Comments on: The Gallstones Diet

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:03:32 +0000

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

By: Rox

Rox — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:09:19 +0000

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

By: Laura

Laura — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:04:05 +0000

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

By: Rose

Rose — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:42:32 +0000

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.

By: Debbie Smart

Debbie Smart — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 19:40:49 +0000

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 !!!!

By: Debbie

Debbie — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 22:51:19 +0000

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?

By: Debbie

Debbie — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 22:49:57 +0000

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

By: Susan

Susan — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:41:35 +0000

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.

By: Jamie Lawrence

Jamie Lawrence — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:03:24 +0000

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.

By: Debbie

Debbie — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:56:37 +0000

@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.