Gallstones (Multiple Choleliths)

Last year 2009, I would suddenly woke up with a severe pain in my stomach that would run throughout my lower back. I would also vomit whatever I’ve eaten that night. During November and December 2009 I would notice that I would have these episodes whenever I ate chicken joy at night. So we suspected it was the culprit. But during the last week of January these episodes became a nightly routine and that is when I decided to consult our company doctor. Dr. Morales ordered an ultrasound. And last February 1, 2010  I was diagnosed with multiple choleliths or gallstones, largest one is measuring 0.5cm.
According to Dr. Morales, gallstones usually remain asymptomatic initially meaning they don’t manifest but once the person experience intense pain in the upper abdominal region spreading towards the back, this is the time that treatment is needed. Often attacks occur after a particularly fatty meal and almost always happen at night.

I have two options, one is to change my diet and lifestyle, meaning low cholesterol, low fat diets (Goodbye pizza, goodbye burger, goodbye lechon!) to prevent these gallstones “attack” and the other is to have an operation removing my gallbladder. We opted for change in diet because I just recently undergone Cesarean operation. For 3 weeks, I only ate mostly salads with no dressing, fruits and steamed fish. I loosed approximately 2 kg in 3 weeks. I would have continued this complete change of diet had my pain didn’t re-occur. During the last week of February 2010, I would have these gallstones attack even if I ate vegetables and fruits. Worse I would experience these attacks even during office hours after every meal. The doctor said that my gallbladder is already inflamed so even if I drink only water it would trigger the attack. Also since my gallbladder is already inflamed, there is a chance that the gallstones will move to any of the ducts connecting to the gallbladder, liver or pancreas that would lead to serious complications and organ damage.
I also found out that my father-in-law had gallstones. One time he had a severe abdominal pain that would not subside, he was rushed to the hospital. There he was diagnosed with gallstones and had an emergency operation to removed the gallbladder. Since I don’t want my situation to turn into an emergency, I decided to have my gallbladder removed.

Last February 27, 2010, I had my gallbladder operation in UST Hospital. The operation was a success, and when they biopsy my gallbladder it contained green cholesterol stones. I took a leave of absence from office for about 3 weeks to recuperate. I experience loose bowel movement for about 1 week and would always feel full. My wound opened up a bit and became infected because I carried my son when he was sick with fever and measles. My surgeon just gave me antibiotics and advised me not to carry anything heavy….

Now after 1 month, I’m back to normal and I can now carry and take care of my son all I want.