Gallstones how and why

[BrightSparkles]

I went to the dr and a blood test and ultrasound later they have found at least one quite large gallstone.
Is this causes from diet? I thought my diet was ok??? What causes it?

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

I had gallstones after having DD1, at the time i was told that because PG women often increase their dairy this can lead to an increase in rick of gallstones.

Googled and found this:

When the chemicals in the gallbladder, cholesterol, calcium bilirubinate, and calcium carbonate are out of balance gallstones may form. There are two main types of gallstones:
Cholesterol gallstones - these may form if there is too much cholesterol in the bile? They are the main type of gallstones in the UK and the USA.

Pigment gallstones - these form when the bile has too much bilirubin. They are more common among patients who have liver disease, infected bile tubes or blood disorders, such as sickle-cell anemia.

What causes gallstones?
Experts are not completely sure why some people develop a chemical imbalance in their gallbladder which causes gallstones, while others do not. However, we do know that gallstones are more common among:
Overweight/obese people, especially women. A study revealed that a bulging midriff almost doubles a woman's chances of developing gallstones and the need for surgery to remove them. Women who have been pregnant

People who have recently lost lots of weight.

Intentionally losing weight and then regaining it may increase men's risk for gallstones later in life.

Women taking oral contraceptives.

Women undergoing high-dose estrogen therapy

People with a close relative who has had gallstones.

A study revealed that a gene variant significantly increases the risk of developing gallstones.

People whose intake of dietary fat is high.

Twice as many women get gallstones than men.

People over 60 years of age.

Native American Indians.

People who take statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs).

People with diabetes.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women during the menopause is linked to a higher risk of gallbladder problems. A study found that HRT administered by skin patches or gels poses a smaller risk than HRT given orally.

Are you going to have them removed? I had about 5-6 stones and they were very painful (i actually called an ambulance the first time i had an 'attack' )until i had them removed.

[Catastrophic]

There is a few different causes behind gallstones. Some times diet related sometimes hormonal related.

I had quote a few and had many attacks needing ambulance and hospital treatment. Hope yours don't cause to much grief!

[BrightSparkles]

Not sure yet. I will need to go back to the dr tomorrow for all the results then I guess we'll go from there... I have no idea.
Think it's been a bit of a scare for me to do something. I have been trying to shift some weight and eat healthier but now need to do more to achieve this.

I had simialr pains when i was pregnant and without investigation was put down to dd2 pushing into my ribcage... wonder now if it was an attack.

[BrightSparkles]

So a little more serious, will need to see a specialist to have my gall bladder taken out!!!!
Honestly, this year has been a crap year for my health. Hopefully it will all be good soon

[Artechim]

My Dr told me of the five F's for gallstones - fair, fat, fertile, forty, female - so european, overweight, with children, middle aged and well, female.

Not saying you are any of those things, just that the increase the risk.

I hope they aren't causing too much trouble. Mine just bubble in the background atm and give me a back ache if I eat too much fatty food. I have had a couple of acute attacks and it is far worse than childbirth!

To minimise the chance of attacks, you need to eat less saturated fats.

[Astrolady]

I had my gall bladder removed in March after being diagnosed with 2 gallstones. Upon removal they found 3 and my gall bladder was still inflammed from the attack 10 days prior when I went to emergency. They weren't happy that the emergency doctors sent me home without any treatment.

[Lenny]

There is a hereditary factor. And hormones. I was in my early 20s when it started and i've never been overweight and a gf of mine was exactly the same. My dad is, well, male, and was in his 50s.
If you are having it removed then you will need to adjust your diet initially simply because with your gall bladder gone you can't tolerate fatty foods. But eventually you get used to eating everything again.

[BrightSparkles]

My Dr told me of the five F's for gallstones - fair, fat, fertile, forty, female - so european, overweight, with children, middle aged and well, female.

Not saying you are any of those things, just that the increase the risk.

I hope they aren't causing too much trouble. Mine just bubble in the background atm and give me a back ache if I eat too much fatty food. I have had a couple of acute attacks and it is far worse than childbirth!

To minimise the chance of attacks, you need to eat less saturated fats.

I had my gall bladder removed in March after being diagnosed with 2 gallstones. Upon removal they found 3 and my gall bladder was still inflammed from the attack 10 days prior when I went to emergency. They weren't happy that the emergency doctors sent me home without any treatment.

There is a hereditary factor. And hormones. I was in my early 20s when it started and i've never been overweight and a gf of mine was exactly the same. My dad is, well, male, and was in his 50s.
If you are having it removed then you will need to adjust your diet initially simply because with your gall bladder gone you can't tolerate fatty foods. But eventually you get used to eating everything again.

Thanks girls.
I have no idea yet what to expect or anything. I have only spoken to the dr so far on the phone when she called to tell me what I need to do. Basically she has said that i have to start AB's in the morning (i couldn't get the back to the dr for the script today), if I get any fevers or vomiting and intense pain again (only dull pain atm) to go to the hospital. Otherwise she would see me again next week and I'd get the referral for the specalist to get it taken out.
Now it all fits that I porbably had this when I was pg too but it was put down to how high up bubs both sat and it was pressure there, but now they think it's more likely that it was gallbladder.

[Astrolady]

my attacks didn't feel like how they should feel like. When we finally realised I was having gall bladder attacks it dawned on me that I had been having quite a few and just put it down to indigestion or something like that.

[BrightSparkles]

I just thought it was stress related or a pulled muscle lol