Can I dissolve my gallstones over time with a home remedy and/or changein lifestyle?

R

Rob

New member
I did not see a section for gallbladders, so...
I have had this excruciating pain below my rib cage in the center and right side (mostly) that usually radiates to my lower abdomen and back. This, along with gas and occasionally nausea, usually lasts from 6 to 12 hours. This has been happening with varying frequency for 7 years (since 7th grade). I am now 19. I originally thought it was just terrible indigestion. I have only recently figured out that it is most likely gallstones. Because I am an overweight woman, this is even more likely. I do not know if I should go to the doctor ASAP and get them to fix things, or if I have the time (health-wise) to try a home remedy with a change in diet. Since this pain has been going on for around 7 years, do I have time?
I request the use of reliable resources if at all possible, but any advice is encouraged.

Also, has anyone seen a statistic on how often gallstones kill people when left untreated? If so, in how long?

I appreciate any advice I can get. Thank you for reading.

-Lauren
 
Do an online search of your question and you will find there are many things that you can do at home. And I have never heard of gallstones killing anyone. The pain can get pretty bad and you'd probably wish you were dead. Good luck
 
In response to AnnD,
I do know there are remedies out there, but I do not know if they are reliable. I ramble, so my biggest question must be caught up in my scattered brain dump. My main question, more specifically, is that should I risk spending months and possibly years trying to fix it myself, or do I need to go to a health professional immediately because this has persisted for so long. Also,I am not even sure if it is gallstones.

Thank You. :)
 
First of all, there are many posts on this topic in the Digestive Disorders board because gallstones fall under that heading.

Next, see your doctor. You need an ultrasound to determine if you have stones and/or a HIDA scan to see if it is functioning at a proper rate (aboce 35%).

There are "home remedies" for flushing stones - if that is what you have. However, there are possible downsides to doing it including getting a stone stuck in the duct and causing a need for emergency surgery and the fact that even though you may flush the stones, any damage to the gallbladder itself will - and cannot be repaired.

As to whether someone can die from gallbladder disease, the ansewr is yes. It can rupture if it is diseased and infected. This happened to a friend's father a couple of years ago. They didn't get him into surgery in time and he passed away the following day. I'm not saying this to scare you but rather to educate you on the whole picture.

Good luck.
 
I want to confirm what titchou posted. I would strongly recommend seeking medical attention.

My first (and only) gallbladder attack landed me in the emergency room in the wee hours of Sunday morning. It didn't take them long to discover I had gallstones and a severely infected gallbladder. The surgeon on call said he really didn't like doing surgeries on Sunday and said he would see if the OR had time on Monday morning. He said if they did not, he would go ahead and do the surgery Sunday afternoon because I could not wait until Tuesday. They scheduled the surgery for first thing Monday morning, but would not let me go home Sunday. They said I was too ill and they needed to monitor me overnight before the surgery. That really scared me.

The surgery went fine and I recovered nicely. But the entire thing kept me in the hospital for 3 days.

So, yes. Gallbladder problems CAN be very serious and life threatening.
 
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