New Member: 3+ years of GB Pain and Misery

[Guest guest]

Hi

I've just joined, and though I would introduce myself. I'm hoping to

find help/support and advice from this group.

My name is Kirstin and I live in Central Scotland. In January 2004 I

suffered a severe gall bladder attack, my liver function was haywire

and I was losing consciousness through shock. I ended up in a high

dependency unit, and they diagnosed cholecystitis. When I went for an

ultrasound scan, no gall stones were found. I was discharged with

antibiotics, and so started what has been over three years of pain

and misery. I was only 21 at that point.

I'm now 25. Over the past 3 years, I've been told that I have nothing

wrong, told I was just depressed among other things. I get regular

attacks, and severe stomach problems (both ends). I've been on

tramadol for the entire time, and have recently been prescribed

pethidine and put on losec. This year I was finally diagnosed as

having gall stones. After fighting for more tests to be done (and at

first being told no because they cost money) - I was sent for a

isotope scan.

During the isotope scan no gall bladder was seen at all, and I was

called back two days later by a Dr to ''check my anatomy'' as he

didn't believe I had a gall bladder. He had a good look and found a

stone blocking the neck of the gall bladder, which he believes has

been there for the entire three years.

I'm overweight, and find it hard to reduce my weight - I find

exercising difficult due to pain I get (Even though I own 2 horses

and would ride/work with them daily if I could), and my diet has been

reduced to mainly living on Pepsi. I get a lot of bother with foods

causing intense pain. I tend to have a diet of Pepsi and toast. When

I asked my consultant about a liquid diet - since I realise surviving

on Pepsi isn't healthy - I was turned down.

I saw a Dr on Monday about operating. I was told that I wouldn't be

operated on due to my weight. I have a strong, healthy heart - and am

healthy otherwise apart from my gall bladder. I am reasonably fit,

and have been gradually losing weight. I fought with him - and he

finally conceded (after I threatened to sue) to put me forward for

heart/lung pre-op tests.

I'm in constant pain with this. And I don't know what to do. I've

looked at alternative therapies online, but never seen one that

seemed to have believable testimonies of working. But I want my life

back. I'm currently 'on the sick'/unable to work, and I've lost 3

years of my life to this. I used to be out-going, loved drinking

(which I was told to stop due to my liver function) and socialising.

Now I spend most of my time indoors, with little social contact.

I worry constantly about the thoughts of an operation, but at the

same time - I can't go on like this. I want it to be gone.

Anyways, sorry for the whiny post, but felt I should introduce myself

and my ''case''. I'd love to speak to people who have gall bladder

problems, I feel I bore friends and family, and I don't like to

show " weakness " so I find it difficult to admit to people here

exactly how it effects me.

Yours,

Kirstin xx