New Sufferer Wading Through the Literature ;-(

[Guest guest]

Thanks for this group! I've read your files and lots of other stuff

since my first attack. Comments followed by several questions, not all

typical :-)

OI! Even as a hypochondriac whose grandmother used to talk about her

gall bladder and who reads articles on all sorts of diseases I had NO

idea what the words " gall bladder attack " and " gall stones " meant til

had first attack Feb. 13. (At 56 years, about same time granny had hers

out.)

I might have triggered mine by a) taking up apple cider vinegar to

stimulate digestion 6 months ago, after which started getting these

strange pinches and " gas " pains running through intestines (my first

expulsions evidently since that vinegar used to soften stones) and

Feb 12 OD-ing on bacon and whole milk yogurt which started spitting them

out right and left and aggravated and inflamed the heck out of it.

Went to doctors who gave me antibiotic and belladonna antispasmodic

which seem to help a bit; aspirin and hot water bottles did as well.

Still have painful attacks that feel like stones passing after eating,

especially after go to bed, or in middle of night. Mostly a dull

throbbing like a sack full of stones suddenly inserted under my right

rib! (DUH!)

I'll have ultrasound in next week or so just to make sure I don't have

any huge killer stones - but also more interested in gentle cleansing

than trying a big flush, which sounds scary right now. (And I am happy

about one result of all this - I'll lose most of those extra 80 lbs

cause I'm scared to east vast amounts of fatty-sweet stuff as in the past.)

Having dealt with many less severe problems holistically in the past,

now studying online the different procedures, foods, herbs, etc. for

different effects and trying to decide how to proceed, since don't

want/can't afford operation (no health insurance). Have looked at your

file area here.

QUESTIONS:

1. Why does losing lot of weight and yo yo dieting cause gall stones?

Keep reading it but no explanation. (I've been a yo yo-er over the

years, sometimes on purposes, sometimes because of great changes in

activity/food consumption levels.)

2. I assume DICYCLOMINE(Bentyl) mentioned in FAQ is by prescription??

3. Can massage push a gall stone through? Second day of attack I did

feel one had been stuck and massaged it and felt a pain and felt it run

through my system. Felt much better after that.

4. Should I avoid ALL bile stimulent foods and herbs (including lemon

and apple juice) until the inflammation/pain calms down? I've been

doing juices only and then realized maybe should wait.

5. ONIONS and GARLIC. I've read a couple times onions aggravate gall

stones, but not why. And love garlic so hope it doesn't.

6. Liquor - not a big drinker but it is tempting now to have a stiff

drink so don't feel the pain. Is it fatty or what??

7. Big Flush - doesn't it hurt? I guess doing the relaxants helps.

8. Still trying to figure out role of epson salts since mostly it's not

mentioned in pages I've gone to but saw posts here saying it relaxes

ducts - like it evidently relaxes the whole intestinal system.

7. Pimples on torso: around this time I've developed all these painful

little pimples around front below ribs and mid back. They feel like

they go deep inside. Going to try epson salt bath and see if that helps.

Alcohol and aloe gel haven't.

8. I've done flax seed oil on and off and it's great. Also Evening

primrose has had positive effects on other conditions. Have a bunch of

that and cod liver oil got recently in sales, so want to use them up.

Assume they are almost as good substitute for flax seed oil, though will

keep using it.

9. Psychological: yes, people often say I have a lot of gall! And too

often am generally ticked off at our less than perfect social-political

structures and some of the vicissitudes of life. Also a big PLANNER

which one site says is related to gall stones. Anyway, thinking will

have to get serious about meditation, positive thoughts, forgiveness and

love and peace. Has that helped people??

10. Biorythms? Are you guys familiar with the 23 physical cycle, where

you are much more tired, susceptible to illness (gall bladder attacks)

during the 11.5 day bottom half and much better more energetic, able to

deal with illness during the 11.5 top half? Mine started as I went into

the down cycle and looking forward to improvement as it goes up starting

end of week. Search internet for info. You can do your chart by

entering B-date at http://www.facade.com/biorhythm/

Carol in dc, finding out what " in the belly of the beast " REALLY means :-)