Gallstones - discharge

You have gallstones. These are hard, pebble-like deposits that formed inside your gallbladder. You may have had an infection in your gallbladder. You may have received drugs to reduce the swelling and fight the infection. You may have had surgery to remove your gallbladder or to remove a gallstone that is blocking a bile duct.

You may continue to have pain and other symptoms if your gallstones return.

You may be on a liquid diet for some time to give your gallbladder a rest. When you are eating regular food again, avoid overeating. If you are overweight try to lose weight.

Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain. Ask your health care provider about stronger pain medicines.

Take any medicines you have been given to fight infection the way you were told to. You may be able to take medicines that dissolve gallstones, but they may take 6 months to 2 years to work.

Call your health care provider if you have:

• Steady, severe pain in your upper belly
• Pain in your back, between your shoulder blades that does not go away is getting worse
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever or chills
• Yellow color to your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
• Grey or chalky white bowel movements