Gallstones Support Group
Gallstones (choleliths) are crystalline bodies formed within the body by accretion or concretion of normal or abnormal bile components. Risk factors for pigment stones include cirrhosis, biliary tract infections, and hereditary blood cell disorders, such as sickle cell anemia. Stones of mixed origin also occur.
Did a one day fast to flush out all the gallstone back in August. Posted some pictures. Some emerald green and some light brown in colour. They look very pretty like gemstones.
Then again a second flush in December. This time, gallstones are smaller, irregular and very pretty green, Softer not as hard as the first flush.
Took me 3 years to find out that I had gallstones. Make me feel so bloated up everytime I eat, one and half to 2 hours later, chronic burps.
After the gallbladder flush, all the symptoms disappeared.
Then again a second flush in December. This time, gallstones are smaller, irregular and very pretty green, Softer not as hard as the first flush.
Took me 3 years to find out that I had gallstones. Make me feel so bloated up everytime I eat, one and half to 2 hours later, chronic burps.
After the gallbladder flush, all the symptoms disappeared.
I wasn't going to comment here, because the folks who use these flushes will swear by them with their lives, but they aren't real. They're snake-oil, the miracle cure-all, dressed up as a cleanse or flush. Lots of people claim they feel better after the flush, but this is much more likely to be, in part, a placebo effect (based on preconceived notions), and in part, a comparative evaluation (because the flushes make you feel absolutely horrible for awhile, you'll feel like a million bucks when all that junk comes out).
Bottom line: the common bile duct (the exit aperture connecting the gallbladder to the intestine) is 5mm and anything bigger than that is going to get stuck if it tries to pass through. Which means the stones that come out during the flushes (almost all of which are larger than 5mm) are not gall stones, but something else. Specifically, the saponification of oil mixing with pancreatic enzymes, or some coagulation of oils that forms in the colon.
I do not say all this to cause offense to maxirose, or anyone else who swears by these flushes. But there is just no legitimate evidence to support these flushes, especially when considering the size of the common bile duct versus the size of the "stones" that come out. I encourage everyone to research this for yourself. Here's one good article, but there are many others: http://frugivoremag.com/2011/06/cleanse-myth-debunked-what-really-happens-when-i-drink-olive-oil/).
WhiteDolphin, if your stones are asymptomatic, you should be fine to leave them alone. You can also try to trim some of the fat out of your diet to avoid a worsening of the symptoms. That said, I would inquire about a HIDA scan, to test the functionality of the gallbladder. If it is low functioning, and you have stones, then you have nothing to lose by taking it out. A low functioning gallbladder isn't doing its job, and the presence of stones increases the risk of one of them getting stuck in the common bile duct (which is a medical emergency). Having it out in a non-emergent scenario, through laproscopy, often leads to minimal side effects post-op. If the common dile duct becomes clogged, the surgery gets more complicated and the risks are higher.
I've researched this myself for years. I've desperately tried to avoid surgery. My HIDA scan showed a low-functioning gallbladder with sludge. Six months ago, the sludge turned to stones. Now the stones cause almost daily discomfort, so I'm going to have it out.
Ultimately, it's your call. Some docs are too quick to order surgery, so be sure it's your best option. Again, factors to consider: are you experiencing symptoms, and is your gallbladder also low-functioning? If those two things are "yes" then surgery is probably your best option. On the bright side, it's an outpatient procedure these days, very simple and even routine to a degree.
No matter what you decide, I hope you find some relief! Just do your research first!