but NOTHING like the dreaded Gallbladder,I would rather be in labour than have this AWFUL pain,it’s been on going for over a month,I.B.S is a differant pain altogether and the symtoms vary from person to person,hope all goes well for you,Take Care……

• sandra
  June 21st, 2010 at 6:45 am

  hi nina i would try jamies diet i only found the website two days before i had my gallbladder removed im sure it would have helped me the thing is as good as my doc was i was,nt given any advice or help in any way there should be more help out there it, a good job there,s people out there like jamie and it,s nice to know your not alone and to talk to someone hope you get some restbite from your pain speak to you soon.

• nina
  June 21st, 2010 at 2:38 pm

  Hi Sandra, Can you please give me some advice,can an attack last for days,I was niggly this morning,but by 12noon I was in dreadful pain I thought I was going to pass out in Tesco(getting some of Jamie’s diet items),,it lasted about 15mins then passed leaving me with pain that I can tolorate,JUST!!!.It’s really getting me down and really,really scared as I’ve had pain most days over the past 2 weeks.I dont go out unless someone is with me.Husband wonted to take me to A&G today but I’m soooooooooo so scared as I dont like hospitals,to many bad memories with other operations..Can you please advise on how long these dreadful attacks can last,as I’ve said dont like to take morphine…Please help.X.

• Debbie
  June 21st, 2010 at 4:30 pm

  @Nina. My worst attack was about 14 hours or so until I got admitted to hospital and they gave me some decent painkillers. I guess since the pain is often caused by a stone stuck in the ducts then it can go on until something dislodges the stone. You really should go to your doctor (my GP gave me the hsopital referral meaning I could go straight to the surgical ward rather than to A&E). Or if not, do go to A&E if it doesn’t go away.

• sandra
  June 21st, 2010 at 6:23 pm

  hi nina my attacks never lasted any longer than six hours i only ever had them at nite never in the day i read if you in pain longer than eight hours you must go to a&e . you might get sorted out quicker .you cant carry on like that every day i know its scary but get yourself off to a&e or like debbie says to your GP be thinking of you ,keep us informed .

• nina
  June 21st, 2010 at 7:17 pm

  Hi Sandra and Debbie, Thanx for the advice,have taken a morphine tablet for the pain,it has eased it a good bit but like I said hate em…Yeap I think I shall need to go to A&E,MY HUSBAND IS GOING MAD AT ME…It’s just that I am really really scared and nearly in tears just thinking about it,oh gosh!!!…Thanx again to both of you,will let you know how I go on..xxx..

• sandra
  June 21st, 2010 at 8:47 pm

  hi all just to let you know i had my gallbladder removed saturday just gone i am now at home recovering all went well…….so glad its over i feel sore but i can cope with that!!! the best thing i ever did was go to a&e when i had an attack back in jan…..Nina i do hope u get this sorted the pain is awful and its not fair u have to go through this if u feel brave enough go to a&e and get some help all the best let us know how u get on all the best

• sandra
  June 22nd, 2010 at 7:32 am

  hi sandra glad all went well for you ,its such a relief isnt,it ? no more pain!!!!!!!!!!!!! wishing you a speedy recovery . Nina hope its not to long before you get sorted out just let us know.

• sandra
  June 22nd, 2010 at 7:51 am

  hi sandra thank you its such a big relief it feels weird not havin that constant nagging pain it felt like a stitch and the only pain is the soreness and i have a slight pain in my shoulder but i have been told thats where the air escapes after the op which i found really strange…… i feel like a new woman lol…wishin everyone all the best

• nina
  June 22nd, 2010 at 5:14 pm

  Hi Sandra,No I never went to a&e today,to scared,I have felt alot better today just the odd niggle and have ate a bit better too,husband still not happy,if I keep feeling like this over the next 3 weeks I shall just wait until the scan appointment comes through,but know if I get worse husband WILL take me to hospital,anyway I’m so glad the other Sandra is sorted and wish her a full recovery,thanx again girls for all your good wishes,x.

• sandra
  June 23rd, 2010 at 6:54 am

  hi nina glad your feeling a little better hope it stays that way for you untill the scan be thinking of you x

• sandra
  June 23rd, 2010 at 7:53 am

  all the best nina let us know how u get on take care x

• sandra
  June 23rd, 2010 at 12:53 pm

  hi sandra how you feeling now has the pain gone in your shoulder take care not to do to much to soon x

• nina
  June 23rd, 2010 at 5:49 pm

  Hi Sandra, Again a good day (thanks be to GOD),only the odd niggle or 2 but nothing compared to what it’s been like over the past 2 weeks.Think all the worry was’nt making things any better for me.I’ve been sticking to Jamie’s diet and will do for as long as it takes…Hope the other Sandra is feeling better today,again thanx again girls for all the good wishes,Talk to you again soon,xx…

• sandra
  June 24th, 2010 at 7:54 am

  hi not feelin to bad think i might of overdone it a little yesterday but payin for it today!! feelin sore and bloated…..no pain in shoulder today though …..take care ladies xx

• Stephanie
  June 24th, 2010 at 1:09 pm

  Hi again!
  Nina you seem to be going through it, I feel your pain…literally! As it seems many other are/have too!
  I’ve been living on cereal and fruit as I daren’t eat much else after a series of bad attacks, one lasting 10 hours and crippling me!
  After being diagnosed with ‘a gallbladder jammed with stones’ a few weeks ago, I have just been to the hospital this morning and have been advised by a surgeon that I have the removal as I’m only young and quite slim but am loosing weight fast….now just have to get through 8 weeks without crumbling under the pain attacks!
  I have an achey back and abdomen as we speak and just waiting for the pain to get worse…fingers crossed it doesn’t.
  Nina you really should go to hospital if you cannot cope with the pain though, no one should have to suffer.
  Glad everything went well for you Sandra’s.. .. its nice to hear there is light at the end of the tunnel!
  Good luck once again everyone. x

• NINA
  June 24th, 2010 at 5:29 pm

  Hi Stephanie,Thanx for the good wishes,not to bad today,a bit sore on the right shoulder blade but not anything I cant cope with.I’m due for a scan in a couple of weeks so we shall see what the outcome is then,as I said I’m teffified as I’ve had about 10 operations in my life,last one was for epectopic and that scared me sooooooooooo much,I could go on with more but that put the nail on the head….How old are you Stephanie??,being slim helps when you have surgery but not to thin,I was 7st when I had my last op,as far as food goes,I have been on the Jamie diet for the past 2 days,but like you I’ve been eating cereral and fruit for over a month now. I dont know if you like heinz soup or not but I tried the oxtail and pea and ham one’s yesterday and today,touch wood I’ve been o.k. I’m a pure curry freak chinese and indian,oh,what I would do for one now….Being from Scotland I drink or use to loads of Irn Bru,our other national drink and would kill for some now…Yeap like you Stephanie I’m scared to eat and did’nt eat anything for 3 days,I was like a zombie,anyway enough of me,hope by the time you read this you will be feeling a little better,Talk to you soon,x.

• nina
  June 24th, 2010 at 10:25 pm

  Sandra, Hope you feel much better 2 morro,I’ve been o.k. for the past 2 days but 2 day my shoulder blade is sore…Please take it easy 2morro Sandra there are plenty other days ahead.x.

• ALEX
  June 24th, 2010 at 11:30 pm

  Hi
  Amanda Hall
  Just to let you know I had my op last month and I still am having backache and I have not went back to eating fatty food.I had one meal out and it was pie and I felt sick all day and had a sore back so I think it is going to take me a while to eat full fat again if ever How is your back now ?

• Stephanie
  June 25th, 2010 at 12:25 pm

  Hi Nina,
  I’m 23…a little on the young side to be suffering gallstones apparently but the surgeon I saw yesterday said he had operated on someone as young as 6! Poor little thing.
  Anyway…the pain flaired up again yesterday as expected and stayed well into the early hours, abdominal and back pains. I trundled off to the doctors this morning feeling sore and sorry for myself and they have put me on Tramadol (painkiller) and Diclofenac (anti inflammatory) to take as soon as I feel another attack coming on! Fingers crossed they have some sort of effect, but I’d rather not have to try them!! if they don’t work it’s something morphine based next time.
  Perhaps you could see your doctor for some better pain relief too?
  And thanks for the soup advice! I too am an Indian/Chinese food junkie and missing it so much! Tough isnt it!! I had been eating the odd bit off Chinese up until a few weeks ago and was ok but daren’t now! Only had a pear yesterday and the pain kicked in
  Hope you’re feeling ok today!

• nina
  June 25th, 2010 at 4:35 pm

  Hi Sandra,Hope you are feeling much better today and have had plenty of rest since over doing it the other day,maybe you should just lie in the sunshine and enjoy it while you can,Take Care x.

• nina
  June 25th, 2010 at 4:45 pm

  Hi Stephanie,Hope the pain killers work for you and that you do get some relief,I was on tramadol and they were of no use,so dr put me on 10mg of morphne every 6 hrs,I dont take them until I cant bear the pain,today has been my best day this week(thanks be to GOD)an odd twinge that’s all.Yeap Stephanie you are young to have this dreadful condition,my next door neighbour was only 26 when she had her g/bladder removed.Me I’m a young 52 year old and really terrified about hospitals,so want go until the blue light flashes.My scan is due in a couple of weeks and dont really know what I’m going to do if they say g/bladder needs removing……Anyway Stephanie I’ll be thinking about you and try to eat,I’ve been making and eating alot of homemade soup,try that girl,anyway hope you are pain free by the time you reads this,Talk to you soon,x.

• nina
  June 25th, 2010 at 4:50 pm

  Other Sandra, Just a wee note to say since Tuesday I’ve been almost pain free hip hip hooray.Today has been my best so far(thanks be to GOD)Just a little niggle,been living on homemade soups and loads of fruit,cant be bad,not really intrested in any sort of meat at present,anyway Sandra thanx for your good wishes and thoughts,be thinking about everyone over the weekend,so enjoy the sunshine while we all can,xx.

• Stephanie
  June 25th, 2010 at 7:00 pm

  yep fine at the moment, not holding out much hope for the painkillers now though hadn’t realised you had tried them!
  ive never had surgery so probably naive to it but i figured once you’re asleep you dont know anything else and then things can only get better! i used to dread having my first operation but now cant wait as I just want to get rid of my gallbladder, I had hoped I could live with it but it has just got worse. Can’t go on like this forever! I hope your pain stays away too Nina, the good days are a blessing!

• sandra spick
  June 25th, 2010 at 7:25 pm

  Hi sandra hope you taking things easy now i did exactly the same as you did too much too soon so take it easy tomorrow another day Nina hope you can get through the few weeks without the pain bein too bad icould still cry when i think about that pain !! stephanie glad the pain killers work for you hope you get sorted out soon i,m going on holiday tomorrow night (a well needed one ) a little scared of flying so soon after my op but only short flight so doc says i,ll be fine i will be back in touch with you ladies in two weeks till then take care will be thinking of you all.

• sandra spick
  June 25th, 2010 at 7:47 pm

  hi sandra hope you are taking thing easy now(tomorrow another day ) i did the same thing regreted it the day after. nina hope the diet works and helps keep the pain at bay i can understand you bein scared of op,s but just keep thinking you,ll be pain free,i could still cry when i think about the pain, stepanie hope the pain killers work for you they was,nt much good for me but not everyones the same hope you get your op soon i,m going on holiday tomorrow a little scared of flying so soon after my op but it,s a short flight so doc says i,ll be fine you take care ladies will be in touch when i get back (my gallstone buddies ).

• ALEX
  June 26th, 2010 at 6:52 am

  Hi
  Can anyone tell if they get attacks after they have had the gallbadder op I am having one now and I had the op a month ago ……….It is not as bad as before but I have not eaten any fat stuff ……….can anyone help

• nina
  June 26th, 2010 at 3:26 pm

  Hi Stephanie, Glad you are feeling a bit better,are you eating much?? No chinese or indians over the weekend,oh I could kill for one,the smell from the chinese take away is wafting through my window,it smells devine,but oh no when I think about the pain I would be in,if I gave in….I have’nt ate a proper diner in about a month,not really missing it…I stick to ceral,soups and fruit,not to bad if it keeps the pain away,again other good day and again(thanks be to GOD)…Anyway keep smiling Stephanie,talk to you soon.x.

• nina
  June 26th, 2010 at 3:29 pm

  Sandra, Enjoy every minute of your holiday,talk to you when you get home,hopfully will still be pain free and maybe appointment will be in for scan..ENJOY!!!!! XXXXXXX…..

• shirley
  June 28th, 2010 at 2:46 pm

  Hi All,
  Ditto x infinity…
  Yep, all of the above, 3 attacks so far. Hospitalised last time 11/6/2010.
  Thought i was going to die…obviously didnt. lol…
  Am not over weight (8st 6oz) but i could eat chocolate till i pop(which i almost did)…
  Thought my diet was ok,ish. but since hospital like lots of you i was scared to eat!
  I am surviving on, and enjoying, the following;
  Wraps with cooked chicken,lettuce,cucumber with a dab of chilli and a squeeze of lemon s+p.
  Muller rice.
  dry white wine.
  jaffa cakes.
  I have been fine since and lost a pound or two as a bonus! (Im only 5 foot tall )
  Im 47 and awaiting the appointment for gall bladder removal surgery.
  Am scared stiff and will cancel if i get no more pain. I have everything crossed!!!!!
  Thank god for this site, Its scary when you dont know others in same boat.
  THANKS ALL. XXX

• Stephanie
  June 29th, 2010 at 2:28 pm

  Hi Nina….not eating a great deal, fruit, cereal, natural yoghurt for breakfast, cereal for lunch and usually fish for dinner if i can stomach anything. Same day in day out! Getting really boring, considering my old diet was mainly chooclate, crisps and takeaways! …I dared to have a Kit Kat about 10 minutes ago though so now I’m praying I won’t be ill in a hour!!!
  To be honest though, gallstone pain aside! I do feel much better without all the rubbishy foods and certainly won’t be going back to my old diet!
  How are you feeling at the moment?
  Shirley!…Jaffa Cakes! What a FABULOUS idea thank you!! x

• NINA
  June 29th, 2010 at 5:20 pm

  Hi Stephanie,Good hearing from you again and hope you have been fine since the kit kat,at least you are eating.I had some lamb tika at the weekend Stephanie and was fine,phew,I was terried for about 2hrs after eating it…I have been almost pain free for a week now(thanks be to GOD).Only a little twinge here and there,got appointment in for scan 12th July,em!! scared,but at least we will see if it is or not g/stones.Hope you had a nice weekend and enjoyed the sunshine,must go as it’s time to eat…Talk to you soon.x.

• NINA
  June 29th, 2010 at 5:22 pm

  Shirley,White Wine,phew,glad it does’nt affect you,would love to try but to scared,would rather not suffer that awful pain…

• shirley
  July 1st, 2010 at 10:41 am

  Hi Nina and Steff,
  I was scared of the wine but my gp said it was ok and might even help!!! I must admit i didnt need a lot of encouragement.
  I havnt had any probs for last two weeks, except
  EVERY time i eat i burp a lot(never used too)
  Do you know if this is normal for gallstones, or is it this new healthy diet!!!
  Thanks in anticipation…

• NINA
  July 1st, 2010 at 9:29 pm

  Hi Shirley, Have’nt a clue about the burping,come to think about it I sometimes do it,anyway I shall try a glass of blossom hill at the weekend,can’t wait to try some as I’ve not had a drink since xmas awe!!!!So are you going to stick to the diet Shirley or having the operation???If my scan shows up that I have the dreaded g/stones I shall be keeping them,as I am terrified of op’s having about 10 of them in the past.I have been sticking to the low fat diet myself,seems to help me alot as I was curry mad,full of the wrong fats,anyway nice speaking to you and hope that you stay pain free,talk to you soon,x.

• NINA
  July 1st, 2010 at 9:33 pm

  Stephanie, R, u o.k. Hope that kit kat did’nt cause u bother and that u are well,hope so.I’ve had a niggly back most of the afternoon and dreadful heartburn,dont know why,as I’ve been careful with food..Talk to you soon hun,take care x.

• Jaye
  July 2nd, 2010 at 12:49 am

  Hi all! I am so glad to have found this site. I had my first and only attack a month ago. I was in severe pain and sick for 3 days and thought I had food poisoning. I finally went to Emerg. and they said it was probably my appendix or gall bladder. I had a CT Scan and it showed that my gall bladder was infected and swollen because a stone had gotten lodged in the neck of my gall bladder. I was in the hospital for 2 days on IV antibiotics and then sent home with 2 different anitibiotics for 10 days. After a few days at home I was better and have been fine since. It’s been a month.

  I am following a very low fat diet and found Jamie’s list very helpful. I am scared to try a lot of things but do fine with skinless boneless chicken breasts and fish of all types. I use no oils or butters, just cooking spray. I eat a lot of rice, potatoes, and some pasta depending on the fat content. I use lemon juice to season or fat free sour cream. On my pasta noodles I put Healthy Choice Pasta Sauce which has no fat in it. On salads I use Balsamic Vinegar (the real vinegar, not the salad dressing) or lemon juice. I tolerate all fruits and vegetables. I am fine with low fat breads (I really watch the labels) and put jam, low fat or fat free Philly, or apple butter spread. I have found Cheeta Puffs are a good snack and potatoe chip substitute, and Kavli crackers are good too. I only drink skim milk and use fat free processed cheese slices and low fat or non fat yogurt. Apple sauce and no sugar added jello are great snacks too. As for other beverages I drink water or herbal tea. I was told to stay away from alcohol and caffeine and nothing fizzy. Oh yeah, Starbuck’s will make a non fat herb tea latte which is a nice treat. It’s just the herb tea, hot water, and steamed skim milk. Good!

  Has anyone tried Angel Food Cake for a dessert treat? It is fat free so I am going to try some this weekend. I bought some fat free Cool Whip to put on it and then I am going to top with berries. It should be fine. There is also a low fat yogurt popsicle that’s nice in the heat that I enjoy.

  I saw my surgeon on Tuesday and I am tentatively scheduled for gall bladder removal on July 19th, but that’s on a cancellation list, so if it doesn’t work out then I am booked for July 26th. I can’t wait to get it over with and being able to eat a few more things. The good news is, I have lost 16 pounds being on this low fat diet! I am going on a cruise in August so I am assuming I am going to gain some of it back!!

  Thanks for all your helpful tips and comments everyone.

• Debbie
  July 2nd, 2010 at 4:42 pm

  Thought people might like an update: 5 weeks post-surgery I am almost back to normal. Still find I get tired easily and am avoiding heavy lifting. Stitches healed and just scars now. I still get the occasional mild twinges around my liver but really nothing worth worrying about.

  I’ve tried to keep to the low fat diet as it’s healthier anyway. Still no cakes or biscuits, but I’ve eaten oven chips and low fat sausages once or twice and I’m not quite so obsessive about reading the fat content on everything (I know them all now anyway!) Had one or two home-cooked curries, but not brave enough to try a takeaway yet! Someone mentioned Jaffa cakes – great if you only have one, but I don’t have eough willpower to stop there! Jelly babies are good as are meringues with natural yoghurt.But I’m snacking mostly on dried fruit now.

  So glad I had the op. Rather a few days of discomfort than a lifetime of never knowing when the pain will strike!

• Debbie
  July 2nd, 2010 at 4:44 pm

  Oh and Jaye – I was drinking coffee and diet coke right through diagnosis to surgery (Feb-May) and had no problems.

• Amanda
  July 3rd, 2010 at 11:52 am

  ALEX
  I hope you are feeling better now. My backache was so bad I went to my local drop in centre. They asked if I was sleeping on my back or side. I had not been able to sleep on my side at that point for 6 weeks, as I had a drainage back for 3 weeks and then the incisions hurt.
  The Doctor seemed to think it was purely laying on my back. I am now laying on my side and have been for the last 3 weeks or so and the back pain is gone. Like Debbie, I still get twinges in my gallbladder/liver area. I also get tired more easily. I have now had the op done 6 weeks ago and my ERCP 5 weeks ago. I am having my stent removed early August and to be truthful will be so pleased to be free of operations …. hopefully.
  I am eating more normally too, I cant stomach fizzy drinks or cheese and some things I eat I do experience wind and indigestion after. I am looking forward to be able to go on my Wii fit, which my GP reckons I can do 8/10 weeks after the operations.
  All in all I feel I am getting more back to normal now. I even managed a Green Day concert with my daughter a couple of weeks ago, which made me so tired, but also made me feel more normal again.
  I do hope you are feeling so much better x

• Jaye
  July 3rd, 2010 at 8:40 pm

  Debbie, did have the laparoscopy surgery or traditional surgery? Glad you are on the mend. Thanks for the tip about coffee and diet coke. I might try a bit to see as I am really missing caffeine! LOL

• Allie
  July 4th, 2010 at 6:46 pm

  So glad I found this site! Im 24 and have recently been diagnosed with gall stones, not unusual in my family! So good to hear from other people who have been through this experience!

  I’ve been feeling sick constantly for afew months and the pain has recently got quite severe.

  The doctor gave me very little advice on what foods to eat/avoid so great to hear some solid advise that makes sense! Ive found I cant drink coffee, alcohol or fizzy drinks, although I actually find milky tea quite soothing! Im vegeterian too so eating is just a hit-and-miss minefield!

  Will try this diet now and see if it improves things.

  I have an ultrasound in 2 weeks, can anyone tell me roughly how long you wait for surgery?

• Jaye
  July 5th, 2010 at 6:27 am

  Hi Allie,
  Hope you find some relief with this diet. I find it works well for me besides the odd twinge now and again. I find if I eat a lot of fruit and veggies throughout the day I am fine. I will be having my surgery 2 months after my CT Scan and diagnosis. I think that’s a fairly common wait time from what I have read from others.

• Diane
  July 5th, 2010 at 2:53 pm

  It took almost 6 months for my gall stones to be diagnosed because I had diffuse pain all over abdomen, although always after eating. No one writing in this website has mentioned an ejection fraction — that’s when they shoot radioactive dye in your veins then x-ray you for 1/2 for every 2 hours, then force you to eat a fatty pudding and x-ray you again. The test measures how quickly your bile from your gall bladder is dumped into your stomach. Normal is 30 – 75%, but mine was over 90%. So I know that bile is being dumped pretty quickly into my stomach (yech) and causing lots of pain after I eat. I stay away from anything with fat, but there are other foods that cause a terrible reaction also — shellfish, raw carrots, in fact lots of raw veggies, and anything spicy. Lost 20 lbs, 1-4 lbs a week.
  See surgeon this week, am praying he can do surgery quickly. Unfortunately, pancreas has started giving me fits after my ejection fraction test. Am from US, so don’t know about surgery wait-time. I wish I could see the clip from Aliens at the beginning of this website which describes what it is like to have an attack — the web site has expired and my computer won’t show it. I am sure I could relate!

• Debbie
  July 5th, 2010 at 4:28 pm

  @Jaye – I had a laparoscopy
  @Allie – watch the nuts! Some are very high fat
  @Diane – that sounds truly awful. never heard of it before. Thank God they don’t seem to have that in the UK.

  I was pretty much OK in diet so long as I avoided fat in any shape or form – no nuts, granary bread or any hidden fats. I was fine with spice, coffee, fizzy drinks etc.

• andrea
  July 5th, 2010 at 9:31 pm

  Hi, just a quick update. It’s now 6 weeks since my op and I’d say I’m now fully back to normal. I had 10 days off work then went back working 4 days a week. Scars have healed and eating normally-even tried a pizza, fisn n chips and the odd cream cake, because now I can! No twinges, no side effects. Joined a gym 2 weeks ago and exercise there 3 times a week again causing me no problems. I would recomend the surgery to anyone- its definately better than living in fear of another attack!!!!
  Good Luck to everyone waiting for surgery!

• Stephanie
  July 5th, 2010 at 10:10 pm

  andrea & debbie…great to hear of people on the mend after surgery and doing well…it is very comforting to hear success stories! and i soooo cant wait to eat pizza again andrew!!

  hi again nina!! i hope you are still on a pain free spree!? i too have been fine since the last blog, the kit kat was good to me (thank goodness!) although i have had nothing else like that since. i have however been taking an anti inflammatory whenever i feel a twinge so this could be helping! who knows though. have you tried anything else lately? i have been drinking fresh apple juice like it is going out of fashion as i heard it can soften stones? i dont know if there is any truth in that but i love apple juice so its no burden to try.

  still waiting for a date for my op…hopefully only 6 weeks to go now though…jaye you seem to have got a date through quickly! thats great!

  shirley…i have found that recently i have been quite gassy, however i did put this down to diet changes rather than the stones…but im no doctor so i may well be!

• Stephanie
  July 5th, 2010 at 10:11 pm

  oooo blummin heck andrea…sorry i wrote andrew! my other half is andrew! must have got carried away typing

• Jaye
  July 6th, 2010 at 6:32 am

  Debbie: I have heard that I should be feeling back to normal in about a week following the laparoscopy. It seemed to take you several weeks? I seem to be ok with grains in my bread but avoid nuts.

  Stephanie: I am thankful to be having my operation 2 months after diagnosis. I can’t imagine following this restricted diet much longer! Hopefully you don’t have to wait too long.

  The hospital called this morning. I have my Pre Admission appt on Friday morning.

• Allie
  July 6th, 2010 at 7:44 am

  Thanks Jaye, Diane and Debbie. I will watch out for nuts! Ive been quite alot better since following this advice. Diane, that sounds dreadfull! I hope I dont have to do that.

  I’ve been taking anti-inflamatories and some anti-sickness tablets for the nausea, I have found these helpfull, Im not totally symptom free but I able to go to work, generally get on with things. I am also having alot of wind ( My burping has gotten quite comical over the last few weeks!) so nice to know its not just me!

  I feel your pain on the pizza! My favorite take-way triggered my 1st pain attack, although Id had the nausea on and off for a while. I miss my Tuesday night treat so much! That and donoughts in work, not that it will do my figure much harm to miss out for a while!

• celia field
  July 6th, 2010 at 8:27 am

  hiya just thought i would give you an update ive been following jamies 5% fat rule and touch wood i have only had 2 attacks in about 3 mths and that was me being greedy and thinking i could get away with eating rubbish, Im still waiting on my scan!!!! so much for “oh it wont take long!!!!!” pffffft!!!! i feel much better in myself and i am losing weight rapidly ive lost 2 stone in 2 mths ive also cut out all dairy and most fats it was hell for a while but im really getting into it now Im still pursuing my doctor to be honest i might move as im not getting anything positive from them and i diagnosed myself from over comparing symptoms over the internet!!!! dont give up all and i know how it feels to be sitting up in agony in the middle of the night!!!! take care xxxxxx

• Alison
  July 6th, 2010 at 12:41 pm

  Hi All,

  I have been reading posts on this site for months now, and have never commented before. Thought it might help me to get a few things off my chest.

  I started suffering with severe pains around 2 years ago. One night the pain was so severe i was convinced i was dying. I have never been one to go to the doctors, i always try to sort myself out at home. Eventually the pains became worse and more often, so i bit the bullet and went to the Docs. Needless to say i was a little bit fed up when the doctor sent me home with instructions to get a new bed. He said i was suffering with bad back due to a dodgy mattress( my mattress is a silent night mattress and under 2 years old!!!!). I went home, called my mum and cried. I felt like such a fraud, and a bit of a hypochondriac. Thankfully, mum calmed me down and insisted i make another appointment. I managed to see a different doctor who actually examined me, and arranged for a scan, as he thought i had fibroids! scan revealed i had lots of stones in my gallbladder. I still had no idea what this meant, as i had bever heard of gallstones before. So, another trip to the docs, to be told i needed surgery to have gallbladder removed. In the mean time i had been eating low fat food to try to alleviate any pains.

  so…..after many more trips to the docs/hospital i ended up with a date for removal, 11th June. Went to hospital on 7th June for blood tests. 11th June, parents came at 7am to take me for my 7 30 am appointment, was checked in, assigned my bed, sat waiting to see the surgeon, when the anaesthetist walked in and said they wouldnt be operating on my as i was so anaemic they wouldnt risk anything happening to me!!!!!!

  So, off home i went. Was put on mega strength Iron tablets, too strong infact, as i ended up overdosing on them, even though i wasnt taking the 3 the doctor suggested. (not a nice feeling)

  So, anyway…sorry for going on…just wanted to give a little bit of my history. I am still suffering with pain, almost daily. Its not always major attacks.Somedays its just an achey feeling, somedays its feels like i have a little man inside poking his way out of my front, and somedays he tries to come out of my back.

  What i would really like to ask people ( if you arent asleep after reading all this), Has anyone with gallstones had Obstetric Cholestasis ? As it is a Liver condition that affects the bile, i was thinking maybe there was a link. Also, do any of you suffer with pain when stressed? I find if i shout at my kids too loudly i set off the pains.

  Right, essay over with. Would love any input.x

• NINA
  July 6th, 2010 at 8:58 pm

  Hi Stephanie, Great hearing from again and all seems to be fine with you.So glad you enjoyed your kit kat hun,and that you were pain free.I had a bad attack Friday, lasted the whole day,since I woke till late friday night,phew dont know where I went wrong on the food???Still have the odd twinge but nothing drastic,my scan is on Mon 12 July so that will confirm if it is the dreaded g/stones.Stephanie I’m craving like mad for a bhuna lamb and fried rice emmmm,but dare not,I know what will happen if I do !!!! I did have a few bits of lamb tikka with sauce and was fine…Nothing much has changed as far as diet goes,eating alot of weight watchers food,but read the FAT CONTENT IN EVERYTHING,husband goes bonkers!!..Anyway Stephanie I must go as it’s jaffa cake and cup of tea time,Talk to you soon,xx.

• NINA
  July 6th, 2010 at 9:04 pm

  Hi Alison, Just read your story,you poor soul!!I really can’t comment on the O/C that you spoke about,but sure know g/stone pain,worse than labour hun,anyway Alison you keep smiling and fat free diet,never mind the kids and yeap I do agree with you stress does cause pain.Talk to you soon hun x.

• Jaye
  July 7th, 2010 at 3:21 am

  Hi Alison,
  I haven’t heard of OC either. My gallstone pain was worse than labour too! Hang in there!

  Hi Nina,
  I am Canada and wonder where we can get Jaffa Cakes. Are they like a cookie? I haven’t seen them here but would like to find them since I have heard so many on here talk about them.

• shirley
  July 7th, 2010 at 10:15 am

  Hi All,Steph,nina ETC….
  Having a bit of a bad day…not sure whats up, when i dont have the gallstone pain i seem to live in fear of getting it, every burp,pain, twinge has me panicking!!! I have even written a will!!!
  My scan is next friday and then i will have to make up my mind about what to do.I know i have stones cos i had a scan after the 1st attack 2 years ago, but i decided to see if it would recur..it did but not for 18 months, now its a bit more often.
  I know your gonna think im nuts but i keep worrying its something more serious cos the symptoms vary so much,shoulder pain,back pain,wind,sore right side.etc…
  Im sorry but i think its just getting me down a bit and i needed to tell someone. x

• Jamie Lawrence
  July 7th, 2010 at 10:45 am

  Shirley,
  I think all the symptoms you describe as classic gallstones symptoms so I’m sure there’s no need to be updating your will

  There are more serious conditions which can be confused with gallstones, but they are far less likely so I wouldn’t be fretting about it. Your doctor will be aware of them and may have mentally discounted them but bring it up anyway for your own reassurance.

  It only *feels* like you’re going to die

• shirley
  July 7th, 2010 at 2:10 pm

  Jamie, thank you…
  I think im a bit like pavlovs dog, Every time i have any gallstone type sensation,i automatically panic,
  Im not sure whats worse! I guess like everyone else i have a job thats high pressure and the awful feeling that if i get ill again i will not be up to it…
  And as i am self employed its a constant worry.
  To be honest i have just got a bit run down by the whole thing…. It really helps to get feedback.
  I really appreciate your comments jamie, it reassures me and helps me to get prospective… even have a bit of a smile at my own “drama queen,ism”…. thanks xxx

• Kate
  July 7th, 2010 at 5:12 pm

  Hi everyone. Just found this site. It is great! Just had a month of tests. Have to have an ercp Roget rid of stone in bile duct and then I have to have hall bladder removed after. Just a note for Alison I had oc and was told that hall stones is a common thing after

• Alison
  July 7th, 2010 at 6:44 pm

  Hi,

  Nina….The pains are really awful sometimes aren’t they??? I would rather have more kids!!! haha. Least you have something to show for the agony of childbirth.

  Jaye….I had never heard of OC before i got it either. I thought i was just allergic to my fabric softener. Thanks for the lovely comment, i will keep hanging in there.

  Kate…. I am glad someone has been told that gallstones are more common after OC. I was told nothing…they didnt even give me the routine blood test after my son was born to check my bile acids were back to normal!! Fingers crossed my iron levels will be somewhere back to normal next week, and i can start the whole process of getting my gallbladder removed again.

  So glad my mum found this site for me…I always feel like nobody i know gets how horrible having gallstones can be.

• NINA
  July 7th, 2010 at 8:40 pm

  Shirley,Hope you are feeling a bit better as you read this,today has been another bad day for me,like you worry too much just in case it’s something else,I will know on Monday,if it’s g/stones I really dont know what to do IF IT IS as I’m really sooooooooooo scared of surgery,but the pain is getting me down.Husband is going bonkers,I’m in bed with a hot water bottle(in this weather too) every other day with pain somewhere,people dont understand do they???Shirley if you need to talk we could set a time to be online if it helps,as I dont work due to other illness.Talk to you soon.x.p.s. keep smiling hun…

• NINA
  July 7th, 2010 at 8:44 pm

  Alison, Hope you are fine today,think about all people on this site most of the day,another bad day for me today,phew,it really is getting me down. *KATE*,HOPE YOU ARE WELL TODAY.

• NINA
  July 7th, 2010 at 8:52 pm

  Jaye, Yeap they are a cookie,they are a small round sponge with orange jelly in the middle topped with chocolate and made by McVities,dont know if you will be able to get them in Canada or not,they are like gold to me at present,as I’m very sweet toothed and indulge in one with a cup of tea round about this time..

• Stephanie
  July 7th, 2010 at 11:09 pm

  shirley…dont worry too much!! it definately sounds like gallstones to me, all the same symptoms!

  nina…sorry to hear you’ve had a bad day currys are a BIG no no according to my GP though…spices and sat fats are baddies!! hope everything goes ok on monday!!! keep eating them jaffa cakes! i know i am oh…and the odd malteser! he he, i know how to live!!

• nina
  July 8th, 2010 at 9:34 am

  Hi Girls, Up this morning and feeling o.k.(THANKS BE TO GOD)Yesterday was pure horrible,must have been the homemade curry,back to just plain old rice or potatoes. Stephanie, So glad you are well,keep it up hun !!! Shirley,Hope today is better for you,try not to worry to much,easier said than done,I’m the biggest worrier on earth !!!! Jaye,Alison and Kate,Will be thinking about you,always do,dont know where I would be without this site,it’s so good knowing people are in the same postion as you,so a GREAT BIG THANKYOU TO THE MAIN MAN *****JAMIE*****Oh by the way Jamie,have you heard of IRN BRU??? I luv the stuff,coming from Glasgow,it’s our other national drink,been told fizzy drinks are a NO NO…..Take Care everyone,xx..

• Kate
  July 8th, 2010 at 12:50 pm

  Hi everyone. Sorry about spelling. My iPhone does the most ridiculous predictive text!!! Have date for ercp. 19th July. Can’t wait to get that stone out of bile duct. Consultant says it’s in a really dangerous position so definitely be glad to get rid of it! Like everyone else I ended up in a&e two weeks after giving birth to baby number 4! Honestly thought I was gonna die. That was back in November last year. Got told it was acid reflex or gall stones. Had continous indigestion, which I ignored( I know, stupid) had another attack. Went to gp who said it was stress, due to hubby being in hospitol. Stress??! Saw another gp who said it was acid reflex, put neon tabs for that, which I am still on! Saw yet another gp as I was convinced had gall stones. Even though my symptoms are all in the middle of my stomach. And left side. Not right. This gp looked me inthe eye and said I definitely did not have fall stones!! This went on for over six months. Till in the end I had enough and the gp agreed that I needed the camera to go down! When I saw the consultant he was shocked that i had never had an ultra sound on my liver. After having oc in each pregnancy. Had ultra sound And they picked up the gallstones. I came out of there smiling! I know sounds deranged. But I was so pleased that at last I knew what I was dealing with. Had camera go down as well. Ehh. Not nice! They found that I also have a stomach infection too. Which they are going to deal with after the operations. He also thinks I have gords. Hoping it’s just the gallstones! Thinking of you all Together we will get through it!

• Jaye
  July 10th, 2010 at 5:01 am

  Hi everyone, and I hope you all felt well today.

  I went to my Pre Op appt today. I met with the nurse who went over the laprascopy procedure with me and did some blood work. She weighed me and I have lost 23 lbs since I was diagnosed 6 weeks ago! Amazing how much you can lose following this low fat diet. I also met with the anastheist who just explained how I was going to be put under. So I am set for the 19th of July and can’t wait. I am just hoping that I will get the op that day because the surgeon squeezed me in that day if she can, but if not then it’s the 26th for sure.

• nina
  July 10th, 2010 at 7:30 pm

  Hi Jaye,Hope all goes wll for you…. I have my scan on Monday 12 july just to confirm if it is the dreaded gall stones,will keep everyone informed…. Stephanie, How are you,take it all is well for you at present,hope so… Shirley, Have’nt heard from you,are you having some more good days… Alison, Hope everthing is well for you……… Kate,How you doing…… Hope everyone has a pain free weekend….Take Care Girls,Take to you all Soon…xxxxxx….

• shirley
  July 11th, 2010 at 6:59 pm

  Hi Nina,
  Thank you for your kind words, like you im scared stiff to have the op incase i die!!!!, yes.i know i am ridiculous!!!!
  I just wanted to say GOOD LUCK for tomorrow nina. It may be a good thing to have gallstones…at the very least you will know what is is and that its relatively easy to rectify.(Im much braver on your behalf!!) Im having my scan on friday and then i will make a decision as to whether to have surgery or not.
  In a way i think i have been lucky, cos i have only had 3 very bad attacks in 2 years(plenty enough for me !!!)
  I think i had the devil in me today as i have had chocolate, wine and crisps(fingers crossed) and yesterday i had a take away curry(a death wish)
  and so far (touching all things wooden)…i have been ok…. Im scared tho, so dont know if its worth the risk.
  Let me know how you get on nina,you are not alone as this site helps you realise….
  Thanks steph for the reassurance…i am beginning to think my head is as much a problem as my gall bladder !!!! I think its harder to remove tho (smiley face…dont know how to make a proper one!)
  For everyone else, I am trying to think that we are lucky to have something curable, however painful.
  Lots of love and hang tight…xxxxxxxxxxx

• Elisa
  July 12th, 2010 at 3:33 am

  I was diangosed with gallstones but mainly just have nausea and gas. Theyre thinking it could be my acid reflux which I was previously diagnosed with years ago. Did any of you have these problems with gall stones? Whenever I feel nauseas tho, eating helps.

• Jaye
  July 12th, 2010 at 6:44 am

  Good luck with your scan Nina!

• Nikky
  July 12th, 2010 at 9:16 am

  I’m so relieved that I found this website and that I’m not the only person going through this.
  I started getting the pains about 2 weeks before my due date and had a very bad attack 2 weeks after my son was born. Thankfully I had my parents around at that point and was take to hospital by ambulance. I was there for hours and they thought of any other diagnosis other than gallstones. When I went to my GP with the discharge letter she said they were gallstones straight away.
  It has now been 6 weeks since I’ve been diagnosed and I feel like rat shit. It is so hard watching what I eat especially with a demanding newborn where you don’t have much time to cook or eat.
  All I’ve been eating for the last few weeks are potatos, rice, chicken, snow peas and toast and jam. I’m petrified of eating anything else and would love to try the other foods you have listed here but I’m too scared of getting an attack especially while I’m home alone with my baby.
  I have just been put on the hospital waiting list which is about 6-12months.
  Does anyone have any advice how I can start trying other foods without getting an attack (worst thing is that my husband works late and then its too late for experimenting)? I just can’t go on living like this. I’m hungry, cranky and feeling weak and faint most of the time and I’m starting to feel depressed and cry alot. I have mentioned all this to the surgeon but apparently that isn’t reason enough to speed me up on that waiting list.

• NINA
  July 12th, 2010 at 1:35 pm

  Hi Girls, Shirley, Stephanie and Jaye,Thankyou so much for the good wishes… Just got home from scan and guess what,yeap I have the dreaded gall stones,the Dr who did the scan said that they are very,very small, and thinks I have passed larger ones, by what I had described that was going a a few weeks back.As you all know I was in mighty mega pain for 2 whole days at one time.They are not in any hurry to operate and was that a releive or what !!!!!.Just told me to stick to the low fat diet,YUCK!!!!!I need a curry big time…..He also said I would get pain and if need be go back to hospital if it got as bad as what it was..So I guess I will just have to live with it for the time being…Must go and get some dreaded house work done and hope I’m pain free for the rest of my life,,,dont think so somehow !!!!!!!! Will be thinking about you,talk to you all soon,Big Luv and Hugs again for the good wishes..xxxx OH NICKY,WELCOME TO THE GALL STONE CLUB…Just stick to a low fat diet hun, that Jamie has provided it’s all you can do,and yes will will get you down,the pain is worse than labour pains,as all girls on the site thats had kids will tell you, try some homemade soups,oh Jaffa Cakes,can’t live without them..Keep Smiling hun…xxxx

• Jaye
  July 12th, 2010 at 4:38 pm

  Hey Nina, glad your scan is over with and you have found out what you have. It is really important to stick to the low fat diet in order to avoid the severe pain again. It’s not easy to do but so many of us have discovered the foods that work well that we can help you.

  Nicky, I too was scared to try much in the way of foods, but as time went on I just had to. I was so hungry! You can eat fish and skinless, boneless chicken breasts… just don’t use any fats to cook them. I enjoy most fruits and veggies as well as no fat yogurt. Try making a smoothie in your blender using fruit, skim milk and no fat yogurt. It tastes yummy and fills you up. I also found a spaghetti noodle made of rice that is 0 fat and love it. I put a no fat pasta sauce on it and find it’s good and filling. I too eat a lot of rice and potatoes. Try putting no fat sour cream on your potatoes for an extra zip. I can’t find Jaffa Cakes here in Canada but do treat myself to Angel Food Cake once in a while. It’s zero fat and tastes good with fresh berries on top. Just keep the whip cream off! I have also discovered that the Non fat Herb Tea Latte’s at Starbuck’s are great. I find as long as I keep away from fats, alcohol and caffeine I am fine. Good luck!

• Stephanie
  July 14th, 2010 at 3:35 pm

  Hey all!
  Nina, I bet you are glad you finally have confirmed knowledge of whats causing the pain! I didnt think you passed stones though? My consultant said they get stuck in the duct which causes inflammation as the bladder fills with bile and as it contracts trying to push the stone out you get the pain but they always pop back into the bladder…if they go out thats when you get jaundice and become very ill…is this not right?? :-S
  I’m ok(ish) anyway thanks!! Had some bad pain on Tuesday and took my Tramadol for the first time but they did nothing! & to make it worse they sent me loopy, feverish, gave me the shake and i collapsed. So I’m now off them!! Waiting to see my GP for an alternative. The whole situation just seems to be getting worse…and the worst is I’ve been told I might have to wait longer than 6 weeks as they are so busy…on the short notice list though so fingers crossed!
  How have you been recently?
  Shirley, although I’m probably not as anxious I know how you feel, (I have a MASSIVE needle phobia too) but just think about the end result…after just an hour you will be (relatively) pain free eating (compared to the pain of the attacks!) and you can eat whatever you like! Bliss!!!
  Jaye….will be thinking about you on the 19th…just in case! Let us know how it goes!!
  x

• nina
  July 14th, 2010 at 4:29 pm

  Hi Stephanie, Yes I was glad to hear the results of the scan,Dr said they were like small grains of sand,does’nt mean to say the pain is’nt any worse if they are large,gall stone pain is horrific and at least my g/bladder was’nt inflammed.I saw the little blitters on the screen,yuck….Go to see my own g.p. next week to see other results so will ask him if it is possible thet stones can be passed…Anyway Stephanie I do hope you are feeling better as you read this,everyone else,hope you have all been PAIN FREE…XX…

• nina
  July 14th, 2010 at 4:32 pm

  Hi Stephanie, Yes I was glad to hear the results of the scan,Dr said they were like small grains of sand,does’nt mean to say the pain is’nt any worse if they are large,g/stone pain is horrific !!!! and at least my g/bladder was’nt inflammed.I saw the little blitters on the screen,yuck….Go to see my own g.p. next week to see about other results so will ask him if it is possible that stones can be passed,which was told that is what is sure happened to me.. I asked about the apple juice,he said a myth, but to keep to low fat diet.Anyway Stephanie I do hope you are feeling better as you read this,everyone else,hope you have all been PAIN FREE…XX…

• shirley
  July 14th, 2010 at 8:24 pm

  Hi Nina,
  Glad everything ok ish… If i were you i would wait and see!!! I think you can pass stones and if you have got rid of the big buggers then hooray!!!
  Im off for scan on friday and i am hoping for a similar result.(fingers crossed)
  I seem to have had lots of probs at same time and not sure why i am getting pain… everytime i eat i get cramps and diarohhea (yep i know isnt the way to spell it!)
  Nicky,
  Poor you, you have a lot on your plate and you will have lots of feelings at the mo! Its ok to feel crap,normal after having a baby…and gallstones too well what a bugger… be kind to yourself and if you feel depressed please tell someone, as you dont need to be alone. Try not to feel that you have to struggle, it takes a brave person to say”help”
  I have confused feeling about gallstone symptons…they seem so diverse according to this site…
  I wish everyone lots of love and warmest wishes.
  shirley xxxxxxx

• Becky
  July 14th, 2010 at 9:14 pm

  Hi all !! Wow this website is fantastic !!
  I am 29, I have been suffering with abdominal pain for the past 6 weeks after slimming down at weight watchers for my up and coming holiday this summer. As soon as i let the diet slip a little, the pain started ! Decided after a week or so of attacks to visit the doc and she told me i had an ulcer and prescribed Omeprazole. After 2 weeks of taking this medicine i found the pain seemed to be getting more intense !! (and always at night)
  Anyway to cut a long story short ive been in agony !! Been for a scan today and i have gallstones (with an inflammed Gallbladder) and was feeling very down till i stumbled upon this website ! Great to read about people who feel just the same as you do. Havent really eaten too much over the past few days after an attack on Sunday evening and an A + E visit but i am definatly going to take all your fantastic advice. Currently been prescribed codeine which helped last night.
  Holiday in Greece is looming in August (which is also my sister in laws wedding) and in 2 weeks i have the Hen weekend. Does anyone have advice on alcohol?
  Well im outta her and again thank you all for help x

• Eve
  July 15th, 2010 at 11:11 am

  Hi, This is a great website and really infomative, so thank you. It’s also comforting to know you’re not the only one and that the pain really is that bad – Sometimes it feels like people think you’re over reacting or have a low pain threshold or something.
  I’m another one with the classic symptoms. It all started about 3 weeks ago, last Wednesday was the worst episode, was in A&E on morphine, but as soon as they had established that I wasn’t having a heart attack they sent me home! My last attack was last Friday but I have been pretty much pain free since, sticking to a zero fat diet, as I’m too petrified to eat anything that might have had fat anywhere near it! I am however still drinking the odd glass of wine in the evening, (the only thing that’s keeping me sane) and it doesn’t appear to have had any adverse effects, but I wouldn’t like to say that would be the case for everyone.
  The doctors are pretty sure it’s gall stones, but I’m having an ultrasound tomorrow to confirm – just can’t wait for all this to be behind me!

• sandra spick
  July 15th, 2010 at 6:13 pm

  hi my gallstone buddies back off my hols had a relaxing time (just what i needed with it only being 2 weeks after my op ) nina glad you had your scan glad you dont have to have an op (know how scared you was bless) hope all go,s well for you now hope you don,t suffer too much keep us informed .Becky hope you get sorted before the wed hol tell the doc about your impending hol make sure your ok for traveling Eve anyone thats had gallstones pain will know your not over reacting but understand what your saying
  hope all go,s well with the scan let us know how you go on thinking of you all xx

• sandra spick
  July 15th, 2010 at 6:16 pm

  hi my gallstone buddies back off my hols had a relaxing time (just what i needed with it only being 2 weeks after my op ) nina glad you had your scan glad you dont have to have an op (know how scared you was bless) hope all go,s well for you now hope you don,t suffer too much keep us informed .Becky hope you get sorted before the wed hol tell the doc about your impending hol make sure your ok for traveling Eve anyone thats had gallstones pain will know your not over reacting but understand what your saying
  hope all go,s well with the scan let us know how you go on thinking of you all x

• nina
  July 15th, 2010 at 7:14 pm

  Shirley, Hope all goes well for the scan 2 morro maybe you will have some good news to tell us all,hope so,as soon as you get back let us know,fingers,toes eyes and whatever else can be croosed,will be thinking about you hun… SANDRA,,Glad to hear from you again and that you had a lovely holiday,been thinking about you,Sandra have you heard of people passing stones????Still have had pain since you’ve been away but not so intense,(thanks be to GOD)got a niggle as I write …BECKY,sorry to hear about your problems,keep us all informed,I’m sure all will work out well,just remember your not alone and we will all be thinking about you on this site,great people who will give you loads of advice,just keep to the LOW FAT DIET…

• nina
  July 15th, 2010 at 7:24 pm

  JAYE,,,,How are you,hope you have been pain free..NIKKY,,,,Been thinking about you too hun,how are you doing??????Hope you are eating a bit better and that things have improved a bit for you,keep us posted and You Take Care,xxx

• Becky
  July 15th, 2010 at 7:41 pm

  Thanks for the support Nina, Eating a muller light as we speak………haha !
  Sandra…. i have an appointment with the doc tommorrow and so scared he is going to stop me from flying, although im worried about the pain whilst im in greece i really dont want to miss the wedding especially as im maid of honour ! i HATE the way you feel like you have to put your life on hold all the time ! arggghhh ! blinking gallstones !
  Also starting a degree in september and really hope it doesnt interfere with that too ! really has come at completely the wrong time =( xx

• Nikky
  July 15th, 2010 at 10:08 pm

  Thank You for your kind words everyone.
  Nina I’ve been ok I guess. Haven’t had an attack for 10 days which is great!!! I’m still super hungry but I’m dealing a little bit better with that too. I have lost so much weight its unbelieveable. I’m 1.3kg below my pre-baby weight and by the looks of things will be down to my high school weight by the time the operation rolls around (in 6 – 12 months lol).
  I have my sons christening on sunday and just hoping to stay attack free until then. Afterwards if I do get an attack I plan on going to emergancy and not leave until the operate on me.
  I’ve also started dreaming about chocolate… oh how I miss my chocolate
  Hope everyone else here is doing well

• sandra spick
  July 16th, 2010 at 2:58 pm

  hi girls Nina yes i hav heard about people passing stones also heard small stones are more painful dont know why though Nikky my symphathy chuck im a chocaholic and missed it so much but indulged whilst on hol (with no efects now ) so so just look forward to that after youve had your op .Becky hope you get on your hol . shirly hope all go,s wel with your scan let us know feel so much for you all knowing what you going through . im on facebook if any one wants to chat .bless you all x

• nina
  July 16th, 2010 at 3:31 pm

  Hi Girls, SHIRLEY, Have you had your scan results yet????…SANDRA,Great you know about g/stones,the dr I saw on Monday said it looks like I have passed them and that is why I only have the remains of grain like stones but wont be pain free..thanx for the advice sandra.would be great chatting to you on facebook Sandra,just let me know ..NIKKY, Try some jaffa cakes and 1/2 bar turkish delight,should help the cravings a bit…BECKY,How did your appointment go,hope it went all right,keep us posted hun,must go as grand children have just arrived,phew,,,will be thinking about you all,xxx.

• sandra spick
  July 16th, 2010 at 3:47 pm

  hi nina just send a friend request to sandra spick was weatherstone to facebook will speak to you soon xx

• Charles
  July 17th, 2010 at 12:32 pm

  Hi All

  Haven’t posted since May – all was going well on the low fat diet until I got an attach two weeks ago! Went to the GP’s and he confirmed the diagnosis firstly with “Murphy’s Sign” and then an ultrasound.

  I was put on Antibiotics at home for two days and then admitted for keyhole surgery. I awoke from the operation feeling better and pain free, after overnighting in hospital was home the next morning. By 5 days post op, I was part time in the office and having had the stitches out yesterday I am fully back at work next week and feeling FANTASTIC!

  When I saw the surgeon he told me he also fixed a hernia while he was “at it”(two for the price of one!)

  All in all I would say don’t have any qualms – have the surgery!

  By the way I am an Ex-Pat Brit living in Trinidad and the experience I had here was superb, and the Surgeon was amazing!

  Hope all goes well

  Charles

• Becky
  July 18th, 2010 at 8:48 pm

  Hi guys hope your all well (well pain free). Doc said i can fly aslong as i notify the insurance company. which is great news, dont know how i ll cope when im out there but just have to stick to the low fat food i guess. Been almost a week now since i last had any bad pain so thats something i suppose. Hate the way its ruling my life. I watch people just going about their lifes as normal, eg. eating out, having a glass of wine and thinking ‘how long will it be till i can be normal again’. Just soooo scared of the pain coming back ! Break up from my teaching assistants job on Wednesday for 6 weeks so at least there will be no more sick days for a while.
  Well im off now ……….. hope you all stay well xxx Take care x

• andrea
  July 18th, 2010 at 8:51 pm

  Becky, saw you were worried about getting on your hols, I was told by my surgeons secretary that you shouldn’t fly 4 weeks either side of surgery….not sure why. I’m only having a weeks holiday in august, but it meant there was a 9 week period where I wasn’t eligable for sugery. Luckily I had my op in May. I’m busy rubbing bio oil in to minimise the scars in my bikini!

• ALEX
  July 19th, 2010 at 3:41 pm

  Hi Amanda
  Hope you feel better ………Ifeel a lot better now no pain at all ……….I still watch what I eat I got back to my running about 4 week after the op about 5 miles a day ……….so I hope you can get on the wii fit you have had a hard time of it so I hope you are on the mend

• Becky
  July 19th, 2010 at 7:35 pm

  hi andrea,
  Havent yet got an appointment to see the consultant so wont be operated on for a while yet so im hoping it will be ok x
  Seems quite ironic really that i slimmed down to look nice in a bikini and ended up having this pain instead !! now on this fat free diet so have lost 2 stone so far ! haha ! got to be one positive i suppose ……….lol x
  Hope you have a fab holiday ! xx

• katie
  July 20th, 2010 at 10:29 pm

  Hey, This is the most helpful website out there so far (I think), but I am 8 months pregnant and just found out last month that I have a large Gallstone, and they cant due any surgery till after the baby is born in October 2010, so far i haven’t had an attack after seeing this site, i also found out that eating eggs doesn’t give me any problems and also Skim Milk does, I had Skim Milk over some cereal and i was in pain for 4 days at home and there was nothing the doctors could do cuz of the baby…
  anyways thanks everyone!!

• Jamie Lawrence
  July 21st, 2010 at 8:44 am

  Hi Katie,
  My wife had the same thing with gallstones during pregnancy and you have my sympathies. There really isn’t much that can be done but at least you seem to be able to control it with diet. I’m pretty sure our daughter was kicking my wife’s gallbladder as the attacks only stopped once she was born!

• sandra
  July 21st, 2010 at 2:14 pm

  had my post op surgeon said im a free woman no restrictions whoop whoop the world is my oyster gud luck to the rest of you hope all go,s well for you too

• andy
  July 21st, 2010 at 8:04 pm

  hi, my wife has had a few attacks over the past 3 years, but 8 days ago, had a REALLY bad one, ( we were away on holiday visiting family, went out for a meal and she had chicken with creamy stilton sauce, and buttered vegetables, with chocolate cake and ice-cream to follow), looking back that seems like the worst meal she possibly could have had !! Anyway, all night in acute agony, finally picked her up off the bathroom floor (kept fainting), bundled her off to A&E. Many shots of morphine later, and finally on a ward she stabalised and was there for a further 3 days having tests scans etc.
  Confirmed 1.5cm gallstone and acute inflammation.
  Was discharged with antibiotics and strong painkillers, and told to see GP. Came home, 200 mile drive (still in pain), 2 days in bed later, even after low fat diet of virtually nothing, another attack, and shes back into our local A&E, same routine morphine, on to a ward, saline drips, 3 lines of antibiotics etc…, and there she remains, where we have been waiting for an ultrasound scan for 2 and half days, and she has lost about half a stone in weight, and the 8 day ordeal continues. They say they will not operate until she is fitter, so we will probably have to wait another month on the list.
  We are both self employed and work away a lot, and our biggest fear, is that in the next month, as wonderful as your diet suggestions are, it is not easy to plan a low fat diet ‘on the road’, particularity when sometimes we have to eat out just to survive ! So I hope this ordeal will soon be over, and life can get back to normal, I have to admit it has knocked the whole family for six, and my poor wife doesn’t know what hit her.
  Thanks to everyone on this board, and jamie for the great diet tips, it really can be a saviour and a comfort to listen to similar stories, and know that there will be an end to it.
  Thanks again

  Andy (on behalf of my wife Diane)

• Jaye
  July 22nd, 2010 at 2:40 pm

  Hi everyone!

  Just to let you know that I had my laprascopic surgery on the 19th and all went well. It was quick and easy and I was home the same afternoon. I am not in pain although it is a bit sore and tender. I ate toast and jello for the first couple of days but yesterday I had some fettucine for dinner and I was fine. The surgery is definately worth doing and honestly, having the attack was worse.

  Hope you are all doing well and are pain free.

• Jaye
  July 23rd, 2010 at 5:54 am

  Hi again!
  Ok, it’s been 3 days since my surgery and today I enjoyed my 1st Starbuck’s Latte in a few months, although I did have it Non-fat. Then we went out for dinner for Chinese Food and that was fine too! It felt so good to go out and eat and not worry about what to order!!

• kat
  July 23rd, 2010 at 3:23 pm

  Im so glad i found this website i have felt so ill for weeks, went the docs to be informed i had a infection in stomach may be an ulcer aswell, after treatment for that i was still no better had a scan and got told i had gallstones which have been getting worse……pain, sickness, shakey, hot sweats, not wanting to eat cos i get pain but then feeling so horrible cos im not eating (vicious circle). Was in hospital last night but theres nothing they can do just got to wait till i have the opp which could be 3 months. Thought in 3 months i will be inside out if i dont eat, good job i found this. Jaffa cakes yum yum im starving

• nina
  July 23rd, 2010 at 5:26 pm

  Hi Jaye, Glad all went well for you during your trip to hospital,bet your glad it’s over and done with eh!!!So you managed some Chinese food ,good for you..I have had a bit of restbite,thank goodness,got DR on Tuesday just to see if I can go down another road other than surgery,my gallstones are very small,grains of sand the surgeon said and was’nt in any hurry to operate.Anyway must go as grandaughter is wanting to go to the park,keep well Jaye,wishing you a full and speedy recovery,x.

• nina
  July 23rd, 2010 at 5:29 pm

  Andy, We all know what your wife is suffering,dreadful condition,sooooooooo painful,wish her well and keep her to the low fat diet, oh it’s hard but worth not having the pain….

• nina
  July 23rd, 2010 at 5:31 pm

  STEPHANIE, How r u,not heard from u in a while..SHIRLEY, How did the scan go,r.u. well!!!

• Nikky
  July 23rd, 2010 at 11:24 pm

  Andy I sympathise with your wife!!! Its horrible pain! Worse than labour! I told my husband that after going through these pains I’ll be able to have our next child completely drug free!!
  Jaye I’m glad your surgery went well and hearing all the things your eating it makes me jealous.
  It will be 3 weeks on monday since I had my last attack. It feels so good. On wednesday night I had some of my sons christening cake which had nutella in it and I ate 1 small piece and nothing happened. I have been feeling very weak and shaky though from this “diet”. I told my husband that tonight I have to eat my favourite (spag bolonaise) and whatever happens happens. I wonder if I could end up in emergency and have emergency surgery. The surgoen whos waiting list i’m on says he does perform them but doesn’t like to. Well buddy I don’t like having these pains either especially with a 2 month old baby.
  I have a question to the people who have had the lap surgery. How did your recovery go? Were you ok lifting things? I am just worried because my husband can only get 1 week off work after the surgery and I’m just worried if I’ll be able to lift my baby up. Right now he is around 5.7kg but I’m on a 6-12 month waiting list and if I can’t have the surgery now who knows how heavy he will be by the time the surgery comes around?
  PS. to those who are still waiting for the surgery I found fruit sorbet in my local supermarket that is fat and dairy free and had that last night and really enjoyed it

• Jaye
  July 24th, 2010 at 2:03 pm

  Nina and Nickky, Thanks for the good wishes. It’s been 5 days since my operation and I am feeling pretty good. My cuts are itchy which I guess is a good sign of healing. I am moving around quite well, just slowly. Nikky, I haven’t tried any lifting yet but I will let you know how it goes when I do.

  Andy, my attack experience was much like your wife’s, so I sympathize with her. It is hard to follow the low fat diet when eating out but I traveled to Vegas while on the diet and found that if the restaurants grilled me a piece of fish or chicken breast with no oils, butters, or sauces I was fine. I just ordered a plain baked potatoe or steamed rice with it and salad, and was good to go. For lunch it was usually a salad and breakfast was usually low fat yogurt and blueberries. Good luck and tell her it’s worth it as I just had my op on Monday and am recovering well. They won’t operate unless the gall bladder attack has settled right down and free from infection and the emergency operations aren’t usually laprascopic so the recovery is a lot longer… just not worth it.

• andy
  July 24th, 2010 at 4:17 pm

  Thanks Jaye, Nicky & Nina
  nice to know that ops have gone well, and you’re recovering…….you can eat real FOOD now !

  Latest news is that (wife) Diane spent another day in hospital, so was a total of 10 days out of action ! We think the long stay was because she was de-hydrated after not being able to eat or drink properly for a week, so they pumped her full of saline for 4 days, her arm is all battered and bruised with 5 different canula entry points, and found out she put on 9 pounds in weigh (just fluid) in 4 days !
  Anyway, back home now, and the antibiotics seem to have finally done the trick, she is much better, and back eating again. We have a whole bunch of Tramadol (amazing painkillers) if it flares up again.
  She’s got a scan in 2 weeks, with hopefully surgery in 4 weeks…we’ll see.

  In the meantime, experimenting with some great LOW FAT recipes:
  Found some great Vivaldi potatoes at Sainsburys, boiled and mashed them, added some chicken stock, and a small amount of weightwatchers low fat creme fraiche. The most yummy mashed potatoes I’ve ever made, and virtually no fat, even better than the ones I used to make with butter !
  Doing some nice stir fry’s as well. Instead of using usual stir fry oil, using a bit of one cal olive oil spray, but adding lime/lemon juice and soy sauce to keep everything from drying out. Add the right spices, and I can’t tell the difference from my old stir fry’s, and now virtually FAT FREE.

  If I find out any more recipe ideas, I will let you know !
  Thanks

• nina
  July 28th, 2010 at 10:13 am

  Hi Everyone, Hope u have all been pain free,just 2 let u all know that I am now on a tablet called Ursodeoxycholic 2 times a day for 2 years 2 dissolve the dreaded stones and still having 2 keep 2 low fat diet,Yuck !!!!!I am not totally pain free, have had the odd niggle but nothing compared to what I was like when I first chatting on this site and dont suppose I will be until the tablets start to kick in…I had some chinese food at the weekend,although not a large portion and was fine,(THANKS BE TO GOD) it was oh soooooooooo scrummy,but would’nt indulge in the stuff liked I used to.Anyway I will keep u all posted on how I progress with the tablets and wont forget everyone on this site for all the info and good wishes,thanx alot to SANDRA SPICK,my gall buddie!!!!! ANDY,hope your wife is pain free,please give her my good wishes…STEPHANIE,Not heard from you in a long time,hope you are also pain free,any word about your op????? SHIRLEY,What about you????? JAYE, Hope you are making a good recovery and taking things easy….NIKKY and BECKY Keep well..Talk to you all soon,xx.

• Stephanie
  July 28th, 2010 at 11:05 am

  hi nina!
  sorry not been on here in a while! ive had a pain free few weeks so was starting to feel happy about what i was eating and almost forgot the problems!! then i got a phone call from the hospital yesterday…my op is next wednesday!!! eeek! nerves have kicked in now but im more worried about the blood tests in the pre op tomorrow to be honest!
  glad to hear you’ve been doing ok and managed some chinese!!! thats great!!! never heard of those tablets, but i if they work for you thats brilliant news. no op’ necessary at this stage then?
  oh and i have discovered a new love for weight watchers toffee cheesecake desserts….low in fat and delicious (and they dont upset mr. gallbladder!) x

• Becky
  July 28th, 2010 at 2:31 pm

  Hi all,
  Hope your all well ! been attack free for about a month… although it does remind me that it is there, usually after ive eaten or before i go to bed. To scared to eat anything thats over 5% fat really.
  Got my sister in laws hen weekend so that should be a tester before my holiday on the 11th. Got an appointment with the consultant on the 4th.
  Andy-Thanks for posting some of your recipes tried the mash and it was lovely.
  Nina-Glad your feeling ok and hope the tablets work.
  Stephanie-Good luck with the operation.

  Thoughts are with you all. xx

• Jaye
  July 28th, 2010 at 4:01 pm

  Nina, it’s been just over a week since my OP and I am recovering well. I haven’t been on the pain killers for a few days now and my cuts are healing nicely. Besides not lifting, I am pretty much back to my normal activities. I am also eating “normally” again and nothing seems to bother me. Those tablets you are now on sound good. I have never heard of them or that treatment but hope it works well for you.

  Stephanie, that’s great that your OP is next week. Honestly, it’s nothing to worry about. Good luck!

• Stephanie
  July 30th, 2010 at 11:22 am

  Thanks Becky and Jaye….
  Glad to hear your doing well Jaye, worst parts over for you now…and for me in my mind!…the blood tests!! I hate them. Needles in general….and I have to have blood thinners injected for 3 days post op. not good.
  I have now officially lost a stone since March and am classed as under weight, so on the whole, the injections don’t seems so bad compared to wasting away!!
  Its good to know you’re doing well after a week as I have a day at the races planned for the wednesday after my surgery and hope to attend still! I have my ticket and dress and shoes and have been looking forward to it for weeks!
  I hope you have a relaxing pain free hen do and holiday Becky. Good luck.
  Hope everyone else is doing ok and coping well whatever stage you are at!
  Oh..and I have just discovered Nutella is pretty low fat! Yummm. Makes a tasty chocolatey treat! x x

• naomi
  July 30th, 2010 at 2:45 pm

  Hi everyone,
  Thanks for the forum and your experiences. I had a few attacks, and didn’t know what they were until I ended up in the hospital. I haven’t had any attacks since being hospitalized (6 weeks ago) and am hoping I can manage things with eating right until I can get surgery. I’ve been traveling continuously in a few different countries which has made things harder.

  I haven’t been adhering to a fat percentage, but just avoiding most animal products except for fish and trying to not to eat so much of anything that I feel very full. So far so good, but I don’t know how much of that is attributed to luck or to my current diet.

  I have been avoiding oranges because I’m afraid of the acidity…is this a problem for anyone? Otherwise I’ve been eating lots of fruit (kiwi, bananas, blueberries, watermelon, apples, pears)…

  Have any of you been eating soy and how has that worked out? I am currently in Japan and have been substituting cow’s milk for soy milk (with cereal, lattes) plus eating lots of other soy products (miso soup, edamame beans etc). I have also been eating plenty of sushi, drinking lots of (weak) green tea, eating lots of rice (and plain rice porridge), soba and udon noodles, bread that doesn’t look overly refined, salad, cucumbers and coffee (in moderation). Any opinions on if wasabi is good or bad? And any bad reactions to using a little margarine on toast?

• Jaye
  July 30th, 2010 at 3:50 pm

  Stephanie: You should be good to go to the races the week after your OP. I am 11 days Post Op now and I am pretty much back to normal with my activity level. It really is amazing how quickly you recover from Lap Surgery. That’s cool that you discovered Nutella!

  Naomi: I avoided the acidic fruits on the low fat diet too but not because I had a problem, but was told to avoid them. I was told to avoid margarine on toast but I guess if you can tolerate it then why not. Good luck with your diet and traveling.

• Alison
  July 31st, 2010 at 6:31 pm

  Hi everyone…

  Well, My Iron levels are back to normal and I am due to have surgery 6th Aug, as long as my bloods come back normal (which they should). Nervous!!!! Wasn’t expecting it to be so soon, but least it will get rid of this constant pain. I am living with a constant pain now, not a ‘ Oh my god, i feel at deaths door pain’, but its there none the less. I dont know if anyone else has the same sort of thing…the only way i can describe it is it feels like someone is constantly poking me under my right ribs.

  Nina…I was put on Ursodeoxycholic acid when i was pregnant and had Obstetric cholestasis. That was before i knew i had gallstones. I find it really strange that its meant to dissolve the stones, and yet i was diagnosed after being on them for a good few months. I hope they work for you. Maybe i wasnt on them long enough.

  Hope all is good with eveyone.xx

• Jaye
  August 1st, 2010 at 5:30 am

  Good luck Alison. And eat raisins to help your Iron levels. I struggle with my Iron too. My Iron was actually a little low when I had surgery but I did fine in spite of. You will feel so much better after the surgery!

• naomi
  August 2nd, 2010 at 4:53 am

  Nina and Alison, I’m temporarily on Urso too– I’ve been told they only dissolve cholesterol stones that haven’t yet calcified, and they won’t work if it turns out to be another kind of gallstone.

  As for iron, I don’t know if they have palatable sushi where you are, but it’s a low-fat high-iron solution…

• Dottie
  August 2nd, 2010 at 9:23 am

  Hi – Jamie what a fantastic site – so glad I found it Iwas ambulanced to hospital12 days ago & after Xrays, blood tests & ultra sound was diagnosed with gallstones. I spent 5 days on IV fluid, antibiotics & anti sickness stuff!
  I am due to have keyhole in 6-8 weeks time. Until then I have been rigidly sticking to your advice about the types of food to eat & so far am pain-free!
  The really weird thing is that at the age I am now my mother had serious pain & was given morphine for the pain-and her gall bladder perforated. She had emergency surgery & ended up in intensive care after getting septacaemia
  This blog is so informative and all the replies have been helpfultoo
  Thanks to you all

• Becky
  August 2nd, 2010 at 3:30 pm

  Well the weekend didnt go to well =( had an attack on the saturday evening and been having constant pain in the abdominal area since. Been trying to get travel insurance today and cant get a cover under £130 or some companies wont cover me at all, ready for my holiday in a weeks time!

• Stephanie
  August 3rd, 2010 at 11:05 am

  thanks Jaye! i’m really hoping i’ll be well enough to go. don’t want to be off work too long either, i get bored easily!!
  surgery time tomorrow! just been put on antibiotics as apparently pre op showed i have a slight infection, but hopefully all will still go ahead as planned. this time tomorrow hopefully i’ll be getting pampered
  sorry to hear you had a bad day at the weekend becky…i sympathise so much. however, when i went to egypt last month i didnt mention the gallstones on the insurance. i was told that it isnt like having terminal illness or injury so it didnt matter? maybe i was badly advised though….
  …hope the pain stays away anyway and you enjoy your holiday.
  i will let you all know how it goes.
  hope you’ve been ok nina.
  
  x

• Becky
  August 3rd, 2010 at 2:05 pm

  Thanks stephanie x Having pain a lot in the last few days but still having very little fat (under 5%). Managed to get myself covered for £50 so that isnt too bad really. Really hoping i ll be ok over the 2 weeks holiday just going to try and take it easy. Got the consultant tommorrow so will see what they advise me. Good Luck for tomorrow stephanie xx

• jackie P
  August 3rd, 2010 at 10:11 pm

  Just to let all sufferers out there know having your gallbladder removed is not always the end of the pains…I had mine removed the old fashion way and have a 9″ scar to prove it, now two years later the pains are back with a vengance worse than ever…I was admitted to A&E last weekend only to be told I now have 5 gallstones and had a 6 hour acute pain worse than any previous pain. I was never advised to follow a low fat diet and now cant help but wonder how i missed the wake up call..anyway my consultant says next step is ERCP
  but made me none the wiser… is this going to happen every two years…anyone else have this done…help…from an Irish coleen

• Stephanie
  August 5th, 2010 at 11:06 am

  hey all.
  im 24 hours post op now and feeling relieved its all over. quite uncomfortable at the moment but nothing compared to them blummin stones!
  the operation took 40 minutes and was easy peasy, if anyone is worried about having their op don’t be! I’d have it done again ten times over rather than have hours of gallbladder pain anyday.
  hope everyone else is doing ok.
  sleep time! x

• Jaye
  August 5th, 2010 at 1:31 pm

  Hey Stephanie, I am so glad all went well for you. I am in total agreement with you about the operation being easy peasy and nothing compared to the pain of the attacks. I highly recommend the procedure too. I am 12 days post op and am totally back to normal and doing very well. I am actually leaving for holidays today! Take care and continue to get better.

• NINA
  August 5th, 2010 at 4:22 pm

  Hi Everyone, Glad to hear Step that you had your op and that it went well……..As you are all aware I have been put on tablets to dissolve the stones,then go back in 2 years time for another scan,I dont think my G.P. would have put me on these unless he knew they were going to work.NAOMI, Dont know your situation,so cant comment about the tablets and how they will do for you or anyone else,I am only taking my DR advise……………

• wendy
  August 5th, 2010 at 4:24 pm

  thanks for this list. I’m on my way to the doctor now after 4 attacks. the last one sent me to the ER and thank goodness for morphine. anyway, I heard you’re supposed to stay away from all legumes and beans. how can chili be on the list of main courses then?

  thanks.

• Shannon
  August 11th, 2010 at 6:51 am

  Jackie P- I had my gallbladder out 9 years ago, but since then I’ve had recurring problems every 2-3 years. I just had a second ERCP 2 weeks ago to try and halt them where they cut the pancreatic and bile ducts. Otherwise, I’ve been following the extreme low fat diet (<5 gram/day) for over 2 years to help keep the pain under control. So, no, unfortunately, getting the gallbladder out isn't always the end of the road..

• Gallbladder Symptoms
  August 13th, 2010 at 12:57 am

  Wow. Lots of great gallbladder discussions here. Thanks to everyone for sharing. A few ideas to throw into the mix: Gallbladder flushes/cleanses are helpful – even if you have your gallbladder out…and adding a few things to your diet (cleavers tea, artichokes, apples, turmeric, beets, etc.) can be helpful.

• Carla
  August 13th, 2010 at 9:25 am

  I had my op on 12th June it went well recovered quickly.I still have to be careful what I eat.I can eat bad things in moderation but the next day I end up with heartburn(this has been with cheese and drinking wine).I am not in pain so I think this is the way it has to be for me at least I can keep trying different food and see what works for me now.

• Alemu
  August 14th, 2010 at 12:06 am

  Hi
  thanks for such full of info. I had my first attack 10 days ago and hospitalized till last Monday. Now I am doing great my MD advised for diets and I am now supposed to take Op after 6 weeks contacting a surgen next week. my request for help is, is olive oil n lemon juice or other stuff can help cleansing the stones? is there any one diagnosed with such way? I need to know options other than removing the gall blader. the stones in my gall bl. reported to be small in size many in numbers.

• Stephanie
  August 14th, 2010 at 10:10 am

  Hi again everyone…
  …I’m just over a week post op now and can’t believe how quickly I have recovered. Still got a few aches and pains if I over do it but seem to have healed pretty well.
  Since the op I have eaten well (low sat fats) but have still indulged in pizza, curry, cakes and other high sat fat foods which would have left in me in agony before and I’ve not have as much as a twinge! (touch wood!!)
  I initially thought I could live with the problem and just try to avoid attacks but i am so glad I went ahead with the surgery now…I love food too much to worry about fat contents!!
  Good luck to all still waiting and worrying, it will all be sorted soon.
  Hope you have a great holiday Jaye & thanks Nina for your kind words and support
  x

• jade
  August 14th, 2010 at 8:00 pm

  hya every1.av found out av got a gallstone 12mm stuck in the entrance of gallbladder and a 16mm stone in gallbladder.am waitin to hear when am going 2 av surgery thru keyhole.am pretty scared coz nurse said it cud mve 2 my pancreas.plus am scard of bein put 2 sleep as av neva had it dne b4.cnt stop worryin.am on a low fat diet x x

• Tanya
  August 14th, 2010 at 10:33 pm

  Hi everyone,
  I was diagnosed with gallstones a couple weeks ago, they thought it was an ulcer for about 5 months, I have severe burning pain in upper abdomen, burping, acid indigestion, nausea and fatique, does this match anyone elses symptoms, they were so sure it was an ulcer and now so sure its gallstones just want to know if these symptoms relate to others.

• Stephanie
  August 15th, 2010 at 11:06 am

  hi jade…if you are having bad pain as a result of the gallstones, keyhole surgery will be the best thing you can do! especially if there is a danger of the stones escaping from the gallbladder! that would be painful! dont worry about been put to sleep at all! its so easy, you’re asleep before you even know it and it feels like you’re waking up seconds later! the low fat diet is the best way to keep the pains off pre-surgery.

  tanya, i mistook my symptoms for acid reflux initially, but as they worsened i knew it had to be some thing more! i suffered pains in my abdomen, sides and back which were excruciating! but i guess they can differ in severity, nausea, vomiting, dizziness…i definately know the difference between indigestion and gallstone pain now though! however, ulcers are really painful i know, my dad is suffering one now….your symptoms sound like a bit of both! have you had an scans or tests yet to determine what it could be?

• Peter W
  August 16th, 2010 at 10:10 pm

  Hi all, its great to read all the information on this site.
  I had major heart surgery to repair a valve 5 months ago and initially took the back pain as muscle spasms from the messing about I had in the op. But last couple of weeks its been getting worse and had a major attach last night, an hour of agony followed by throwing up for 15 minutes! Thank god I was able to go back to sleep. By coincidence had a Doctors appointment this morning and it was the first time Id even thought of gallstones, but now it all fits. Im on water tablets for water retention and statins to reduce my cholesterol, both of which can cause gallstones!! Just something else to add to the ever growing list of ailments! Starting to get really pee’d off! Hopefully I can change my diet enough to make a difference but last night Id have operated on myself if I could! Thanks for the info, Ill letyou know how it goes!!

• andy
  August 17th, 2010 at 2:27 pm

  hi y’all…
  just an update, my wife had her pro-op check today, and all is scheduled for keyhole surgery next thursday,
  she’s been following a strict <5% fat diet since this began (5 weeks ago), and has not had an attack for the last 3 weeks, she has also lost about a stone and a half in weight, which has made her really happy, she looks great, and was trying on loads of dresses today !
  I would have to say that the diet thing is absolutely essential, its just not worth chancing another attack or inflamation, just get the thing out before any further complications occur !
  anyway, will let you all know the results..
  hope everyone else is doing fine…

  Andy

• Bianca
  August 18th, 2010 at 2:33 am

  Hello to everyone.

  I just suffered my second attack 3 days ago. My first was in March 2009 where I was in so much pain that I was begging my family to put me out of my misery. Unfortunately that first attack was misdiagnosed by the emergency room I was admitted to as merely a stomach bad. Not likely considering I’d already visited my GP earlier that day for an injection to stop my vomiting (didn’t work) and the anti-nausea drug they give to chemo patients did nothing to stop my vomiting in the hospital.

  I’m having an ultrasound in a few hours, which I had to push for as my doctor didn’t think it was needed. This is after visiting him 3 days ago with severe back and abdominal pain on my right side, a temperature and nausea. This is also after my follow up appointment with him yesterday where my blood work came back clear (high cholesterol though) and he said he felt strongly that I have gall bladder disease.

  I know exactly what you are all going through and I’m wishing you all a pain free recovery on your low-fat diets post-op.

  Thank you for this blog Jamie, you’ve given my some hope after 3 very depressing days!

• Elaine
  August 18th, 2010 at 11:00 pm

  Hi everyone. Love the website. Found it whilst looking for information on gallstones. It makes the complaint easier to deal with knowing you’re not alone with this problem. I started with the most horrendous pain whilst in work but carried on, (must have been mad!!!) Anyway went to my GP yesterday and he thinks I may have gallstones. Now waiting for my appointment for ultrasound scan. My symptoms don’t appear to be typical though. My pain is more central abdominal and I don’t have the typical pain on the right side radiating through to the back. I love all the tips from different people on here. I shall be trying some of these and I’ll keep you posted.

• maria white
  August 19th, 2010 at 12:05 am

  Hi Tanya, saw my gp today who said my ultrasound found a gallstone,.but gp thinks it is my long term use of NSAIDS for back pain giving me acid indegrstion. Am starting on lansoprazole for a month I too have same symptoms as u. I am sure mine is my gall stone. Does anyone know if cider vinegar will do me any harm if it us stomach related and not gall stone? Thanks x

• Elaine
  August 19th, 2010 at 10:24 am

  Stephanie, can I just ask you, when you say you had pains in your sides and back, did you have them in your left side and back as well?

• Elaine
  August 19th, 2010 at 11:17 am

  Hi Maria, I have seen tips about cider vinegar and honey on this web page if that’s any help.

• Stephanie
  August 19th, 2010 at 2:46 pm

  hi elaine…

  my pain was at its worst when i felt it centrally, so im with you there!
  for me, the pain would start on the right hand side and slowly worsened over a period of 5-10 minutes until it felt like a vice was gripping the whole of the top of my abdomen! the ache in my back was more of an ongoing thing i experienced more and more as time went on.
  i wouldnt necessarily think it unusual for you to be feeling pain on the left hand side with gallstones, it maybe slightly different for everyone! although with me it was the right side, typically i have been told it is just generally the abdomenal area.
  good luck with the ultrasound and push for an appointment if they take their time with you and you are suffering the symptoms…i had too!

• maria
  August 19th, 2010 at 10:00 pm

  Thanks Elaine I will browse through

• kathy
  August 19th, 2010 at 10:43 pm

  Hi…I was diagnosed with gallstones a few months ago and have been waiting to see a surgeon. I had two severe attacks but knew immediately what it was as had the classic symptoms. I have followed a very strict diet since then…only fruit, veg, bread, potatoes and chicken really….but the most important thing for me has been organic beetroot juice with fresh lemon squeezed into it. I have been fine for the past few months and believe that the beetroot juice and lemon has really helped (beetroot juice thins the bile and stops the stones from sticking and fresh lemon juice is so acidic that it helps the body to get rid of excess fat). Every time I start to feel any pain at all I take a glass of beet juice and lemon, followed by a glass of water and I am ok after about 10 mins. This may not be a miracle cure but I would recommend anyone to try it as it may just work for you too. (not sure how effective it would be if you aren’t following low fat diet tho!). Good luck!

• Elaine
  August 19th, 2010 at 11:32 pm

  Hi Stephanie, thanks for the reply. My appointment for an ultrasound came through today, it’s next thursday so I have only had to wait 8 days from seeing my GP

• Tanya
  August 20th, 2010 at 8:23 pm

  Hi Maria
  The same exact thing happened to me with my doc, he thought i had an ulcer due to long term use of NSAIDs too, turns out he was wrong, it was gallstones.

• Jaye
  August 21st, 2010 at 6:57 am

  Stephanie, so glad to hear you are doing well post-0p!! It really is worth having the keyhole surgery.

  I just got back from a cruise and am so happy to report that I ate everything with no problems at all. I am almost 5 weeks post-0p now and feeling great and back to most of my regular activities.

  Good luck everyone.

• Alison
  August 21st, 2010 at 12:33 pm

  Hi All,

  Meant to get on here before now to let anyone who is waiting for keyhole op know how mine went.

  I was an absolute wreck going into surgery….everybody was lovely to me. Like someone mentioned before, it literally feels like you wake up 2 seconds later. The morphine is a bit bizarre….makes you feel teary, drunk etc all at once. The pain i felt was similar to period pains, so nothing too hard to deal with. I wanted to go home straight away, but had very low blood pressure so they made me stay in over night. The only thing i found very painful was when the pain relief wears off, your shoulders hurt quite badly from the gas….even that isn’t unbearable. I think it took 2 days to get rid of the gas…with a little help from peppermint tea.

  All in all, it hasn’t been a bad experience at all. There is one thing i wasn’t expecting…One of the nurses told me in the hospital that if i go back to eating ‘normally’ i will gain extreme amounts of weight. Has anyone else been told this?

• Jaye
  August 21st, 2010 at 8:30 pm

  Hi Alison, glad to hear your surgery went well, in spite of the gas pains. I didn’t suffer from that at all but many people do apparently. I wasn’t told about the gaining weight thing and I am watching what I eat in hopes of not gaining back all of the weight I lost while following the low fat diet. I am doing fine thus far even after being on a cruise last week and eating tons!

• Katherine
  August 22nd, 2010 at 8:26 pm

  Hi everyone

  I have spent the evening reading all the comments on this brilliant website – amazing. I thought i had been suffering with a Peptic Ulcer – for as long as i care to remember i have suffered heartburn, no matter what type of food i eat. Didn’t visit GP as have a history of Gynae problems with 7 previous surgeries including Total Abdominal Hysterectomy 3yrs ago, so have had my fill of Medical Procedures and unsympathetic GPs. Over the last few months though i’ve suffered from severe bile reflux, vomiting entire stomach contents after food, then 3wks ago had first bad ‘attack’ – symptoms of pain in upper mid abdomen between ribs, feeling of fullness/tightness, nausea/vomiting, sweating. This happened around 3am and lasted for about 3hours. I took extra doses of antacids which failed to work – i really didn’t know what was wrong with me. Suffered a second attack a week later – much the same as first, and again in middle of the night. Due to my job i have irregular mealtimes resulting in an atrocious diet. I have lost weight recently but blamed that on the fact ive been living on cereal, yoghurt and because i thought i had an ulcer i’ve been drinking loads of milk. However in early hours of Saturday morning i woke with excruciating pain, again in upper mid abdomen. Got out of bed thinking if i walked about it would ease – not a chance. I was sweating, body felt very cold and clammy though, vomiting and then the pain radiated through to upper mid back. Again i took antacids, still thinking it was ulcer related pain. It was so bad, i seriously contemplated going to A&E. I have quite a high pain threshold due to suffering Endometriosis for 25yrs, so i thought i was being a ‘weakling’ even considering visiting the Hospital, but the pain was severe. By 8.30am i wanted to pass out, and not wake up til whatever was wrong with me had passed. I filled a hot water bottle and sat with it alternately on my abdomen and back, rocking back and forth and vomiting into a bucket. The pain didn’t subside until shortly after 11am. I’ve felt quite bruised and tender in my upper abdo since. On speaking with my sister, she said she thought it sounded like Gallbladder/stones as she had suffered the same symptoms and had to have hers removed years ago. I never considered Gallbladder problems, hence the reason i came across Jamie’s website this evening – (thanks to all who’ve left comments, they are very informative to a novice like me and very reassuring that i didn’t just imagine the pain). Luckily i have an appointment booked with my GP for tomorrow, ironically to discuss the symptoms which i imagined were to do with having a Peptic Ulcer!! So at this stage i don’t really know what is wrong with me, but i’m definitely more informed as a result of all your comments/experiences and if i have another attack in the meantime i will be certain to visit A&E. Ironically by taking lots of Dairy food, and drinking 2 large glasses of milk before going to bed on Friday night, i think ive only made the problem worse and really suffered for my naivety.

  Thanks again, website invaluable.

• Stephanie
  August 24th, 2010 at 11:33 pm

  Glad to hear the cruise was a success food wise Jaye! I too am eating anything and everything with no pain! The op was the best thing I did, so pleased it seems to be for you too!
  Elaine, good luck with your ultrasound! Let me know what they say…
  & Alison…I was told on numerous occasions that I could return to the way I ate before all the gallstone pain started….so basically anything and everything! There should be no side effects (and luckily none so far) However, the docs dont praise SAT FATS much and said its best to avoid unhealthy foods anyway!! But I would have thought extreme weight gain would be a possibility only if you are susceptable to putting on weight anyway!

• shirley
  August 25th, 2010 at 12:58 pm

  Hi All,
  I hope your all well and coping ok …
  I just got my scan results…several large stones
  an inflamed bile duct and something called fat infiltration in the pancreas. Does anyone else have that or know what it means?
  My gp was unsure!!!, The consultant hasnt got back to me yet to discuss the results or to schedule the surgery so i am a bit worried as no one mentions that on this site(fatty pancreas).
  I am not over weight and my diet is ok i think,
  I seem to be able to eat anything with no repercussions and have only had 3 attacks in 2 years. If you can help with any info i would be grateful.
  thanks everyone, lots of love x

• Tahnie
  August 27th, 2010 at 10:38 pm

  I’m so glad I found your post! I have many other health issues and after multiple doctor visits this week, they are telling me I have a large gallstone and are recommending surgery. I’m hesitant to directly go that route without trying anything else because surgery is hard on my body. I don’t do well with anesthesia and I would most likely have to have an open surgery because of a kidney transplant. I have a little miracle baby who is 7 months old and can’t imagine being in the hospital away from her for 5 days and then 6 weeks of recuperating at home! I’ve tried to read through all of these comments and I know the apple juice cleanse doesn’t always work, but is there anyone out there who has had success with natural methods? As I said, I have many other health issues and there have been 3 other people younger than me, with my disease, who have passed away in the past month from infections. Needless to say surgery is a scary option for me.

• Mary -uk
  August 27th, 2010 at 11:24 pm

  Knowledge & wisdom is good to have especially of our amazing human body & how it works & functions & is so complicated; our creator gave us each part for a reason. Those who have been gifted can, with investigation, put us right, most times, when it is attacked. We are, what we eat & drink, unfortunately, we have no idea what has been added, just need to look around us, it’s so so sad.
  I’ve had problems with my stomach & have tried to manage it with self help as my body the medication when they found 3 ulcers & hiatus hernia in 2007. Just recently I returned to my GP
  & have successfully been quite stable until this week when I had an attack which was not like ever before. My GP has referred me for a Scan with suspected Gallstones! So tonight Jamie I’ve had confirmation galore – one thing that I was recommended by a friend,has not been mentioned & that is Charcoal which my GP likened to Bob Martin tablets that we give to DOG!
  You & your dear Wife & all who have shared are in my thoughts & prayers this evening, may our creator, Father God flow healing to each & everyone of us, in this time of our great need.
  Our father knows of us & our pain, there is a reason & silver linings will be revealed. God Bless

• Mary -uk
  August 28th, 2010 at 7:13 pm

  Hello to you all, what a Read! BIG THANK YOU. Confirmed symptoms I’ve experienced for some months now, thought it was to do with my hiatus hernia & 3 ulcers that I’ve managed for 3 years. ( I TOOK IN ON WEDNESDAY AT WORK) Thank you for valuable diet info, trying to understand what we eat & drink these days is so complicated, I’ve been armed with my magnifying glass today!! ( I Wrote quite a bit last night to you, spent 4 hours on your site) Albeit you are Godly folk to have shared with your fellow human beings & not tried to manipulate the suffering being endured; may God’s Blessing flow abundantly.

• Nikky
  August 31st, 2010 at 12:28 pm

  Hi everyone,
  I haven’t checked up on here in weeks. Life has been crazy busy lately. I’m happy to say that I booked myself in for surgery in a private hospital and its next week. I’m counting down the days and just can’t wait to get rid of the darn thing.
  My dad ended up in hospital a few weeks ago and it turned out it were stones lodged in the bile duct. He ended up having the keyhole surgery but had to stay in hospital for a few extra days as the gallbladder was badly infected and they had a drain in him just in case there was an infection.
  Tahnie the natural methods don’t work. My dad has been trying for the last 6 months and it just made it even worse. I’ve also tried the whole apple juice, epson salt, olive oil and lemon juice flush a few times and it hasn’t helped at all.
  I am so looking forward to my surgery and going back to eating normal again. I can tell you it is very very hard cooking low fat or no fat with a very demanding 4 month old baby. My surgeon told me to still stick to the low fat diet for 2 weeks post-op as a precaution.

• shirley
  August 31st, 2010 at 7:10 pm

  Hi Tahnie,
  Gosh, you poor thing, it sounds as if you have had your share of medical mishaps!
  I think if i were you i would go back to my gp and ask if you could have the 1 large gallstone treated by laser. Usually they dont suggest it for multiple stones but if you dont have many it might be worth asking.
  Anyway i wish you well and if you do need surgery i am sure you will be quite well.
  warmest wishes
  shirley

• naomi
  September 1st, 2010 at 8:33 pm

  Hi everyone,
  Thanks for all the ideas on the forum, this has been one of the most useful places to get good information. I’m back in the US (luckily with health coverage) after living in E. Asia and finally scheduled to meet with a surgeon (who speaks English!). I’m enjoying the low-fat and no-fat frozen yogurt and licorice here. Tahnie, for people who absolutely cannot get surgery, you can take Ursodiol– a pill that helps dissolve stones. But they only work in certain cases (with certain types of stones) and don’t guarantee against future stone formation– you will have to take those pills indefinitely and they may not work. Unless you get surgery, you will have to continue to eat a very low-fat diet (never eating eggs, cheese, oil, cream, etc). Gallstones are not like kidney stones– they do not easily pass– in fact the low-fat diet is to prevent them from moving around and clogging up your bile duct or heading out to your liver and pancreas to wreak havoc or perforate them. So if you consume oil– olive oil or otherwise– the stones might move– but probably not out of the body…good luck to everyone.

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