Gall bladder Surgery
Posted By: thomasj
Gall bladder Surgery - 07/18/08 12:51 AM
I would appreciate any prayers you guys can spare on Friday morning as I am having my gall bladder removed. Hopefully by laparoscope. I had a severe attack on Tuesday night that sent me to the ER for 5 hours and have had several less serious attacks in the past couple of months. I hate the thoughts of having surgery (haven't done this for 23 years when I had my wisdom teeth out), but can't stand the thought of another attack.
Posted By: Mrs. Rizzo
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 07/18/08 01:20 AM
Yikes!! Prayers are already headed your way!!
Posted By: MichelleDawn
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 07/18/08 02:52 AM
I've been where you are now and the surgery is nothing compared to the attacks. I had mine done laprascopicly and it's not bad at all. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted By: Tigg
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 07/18/08 03:07 AM
Best Wishes and prayers thomasj! My boss is recovering from this as we speak and I hear she is doing fine.....as will you!
Posted By: waldensouth
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 07/18/08 12:33 PM
May God be with you, strengthen you, and heal you.
Posted By: Skittles
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 07/18/08 12:37 PM
Thomas, you know you're in my prayers. I know everything is going to be just fine.
Posted By: one deer
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 07/18/08 03:57 PM
I don't miss my gall bladder at all! Felt so much better after it was removed, thought I could walk right out of recovery. I could actually eat again, so much for the weight loss. Best wishes and speedy recovery to you!
Posted By: thomasj
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 07/18/08 08:58 PM
Well, I am home! Went to the OR at 9:20 and was back in my room at noon. Discharged at about 3:30. Went to the store to pick up some pain meds and home. I am a little tired, a little sore, but feel much better than I did before I went in.
The doc said that had he waited until next week that the gall bladder would have had to have come out through open surgery. It was very large, had a lot of scar tissue, and quite a collection of stones.
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers, it is nice to know that I have so many friends, even if I haven't met them in person!
Posted By: MichelleDawn
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 07/18/08 10:39 PM
I knew you would make it through with flying colors. You have done so much to make yourself healthier and this will give your energy another boost. I didn't realize how bad I felt until mine came out. Afterwards I realized I hadn't felt good for months.
Posted By: Mrs. Rizzo
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 07/18/08 10:51 PM
Great news, TJ!!! Glad to hear that it went well and you are home resting!!
Here's to a speedy recovery!!
Posted By: LoisLane
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 07/20/08 03:29 PM
Good to learn that the surgery went well and that you are now on the road to recovery.
Posted By: Tigg
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 07/20/08 09:35 PM
Great news! Take it easy and a speedy recovery to you!
Posted By: Pale Rider
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 07/24/08 10:19 AM
now get back to training for a marathon you slacker!
Posted By: thomasj
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 07/24/08 01:10 PM
I hit the stationary bike this morning for an hour. It was good because I could work out my legs and get the cardio going without the "jarring" of my still slightly tender incisions and internal organs. It felt sooo good to sweat again! I also did a little light weight training.
I have been walking between 4 and 5 miles a day, but I just can not break a sweat no mater how fast or far I walk. I expect to be running again in a few days and may take a real bike ride this weekend.
I definitely did not stay off my feet after the surgery and I think that has helped my quick recovery. I haven't had any problems with the typical complaints of laparoscopic patients such as pain in my shoulders and stuff. My only real complaint has been the swelling on the right side of my abdomen that is finally going away.
Posted By: CRAatBOK
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 07/24/08 07:55 PM
Hey TJ, come to KC, you can break a sweat just by walking outside. It is what you Pennsylvanians call "close" here. Too close for comfort.
Posted By: thomasj
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 07/24/08 08:29 PM
It has been humid here as well. I was supposed to run a 10K the day after my surgery and ended up watching it from the sidelines, but it was oppressively humid that day at 8 in the morning! As much as I wished I was running, I felt bad for the guys that did because they were absolutely wiped out when they crossed the line. The week before my surgery I raced in a 22 mile bike race and as I was climbing a long hill I remember thinking to myself "Could it BE a little more humid this morning?"
Posted By: thomasj
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 07/28/08 03:53 PM
I was able to do a 20 mile bike ride on Saturday and have done 6 mile runs the past two mornings. I feel great other than a slight pulling sensation when reaching or stretching. I have my post op doctor's appointment tomorrow - hopefully I will get his blessing to continue my recovery!
Posted By: Pale Rider
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 07/28/08 09:25 PM
and you certainly have our blessings and encouragement, not that you need it -
well done thomas!
Posted By: Mrs. Rizzo
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 07/28/08 09:40 PM
Ditto my pa.
Posted By: thomasj
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 07/30/08 07:58 PM
I just had my follow up with the surgeon. He has officially released me to do some "fast walking" LOL! I told him I was doing that two days after the surgery and that I have been running for the past 4 days. He asked if I was back to work and I told him since two days after the surgery. He asked if I was able to eat - I told him I was starved the morning after the surgery and have been eating normally since then.
He told me that my gall bladder was very bad and that I was fortunate that he was still able to do the surgery with the scope. He was extremely pleased with my recovery and said that I should be able to compete in the marathon I am supposed to run in September even though my stamina has been temporarily affected by the surgery.
I am very happy with how things have gone and thank the lord for the blessings he has given me, including good friends like all of you who were praying and thinking of me. Thank You doesn't seem like enough...
Posted By: Tigg
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 07/31/08 12:06 AM
thomasj you are an inspiration! Good Luck with your marathon!
Posted By: Ops
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 08/18/08 01:28 AM
I haven't looked at the couch since I changed jobs.. glad you're doing well, thomasj. I have an appointment the 3rd to see a doctor because all my signs are pointing to gallbladder problems. I've had two attacks thus far, and am just PRAYING it doesn't happen again before I can see a doc.
Posted By: corkygirl
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 08/18/08 12:09 PM
Ops, I'll keep you in my prayers. A friend at one of my banks just had surgery and is doing very well. So nice that medical science has made the advancements it has in this surgery.
Posted By: thomasj
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 08/18/08 01:59 PM
Ops, if your attacks were anything like mine, they were 10 times more painful than the surgery! If they can take the gall bladder laparoscopically now - get it done. The alternative (once the gall bladder is too large, infected, or inflamed) is much more invasive, painful, and has a much longer recovery time. For me, the not knowing when the next attack would come was the most scary part.
Today is one month since my surgery and I am fully recovered - have been running between 50-60 miles a week and just did an 18 mile run on Saturday. Three weeks til my marathon....
Posted By: Mrs. Rizzo
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 08/18/08 05:23 PM
Already a month? That's great!
Ops, I feel for ya sista! ::hugs::
Posted By: Ops
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 08/18/08 11:40 PM
Thomas, the fear of when the next attack is going to come is horrible. I've only had two, and they were within a week of each other. Last I had was a little over a month ago, I believe.
Hopefully I'll be in the clear between now and my appointment!
My mom's an RN in the OR that I will have surgery if it is my gallbladder, so not a worry at all for me.
Thanks for the prayers, y'all!
Posted By: KTMiteComply
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 08/26/08 03:12 PM
Hey guys,
whenever you started having gallbladder problems, what were your symptoms? This weekend I had an unbelievable pain rip through my upper "stomach" area, not far below the breast bone all the way around to my back (on the right hand side). It took my breath away and I couldn't move or breathe in deep for like 30 minutes without it hurting bad. Finally the awful pain subsided and now I am just sore. Does this sound like gallbladder? My mother and my daughter (when she was only 15) have had to have theirs removed b/c of it being severly diseased. So far I've never had any problems?
Thanks for any info!
Posted By: thomasj
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 08/26/08 03:35 PM
My attacks were searing pain just below the breast bone on the right hand side. Kind of below the upper right rib cage. It did radiate around to my back when severe. I could not breath deeply and I actually had trouble standing upright. After the attack, the area remained tender. GO TO YOUR DOCTOR! If it is your gall bladder and it is left go too long, they will not be able to do the surgery with the laparoscope and you will have a much more difficult time and recovery.
Posted By: KTMiteComply
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 08/26/08 04:12 PM
Thanks Thomas J! I did have trouble standing up yesterday when it was happening. It hurt so bad I fell back in my chair! Goooood GRIEF!
Of all times! Of course it's never a good time is it? Thanks for the info...I will get it checked out!
KT
Posted By: A_G
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 08/26/08 04:21 PM
My grandma is gallbladderless.
It was brought on my her allergy to wheat/gluetin, which she acquired late in adult life.
Posted By: #Just Jay
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 08/26/08 04:28 PM
Interesting... is this something that you need to watch out for now also?
Posted By: A_G
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 08/26/08 04:52 PM
I guess it is genetic.
Something triggers the gene...can happen whenever - at birth, or like my g-ma when she was frickin 60 years old!
Posted By: #Just Jay
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 08/26/08 05:05 PM
Wow... thats amazing.
Thanks for sharing your personal story with us AG. It will certainly keep me on my toes going forward!
Posted By: Skittles
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 08/26/08 05:06 PM
60 - that's not too bad. My father had his removed about a week before his 80th birthday. I think it's amazing and wonderful that people are strong enough later in life to be able to handle these things.
Posted By: A_G
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 08/26/08 05:08 PM
No I'm saying the allergy became active at 60.
She could eat wheat all her life, now she can't have regular bread, pasta, stuff like that. She can't even lick postage stamps because there is traces of the gleutin stuff...
She has to be careful or gets extremely sick.
She could never go out either, but more and more places are carrying gleutin free menus now.
Posted By: Skittles
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 08/26/08 06:14 PM
Eeek! Sounds awful.
Posted By: KTMiteComply
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 08/26/08 07:54 PM
I know it's genetic! My daughter was sick for over a year when she was a sophmore and had lost about 30lbs. All these doctors all over the state kept saying it's this or that...I kept saying it's the gallbladder. But when my mother had her gallbladder taken out and the surgeon told me it was "diseased", I asked him if this could be hereditary and he told me most definately! So I said...buddy let me tell you about a case! So I took my daughter to him (he said her file was thicker than anybody else's there and she was his youngest patient)
, he took her gallbladder out and said it was even more diseased than my mother's was!!!! YIKES!!!
Posted By: Ops
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 08/26/08 10:11 PM
Mine was like someone was stabbing a knife in me right below my breastbone in the center all the way through my back. I couldn't walk upright, I couldn't catch my breath, I felt really, really badly like I need to burp and vomit all at the same time. I could NOT get comfortable, and I could NOT relieve my pain either time. It eventually (hour or two later) went away.
I go to see the Dr in a week.
Since, I'm still queasy a lot, and occasionally have burning where my severe pain was. I burp CONSTANTLY and also have some back pain. Go back and forth between constipation & diarrhea. It's pleasant.
Posted By: TINKerBell
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 08/27/08 05:32 PM
Gee Beth, I hope you feel better soon! I have had a couple of attacks in past years, was diagnosed with many stones, and my doc has told me to have the surgery as an elective procedure vs. an emergent necessity. It sounds like yours would be more along the lines of an emergent need. Good Luck, and keep us posted!
Posted By: MB Guy
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 08/27/08 09:02 PM
OK, just after I turned 40, I had my GB taken out. My pain would start at about 2 or 3 am, and last for periods of probably 20 minutes, and it would happen a couple times a night towards the end. I went to see a Dr. and he did a ultrasound and discovered I had gall stones. I had been having diffuse pain in my abdomin for about a year or so, off and on, until finally it reached a point where I couldn't take it anymore. I was diagnosed with gall stones Wed. and had an appt. with the surgeon for Monday but had an intense attack Wed. eve and drove myself to the hospital Thurs. morning and they removed it later that day. I originally thought it was an ulcer for months because of how the pain was, but it wasn't. If you have symptoms, don't hesistate to be checked out.
Posted By: KTMiteComply
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 08/27/08 09:20 PM
Good Golly Moses! WorldPrez...hope you are feeling better soon! And Ops...I hope you are able to get your problem taken care of quickly too! Gosh I'm sorry about that! Seems like everybody is having GB problems lately.
I haven't had an "attack" of whatever it was since Monday. My side stayed sore all the next day, but today I feel much better. I'm not really hungry or anything though? Maybe mine will stay out of site for awhile and I won't have to have anything done....
Hope all you GB sufferers are feeling lots better soon!
Posted By: MB Guy
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 08/27/08 09:42 PM
Thanks Kaytee. I had my surgery January 2007, and I felt immediately better then, and haven't had a problem since.
I am so glad I got it out.
Best of luck.
Posted By: Ops
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 08/28/08 02:39 AM
A week to go before my appointment. I'll let y'all know as soon as I find anything out!
Posted By: thomasj
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 08/28/08 12:49 PM
Kaytee you really should still get things checked out. If it is gall stones, they lodge in your bile duct causing bile to back up in your liver. This is what causes the pain. If the stone does not dislodge you can have serious problems and complications. You do not want to mess with your liver. The problem is you never know when, where, or how severe the next attack will be. My surgeon told me "We can take it out Friday with a procedure that is planned, minimally invasive, and you will recover quickly OR you can wait a week, a month, or a few months and we can do emergency open surgery in the middle of the night which will take you 6-8 weeks to recover." The choice was very easy for me.
Posted By: BurntSienna
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 08/28/08 01:40 PM
I was only 20 years old when I had my gall bladder removed. It wasn't just stones, but severely diseased and filled with what they called "sludge". The pain was horrible (I thought I was dying and actually could not breathe and could not stand or sit upright during the first attack), but I only had a handful of bouts of pain before the doctors figured it out and I dropped out of school for the rest of that semester of college to have the surgery and recover. Of course, back then, there was no laser/laparascopic option, so I have a 10 inch scar and it was about 2 weeks before I could breathe normally without pain and about 12 weeks before I felt completely well again, and I was young and very healthy and in very good shape! This was in 1990, less than a year before the "new" surgery was being tested and started to be in wide use.
Gallbladder disease never gets better on its own, it only gets worse. The surgery nowadays is simple and easy, comparatively. I urge anyone having the symptoms described here to go get checked out... living with horrifying pain is no way to live.
While waiting for surgery, one thing I found that helped tremendously with the attacks of pain was drinking liquid charcoal. Somehow, it counteracts the bile/acid and helps ease up the pain. I got mine from a chiropractor who was also a PhD in nutrition, and at that time liquid charcoal was widely available at health food stores. Tastes awful but would ease up the pain. Also, with a diseased (or stone filled) gallbladder, while waiting for the surgery, it's best to eat small, frequent meals of lowfat, low cholesterol foods and eliminate as much animal product from your diet as possible - you'll feel tremendously better.
Posted By: KTMiteComply
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 08/28/08 01:47 PM
Thomas J you are right...with our family history of GB disease I need to get it looked at. I will do that real soon and see what he says. Thanks for your info!!!
Curlean...I have a question for you. My daughter was 15 when she had her GB removed and she had the same exact stuff you are speaking of. She is now 18 and still battles with nauseau and stomach complaints. They said she has Stage 4 Gerds too. Do you find that you felt alot better right away or did it take time? Some days/weeks she feels good...others she is awful. She is on Nexium and this other meds that coats her esophogus. Can you give me any insight on your situation?
Thanks a bunch!
Posted By: BurntSienna
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 08/28/08 05:10 PM
Hi kaytee,
I felt a lot better right away because I wasn't having the extreme pain attacks, however I'd say it took a good 18 months for my digestive tract to truly be "normal" most of the time. To this day, if I eat a huge fatty meal (i.e. Thanksgiving and Christmas if I don't behave myself), I really suffer. However, I've never had GERD or had to take Nexium or any of those type of medications. I do sleep with the head of my bed elevated 4 inches higher than the foot, because gravity helps prevent the reflux. If I eat healthfully, I do fine, and I eat 5 or 6 small meals spread throughout my day, which helps a lot because the bile doesn't have a chance to build up too much if it's constantly doing its job!
I hope your daughter gets to feeling better. If it's 3 years out, I'd say she should go see another digestive specialist and get a new set of eyes looking at her situation. Maybe Prilosec would be a better choice for her if the Nexium isn't helping. Maybe she needs to eat smaller meals more frequently or lower her fat intake. Good luck!
Posted By: Phoenix
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 08/29/08 01:40 PM
echoing what Cerulean says about another consult - what about Crohn's? Unfortunately, that ailment tends to hit in adolescence and early 20s, and it's sounding like her entire digestive system is somehow affected by something. Good luck!
Posted By: KTMiteComply
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 08/29/08 02:27 PM
They have checked her for Chrone's and thankfully nothing has showed up. Actually for a whole year she has been back and forth to a handful of doctors including some of the best at Children's Hospital in Bham with a battery of specialized test, but nothing has been determined why she stays so sick all the time. We were hoping that once the Gallbladder was removed it would be smooth sailing! It has been better than it was as she is now gaining weight and not sick every single day...but still I thought by now she wouldn't still be on meds & still dealing with all this!
Thanks for the advice guys! Hope everybody's day is good! TGIF!!!!!!!!
Posted By: thomasj
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 08/29/08 04:06 PM
Have they done the procedure where they put a tube down to see the bile duct? I was told that there was a possibility that a stone could be lodged in the duct or that the duct could have a blockage even after the surgery. The doc says it's rare but that it does happen.
Posted By: hmdagal
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 08/29/08 04:15 PM
I've had numerous digestive issues and many tests over the years. The most comprehensive was a 'pill cam' - don't remember the technical name for it. Anyway, it takes a LOT of pictures as it works it way through your entire digestive tract, and can see parts that aren't visible on either an endoscopy or colonoscopy. Also, has she been checked for the disease with the gluten sensitivity? It goes by several different names. That's a simple blood test.
Good luck.
Posted By: KTMiteComply
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 08/29/08 04:15 PM
hmmmmm....I know they ran a tube down & up
...but I don't think it was the bile duct???? May have to check into that? Thanks for the tip!
Posted By: BrendaC
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 09/02/08 10:28 PM
ThomasJ - glad to hear your surgery went so well. I just returned from the hospital to determine the cause of my chest pain this weekend and, you guessed it, it's my gall bladder. I am scheduled to fly out Sunday for Las Vegas (ACAMS) and then to Denver for vacation. I hope I can postpone destiny until later this month. Girl has GOT to have her vacation!
I know one thing for certain--no more taco salads for me!!!
Posted By: Ops
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 09/04/08 04:13 PM
I had an ultrasound this morning, and it is, in fact my gallbladder. I have several small stones & it's inflamed. Not sure when I'll have it out, but hopefully I'll be gallbladderless soon!
Posted By: KTMiteComply
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 09/04/08 08:15 PM
Ops...glad to hear you have found the source of your problem! Hope to hear you are doing much better really soon! Blessings to you!
Posted By: BurntSienna
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 09/05/08 04:32 PM
Ops, thank goodness you found the source of your problems! Life without a gallbladder isn't so bad, and I truly hope you'll soon be feeling much better!
Posted By: Ops
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 09/05/08 10:53 PM
I'm having my surgery Monday.
It helps that my Mom is an OR RN who works with the general surgeon on a weekly basis!
Posted By: Darkhorse
Re: Gall bladder Surgery may be Gluten Intolerance - 09/06/08 04:12 AM
If you want to try to avoid surgery, please PM me. The doc said last June my only option was surgery, but I found another, non-invasive way to get rid of the pain and start to heal myself.
In addition, my blood tests didn't show celiac or gluten intolerance but I've found that's my exact problem through trial & error (I ate something questionable today and suffered for it). Please, if you want another alternative before invasive surgery (or even in addition to), contact me and I'll share my story. Also, please see my post in the couch under Celiac/Wheat or Gluten Allergies. Best wishes for health for all of you!
Posted By: Ops
Re: Gall bladder Surgery may be Gluten Intolerance - 09/14/08 02:51 AM
FYI, I had my surgery and I'm recooping just fine. It's nice to not have constant nausea. It turns out I didn't only have gallstones. My gallbladder was diseased and eventually would have had to come out. The surgeon said it was a gray, creamy color instead of the baby blue color it should have had. It had a lot of scar tissue from getting infected & then healing itself. I'm very, very glad I opted to have it out.
Thanks for the prayers, y'all!
Posted By: Darkhorse
Re: Gall bladder Surgery may be Gluten Intolerance - 09/14/08 03:50 AM
Best of luck to you Ops!
If you find yourself continuing to have issues after your recovery from surgery, pm me and we'll discuss. Yes, I'm on a crusade. . .
Posted By: corkygirl
Re: Gall bladder Surgery may be Gluten Intolerance - 09/15/08 02:56 AM
Ops, glad to hear that it all went well and you are on your way to full health!
Posted By: KTMiteComply
Re: Gall bladder Surgery may be Gluten Intolerance - 09/15/08 01:04 PM
ops...glad to hear you are better! this is the exact same thing my mother AND young daughter had....praying for things to be much more improved in the days ahead! Will be thinking about you.
Posted By: Bagweaver
Re: Gall bladder Surgery may be Gluten Intolerance - 09/15/08 01:13 PM
Glad to hear you're better! Will you be able to make the Compliance Conference in Macon?
Posted By: TINKerBell
Re: Gall bladder Surgery may be Gluten Intolerance - 09/15/08 01:15 PM
Beth, so glad to hear it's over and you are on the way to a complete recovery!
Posted By: BurntSienna
Re: Gall bladder Surgery may be Gluten Intolerance - 09/15/08 02:00 PM
Beth, I'm so pleased to hear your ordeal is over and you're doing well! May God bless you as you heal.
Posted By: thomasj
Re: Gall bladder Surgery may be Gluten Intolerance - 09/15/08 02:22 PM
glad to hear you recovery is going well! My doctor told me that healthy a gall bladder does not produce stones that it is diseased and should be removed. Glad you are feeling better!
Posted By: MB Guy
Re: Gall bladder Surgery may be Gluten Intolerance - 09/15/08 06:28 PM
Glad to hear you are doing well Ops.
You may have some adjustments to make regarding your digestive tract and some foods you eat, but you should be FAR better off since you had it out.
Posted By: Ops
Re: Gall bladder Surgery may be Gluten Intolerance - 09/15/08 06:32 PM
Thanks, y'all!
(Nope, won't be going to the compliance conference).
Posted By: Mrs. Rizzo
Re: Gall bladder Surgery may be Gluten Intolerance - 09/15/08 06:58 PM
Glad to hear you're on the way to being all better, Ops!!!
Posted By: KAT
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 09/17/08 03:21 PM
I had mine removed almost 10 years ago because it was not functioning. My attacks were similar to everyone elses but I was one of the lucky 5% of those with non functioning to continue having attacks. There are a number of tests that should be done before the tube down to see the bile duct. I have had both CT's and MRI's to determine the size of the duct and if there is anything lodged there.
Kaytee, if your daughter is having pain in the stomach area, I found out that when the bile enters the intestine, mine goes backward into the stomach. Because bile is caustic I take a medicine called ursodial that stops the production of my bile and gives me a synthetic bile. That has made most of my stomach pain go away. I also take 2 Nexium a day for GERD. They found the bile in the stomach through an endoscopy.
Good luck
Posted By: KTMiteComply
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 09/18/08 04:23 PM
Thanks KAT!!!! That is very interesting! I will for certain look into that!!! Maybe she needs to take something else along with her Nexium as well...very very interesing! Thanks again!
Posted By: waldensouth
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 10/14/08 01:58 PM
Well folks, I would appreciate your prayers this Friday Morning around 7:00 eastern. I will be having my gallbladder removed. Spent 4 hours in ER Sat nite/Sun morning with a gallbaldder attack and spent yesterday having more tests run and speaking with the surgeon. He says it has to come out this week. He tells me its full of gall stones and inflamed. He's given me antibiotics to try to get the inflamation down. This seems to be going around. Hope I lose some weight from this - can't have ANYTHING with fat/protein in it this week.
Posted By: Skittles
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 10/14/08 02:56 PM
Best of luck, Walden. DO you think this was caused by stress from Red Flags?
Posted By: Princess Leia
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 10/14/08 02:59 PM
Best wishes - I hope things go smoothly and you're feeling better soon!
Posted By: QCL
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 10/14/08 03:11 PM
Best of luck.
You now join Natalie in the no-gallbladder-club.
Good luck to you
Your doc should be able to tell you about all the diet restrictions that you'll have going forward. High fatty foods will RUN right through you...
I'm sure you know this but bile helps to digest high fatty foods. The galbladder stores excess bile and when we eat that fried chicken the excess bile is dumped into the stream to help me process it. No galbladder = no excess bile = rough going if you eat greasy foods.
My g-pa just had his out. No one explained all this to him, at least not at this level. I even showed him the drawing my daughter's doctors gave me
You make take ursidol (also known as actigall) post op. Natalie has taken this for the last 4.5 years now. It does not create synthetic bile as was stated above, but rather thins out the bile in an attempt to slop blockages or sluge (stones).
Natalie - even without a galbladder - still continues to have stones - this is what causes the blockages in her ducts and remains on ursidol (actigall) for the rest of her life. Now her's is a special circumstance (post-liver transplant and all...) and was due to damage in her duct system in her liver...
Take care of you and know that prayers are being said.
If you ever need any dietary advice I know an adorable 5 year old that can tell you all out it
Posted By: Ops
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 10/14/08 04:31 PM
Good luck with the surgery! I had mine out somewhere around a month and a half ago, and even though I sometimes still have to make a mad dash to the bathroom, I am MUCH better off without it!
Posted By: thomasj
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 10/14/08 05:31 PM
I guess I am fortunate (knock on wood) to have not had to change or restrict my diet and to have not had any issues after my surgery. I am guessing that maybe the lack of fatty or greasy foods in my diet to begin with may have something to do with that.
Good luck with the surgery, hopefully they will be able to do it with the laparoscope.
Posted By: waldensouth
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 10/14/08 06:00 PM
How did you know that I had fried chicken for supper Saturday night?! A southern staple.... oh well... Thanks all! The doctor thinks he can do it by laproscoptic surgery. Hopefully that will be the case.
Posted By: Bagweaver
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 10/14/08 06:23 PM
Good luck. Keep us posted on your recovery. How long do you think you will be out of work?
Posted By: waldensouth
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 10/14/08 08:24 PM
I taking Thursday off to do everything I didn't get done last weekend and won't do this weekend! Friday and Monday - already had those scheduled as vacation days - turned them into sick days. Doctor said - if laproscoptic then I should be able to go back to work by Monday.
Posted By: Ops
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 10/15/08 10:56 AM
It varies person to person, Walden.
Don't go back too early, you'll be completely miserable. I had mine out on a Monday and went back the following Monday & didn't work an entire day the whole next week. By that time, it wasn't pain that was the problem. I had a hard time kicking the anestesia & was SOOO tired (to the point I couldn't keep my eyes open at my desk).
I talked to several who had theirs out on Thursday or Friday and went back the following Monday, and every one of them said they should have waited a bit longer to go back.
FYI, mine was laproscopic.
Posted By: waldensouth
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 10/15/08 12:29 PM
Thanks Ops, I'll keep that in mind. I have plenty of sick leave so I'll take what I need. With my Red Flags program safely completed and ready for Board Approval on Tuesday, I don't have any urgent duties to fulfill at work right now. Just the norm....
Posted By: KTMiteComply
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 10/15/08 08:42 PM
Waldensouth...hope all is going well with you and you are having a smooth recovery! Can't wait to hear back from you to see how things are going! Sending Prayers your way!
Posted By: BrendaC
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 10/20/08 02:21 PM
Well, I had my gallbladder out on 10/8 and now I have a miserable case of hives. We're still trying to find out what I am allergic to, but in the meantime I am confusing my system with a combination of steriods and Benadryl. And I had no idea that an upset stomach for maybe the rest of your life came along with this deal! Anyone else had these complications?
Posted By: KTMiteComply
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 10/20/08 02:29 PM
oh my goodness!!! It is like very single little thing that you guys post on here is exactly what my daughter has been dealing with. She can not stop itching and still has problems with her stomach too. She has been taking a perscription medication from an allergist b/c of breaking out in hives and rashes...all since this gall bladder surgery...what in the world gives???? Now when she eats she is still so hungry afterwards but has a sharp pain right up under her left side breast bone....uggghhh...
BrendaC she has been taking Xyzal for the itching (have to get from a dr)...so sorry to hear of your complications. I wish I had words of wisdom for you but my daughter has had nothing but troubles since before and after she had hers out almost 3 years ago now. Maybe you should go back to your surgeon again...that is what we are going to try??? I pray you can find some relief.
Posted By: BrendaC
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 10/20/08 02:58 PM
I go back to the dermatologist on Wednesday. If I haven't found any relief by then, I may mention the Xyzal. I am open to anything at this point because they just keep spreading. Thanks.
My surgeon explained that many people will find that the stomach problems get better after a while. Their body will adjust to not having a gallbladder to process fats. But that isn't the case for everyone.
Posted By: East Texas
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 10/20/08 03:43 PM
Now when she eats she is still so hungry afterwards but has a sharp pain right up under her left side breast bone....uggghhh...
I have been dealing with this type of pain this year and was told it is gastritis. I am taking carafate and protonix and it helps most of the time. When I am under stress and it gets worse I have to add in Levsin for a few days.
Posted By: Ops
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 10/21/08 01:45 PM
Having your gallbladder out brings a whole new meaning to when ya gotta go, ya gotta go. Some days, I feel like I should kick my shoes off and sprint to the bathroom. I'm sure my co-workers would LOVE that.
So far, so good, though. Sometimes, I see the light at the end of the tunnel (meaning I have good days and bad days).
I hope your hives get cleared up. I hadn't heard of those problems before.
Posted By: thomasj
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 10/21/08 02:34 PM
My surgeon mentioned the possibility of upset stomach and digestive issues for a few weeks; however, I consider myself very fortunate that I did not experience either of those complications or any of those that some other posters have listed.
Posted By: waldensouth
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 10/21/08 02:45 PM
I had the hives BEFORE I had surgery - spent all kinds of money on allergy tests - am allergic to nothing! Your body could must be producing too many histamines as a reaction to the surgery. You may never know why. Ice helps with the itching!
I'm back at work half days this week. The surgery went well - feel like the Bride of Frankenstein with all these staples in me! No too much pain - stiffness instead. I'm eating smaller meals 4 times a day instead of eating huge meals. That's helping with the hunger.
Posted By: BrendaC
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 10/21/08 02:54 PM
God has such a sense of humor. I actually had two procedures. Along with removing my gallbladder I also had am umbilical hernia repaired so I am not a very good sprinter. Maybe this is God's way of helping me get more exercise?! I may be wearing my tennis shoes from here on...and no more cookies in the mall for me. I guess the upside is that I may finally be able to shed a few pounds.
I am scheduled to go back to the dermatologist tomorrow for the hives, but they have spread so badly that I think I will see if he can work me in today. I am so nauseated. I guess that is from the hives or the steroids and hydrocortisone cream. Who knows? I'm just ready to feel normal again.
Congrats on getting your surgery behind you. Hope all continues to go well. I've never had staples, but the thought makes me cringe.
And ThomasJ - I'm just plain jealous of you.
Posted By: QCL
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 10/21/08 03:02 PM
I do know from experience with my daughter that gallbladder issues typically mean that your bilirubin (a measure of liver function) is up. This can cause increased itching - although the phrase "increased itching" doesn't begin to describe the agony.
Posted By: Ops
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 10/21/08 03:04 PM
I was lucky, no staples. All I had on the outside was glue, stitches were inside.
Glad you're doing well, waldensouth.
Posted By: thomasj
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 10/21/08 04:58 PM
I must have gotten ripped off, no staples or glue for me. A few butterfly bandages and band aids were all I got! I was afraid to sneeze or cough for a week for fear something would come spilling out! I asked the surgeon if he could make the scars nice and jagged so I would look like a gangsta when I take my shirt off! I do have scars, but they are all uniform and straight....
Posted By: KTMiteComply
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 10/21/08 06:49 PM
I do know from experience with my daughter that gallbladder issues typically mean that your bilirubin (a measure of liver function) is up. This can cause increased itching - although the phrase "increased itching" doesn't begin to describe the agony.
hmmmm...interesting...so do you mind explaining this again to me? When my daughter goes back to see the surgeon what should she talk to him about concerning the itching? I guess just tell him about it and he "should" know...right? We've been going to an allergist..but nothing has shown up there....
Thanks for the info
Posted By: BrendaC
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 10/21/08 08:51 PM
Well I just returned from the dermatologist and he biopsied a section of my rash. (I didn't even know they DID such a thing.) It will be 7-10 days before we get the results. He said the results should tell us whether the hives are from a drug reaction, a bug bite I got about 3 weeks ago or something else. In the meantime, he prescribed Xyzal and a different topical cream.
I did take Ibuprofen twice while I was off of my Enbrel (Had to go off 3 weeks for the surgery). I remembered today that my brother is horribly allergic to Ibuprofen. I may have done this to myself.
Hope your daughter finds some relief soon, Kaytee. I can definitely feel her pain!
Posted By: QCL
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 10/21/08 09:18 PM
Kaytee - ask him to run a liver function pannel (blood test). If will show if the liver functions - like the bilirubin I mentioned - are out of whack and could be the cause of itching.
Posted By: KTMiteComply
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 10/21/08 09:51 PM
thanks guys...brenda c...hope you are so much better soon!
I hate to be a Gloomy Gus but anyone still having pain a month after gall bladder surgery should see a doctor! My brother-in-law had his gall bladder out mid-February and never felt any better although I must admit no one told him not to eat fatty-greasy foods. Anyhow at the end of April we took him to the emergency room at 10 at night with severe pain which was diagnosed as possible Pancreatitis. They admitted him and by 7:30 the next morning he had passed away. We are still wishing that we had been more forceful with his doctor about the care he was receiving.
Posted By: KTMiteComply
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 10/22/08 08:29 PM
I am sooooo very sorry!!!! Oh my goodness!!!! That just breaks my heart!!! Thank you for sharing something that I know must be hard to talk about! Please accept my deepest sympathy!
Posted By: BrendaC
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 10/22/08 08:41 PM
Finally Spring - I am sorry to hear that as well. My sympathies to you and your family on your loss. It is a good reminder to us all not to ignore signs of potential problems.
Posted By: Ops
Re: Gall bladder Surgery - 10/23/08 02:31 PM
The best medical advice I've ever gotten was from my Mama, the RN. She said, "excrutiating pain is never normal."