Any arthritis sufferers had their gallbladder removed?

marie48

Just found out I need my gallbladder removed, got a gallstone 18mm and was told to have it removed. I suffer from generalised osteo arthritis and find it difficult to cope with an op as well. To be honest, I ache all over and cannot really tell whether it is arthur playing up or gallstones. At the moment it is manageable, GP has prescribed codeine phospate in case of a bad attack.

I really need some advice, I am 62 going on 63, shall have it removed now whilst I will still be able to cope or wait to have an attack and then take it from there? Hubby thinks I should have it done now to prevent further complications. The ultra sound shows it is sitting at the entrance of the gall bladder and that's why is causing me a lot of pain but I told the GP when I had the ultra sound I was not in pain. She then said to wait and monitor. I have also found out that my diet does not seem to affect the pain, it is more or less a niggling ache which you can put up with it. I have eaten pork with fat and did not have an attack. I would appreciate some advice from members who have experienced the same problem. Thanks

dreamdaisy

I know of a forum member (with RA) who had hers removed yesterday after months of sheer agony. She hasn't been able to take her RA meds either due to the gall bladder problem. She hasn't posted for quite some time, and may not look in as she is obviously somewhat under the weather. I know that it was done by keyhole surgery, they did keep her in overnight for observation as her BP was very low, and she says she is sore but that the pain meds are helping.

I think your husband is right: why wait until things get worse? That could mean a bigger procedure and a longer recovery. Only you can decide what you can tolerate but it would seem sensible to me to get it dealt with sooner rather than later. I wish you well. DD

julie47

Hi marie48

I haven't had this procedure but I too know a lady who is in her 60s that had it done. She was is agony with the gall stone so was glad to get it sorted.
She also has oa.

Making a decision is hard I know...especially as you think you are coping at the moment.
You just have to weigh up the situation and then decide.

Good luck
Take care
Juliepf x

marie48

Thanks, it is just I am petrified of GA. I have also done a lot of research and although you do not need your gallbladder, there is a risk of bowel cancer when you have it removed. Being referred to the hospital will take ages, I do not mind having an assessment and then decide. I do not know whether I could do that. Will have to think about it carefully and then decide. I am so used with everyday pain and cannot tell which is which!!

tweedie

Hi Marie,
I have RA and OA and I had my gallbladder removed 9 months ago , my advice is get it done sooner than later , then you can arrange everything because you are restricted a little after , AND if you wait for an attack it can be very very bad !! not recommended at all .
All my many medications were taken into account including my morphine patches , I had keyhole surgery , they went in through my tummy button , 2 tiny incisions near my gallbladder and another just under my boobs , the last one was for a pain block , I had to stay in hospital overnight , I had staples not stitches , had a cuppa few hours after I came around , eating from breakfast next morning home mid afternoon , staples removed at my GP's , now tummy button looks more or less the same as before op and all the other scars look like little snake bites , if you have had things like arthoscopy done scars are just the same. If you leave it until it is really urgent its bound to be at a inconveiniant time, I do feel a lot better in myself now even though like you I did not feel before that it was bothering me that much before , apart from when it was playing up , also if it more likely to be done keyhole if it is pre arranged and not an emergency. You are a little sore afterwards but thats all , really its not too bad .
Hope this helps
Joanna
(Tweedie)
xxx

tweedie

Hi Marie,
Just a note , if the gallstone starts on its journey , it will be agony , a lady in the next bed to me passed with the pain and she was young and healthy.
Joanna
xxx

marie48

Thanks for your post. It only started bothering in November. I read you can get the stones shattered but was not offered the option, I guess it is too big. I am concerned about living without the gall bladder, were you told whether it is possible to have side-effects like long term diarrhoea, I do know any surgery is without any risk? I think I will ask my GP to refer me and then discuss with the surgeopn. I guess I cannot make up my mind as I did not experience a very bad attack. It does niggle me everyday, aching on upper back and belching everyday after a drink. I am such a coward, I will have to make a decision but with so many things going on with the OA, I could do without that as well. Thanks for all your help.

tweedie

Hi Marie,
For myself there are no real side effects ??? apart from no worry about the stone causing a blockage and me suddenly needing an emergency operation which would most likely not be keyhole. The sooner you can get this all sorted the better you will feel, all your fears are quite natural but I would say please be MORE worried about what is and could happen with your gallstone !!, we all have a lot of pain anyway , your arthritis and the medication used for it IS more likely to cause nasty side effects , your surgeon will tell you we do not need our gallbladders they are like appendix , not much use but a painful problem when playing up , please don't be so afraid and remember you are already getting pain from your gallbladder , why suffer more than you have to ?
All my best wishes
Joanna
xx

katknapp

im not much help im afraid i had my gullbladder removed years ago before i knew i had arthritis,but i can still remember the awful pain it was like someone had stuck a knife in and twisted it,i couldnt eat anything like burgers or curry...worst year ever lol...it was absolute bliss when it was taken out and i suffered hardly any pain after either they give you some pretty good pain relief,the only minor thing after is that you do need to get to the toilet a bit quicker than you would have done before the op,its only a tiny inconvenience campared to the excruciating pain of gullstones,good luckxx

marie48

Thanks a lot, your posts have helped me to make a decision. Will ask GP for referral on Monday as I understand sometimes it can take months to be seen. As Joanna said, there is also the worry of it getting stuck and causing more problems.

moggiefan

Hi Marie48,

Just wanted to add my comment re gall bladder removal as I had mine done by keyhole surgery in 1999. PLEASE go sooner rather than later like I did. I left it for over a year, some my fault ,some consultants and I ended up being in Hospital for a fortnight before they would operate. My gall bladder had got so inflamed and was so bad they had to give me strong antibiotics to get it calmed down first before they would operate. Then it was operation one day and home the next. Never looked back since although I don't like a big meal too late at night as it takes the digestive system longer as you are only left with a bile duct to break down foods etc. Although this could be a sign of age as well!!
Kind regards
Moggiefan

border

I concur with all the advice. My gall bladder was removed years ago after 6 very painful months working. At least I did not have to cope with arthritic pain - in fact it would have driven me mad :x Get on and get the blessed thing removed - life will be a bit easier afterwards.

skezier

Hi Marie,

Nice to see you again though sorry your having all these problems flower.

I was told I had gall stones and thankfully they either passed or dissolved BUT I used to work on the Ambulance service and I know you don't want to leave it get that bad.... You really don't.

Glad you are asking for a referral and flower its going to be ok. Keep us posted and take care and I really hope you get a quick referral and don't have to wait ages. Cris x


Nice to see you too border.x

marie48

Thanks very much for all your good advice. Will see GP for a referral.

marie48

skezier wrote:

Hi Marie,

Nice to see you again though sorry your having all these problems flower.

I was told I had gall stones and thankfully they either passed or dissolved BUT I used to work on the Ambulance service and I know you don't want to leave it get that bad.... You really don't.

Glad you are asking for a referral and flower its going to be ok. Keep us posted and take care and I really hope you get a quick referral and don't have to wait ages. Cris x

Cris, just wonder when you were told you have gallstones, were they found by ultra sound or x-ray or it was just assume you have them due to your symptoms? How did you know they were passed or dissolved? Just wonder whether this could happen to mine is it possible that it can be passed but at 18mm I doubt. When I saw GP, she said we could watch and monitor and to ask for a referral if it plays up. Decision, decision!! Thanks


Nice to see you too border.x

gretta

I had my gall bladder removed last Wednesday. Unfortunately they could not do keyhole surgery, I had to have the big operation. Not feeling very well at the moment, perhaps it is my age, I am 80, so perhaps you shouldn't wait. Dreading having the staples removed this coming Wednesday. Has anyone experience of having staples removed.