Gallstones are small stones that form in the gallbladder. They are common — more than one in ten adults in the UK have them and most people never know, because they usually cause no symptoms at all.
Gallstones are a recognised side effect of weight management treatment and are listed in the patient information leaflet. Losing weight quickly also makes them more likely, whatever the cause of the weight loss.
Please tell us about any gallbladder problems you have had, so we can check the treatment is right for you.
What does it feel like?
The pain is usually in the upper right of your tummy, under your ribs. It can spread through to your back or up to your right shoulder blade. It often comes on after a meal, particularly a fatty one, and can come with feeling sick or being sick.
An episode usually builds, lasts a few hours and then settles on its own. Pain that does not settle, or that comes with a temperature or yellowing of the skin, is different and is covered below.
What can I do to help myself?
- Eat smaller meals spread through the day rather than large ones
- Cut down on fatty and fried food, which is what makes the gallbladder squeeze
- Keep well hydrated
- Do not skip meals or eat very little to lose weight faster, as rapid weight loss makes gallstones more likely
When should I contact Simple Online Pharmacy?
Please contact us if:
- You get repeated episodes of upper tummy pain, or pain that keeps coming back after meals
- You have been told you have gallstones
- You are not sure whether the pain is your gallbladder or something else
We can review your symptoms and your treatment with you.
When should I seek urgent medical help?
Contact NHS 111 or attend A&E if you have:
- Tummy pain that lasts longer than a few hours and does not settle
- Severe pain, or pain you cannot find a comfortable position for
- A high temperature of 38°C or above, or shivering and chills
- Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
- Urine that is darker than usual, or pale stools
- Repeated vomiting, or you cannot keep fluids down
Yellowing alongside a temperature and pain needs to be seen straight away.
Do not drive yourself to hospital. Ask someone to drive you, or call 999 for an ambulance.