gall stone removal

Longtoothedgran I had my gallbladder removed when I was only 21 (very unusual to be that young!) and I can't begin to tell you how much better I felt afterwards. Mine was done in the old style, ie full blown surgery, and I still have a 10" scar to prove it!! (The surgeon removed my appendix while he was in there, hence the extra-long scar!!). I look as though I've got a zip

Hope all goes well for you, whatever method they use and that you will soon feel well again.

I am also facing an ERCP in May. I had my gallbladder removed a year ago and have had some discomfort ever since. This escalated at Christmas and since then I have had three emergency visits to hospital with raised liver function test results and extreme pain. Many scans later - which have not been conclusive - my consultant still believes there may be a small stone in my bile duct or I may have Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction, either way requires an ERCP. I have found this thread quite reassuring as I too have been quite worried about this procedure.

longtoothedgran I have not had this done but hope that after reading all of the kind and helpful posts, you will be feeling a bit better, wish you well

You really should not have to do this, especially when you are unwell. It is totally unacceptable that you should be directing your own care and fighting fr what you need. I am so sorry that you have been through this.

Well done gadabout. I have also had to push for my rights in the face of unreasoning bureaucracy. What worries me is that there must be so very many patients who don't have the know-how to do that.

Out of the blue I felt like I'd never felt before in June 2008 & discovered I had an infected Gall Bladder. The operation was put back until the infection had cleared but it never did & I had several emergency trips to hospital & a drain put in (under LA - most excruciating). The Radiographer & everyone else I saw said, "I'd have it out now, but I'm not your named Consultant". He was a very eminent surgeon but always working at the private clinic & lived in France. I didn't get to see him for the first time until the end of August. His Registrar had assured me he knew my case but he hadn't a clue about it & agreed the gb should be removed - but sorry, I'm on holiday for 3 weeks. I took matters into my own hands & emailed another surgeon & was operated on a few days later. Because of the 3 months of infection, it took me longer to recover from keyhole surgery than it should have. Health assistants got frustrated with slow progress & it took direct action to see the Pain Control nurse. It took a few months to really feel well again & the much needed weight loss was the silver lining.

I thought that would be the end of it but in 2012 I was on the train to see the Olympic marathon & suddenly took ill, got off the train & banged the emergency button. I pleaded with the ambulance to take me to another hospital & was later sent home with the promise of an appointment because they suspected a stone in the bile duct. The next day I was at a friend's when it flared up again. Luckily she knew a nurse who'd had the same & she told me to push for rapid treatment as the bilirubin can back up & damage the liver. (Be prepared for endless questions to check your alcohol intake - I drink very little!). Through seeing an excellent new GP and because I wouldn't tolerate again how I was treated before, I was very assertive, cut through all kinds of bureaucratic inefficiency & was treated with an endoscopy very painlessly & successfully in a much nicer hospital. A week later an appointment arrived for a diagnostic assessment which had been made by the initial A&E doctor!

My conclusion from these experiences was that routine procedures which should be simple can be made intolerable by dysfunctional & overloaded systems. I suffered so much less when I pushed for my rights. So stand up for them & be what others might call unreasonable (but probably you're not).

I'm sure most people are in and out quickly so don't want to scare you - just warn so you are on your guard & strengthen your resolve if you need to. But I'd agree with others & have it out, before complications arise.

I haven't had ERCP but I did have my gall bladder removed a few years back as day surgery. It was keyhole surgery (that isn't the same as ERCP, though, presumably?). I'd had a few really nasty attacks of pain prior to surgery and haven't looked back since. A few days' recovery and I got to keep my gallstones too
I had a general anaesthetic for it. Couldn't fault the procedure, the hospital or the aftercare. God Bless the NHS

Thanks for that. I feel much better having heard your positive experiences. I've been putting it off, but I don't think I can for much longer.

Just seen this, LongtoothedGran. I had gallstones - biliary colic - about 5 years ago and, as well as my gallbladder being infected, I also became jaundiced. They thought a stone was in the bile duct, so I had an ERCP. To say I was terrified would be an understatement. However, I had a spray at the back of my throat, as well as sedation. I've had sedation before - for a colonoscopy - and, while it relaxes me, I'm always wide awake. I didn't feel a thing when they did the ERCP and was able to view the screen. I didn't have a stone in my bile duct, but one had gone through and the duct had become infected, swollen and blocked - hence the jaundice. The doctor cut the end of the bile duct to allow the infection to drain. All I felt was a slight twinge in my chest when he did it, then it was all over. I couldn't believe I hadn't slept for days because of worrying about it! I didn't get pancreatitis, but had to stay in hospital overnight so they could keep an eye on me, which is procedure. I had my gallbladder removed by keyhole surgery 10 days later and have been fine since. I hope it goes well for you.

As I said in my previous post longtoothedgranny I had ERCP during which they shattered the stone in my bile duct. I was very heavily sedated due to high blood presure. I don't remember anything about it except wakeing up in recovery.

Thank you very much for that littlemo. I don't know anyone who says they have had an ERCP, but I wonder if they can't remember it. The leaflet that the hospital sent to me was very alarming, perhaps it is new!

I had my gall bladder removed over ten years ago, but last year was found to have stones in the bile duct. I had an ERCP to remove them. I was very apprehensive and nervous beforehand as I knew I would be awake throughout the procedure. My throat was sprayed with a substance to numb it and I was given a light sedation, but was not unconscious. The next think I remember I was in another room and it was all over. I believe, as others have told me, that I was given something that made sure I did not remember the details of what happened. While it was not a pleasant experience, it was not nearly as bad as I had expected and to be rid of the pain from the stones made it well worthwhile. I had no complications and only suffered from bouts of wind for the rest of the day. I hope sharing my positive experience helps you decide.

Thanks for your kind messages. I fear the endoscopy more than the surgery though. Does anyone have experience of the ERCP? I am not in pain at the moment, so am having time to research all the awful side effects. I don't fancy pancreatitis .

Thanks for your kind messages. I fear the endoscopy more than the surgery though. Does anyone have experience of the ERCP? I am not in pain at the moment, so am having time to research all the awful side effects. I don't fancy pancreatitis .

Thank you, Mishap.

Lilygran - so sorry to hear you have been suffering. You will feel so much better once you are rid of the offending organ and its stones, so I hope you will be well enough for the surgery very soon.

Agree with everyone, mine came out by major surgery about 30 odd years ago and I have had no issues since. Go for it!

This thread is so reassuring, just spent two weeks in hospital with gallstones/ infected gall bladder. Waiting to be well again before they take it out!

I had a stone move to my bile duct. It was agony, and I couldn't even keep water down at the time. They blasted it via endoscopy. That was 15+yrs ago. I think they must have shattered the several small ones in the gall bladder at the same time. I don't remember, but I've had no trouble since.
They wouldn't remove the gall bladder due to my weight

Had my gall bladder stones etc taken out about three years ago now by key hole surgery. Very little pain afterwards just a couple of twinges. Up and about the next day just couldn't drive for two weeks. Anything is better than the excruciating pain I experienced with gall stones. Good luck wih your surgery.

I would recommend removal of the gall bladder. I had mine removed over 20years ago endoscopically. I certainly would not want the slightest possibility of having to endure the pain I suffered before it's removal. The operation was fine and has improved since I had mine.

That pain is something else, Ariadne. GP called several times to give me a shot of Morphine. I seem to remember that I had 19 stones removed. In a wee jar somewhere.

Had mine by removed bu keyhole surgery about six years ago - it was day surgery and very quick. Tiny bit uncomfortable for a few days, but nothing, of course, compared to the pain of gall stones!

LongtoothedGran My gall bladder was removed by keyhole surgery way back when. I felt really ill prior to surgery and VERY much better since. I would recommend removal. My very best wishes to you.

I had my gallbladder removed for stones 25 years ago - I just missed the keyhole surgery which started about a year after my op. It certainly did the trick, and if you have a stone in the bile duct this is no joke. Personally I would opt for the surgery as I know how much better I felt getting rid of the stones; but I have no experience of this new surgical technique.

I hope that you will be better soon.