About gall stones

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