Tuesday 21 July 2009

grumpy


I think I mentioned in an earlier post that I have been diagnosed with gallstones. I am waiting for a specialist appointment to see what happens next............

I found out because of trouble with pain and vomiting. It really is immensely unpleasant. Caused by the body's inability to deal with fat. Likely causes - I tick every box.

Family History. Overweight ( was). Rapid weight loss ( recent). Fair skinned and fair hair. Previous pre-deliction for fatty foods..... yes that would be me.

The pain is really ghastly- a bit like labour pains but further up your body in the chest. Waves of discomfort. The type of pain which has you bargaining with God. 'I promise I will never.... I promise I will always.... if you take this pain away I will .....save more, spend less, be kinder, pray more.............' you get the picture?

I have been a no fat saint since I was diagnosed and I have been ( fairly) symptom free. But last night I had ( what I thought would be innocent and plain) chicken wings for tea with some salad. Not a good idea. I have been up most of the night in lots of pain. Not happy. Not happy at all. As I write this at six am I find that the pain is finally easing off. Back to bed for me. Luckily I can get a couple of hours sleep before work begins. So.... chicken wings are OFF the menu.

So... there is a point to this grumpy and grizzling post. If any of you have experience of this problem and can give me some ideas about diet, and tips for dealing with the symptoms, I would be most grateful.

I am now going to finish my peppermint tea and go back to bed. Au revoir.

15 comments:

Jinksy said...

Gallstones showed up on a scan I had years ago, but Metoclopramide pills kept the pain at bay, the couple of times I suffered with it. Apart from those times, the low fat diet seems to have kept further attacks at bay, and I still have the same gallstones! Lots of veg, salad and fruit: low fat spreads, cheeses and skimmed milk: plain home cooking rather than eating out, ready meals or take-aways: hardly any fried food, and the little I do cook that way, I use tiniest spot of safflower oil ( it seems to be very fine and doesn't burn easily) or recently, I discovered Coconoil (coconut oil) which is supposed to be 'good for you'! Hope the pains are gone now - good luck! :)

Busy Bee Suz said...

I feel for you. I have not experienced this, but have heard it is realllllly painful. I hope you get some relief very soon. Suz

Renie Burghardt said...

Poor Jo! Yes, gallblader problems are a real pain! Well, I have not been diagnosed with gallstones, but I do have a gallbladder that acts up whenever I eat something fatty. However, my symptoms are feeling nautious, and the stuff that follows it. Yuck.

Chicken wings are pretty fatty, actually. I snever eat any meat after 5 PM. Have a very light supper. And I try to stay away from fatty foods at all times. And things like cooked green peppers! etc.

Have you tried some Malox after eating something fatty and feeling sick? It has worked for me at times, but the best thing is to stay away from fatty foods, especially at supper time!

Hope you're feeling much better!

Hugs,

Renie

Rachel said...

Sounds awful and I've heard the pain from gallstones is bad.

Sorry I don't have any advice, but I hope you are feeling far better by now!

Decadent Housewife said...

Sorry you have been under the weather - not fun - not fun.

Anonymous said...

Oh no, that's awful! Hope the pain eases off for you. Ask about your options, including whether the stones can be dissolved via ultra-sound. Hugs.

Suburbia said...

Gosh, that sounds horrid. I wish I could help. At least it can be cured I guess, so hopefully you can get well soon.

Jan Blawat said...

I had symptoms like yours a few years ago. I had several small stones, which can squeeze into the bile duct and cause problems. I guess one large stone isn't so bad. Ate practically no fat and did well for a year, but finally a stone got lodged in the duct and I had to have surgery. If I'd known how easy the surgery was, I would have had it sooner. Some veggies can also cause gallbladder issues when you have stones. Good luck! You're right, the pain is awful, much worse than childbirth or anything else I've experienced.

Lakeland Jo said...

Jinksy- I will check out safflower and coconut oil- thanks for the tip.
Renie- I agree with the green peppers comment. I am pretty sure my digestive system doesn't like them. I don't know what Malox is?
We don't have it here in England.
Jan- I have suspected that some veg seem to cause me trouble. Peppers ( as per above) for sure, need to keep an eye on what else. Roast veg ( one of my fave) is definitely out- too much oil. Sigh

Gberger said...

UGH...so sorry to hear this. I don't know anything about it, but I wish you exceedingly well.

Gill - That British Woman said...

no advise, just wanted to say I am thinking of you and hope you get this resolved soon,

Gill in Canada

Clippy Mat said...

you have my deepest sympathy. my husband had surgery on his gall bladder, i.e. removal in december. he was in absolute agony when he had the attack. i think you should have your gall bladder out maybe? it can be a simple op. good luck :-)

Hadriana's Treasures said...

Sorry, Lakeland Jo, to hear about your sickness. Hope it is easing a bit now.

(Sorry I haven't been over in a while...really need to get this laptop sorted out!)

Hope the tests and procedures are revealing what you want to hear. Thank you for popping over to mine and your lovely comments.

Take care, Hx

Unknown said...

Just a thought Jo - my brother Andrew's wife had really bad gall bladder problems and they wanted to remove it. She decided to take strict control of her diet and thus far the pain has stayed away and she did not need the op.
She is over here now but travelling up North but I will ask her what she did on her return.

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

I had one attack--and you're right the pain is the worst. I cut out almost all fat for some time and that seemed to do the trick.