gallstones

[Guest guest]

First let me say that I do believe people should try and keep their

gallbladders. However, I don't think it's always possible. If you are just

having attacks from time to time and associated with certain foods, then I

think these attacks can easily be handled with diet and cleansing.

I think what concerns me about your story is the pancreatitis. I mean has

anyone here ever had pancreatitis? I know that is not something to play

around with, and this can be caused by gallstones. Jaundice can also be

caused by gallstones. In my case I tried to keep my gallbladder for 2

years, I know that's not very long and I would've tried for many years to

come. However, my liver was failing - I was completely jaundiced. The

ducts to my liver were blocked. My pancreas was not doing well either, I

couldn't maintain my blood sugar levels. In cases where your other organs

are suffering - should we just continue to let them fail for the sake of

keeping our gallbladder? My opinion is we should not let everything else

fail just to save our gallbladder. Do I feel the gb is important? YES!

However, come on - no one is being a wimp by removing their gb especially in

instances where it's killing them. Should I have just let my gb remain

blocked and risk losing my baby as well? Believe me, I am an advocate of

keeping the gallbladder but we've got to remember everyone is in a different

situation. If we're just having attacks, and if they can be controlled by

diet and we can flush that's great - that's what we should do..but in

instances of it affecting our other organs, I think I'd rather save the

other organs. I would be curious to know why you got pancreatitis and also

why you were jaundiced? Have those things now cleared? I'm not saying

remove your gallbladder - I'm just wondering have these things now cleared

and do you know why those things happened to you? I would not want to

remove the gb for the sake of investigating the other organs, is that the

reason they want to do it?

Alison Orr <alison@...> wrote:

Some of you may remember my story. Having been hospitalised twice, first

with pancreatitis and secondly with jaundice, due to gravel and sludge in

my gallbladder, I was sent for an MRCP, which I couldn't go through with -

it made me realise just how claustrophobic I am! I was told I'd be sent

for a telescopic inspection of my bile ducts and have been waiting for 2

months for that. Today I got a letter from the surgeon telling me they've

decided to go ahead with the gallbladder removal and THEN do the telescopic

investigation, down to my pancreas and duodenum, and that I'm on the urgent

waiting list.

I've been too scared after the very nasty time I had with the jaundice to

try any of the flushes and confess I've not been eating well - just pretty

low fat to avoid an attack. Recently I've been eating more fat without any

problems (hope I'm not speaking too soon!).

I am not convinced that removing my gallbladder is the right way to go.

I've not had an attack since June, after having had about 6 of varying

degrees over the previous 8 months. I'm also 20 stone and not happy about

being operated on. I'd prefer to put it off unless it's really really

essential.

Does anyone have any advice for me?!

Alison

UK