How can you releive the pain of Gall Stones?

Question

My father has just found out that he has gallstones. He was waiting to hear back from his doctor/hospital for when he can have an operation to sort the problem. In the mean time is there anything he can take to releive the pain when it occurs? He anticipates a wait of at least a few months before he can have the operation so obviously would like to suffer as little as possible until then

Answer 1

Stay away from spicy foods and tomatoes. They flair it up. In all honesty, I would try to simplify my diet as much as possible. I'd drink tons of water, and only eat very basic, healthy things when I was hungry.

Answer 2

Avoid fat - basically the gallbladder stores excess bile and secretes it into the digestive system when you eat fat. If you have gallstones the pain is caused by the gallbladder contracting around the stones when releasing bile - pain killers are an option but I found drinking plenty of water to dilute the fat helped. If your father has lots of attacks take him to a&e, they will either admit him and operate or it could speed up time on waiting list - good luck to him, I know how it feels

Answer 3

OMG!!

I feel so seriously sorry for your Dad!

I had these a couple of years ago and it was THE worse pain of my life. With me, I could feel the pain very slowly working up to a huge crescendo. I used to have to leave work and go straight to bed. I could only get a tiny bit of relief if I rolled myself up into a ball into the foetal position.

I took the STRONGEST painkillers I could, but these made ABSOLUTELY no difference at all. However, I couldn't take the chance and NOT take any - if you know what I mean.

Luckily my company had private insurance and I was sorted out in a couple of weeks of being diagnosed. But those two weeks were AGONY.

I really hope your Dad doesn't suffer too much.

Best of luck.

Answer 4

I found that if I ate anything high in fat or gorged my self on any type of food that would set it off, from first symptoms to having my gall bladder removed was aprox a year, I would make sure I went to bed sat up as lying down seemed to aggrivate it. The odd occasion when I did have an attack even though I was being cautious I would just pace basically until the pain went, It is one of those pains that just doesnt let up what ever position you get in so I would walk around my coffee table humming, weird I know but it kind of took my mind off it.

Answer 5

I will echo what others have said, avoid fatty foods at all costs, I know what that pain is like, I craved peanut butter while suffering with this, why do you always crave what you can't have? Tell your dad to try a hot water bottle if he has an attack it may help, not too hot though and get some pain killers from his GP, I do hope he doesn't have to wait too long for his op!

Answer 6

Hello,

(ANS) YES! there is something your father can do to reduce the pain and avoid further pain. That is too avoid fatty foods, anything like bacon sandwiches, fry up's, fish & chips, fried meals in general.

**NOTE: My best friend is a VERY experienced consultant and GP (family doctor) she also suffers with her gall bladder but hasnt reached the piont were it requires surgery though. She always gets pain if she eating the wrong foods. She told me that avoiding fatty foods is essential.

**My dad had his gall bladder removed because it had ruptured and he was in agonny with it, until the surgery.

Hope that's of help?

BEst Regards IR

Answer 7

He could do a liver flush - search on the internet for instructions - and pass the stones before even having the operation. The procedure is simple and just takes a bit of preparation. I have a client who has now done five flushes (you need to do six) and has so far passed a small bowl full of stones.

Answer 8

I have had recent experience with this sort of problem. As far as an analgesic Tylenol but the main thing is it to avoid fatty greasy foods which can trigger an acute attack. Your father should eat small low-fat meals. You should seek immediate medical attention if the pain persists, elevated temp., tachycardia(increased heart rate), dark orange and foamy urine, jaundice, and signs of any dehydration. Good luck:)

Answer 9

i was in terrible pain with my gallstones and tried all the over the counter medicines to relieve my pain, nothing worked i ended up going to the hospital and they gave me tramadol for the pain, in the meantime tell him to avoid all spicy and fatty foods as this contributes to the pain, i eventually had them removed 18 months ago and can honestly say it was the best thing i ever did

Answer 10

Instead of sitting and studying, listen to books on tape since you walk, clean, or garden.