Can doctors prescribe strong painkillers for gallstones?

Question

Im only 18 and have had gallstones for 3 years, after only being diagnosed with them last year(I know Im not the everyday candidate for this condition!). I eat hardly any foods that are high in fat and sometimes i end up not eating for hours(fasting) which brings the colic on. i know by eating proper meals and a sufficient amount of fat, the pains can be avoided, but Im caught off guard sometimes and end up doubled over in pain because i've been too busy to eat. These pains have made me sick and recently ruined a would have been fantastic night out...I had to go home early! Is there any strong fast acting painkillers i can get by prescription or would I not be trusted enough...as the doctor might think ill abuse them? (Im not a person who pops pills...only take them when absolutely necessary)

Answer 1

doctors can, but don't prescribe like that.

What has doctor advised in the way of treatment and/or removal of stones?

Answer 2

I had 21 gallstones and appreciate that the pain you are experiencing is acutally worse than childbirth (i've got 3 kids).  The only way you can deal with the pain is by going to A&E and getting some pethedine or morphine.  If you have struggled for this long without any assistance then I can only suggest that you go to A&E next time you have an attack as the only way to get rid of that dreadful pain is to have your gallbladder removed.  I did three years ago and haven't looked back.  It is normally key hole surgery and you can be back at college/work within two weeks AND then you can eat whatever you like :-)

Good luck and take care.

Sarahx

Answer 3

I have never had gallstone's but I get kidney stones like 2 times a year and each time they feel worse than the time before had surgery 3 times to remove them by putting a stint in my and every time I get them my urologist prescribes me percocet and that does the trick so yes he can  

Answer 4

strong co.codomol  like 30/500s should do the trick

Answer 5

As already pointed out, you are of a young age to be suffering with gallstones.

You need to speak to your GP for a referral to the hospital to ascertain what treatment, if any, they can offer to alleviate the pain.  If the condition is so bad, they usually recommend removal of the gall bladder.  Do not worry, this is an everyday operation now, usually carried out by keyhole surgery, an overnight stay in hospital and then home for rest for about four days.  I was back driving within 10 days and have never looked back.

In the meantime, try eating healthily, a small meal every four hours.

Do not go long periods without food as this causes the pains and colic to raise its head. With regards to painkillers, whilst waiting for the operation, my GP advised me to take 2 cocodomol with water because if you take strong painkillers over a long period of time, you can end up with a hiatus hernia, just like me, a complaint they do not like operating on unless absolutely drastic hence the reason to get the gallstones sorted asap.

Good luck - hope everything is sorted and you are soon pain free !

Answer 6

u r a young girl and u shouldnt be suffering like this u should speak with ur doctor about having ur gall bladder removed, u dont want 2 keep taking tablets and not only that u can only take the tablets once the pains there which means u have 2 suffer 1st  

Answer 7

Please talk to your doctor.

If you have definitely been diagnosed with gallstones it is odd that they have not been dealt with either by surgery - open or through a tube - or shockwaves which can break them down.

If you have diabetes or Chron's disease or a blood disorder you must be receiving treatment.  It is odd to diagnose then leave you to buy or be prescribed strong pain killers.  Especially at 18.

Sounds suspiciously like something brought on by anxiety and stress.

I repeat, talk to your doctor like now.

Answer 8

Slightly confused....if your symptomatic why haven't you had treatment or had the gallstones removed if it's been going on for this length of time? Dr's can provide pain management if your in any pain, but this is hardly a solution! Please see your GP

In the meatime take basic paracetamol.

Answer 9

Ok, a mini lecture. You really need to start eating properly. Painkillers are  a short term solution, but loads of people get problems later on in life from using them because they are very harsh on your stomach and internal organs (I know two people who have died, one from liver failure and one kidney failure, both due to using painkillers not every day, but regularly)  I'm sure if you can prove to your doctor that you will be responsible and look after yourself, that he will be happy to prescribe you some painkillers, but at the moment, if you can even trust yourself to eat properly, then why should he trust you to use the painkillers properly?

See what I mean?

Hope you get your gallstones under control soon.

Answer 10

GP's can prescribe whatever painkillers are necessary to cure the pain, and gallstones are very painfull.

When I went to accident and emergency it was the weekend, and at the time they were unable to do the scan but they suspected gall stones. I was given injection of morphine immediately.

However, I can tell you that your GP will not be likely to start off down this route. Generally the stronger the painkiller the more chance of addiction and habituation there is, plus the potential to misuse. So they will start you off on what they consider the least potent painkiller to solve your pain. Unfortunately that will normally mean that unless they have got it spot on, it will normally take a few trips back to your GP before you get the painkillers you need. You just have to keep going back and telling them the pain.  They will also take into consideration your age and that because of this you are more likely to abuse the medication.

I had to go back around half a dozen times before I got the painkillers that worked. I started off with paracetamol, then cocodamol 8/500,15/500 then 30/500 then tramadol and finally settled on dihydrocodeine which did the trick