Has anyone else got gallstones?
Have you found anyway of making the pain better?
Has anyone had their gallbladder removed, and what was your experience?

I've been up for hours in pain, it's horrendous, I'm hoping willow has a lie in this morning as I'm on my own with her (hubby works abroad) and I can't look after her properly like this, have an appointment with the surgeons at the end of the month to discuss having my gallbladder out, and I'm leaning towards having the surgery, but I've heard it's REALLY painful!

I've not had any trouble myself but my best friend had gallstones and had to have her gallbladder removed. She was in hospital overnight and was in pain for a couple of weeks but the pain wasn't as bad as if she were having an attack, the first few days were the worst then it did ease off. She was only given paracetamol so it couldn't have been too bad.

Since the op she's not had any more trouble and hasn't had to stick to a particular diet, she eats fairly healthily anyway but hasn't had any trouble with fatty foods if she's eaten out now and again.

Hope you feel better soon and if you do have it removed hope it all goes well x

Thank you x

Hiya, I had my gall bladder removed due to gallstones about 8 years ago. The pain from the attacks was unbearable (I'd say comparable with labour pain!) so surgery was the best option for me. I was uncomfortable after the op but nothing more than that. I did have to stay in bed for a week or so though so you would need to get help with your LO if you went ahead with it.

I did have a mild form of ibs before the op and found that since having my gall bladder removed I suffer badly if I eat anything too greasy or fatty. So you may find you have to modify your diet afterwards but that's the only side effect I've had.

Let me know if you want any more info! x

The surgery was hardly painful at all. I was back to feeling like myself in a matter of days, and getting rid of the gallbladder pain is SO WORTH IT.

I had my gallbladder out 2.5 years ago... The attacks were worse than labor and delivery. I didn't even know what was going on until I ended up in the ER one night because I felt like somebody was stabbing me repeatedly in the lung. Owwwwwwwieeee

Anyway. I had my gallbladder out on a Tuesday morning, spent the afternoon in the hospital getting my vitals monitored and whatnot and went home Tuesday evening. I spent 3 days in the hospital though... had my last attack the Saturday night before the surgery.

Absolutely no complications from the surgery. I was put on vicodin for the pain, which I stopped taking at 3 or 4 days after. I was told not to lift more than 10lbs for the first 2 weeks -- luckily my baby was exactly 10lbs at the time, so I was fine there. I did have my SIL, my sister, and my mom come over to help out the first couple of days though, just because I was on vicodin and DH wasn't home so I wanted somebody who was sober there 'just in case'. I don't recall the healing taking too long... I felt better almost immediately after having it out. I haven't had any long term effects that I can think of. For the first couple of months afterwards, super greasy food gave me the runs, but that didn't last for very long. I can basically eat absolutely anything that I want to now Overall... having it taken out was probably one of the best things I've ever done for my body.

As an added perk... I used to have GERD and CONSTANT heartburn. I was on a double dose of omeprazole just to make it through the day. After having my gallbladder out, I don't have to take medicine at all for heartburn anymore (except during pregnancy). I take one omeprazole if I know that we're going to be eating something with tomato in it, just because I know that's going to give me a little bit of discomfort. But if I forget to take it, I do just fine with just a glass of milk and/or a couple of Tums.

And the pain of healing from the surgery is SO worth it to never have a gallbladder attack again! Even waking up from surgery with no pain killers in my system (WTF hospital?!?) wasn't as painful as gallstones!

Gallstone pain is the worst I've experienced! Would rather give birth daily than suffer a minute of it!
I never found painkillers really helped but I did find using Buscopan (which is an OTC IBS remedy) did help a tiny bit if I took it soon as an attack started. It is an an antispasmodic so helps stop your bile duct cramping around a lodged stone. Your GP can prescribe it if you need to take it regularly.

As for having my GB removed. Piece of cake. Had surgery at 8am and went home at 4pm. I took painkillers for a couple of days but didn't desperately need them. I was back riding my horse less than a week later.
Straight after the op I thought it would be best to go on a low fat diet. Then I discovered eating fruit or tomatoes made me feel very sick and caused instant diarrhoea! Strangely I had no probs eating ice cream, cheese etc. I eventually weaned myself back onto fruit by eating a tiny square of fruit alternated immediately with a square of cheese. Bizarre. Now I eat whatever I want though.

because I would wish that pain on anyone.

Ah good news thank you!
The attack stopped after 4 hours, and I feel fine now :-) it is as bad as labour though! My hubby doesn't believe me though so I'm Going to show him this thread, when he returns!

Hearing this I will go through with the op, people scaremongering as usual- a friend told me the op felt like you'd been kicked in the side by a horse, but she was obviously exaggerating!

I've actually been kicked in the side by a horse. DEFINITELY not the same! My ribs that were broken by that incident STILL ache when I get a heavy cold.

Definately go see your GP, because gallstones can cause other issues with liver and pancreas.

I had mine out in December 2011 after 2 years of constantly being in hospital and numerous infections. My life is so much better now. No more pain, sickness, infections or hospital visits.

Make sure you keep on at them to sort it for you.

ETA: The recovery from keyhole is NOT bad at all. For the first day I did struggle with walking and other bits. But after day 2 I found myself feeling so much better. I did take codeine for a few days but was fine after that