HELP I want my gallbladder gone YESTERDAY.

Another factor that causes gall stones: losing a lot of weight. Can you believe it? It's like getting punished for working hard and losing pounds. That's what caused my gallbladder problems (the doc suspects).

I forgot that one, but yeah it doesn't seem fair does it.

Well, an update of sorts.

As of today it no longer hurts from the Great French Fry Incident.  I called the hospital where the specialist works.  Apparently she only comes to my area on Fridays and I got in for the 1st which is a week tomorrow. 

That's not enough time to get in to see my GP, have him order the blood tests and have the test but I'm under strict orders to go to A&E if it hurts again.  Until then I won't be straying from my banana/toast/egg/baked potato diet. 

I'm taking DH with me (maybe she'll respect him since he's english ).  I'm bringing a list of demands questions I want answered.  Including, if she's being rude, how to get a second opinion.  Any suggestions?


Now, for those who were wondering...here are my triggers/symptoms.

I always have associated back pain under my right shoulder.  It feels almost muscular but back rubs exacerbate it.  I don't think everyone has this, but it is one possible symptom.  Also, I never have nausea which is supposed to be a symptom.  The pain is down and to the right (if you're in my body) of my solarplexis, almost under my ribcage.  They are almost always at night.

I feel like stress is a strong contributing factor but I've never had one that wasn't accompanied by some spicy or greasy meal.  I have some food triggers but they're oddly inconsistent which makes me think there are other factors.  I've successfully eaten loads of jambalaya, dirty rice, chilli, curries, kebabs, steak, meatloaf, hamburgers, fried chicken (wow that list looks unhealthy, but it is over a long period of time!! i don't eat fast food and indian is my only take-away)

Prior to the first one, I hadn't lost a lot of weight though I have now.  I was overweight but not by an awful lot.  I'm 27, only 1/16 native american (they apparently are really prone to getting them but I hardly think a sixteenth would count), don't smoke, rarely drink and my only vice is coffee and sweets neither of which I can tolerate now.

so, there you go.  good luck to anyone else suffering!!!!!

I'm glad you got your appointment date moved up.  Also, take their advice, and if it hurts again, go directly to A&E, do not pass go, do not collect £200, just go to A&E!!  And take care of yourself.  It sounds like you've been in a lot of pain and living very strictly because of this.  Make sure you get it sorted and in a way that is satisfactory to you.  It's your body.  Definitely ask how you might be able to get a second opinion. 

Are you sure that you can't get into see your gp any sooner? Mine always keep a certain number of slots open for same day appointments. You always have to call when they first open at 8.30 but if you do you can almost always be seen that day.

Please remember about the dark urine. You'll notice it staining the paper a bright yellow. And keep a look out for any yellowing in the whites of your eyes. Those are signs that it is affecting your liver functions and you need to go immediately to A&E.

Other than that...where are you located? Are you anywhere near Islington, Harengey or Camden? My team are the absolute best. If you need to get a second opinion you need to ask about Mr Alan J Wilson. He was my senior doctor. He works at UCL and the Whittington where I went. He is one of the best in the country in terms of gastric surgeons.

Be mean, be pushy, stand up for yourself and your needs and don't let this woman get to you. Please keep us updated and PM me if you need any empathy.

One thing I will say is that if they can't do the keyhole procedure and have to do the open surgery, the recovery isn't that much better than you are feeling right now. And my doctor says it takes 2-3 months...6 months until you are totally back to yourself. So I really hope for your sake that it doesn't progress to include the ducts and liver. I hate feeling this way...and it has been 3 weeks tomorrow since my surgery and I can hardly walk to the store.

One thing I will say is that if they can't do the keyhole procedure and have to do the open surgery, the recovery isn't that much better than you are feeling right now. And my doctor says it takes 2-3 months...6 months until you are totally back to yourself. So I really hope for your sake that it doesn't progress to include the ducts and liver. I hate feeling this way...and it has been 3 weeks tomorrow since my surgery and I can hardly walk to the store.

I'm curious, did you have laproscopic surgery or open surgery? I had laproscopic, and the doc told me I'd be fine in two or three days. I ended up staying out of work two weeks and walked like an old lady for another couple of weeks (this was before the bad knee problems, 'cause I walk like an old lady all the time now!). I'm just wondering if docs always underestimate recovery time or what.

I had to have the open surgery because two stones were blocking the common bile duct and effecting my liver functions. They even had to put a t-tube into the common bile duct for drainage that stayed in two weeks. I had to go back to the hospital to have that removed. My doctor said that 3 weeks was the average recovery time for the keyhole, but 2-3 months for the open...with it being 6 months or more before you are 100%. For instance, we had been thinking about trying for one more baby before it is too late but he said we have wait at least six months and better a year before we try. That's how major an open procedure is...which is why I keep trying to push her while the keyhole might still be an option. I wouldn't want anyone to have to go through this.

I'm curious, did you have laproscopic surgery or open surgery? I had laproscopic, and the doc told me I'd be fine in two or three days. I ended up staying out of work two weeks and walked like an old lady for another couple of weeks (this was before the bad knee problems, 'cause I walk like an old lady all the time now!). I'm just wondering if docs always underestimate recovery time or what.

It's average recovery time. I had a lap surgery and couldn't stand up straight or walk upright for over ten days. And I shared a room with a woman who two days after the surgery was swaning about as if she'd never had it.

Some heal faster than others I guess.

Wish I was healing faster!