Gall stones

Disneyphile · 05-03-2010, 09:34 AM

I had my first gallstone attack in early 2002, and stupidly decided to try and dissolve then naturally through dietary changes. I spent a year going through at least one attack per week, up until one decided to move through and plug my liver duct, thus shutting my liver down. I couldn't even digest water at that point.

Went immediately to the ER and they had to do 2 procedures, the first of which was to run a tube down my throat and remove the stone from my liver duct. That resulted in causing panceaitis as a side effect, which caused pain throughout every little nerve in my body and lasted three days. They finally could do the laproscopy removal of my gall bladder. I spent a total of 9-1/2 days in the hospital, and for the first 3 days, they couldn't tell me if my liver would ever regain normal function, so I laid there wondering if I'd survive the whole ordeal.

My point is - have it out as soon as you can, especially with multiple stones. It's not worth the risk to try and combat it "naturally".

Also, sorry for the TMI, but one post-op side effect that still lingers (and this is with most cases I know), is that food sometimes goes in one end and out the other very quickly, especially first thing in the morning. So make sure you have quick access to a bathroom whenever having a regular meal. This occurs because the liver constantly dumps bile instead of storing it in the gallbladder.

In the meantime, to help alleviate a bit of the pain during an attack, have someone put hard pressure on your back, right near the lower right shoulder blade. You'll know when they hit the right spot, because you'll come down from the rafters.

Apple juice also helps pass an attack quicker.

Hope this helps! And, you really have my sympathy. It is NOT fun.

3894 · 05-07-2010, 10:04 AM

DP, how scary. I'm sorry you went through this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disneyphile

Also, sorry for the TMI, but one post-op side effect that still lingers (and this is with most cases I know), is that food sometimes goes in one end and out the other very quickly, especially first thing in the morning. So make sure you have quick access to a bathroom whenever having a regular meal. This occurs because the liver constantly dumps bile instead of storing it in the gallbladder.

Not to say neener-neener but just to give my own experience, any problems of this kind disappeared maybe 6 months after surgery, never to reappear.

And now to go post about bashing out my front teeth in a car crash when I was 16... Ah, memories.

Disneyphile · 05-07-2010, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3894

Not to say neener-neener but just to give my own experience, any problems of this kind disappeared maybe 6 months after surgery, never to reappear.

Lucky duck!

Although, I notice that it's mostly triggered by heavier foods nowadays and much less frequent than it used to be, thank goodness.

Scaeagles, I really hope you don't have another attack before the surgery. You're in my thoughts!

05-03-2010, 09:34 AM	#1
Disneyphile SQUIRREL! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: On the curbside. Posts: 5,098	I had my first gallstone attack in early 2002, and stupidly decided to try and dissolve then naturally through dietary changes. I spent a year going through at least one attack per week, up until one decided to move through and plug my liver duct, thus shutting my liver down. I couldn't even digest water at that point. Went immediately to the ER and they had to do 2 procedures, the first of which was to run a tube down my throat and remove the stone from my liver duct. That resulted in causing panceaitis as a side effect, which caused pain throughout every little nerve in my body and lasted three days. They finally could do the laproscopy removal of my gall bladder. I spent a total of 9-1/2 days in the hospital, and for the first 3 days, they couldn't tell me if my liver would ever regain normal function, so I laid there wondering if I'd survive the whole ordeal. My point is - have it out as soon as you can, especially with multiple stones. It's not worth the risk to try and combat it "naturally". Also, sorry for the TMI, but one post-op side effect that still lingers (and this is with most cases I know), is that food sometimes goes in one end and out the other very quickly, especially first thing in the morning. So make sure you have quick access to a bathroom whenever having a regular meal. This occurs because the liver constantly dumps bile instead of storing it in the gallbladder. In the meantime, to help alleviate a bit of the pain during an attack, have someone put hard pressure on your back, right near the lower right shoulder blade. You'll know when they hit the right spot, because you'll come down from the rafters. Apple juice also helps pass an attack quicker. Hope this helps! And, you really have my sympathy. It is NOT fun.
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