Gall Stones

I have been having agonising stomach and rib pain for some years now, two doctors both told me it was indigestion. I never really believed this because I rarely get acid or heartburn but hey-ho I went away with the diagnosis and a prescription for Gaviscon like a good girl. Anyway after a couple of bad attacks recently I opted for a bit of self-diagnosis and came up with gallstones. I re-visited my doctor and suggested this and she agreed that I could be right and is finally sending me for some scans. This is such a relief, at last, someone listening to me. I know what indigestion feels like and the pains are not indigestion, and it makes you feel like such a fraud when you are crying off functions with bad stomach pains and moaning and whinging like an old woman about the chronic back pain.

I can't describe to you the agony of the pain but I am so ashamed of myself as really it a self-inflicted problem. Too much cholesterol. Too much wine. Too much good living. And this is exactly the kick up the backside that I really need. Joining weight watchers was a good start to the year. I have bought a fitness video by Rosemary Conley and started to go swimming. Now I just need to step it up a bit. Apparently losing weight can cause attacks when you have gallstones which is probably why I have been having more severe attacks recently.

And guess what? I have always argued that despite being really overweight I am fairly fit and healthy. Well obviously I wasn't as healthy as I thought and I have been kidding myself.

In my defence I have never been one for cream cakes or crisps or ice cream and snacking between meals. I was just too lazy too cook every night resulting in take-aways and far too much wine.

I now have a list of bad and good foods (thanks to the internet) and its been like an instant cure for my pain! I feel great! Now I just have to get past the fact that I have to live without alcohol, cheese, ice-cream, eggs, coffee (proving impossible), sweetcorn, beans and more still... Ah well. I would rather feel good than eat something and have the pain!