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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Diagnosed With Gall Stones, Several Gall Stone Attacks. Non Surgical Treatment?

I have been diagnosed as having gall stones but had never had symptoms and this was only discovered whilst examining for something else. For the past two days I believe I have been having an attack from the gallstones and wonder what the ongoing treatment would be. I am very anti surgical intervention in view of my age.
Wed, 16 Jan 2013
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Gastroenterologist 's  Response
Hello, juneymaason,
I am not sure from your comments whether you are too young or too
mature in age . However , if you have been diagnosed with multiple
gallstones , it is extremely difficult to get rid of them by non-surgical
methods. There are medications to dissolve the stone, but it does not
work for multiple stones. Small single gallstone may dissolve with
medication in about 3-6 months and it can come back after the
medication is stopped. The other method we have available is
called shock wave lithotripsy, blasting the stone with shock waves.
Again , this might work for a single stone but multiple stones pose
a problem. There are complications from this procedure, because
small portions of the broken stone can block the bile passage and
cause a major problem requiring surgery.
Now a days, gallbladder surgery is a same day procedure done
through small button holes on the belly with the use of laparoscope.
Recovery is faster. This is done even at 80+ years of age without
problems. Low fat diet may help to prevent some attacks, but it is
not a cure. Herbal medicine, olive oil and lemon juice does not help
to get rid of the stones.
I hope this information helps you.
I wish you the very best.
I find this answer helpful
General Surgeon Dr. Grzegorz Stanko's  Response
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

Mostly gall stones can not be removed in other way than surgery. Some does use ursodeoxycholic acid to cure stones, but the results are unknown.
You should know that waiting with gall stones, not only you wont avoid surgery. Small gallstones can migrate to the bile and pancreas ducts. If pancreas duct gets obstructed, it usually leads to acute pancreatitis. This organ has digestive enzymes, which while pancreas is inflamed, do digest surrounding tissues. The results of such digesting can be fatal.
And regular gallstones surgery is quite safe procedure and minimal invasive (it is performed with laparoscopy).

Hope this will help.
Regards.
I find this answer helpful

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Diagnosed With Gall Stones, Several Gall Stone Attacks. Non Surgical Treatment?

Hello, juneymaason, I am not sure from your comments whether you are too young or too mature in age . However , if you have been diagnosed with multiple gallstones , it is extremely difficult to get rid of them by non-surgical methods. There are medications to dissolve the stone, but it does not work for multiple stones. Small single gallstone may dissolve with medication in about 3-6 months and it can come back after the medication is stopped. The other method we have available is called shock wave lithotripsy, blasting the stone with shock waves. Again , this might work for a single stone but multiple stones pose a problem. There are complications from this procedure, because small portions of the broken stone can block the bile passage and cause a major problem requiring surgery. Now a days, gallbladder surgery is a same day procedure done through small button holes on the belly with the use of laparoscope. Recovery is faster. This is done even at 80+ years of age without problems. Low fat diet may help to prevent some attacks, but it is not a cure. Herbal medicine, olive oil and lemon juice does not help to get rid of the stones. I hope this information helps you. I wish you the very best.