After a series of very scary and painful attacks (the last lasted from 11p.m. till 7 next morning) my doctor sent me for ultrasound tests which revealed lots of gall-stones of the right (or wrong) size for blocking up various ducts and causing death, funerals etc. He felt I should have surgery.

I didn't. But went home and:
- Stayed clear of fried and spicy foods.
- Took a homeopathic remedy formulated by a Dr. Reckeweg that my wife got from a homeopathic doctor friend.
- Ate and still eat small amounts often, like I'll split lunch into three doses.

That was maybe two years ago and I've never had another attack. Nor have I had the courage to check if the stones are still there (although the ultrasound experience was nice with this lady doctor in a darkened room - especially when she probed around in my underwear).

So what worked? My wife swears it's the homeo. I swear by my weekly black pudding and souse, a local delicacy made from pigs' intestines stuffed with sweet potato and pigs' ears, snout, tongue and feet in a cucumber and parsley pickle.   

Mitigating factor: I haven't had (been allowed) much sex (as in hardly any) during the intervening period.

Hope you get through okay.